"Launched in 2005, Home-Dzine was created to realise a dream; to express my love of home DIY and decor and share with other South Africans. As a non-commercial website I am free to express my own opinions and pass on valuable information to readers.
I feel that more people can benefit by being able to DIY home improvement and home repairs. And we're not talking about major DIY home repairs, but those that anyone with a bit of DIY savvy can do themselves."
Designs by Katie Ridder
After working as a decorating editor at House & Garden and House Beautiful, Katie Ridder founded her interior design firm in 1995.
She is known for her striking balance between style and discretion, and her projects combine comfort, practicality, sophisticated colour, while taking architectural surroundings into consideration. Her work is feature in The New York Times, Elle Decor and House Beautiful.
ABOVE: A custom sideboard of pearwood and shagreen fills a niche and supports a pair or Murano lamps that, like the chandelier and painting, add bright notes of red to a colour scheme of blues and greens.
RIGHT and BELOW: Crisp white squareline cabinets and a blue glass backsplash contrast sharply with the bright red banquette and a table and chairs with chrome accents.
BELOW: Custom dining chairs upholstered in yellow, appliqued silk and grey mohair contrast with the softness of grasscloth walls and sisal carpet. Painted moulding mirrors the colour on the chairs.
This luxurious guest bathroom is adorned with colourful koi and a silver vase displays fresh tulips that echo the colours into the room.
The artfully positioned mirror reflects the wallpaper design from the opposite wall, filling the space with detail.
In her new book, Katie says that everyone wants to be welcome entering a home - even those who live there. Light a smooth flight, an inviting entrance hall sets the mood for the rest of the journey. Most important when decorating an entrance or hallway, is to provide something to focus on from the front door. That might be a stunning chandelier, a painting, or a sculpture on a pedestal, especially in halls with limited floor space.
Katie always plans for a living thing in her plan for the entrance hall. In addition to contributing a lovely scent, flowers or a plant project an air of freshness.
No detail is overlooked when planning her designs. Katie ensures that every single room receives her full attention to detail, down to fresh flowers, glassware for a table setting and the jewel-tone colours that she uses in this dining room.
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