Décor inspired by the African bush

Elche’s love of beautiful, colourful textiles is evident. A turquoise door invites you into a spare room layered with textiles in various shades of yellow, a curtain with an orange stripe in the TV lounge frames a sunny garden view, and a patterned Middle Eastern rug in the other guest room makes the colours on a hand-dyed comforter pop.

Elche combines patterns fearlessly, as can be seen in her lounge where pink floral linen upholstery sits comfortably with dark and moody hand-embroidered curtains. Neutral colours form the backbone for pops of bright colour in every room. Synthetics are nowhere to be seen. “Yes, only natural fibres for me,” she says. “Fabrics really excite me and I collect and keep them until I find the right place to use them.”

Elche spent her early childhood years in the Netherlands and then completed her schooling in South Africa; thereafter, she studied fine art and initially worked as a commercial artist.

Years later, when she was managing the game lodge with John, the owners noticed her flair for décor. “I was fortunate that they liked my influence on the look of the lodge and eventually let me do my own thing, which then grew into a decorating business,” she explains.

When asked about her knack for pretty compositions, Elche just shrugs. “I don’t set out with the intention to place things strategically; the arrangements just take shape and are changed up regularly. Living in the bush has certainly affected my style.

I like to work with what is available and I’m always looking for interesting pieces.” >>

Hardly a day goes by that I don’t sit on the veranda to enjoy the sunset; it’s magical and life is good. – Elche

The main bedroom features garden views and French doors that open up onto the veranda. Comforter from Oh So Boho

This blue door, which leads to a guest bedroom behind the kitchen, was one of a few found on the property. Elche loved the colour and simply added a coat of high-gloss varnish.

Both guest bedrooms face the street. “Mosquito nets are essential in Nieu-Bethesda in summer, but I also love how they change the feel of a room instantly,” says Elche.

Plum blossoms from the garden brighten up the main bedroom’s en-suite bathroom.

The veranda is one of Elche’s favourite spots. “In summer, it’s incredibly cool here, thanks to the high roof. In winter, it gets early-morning sun and is sheltered from the cold wind.” Elche’s late husband John made the coffee table from scaffolding planks. The aeroplanes were collected over many years; the couple named their collection ‘Blikkies Airways’.