Day 2 of Décor School involved a lot of hard work to complete 13 cover shoots in a single day

– but the students did not disappoint. Here are the brilliant results of a single shopping trip to Mr Price Home...

JANNIQUE GILDENHUYS (INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENT), KUILS RIVER

“A bedroom is a place of rest, so I wanted to add just the right amount of texture to create a soft, light and relaxed feel. I finished the look with a neutral palette of soft pink, brown, cream, brass and white, and then added a pop of blue for oomph. A plant is a must-have to bring life into a room and help you relax. At Décor School I learned that a stylist must always have a Plan B. I was surprised by how quickly everything happens. You must have everything handy – from scissors to new ideas.”

ANNA-MARIÉ BOUWER (CLERK), BRACKENFELL

“I wanted to create a light and airy neutral space that would be both playful and cosy. I was very surprised to hear that the photographers would be shooting only one angle for the cover. I had all sorts of plans for other nooks and crannies in the room, so I panicked. But photographer Henrique was fantastic; she helped me make the best of everything. Over the three days, we interacted a lot with the Tuis | Home team and it’s clear that they value their readers’ input when they compile the magazine.”

DEBBIE TARRANT (HOMEMAKER), NOORDHOEK

“I selected my décor pieces with the Commodores song Easy Like Sunday Morning in mind. I imagined a cosy, romantic, relaxed lie-in; what better way to spend a lockdown Sunday morning? Initially, I stressed about finding the décor pieces that I had in mind, but when I saw the incredible choice available at Mr Price Home, I could relax and find my thread.”

JUWAN BEYERS (STUDENT CHEF), STELLENBOSCH

“For my cover, I simply styled the space with pieces I love. During our Mr Price Home store visit, I sourced accessories with contrasting textures and in different styles but with a coherent palette. I knew the cushions would not only create a warm, cosy and inviting ambience, but also add the wow factor. For me, as a student chef specialising in food media, it was wonderful to see how one can express creativity with such passion and share it with Home readers who appreciate it.”

LINDRI VISSER (BUILDING MATERIAL SUPPLIER), BELLVILLE

“I played around with contrast, texture and focal points to create a cool, fresh ambience. My biggest styling challenge was to ‘shrink’ the entire room into a single picture. At Décor School I learned that less really is more. It was very interesting to experience what goes into a cover production – from the initial shoot to cover lines that complement the image.”

MARLENE ORFFER (PHOTOGRAPHER), WINDHOEK

“The moment I saw an abundance of sunshine, I knew a neutral palette with subtle hints of mustard and soft blue would complement this room. For cosy touches, I added a plant as well as a textured stool and cushions. I found it so inspirational to see how other creatives’ heads work.”

MARGARÉ DU TOIT (CLINICAL RESEARCH DOCTOR), PRETORIA

“Although a bedroom is a quiet haven, it also needs elements of spontaneity. I achieved this by adding pops of colour with items such as the floral comforter. To create the effect of a headboard, I stuck two doormats on the wall with Perma Picture Hanging Strips from the styling kit we received upon arrival at Décor School. My biggest challenge was to stick to sourcing only 10 items from the variety at Mr Price Home in such a short time. And not to ‘over-style’.”

RENETTE OPPERMAN (GRAPHIC DESIGNER), NAPIER

“Cosy, comfortable and elegant were keywords when I selected my 10 items; I was also after a piece that would create a focal point. As soon as I had the pretty floral rug in my trolley, I selected accessories to complement it. My second find was the ochre ottoman. From there, I focused on adding textural variety, as explained by Marian.”

MARYKE ROBERTS (JOURNALIST), STRAND

“Because lockdown clipped our travel wings, a pretty Asian sketch (seen on the nightstand) grabbed my attention. I wanted to create a room that could be in a far-flung place. The Persian rug reminded me of a hotel room in Istanbul that I stayed in some years ago. In my head, I wanted to be in that space again. The patterned cushions and throws from Mr Price Home add to the exotic Middle Eastern feel.” >>

SHIRMA GERBER (FINANCIAL ASSISTANT), CRADOCK

“I love using items for a purpose different to what they were intended for and I was over the moon when I found the white room divider in Mr Price Home. It made the perfect headboard. From there, I chose accessories based on my own décor philosophy: beautiful yet practical; cosy, relaxed and uncluttered with a quirky surprise element, like the leopard cushion I added. For extra texture and pattern, I selected a rug and ottoman to complete the vintage look I love.”

MARIANNA BURGER SMITH (VILLA OWNER), PRETORIA

“I styled my cover for those readers with a contemporary, eclectic décor style. Life is too short to be dull, so I steered clear of so-called ‘safe choices’ and combined a Moroccan-style mirror with glamorous elements like a furry stool, yellow metallics and a plush mustard comforter; the Tretchikoff cushion, a lucky find in the house, pulls the eclectic look together.”

RENÉE DANEEL (RESTAURATEUR), NAPIER

“The blue footstool was the very first item I spotted at Mr Price Home and it became the starting point for my styling process. I love how the blue wall brightens up and lends elegance to the otherwise stark white room. With the windows flung wide open, flooding the room with natural light, the trees outside became part of the interior, and I repeated that element of nature by adding plants and flowers.”

WENETTE JORDAAN (MASTERS STUDENT: CONSUMER SCIENCE), PRETORIA

“I knew I wanted to accessorise with steel and woven baskets to create a contemporary feel in the room with its wooden floor. At Mr Price Home, I lost my heart to this bohemian patterned rug; I just knew it was going to create a cosy atmosphere. When I spotted a pretty mustard tablecloth, I decided to use it as a quilt. To make the room more inviting, I added plants. I was so inspired by my Décor School experience that I’ve launched my own online décor shop called Yellow Door.”

The Décor School was such a privilege and inspiration! As a brand that eats, sleeps and breathes interior design and décor in the homes of real people who love to invest in making their spaces a reflection of who they are, it was so special to meet and spend time with Tuis | Home readers – their passion certainly exceeded our own! A highlight was witnessing how much creativity filled the room – even though all the students were tasked with a similar bedroom project, everyone’s approach, use of colour, choice of featured items, vision boards and expression of ideas was unique! We can’t wait to partner with Tuis | Home again for another exciting Décor School experience! – Kerry Strauss, Marketing Director at Mr Price Home