Marica suggested that I wrote a foreword for our bi-weekly email newsletter about the successes of Design Monarchy during 2015. However, that would limit it to only those particular readers and despite the fact that bragging still is not my comfort zone, I thought to share some of it with our boarder audience.
So, here goes with a quick look back at the year 2015 and those events, accolades, projects etc. that really are immensely rewarding for us as a young company. We have been working at increasing our business visibility and interior design projects as Design Monarchy for over 5 years now therein lies the rewards – to see the fruits of our labour…
The cover of the January 2016 issue of Home Magazine featuring the Chintsa home of Mrs. Sharon Turner designed by Design Monarchy.
The beautiful entrance foyer that flows into the formal lounge and kitchen / dining area. We loved working with this bright open space. | As featured in Home Magazine January 2016
One of our interior design projects, the home of our client Sharon Turner, located in Chintsa on the east coast of South Africa, was selected to be featured in the December 2015 / January 2016 issue of Home / Tuis Magazine. Although we had always maintained it was magazine worthy project, it came as a fabulous surprise to us. To see the incredible glossy images of our interior project, which was by the way so up our alley style-wise, was simply amazing. It enjoyed front page status and a full 12 page spread!
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I overheard the Home Magazine creative editor and stylist, Marian van Wyk, mention to Sharon (our client) that the editor said it was one of the best houses ever featured in their mag. Whoop-whoop!! We wrote a quick blog article about the feature last year, but due to tight end-of-year deadlines we were not able to make too much of a fuss. Is it too late to crack the champagne now?
The quirky kitchen / dining area and entrance foyer. I simply love the mix of chairs in the dining area. We managed to use the client’s existing table in foyer. Rose spent an hour arranging all décor items and vintage accessories we sourced to create the perfect table vignette. | As featured in Home Magazine January 2016
I reckon this creative workspace we put together for Mrs. Turner was one of our favourite nooks EVER. Many of the elements, including the desk made of an old door and the wall boxes, Design Monarchy designed and had custom made. | As featured in Home Magazine January 2016
Another interior design project that we started punting back in 2012, the upmarket retirement complex, Summerley Court, was given the green light mid-2015. We worked on that between July and November 2015. The project was a wonderful collaboration between Design Monarchy and LifeTides, a Retirement Lifestyle Consulting company. The partnership produced truly noteworthy, striking interiors. I have to thank John White of LifeTides for entrusting his “baby” and long awaited project into our hands. Although the task was not without its challenges, due to tight timeframes, it was such a pleasurable project.
The Summerley Court Retirement Complex Residents’ Lounge. Design Monarchy had a blast putting together these bright and happy interiors. Our brief was to work with Summerley’s branding colours – shades of purple & green.
The Summerley Court Retirement Complex Residents’ Lounge. Design Monarchy had a blast putting together these bright and happy interiors. Our brief was to work with Summerley’s branding colours – shades of purple & green.
The Summerley Court Retirement Complex Dining Room has the most amazing views of Cape Town.
In early 2015 we completed another interior design project along the East Coast – this one in East London. It can be a challenge to undertake projects out of town. However, we jumped at the opportunity to work on another project were we could incorporate the interior style we so love – eclectic and colourful with a touch of playful quirkiness! Again, right up our alley! The client’s enthusiasm and collaboration adds that flavour of excitement as well. It was such fun.
Furthermore, can I have a drum roll please…
Home / Tuis Magazine once again asked if they can feature this home in one of their latest issues! The interview and gorgeous photo-shoot images will be published in the April 2016 issue of Home / Tuis. Yippee! The issue is due to hit the shelves on 14th March – so keep an eye out. Big thanks to the Media24 team and to our client, Michelle Ward, for getting on board with this publication.
Shhhh, photo shoot in progress! The Home Magazine team hard at work getting that perfect shot of our client’s home for the April issue.
Networking – Okay so I am a born and bred Networker. It is so easy for me to do, plus I enjoy it thoroughly. The XtraOrdinary Women’s Network is where you will find me bleating away. I attend their Coastal Chapter, the Somerset West Chapter and, my all-time-hot-favourite for the past three years, the Holistic Chapter. I am so into that stuff. And the reward, you might ask? Well, that would be… awards! In 2015 I was awarded the Supporter of the Year Award from Holistic Network and this year, from the same chapter, The Networker of the Year Award. Can you believe it – getting awards for doing what you enjoy! Many thanks to all and especially Michelle Vooght and Gwen Kloppers.
Rose McClement from Design Monarchy wins “The Networker of the Year” Award from the Xtraordinary Women Network’s Holistic Chapter. Here Rose is with chapter leader, Michelle Vooght (left), and Network founder, Gwen Kloppers (right).
One of the biggest pleasures for both Marica and me is the publication of articles on this blog, The Design Tabloid. The rewards from that is your faithful support as our readers. That is BIG for the both of us. It may be a powerful marketing tool for Design Monarchy, but being able to share ourselves with y’all – nothing better. Many thanks.
See y’all as we journey into 2016. Stay with us and enjoy the ride.
P.S. I am reading the Divine Secrets of Ya-Ya Sisterhood and hence “y’all” is becoming my new favourite word.
The Design Tabloid 