Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
A HOME FULL OF HEART
Designer Evert Erasmus has turned a 50m2 unit into a warm inviting space he can retreat to after a hectic day
AMAN with an eye for expertly transforming small spaces is fashion designer Evert Erasmus, owner of EJE Collections and Ma se Kinners Boutique in trendy Church Street in the CBD. He has shaped his 50m² apartment with a master’s touch.
Erasmus says he likes peace and quiet after the razzmatazz of work.
“With an extremely busy lifestyle and much time with clients, I needed a space to which I could come home and feel secluded from the hustle and bustle.
“My new ladies’ collection was inspired by concrete and industrial buildings and these elements have also been quite strong in my home – a mix of textures, raw materials and clean lines.
“Having to create a home for myself and Alfie, my angora dwarf bunny, was rather challenging.
“In spite of space constraints, being able to accommodate a pet, but present an organised, clean space, has been rewarding.”
Here are tips for using space to the limit:
Choosing good ‘bones’
Erasmus moved into his studio apartment in early May and created a luxurious space with a lived-in feeling within a week.
After inspecting several apartments in the CBD, he decided on a fresh Loop Street development – The Sentinel – for various reasons. Being a development with modern finishes, he had a good base to work with, which made the transition significantly smoother.
Another major deciding factor were the windows. A generous dose of windows helps to create an illusion of a bigger space, and one’s eye is drawn up and out as one walks in.
All Erasmus needed to do was hang his art, arrange furniture in the most desirable formation and install appliances.
The apartment has a full view of Table Mountain, and the windows are taller than those normally found in such an apartment, helping to create a sense of spaciousness.
Moving in
Erasmus immediately set out to create a luxurious, comfortable oasis to call home.
He sourced most of his furniture from @home, his main piece of furniture being a corner couch in a soothing grey felt fabric, with small armrests.
He advises that if you want to incorporate a fairly large sofa in a small space, opt for one with a track arm to maximise space and add to a clean, modern look.
Erasmus bought a beautiful clothing rack from the same shop. It also serves as a room divider without blocking the view of Table Mountain.
He artfully combined his grandfather’s two riempie chairs with the overall modern feel to create a sense of warmth and belonging.
Living large in a small space
Creating a home within a small space is always challenging. First rule is to minimise chaos by decluttering. This applies not only to earthly possessions, but also visual distractions.
When he set about decorating, Erasmus chose to cut back on printed fabrics and colours by keeping his furniture neutral, and playing with colour on soft furnishings and decor.
“This allows me to easily swop soft furnishings and decor for season or trend changes,” he says. He might choose cooler colours for summer, or as trends change easily, update the apartment’s look by acquiring the latest soft furnishings.
Erasmus followed the rule of minimising by decluttering when buying art.
His golden rule is to buy mainly black and white art to allow more freedom to combine it with everything. It creates a calming, peaceful visual display. However, he cleverly used an easily overlooked wall in the kitchen to hang more colourful art. It works really well and lightens up the space on both visual and emotional levels.
To not detract from the openness, Erasmus chose blinds which could be rolled up and allow the apartment’s fantastic views.
Living happily ever after
Returning from a rewarding, creative day at his boutique, Erasmus loves to unwind with a cup of tea, with Alfie at his side, and indulge in his favourite hobby – tapestry – while enjoying the view.
He confesses to an obsession for shoes and spectacles – even kitchen cupboards serve as a shoe space.
One thing is certain: Erasmus has done a tremendous job in creating a luxurious, comfortable oasis that he can call home that is small, but practical.