1 Interior Designers & Decorators in Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg was founded by the Voortrekkers in 1838 after the defeat of Dingane at the Battle of Blood River. It was the capital of the short-lived Boer republic 'Natalia' before being taken over by Britain in 1843. Today, it is popularly known as Maritzburg and often abbreviated by locals as PMB.

Part of the city's colonial history can be found in the proud Old Colonial Building. This structure, which has stood on Church Street since 1899, has been home to various government offices over the years, and its soaring columns are a terrific example of the late 19^th century architecture that can still be found in Pietermaritzburg today. Outside the Old Colonial Building, one can see a bronze statue of activist Mahatma Gandhi, commemorating the 1893 incident when he was evicted from a first-class carriage at Pietermaritzburg railway station.

In addition to the various colonial structures in the city, other Pietermaritzburg tourist attractions also include The KwaZulu-Natal Museum, the City Hall, the Comrades House and The KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden. This garden, located along Mayor's Walk in the western suburbs, was established in 1874 and features plants from eastern South Africa as well as the Northern Hemisphere.

How to choose an interior design style that suits you

Whether you're on the hunt for a new look for your brand-new kitchen or just thinking about zhooshing up your existing living room, finding a matching theme and style is important. But with so many products available, one's choice can seem a bit daunting when it comes to all those interior design styles, colours, materials, patterns, textures, furnishings and décor.

➣Start with the basics

Not sure which interior design style matches your personal taste? Consider the four main ones:

• Casual: It's all about comfort, warmth and relaxation, which can be accomplished with rectangular elements, rustic styles, and soft furnishings with lots of textures.
• Formal: Focuses more on elegance and symmetry and usually goes hand in hand with high ceilings, polished woods, and antique accessories.
• Contemporary: Trends change, but there's always a fundamental, simplistic and subtle sophistication associated with contemporary styles. Think of neutral colours, structural elements, and smooth/geometric furnishings. (Read more: Modern versus contemporary design: Which is which?)
• Traditional: Comparing traditional styles with the latest trends, you are likely to find that nothing really changes, but rather gets revamped. However, it's always interesting to see how old favourites (like fabrics and motifs) get adapted to fresh new looks.

➣Be influenced by international styles

After picking the style that speaks the most to you, brush up on your knowledge by looking at photos and inspiration that further spark your interest in terms of colours, patterns, and decorative pieces. It's true that each interior style has its own unique look; however, see how the various details can differ between, for instance, a beach house in Cape Town compared to a country home in England. Consider the following influences:

• French Country Style: Chic meets country style with mixed patterns, symmetrical chairs, chandeliers, and slight pops of colour.
• Tuscan Style: Natural stone combined with wood and earthy hues. Terracotta, open cupboards, copper pots and rustic shutters are all favourites with this style.
• Swedish Style: The Scandinavian style prides itself on being light, clean and open. Don't forget about including light touches of colours among those straight lines and gentle curves, as well as simple woven fabrics.
• Paris Apartment Style: Be inspired by the city of romance with baroque, rococo, and neoclassical touches in the form of rich jewel tones, luxurious silks, and large posters of French landmarks.

➣Choose your colours and flair

Depending on your chosen style, your colour palette can be anything from soft neutral to vibrant pop. Always consider the importance of accent colours and patterns to liven up a space in the form of a coloured accent wall, a patterned headboard, etc.

Always take it one step further (and avoid a copied-and-pasted look) by expressing your own personal flair via décor touches or some unique furniture pieces, whether it's shabby chic, ultra modern, or tropical.

How can an interior designer save me money?

While many people assume that the services of a professional interior designer/decorator are only meant for the rich, the fact remains that the right designer can actually help to save you some costs. Here's how:

1.    They cut down on time and money. An interior designer/decorator is trained to immediately know what will work in a specific space. That will save you countless hours of browsing through window treatment, rugs, wallpaper, etc. Your interior designer can also advise you on furnishings and décor that may end up costing you more later on to repair or replace.

2.    They help to avoid costly mistakes. With all those countless furnishings and décor options available, it's very easy to get sidetracked and waste thousands of rands on pointless accessories. On the other hand, interior designers and decorators will never slip up when it comes to interior lighting fixtures, purchasing quantity vs. quality, hanging artwork incorrectly or too high…

3.    They have connections with other professionals in the industry (such as floorers, landscape architects, carpenters, etc.), which can often mean discounted rates for you.

4.    They know how to repurpose certain pieces, which can save a bundle instead of, for example, buying a brand new dining room set vs. reupholstering your existing chairs or giving that dining table an upgraded look.

5.    They are experts when it comes to budgeting and planning, since they already have the resources relating to your design project.