Starting Over

Decor Editor Edwain Steenkamp catches up with experts in the industry to talk about the future of home renovations

- Edwain Steenkamp

‘Even before the coronavirus pandemic, there was a design movement that looked inwards and focused on how people truly live in their homes,’ says Claudia Cannata King of The Dialogue Room by Cannata. ‘This idea has, of course, been amplified over the last few months as people come to grips with a whole new way of living.’ Claudia says that as a result of nostalgia and investment necessities, the use of natural materials has re-emerged. ‘It’s part of an exciting design movement that mixes honed or matte materials and finishes with glossy ones. The result is a highly considered space that both balances and contrasts aesthetics.’

thedialogueroom.co.za

Space, reimagined

‘There is no doubt that we will reconsider our spaces,’ says architect Renato Graca of GSquared Architects of the widespread effects of Covid-19. While he adds that this will especially be the case for public spaces such as malls, theatres and gyms, the way we view our homes will also change. ‘Spaces will be adapted, and we’ll probably see the inclusion of more leisure-focused areas in homes – think home-gyms, and even home cinemas – and a greater focus on dining rooms. We’ve already seen how people have adapted their homes to accommodate work areas.’ Renato says we’ll also probably see ‘spaces within spaces’, where workspaces fold away easily to make way for entertainment. ‘It is all about adapting our way of life,’ he says, ‘or avoiding it completely.’

gsquared.co.za

Set in stone