Sarah Ord Interiors delivers a welcome blast of colour into the world of cool white minimalism much favoured in decor of late. Here Sarah Ord gives us her take on South African décor and how best to achieve your personal style.

Q. What identifies South African interiors?

A. South Africa’s heritage is layered with rich cultures and history in a cross pollination of languages, food, flavours, colours etc. Work with these layers of influence when filling your space with interesting things that you have picked up all over the place. It also pertains to pieces of furniture from past and present that work together and the many aspects of colours. My philosophy is to blend a contemporary feel with a generous respect for the traditional.

Q. What interior trends do you foresee?

A: Anything goes! History has shown us how to be bold. Nothing has to go out of fashion – look at how things get re-used, re-introduced, re-worked and re-visited. You may spray an old wooden desk a glossy piano-black or re-cover an armchair in bright pink. Your taste can be incorporated in any interior. It’s all about proportion, perspective, line and colour, flow and light. It is hard to pull an eclectic layered look together and that’s where a professional decorator makes the difference. They can help you act on your courage to be individual.

Q. What inspires you?

A. My range of fabrics take inspiration from painted tiles found in old churches in Portugal, from Persian palaces and murals and frescoes of ancient buildings and the entrance halls of Roman Villas. I cherish the thought that centuries of traffic, emotions, whispers and hemlines have passed over these floors giving them a unique patina. I have translated all these elements into geometric patterns and zig zags rich in colour on cotton and linen. To this look I have added a range of chunky terracotta crockery which works just as well on a rustic table in an olive grove or at a sophisticated dinner.

Q. What is the reaction to the burst of colour you bring to interiors?

A. People are loving it! Bright decor has been getting lot of publicity, perhaps because people are tired of a palate of grey and white and want a splash of colour in their homes. I want to pioneer a colour revolution.

 Q. What is your signature?

A. My signature is to create the easy feel of a cosmopolitan life well-lived. I am particularly fond of saturated hues that make a statement, quirky conversation-starters and South African features that are a Sarah Ord Interiors trademark. I hope I never tire of red!

Q. Final words of advice?

A. Try and find your own style and build on it; be a little bit brave. Get in touch with the sensitivity in the world at large and travel as much as possible. Sarah Ord Interiors are creating the Christmas look at Cape Grace during the first week of December, so come along and enjoy the festive atmosphere.