Leading mobile and game development studio, Apalon, has released a useful design tool known as Dream Home for iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.

Providing users with the latest home design trends inspired by professional interior designers from all over the world, the application helps users to brighten up every room in their home.

Dream Home offers users a smooth navigation experience, featuring high resolution photos which can be filtered according to Room Type, Style or Colour. Once the application has been downloaded, users can view the gallery without being online. There are three folders within the app – Recent, Popular and Favourite. A slideshow allows users to browse through the selection of photos in each section. Users can zoom in on photos to get a closer look at interesting details.

VP of Apalon, Peter Melnikov, believes that Dream Home stands out amongst the variety of gallery applications Apalon has previously developed. He says, “The unique design of the gallery allows users to easily browse through hundreds of spectacular photos featuring unique and original home design ideas from around the globe.”

Dream Home is available on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad and is required with OS 2.2.1 or later.

If you weren’t able to make it to Decorex Cape Town this year, there are more design expos on the way, showcasing South Africa’s talented designers and filling you in on the latest trends.

Running from 21 to 23 May, the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg will host a brand new design event known as Grand Designs Live South Africa. Grand Designs, a hit television show in the UK, informs audiences about home renovation and design solutions. Based on the multi-award winning UK consumer event, Grand Designs Live will combine cutting-edge design products, interactivity and an eco-friendly message. Grand Designs Live aims to be South Africa’s top design and home show. Visitors to the event will be provided with ideas to help them create their dream home.

If you missed Decorex in Durban and Cape Town, you can still catch the event in Johannesburg later this year. From Thursday 5 August to Monday 9 August in the Gallagher Estate in Midrand, the multi-award winning show, now in its 12th year, displays the latest trends in everything design and décor related.

Decorex will be back in the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) again next year as well as the Design Indaba Expo, which will hit the Mother City between Friday 25 February and Sunday 27 February. The Design Indaba Expo brings together more than 260 exhibitions displaying the latest in advertising, architecture, craft, décor, film, fashion, graphic design, interior design, jewellery, new media, publishing, product design and visual media. All products are original, contemporary and innovative, and manufactured in South Africa. There will be much to do and much to see, including fashion shows, a short-film festival, a Design Indaba Kids Workshop, a designer bar, designer food and daily Pecha Kucha presentations. The Expo runs alongside the Design Indaba Conference which has been going since 1995.

View the talent South Africa has to offer and learn about new trends at these interesting and exciting design expos. Join in on the fun and satisfy your curiosity!

‘Comfortable’ has to be the key word in your guest house. The lounge area is where your guests will first find themselves sitting back and enjoying a welcome drink or reading a magazine. It is where conversation will be sparked between guests and can be said to be where the heartbeat of your guest house originates.

If you have limited space, use your space very carefully. This interior uses every available space for seating. Seat cushions are placed by the window for more intimate seating. The occasional chairs and sofas are used to create two separate seating areas.

TIP: If your lounge area looks out onto the outdoor area, don’t block the view by putting a high back sofa in front of the window. Rather place a low back sofa or a pair of occasional chairs in this area.

A quintessential part of your guest house is to make your guests feel at home. The seating chosen for the lounge has to be comfortable and relaxing.

TIP: When buying a sofa, ask the sales person what filling they use for their seat cushions. High density foam lasts longer rather than a softer inner, so choose carefully. Refilling the seat cushions will become an extra cost in the future if you choose the wrong filling.

Upholster you sofas in a neutral fabric. To bring pattern and interest to a sofa, add scatter cushions and throws. The cushions can be changed for each season. Changing the cushion covers you will create a new colour scheme. Fabrics are available in a variety of patterns, making it easier to incorporate a colour scheme. Keeping the sofa simple in design enables you to bring in different styles of occasional chairs and other pieces of furniture.

Colour can also be incorporated into the interior by bringing in a colourful carpet.

Make sure there is enough seating for all your guests. Ottomans and occasional chairs are useful as they don’t need to take up space and can be scattered around the room.

Colourful cushions create interest on the sofas and the repetitive use of mirrors on the wall creates symmetry in the interior.

Coffee and side tables are a necessity for guests to put down their welcome drinks and reading material. Find a coffee table with storage capabilities for magazines and books. This will create a more welcoming and uncluttered interior. Decorative storage boxes are another way to hide additional items.

TIP: Avoid Clutter on a table. Coffee table books and a decorative item are needed on the table for effect, but do not overcrowd the table.

A small study/library area gives guests the opportunity to escape into a book. If your guest house has internet access for guests, a desk will create an area to send emails or catch up on work.

This lounge uses an elegant design. It is uncluttered and still has the required pieces of furniture to make it functional.

Don’t be afraid to use colour in your interiors but use them cautiously. Pastel wall colours create a relaxing and welcoming interior.

Window treatments are available in many styles for different applications. Layer your curtains and sheers to add interest to the interior. Eyelet curtains fit into any style of interior and with no hassle of curtain hooks. Standard curtains are available in stores, but it is best to get a professional in to measure your windows and suggest the right type of curtain.

If you want your curtains to be a feature in the room, ask your local curtain supplier for new products and designs.

An entertainment area, usually in the bar area, is where guests can relax and watch TV. You can, if needed, incorporate a plasma screen into the lounge area. Depending on the look you want to achieve in your interior, you can frame the screen as if it were a painting, so it looks like a piece of art on the wall when not in use. Try and be discreet when placing the TV screen. Another option is to invest in a TV unit with doors which will hide unsightly cables.

Using dark wood furniture in a monochrome interior creates visual interest. A large unit against a wall creates a focal point when walking into the room.

An existing recess in the wall is a perfect way to create an accent wall or focal area. This has been briefly discussed in the previous blog post. By installing shelving in these recesses you are able to display a collection of decorative items. You only require one feature wall. Too much colour gives the illusion of the room being cramped. There are some basic rules you can follow if your interior is small. If you have low ceilings, have long rectangular artwork installed vertically on the walls which gives the impression of height. If you’re worried about colour making your room feel too small, a neutral wall colour is a safe option. A simple solution to make your interior appear larger is to add large mirrors to your walls to reflect the space.

Instead of hanging your frames on the wall, place them on a shelf. This adds another element to the interior.

Lighting in the lounge and study area is important in making your guests feel comfortable. Adequate lighting for reading is essential. To create different lighting moods for your interiors, install a dimming system for your ceiling and wall lights. Lighting design is becoming broader with designers becoming aware of new materials and technology. Lamps can be incorporated with a collection of decorative items to make an uninteresting area more striking.

Always remember that your interior should reflect your personality. You should be proud to have guests appreciating the interior space. And this can only be achieved if guests feel comfortable.

To understand the design process more easily, the standard layout of a guest house will be divided into individual areas. The layout has been divided as follows: entrance, lounge/study, dining area, bedrooms and bathrooms, and entertainment and outdoor Areas. Each week we will discuss an area. This week we will discuss the entrance area, which includes the entrance foyer and reception area.

The best advice that can be given to you is to look at your guest house as a product. If the packaging is not marketable, then the public won’t buy it. The entrance is like the packaging of your business; it’s the first thing visitors see. If the design of the interior hasn’t been properly thought out, guests won’t get a good impression. If you have doubts about the interior design of your space you may need to rethink it. A good start in making this design process easier is to create a mood board of images that can inspire your interior. Pin up images of interiors, furniture, wallpaper, a piece of fabric and even colour swatches on a board. This will help you visualize your interior before you even start painting the walls. The entrance will set the standard for what your guests will expect from the rest of the guest house. It has to incorporate the quintessence of what you expect your guests’ thoughts to be when they leave your guest house.

Rethink how you would normally decorate your walls.
This collection of various-sized mirrors layered on top of one another create an interesting wall feature. TIP: Mirrors (in fact most pieces of furniture) are available from auctions at a fraction of the price of buying new.

When you were starting up your business you might state in the business plan what you want your guests to experience when they stay over. A South African getaway, a wine farm adventure, a country cottage or even a Zen retreat are some of the terms you might use to describe what ‘theme’ you want to create for your guest house. Revisit your business plan if you are thinking of starting or remodeling your existing guest house interior to see what your initial idea was.
Let’s take the example of a South African getaway as the ‘theme’ of your interior. Your theme can be incorporated into every aspect of the interior from the front gate to the fabric chosen for the sofa. There are many stores that stock South African items from a wooden stool to a wooden giraffe for your entrance. Wetherly’s and Amatuli are just some of the stores that supply African furniture, or rather African-inspired furniture. A contemporary sofa upholstered with a natural-looking fabric can hint at being African.

NOTE: When looking for African craft, research will need to be done. There are many different products from all over Africa. If you want a truly South African experience for your guests then ask where the item was made before you buy it. If you are looking for a design for your front gate, this research can also be useful. An African bead design could inspire a pattern for the gate etc.

If you have space for a reception desk, you should invest in purchasing a table and chairs and cleverly position them as to not cramp up your entrance. A reception desk does not have to be a large structural element made out of Italian marble, but it could be simply be an elegant antique desk from an auction and two comfortable upholstered chairs on which guests can sit and book into their room.

NOTE: Try your best to hide any computer cable under the desk as they are unsightly. Look for products that neaten up cables, or pedestals which the cables can run inside of.

If you have the space, there should be some seating in the entrance area. This is for guests who are waiting to book in or for transport. You may want your guests to wait in the lounge area which will be discussed in a future blog post.

TIP: Separate your seating and have more single seats as guests don’t normally like to sit next to a stranger on a large sofa.

This book shelf is both functional and visually interesting. Always have reading material available for guests. Books on shelves create a visual focal point in an interior space.

Side tables are a great way to bring your theme into your interior. An African stool with a glass top can be used as a side table. Depending on your vision for your guest house you can really bring in interesting items to use as side tables.

Weaving techniques are widely seen in most African products and should be incorporated into an African themed interior.

Rugs can bring colour into a space and can be bought from various outlets. Quality must always be considered when buying any item for your business. The high-end rugs are often expensive but the quality cannot be matched. For cheaper options, visit your local carpet installer/supplier as they often have loose carpets made to order out of natural fiber sisal or even a colourful shaggy carpet. Remember you don’t want your rugs to look worn after a year and a good rug will last you many years. Rugs can add colour and life to a normally uninteresting interior space.

TIP: If your loose rugs slip and slide on your floor, ask your local rug supplier for an anti-slip product that you can cut to your rugs’ size to stop them from moving around.

Mood lighting creates a great ambiance in an interior. There are interesting lighting options out there, including shades made out of felt, perspex and paper, which will bring texture into the interior. A standing lamp is always an elegant way of providing lighting but also look at installing wall lights that will create a talking point for your guests and make their stay a bit more memorable.

This architectural wall detail has been transformed into an elegant seating area using a lighting system that incorporates downlighters and beaded crystals. For an African version, ask your local craftsman for beaded decorations and suspend them in front of downlighters in an existing recess in your wall.

In a more contemporary interior you can create a simple yet dramatic lighting feature, you can be inspired by standard lighting systems grouped together to form a bigger more elaborate light. Also take note of the round rugs which can be customized by your local carpet installer.

A design feature that is often overlooked is a finish to the walls. There are other options than just giving them a new coat of paint. If you have the budget, you can look at wallpaper and specialized wall finishes. For an elegant approach, a floral design will give a plain wall a new lease on life. There are simpler ‘wallpaper’ options. One such option is an embossed pattern on a plain sheet of wallpaper which you can then paint over to match your colour pallet for your interior. For more inspiration have a look at Earthcoat wall finishes and your local wallpaper supplier.

South Africa: a country so diverse, yet, through its people there is a unity in our nation. With 2010 here, we as South Africans have an opportunity to showcase what our country offers.

Through this blog I wish to bring this diversity, especially in interior design, while keeping abreast of trends happening around the world. From floors to ceiling fixtures, window treatments to doors, plastic to timber and fabrics to counter tops, I shall endeavour to incorporate our unique African flavor that is so distinctive to our country, synergizing this flavor with what is current in the world of design. My knowledge of hospitality design will hopefully enable you to conceive, create and implement your own interior ideas.

My main goal is to create awareness of what products are available in South Africa, inspiring the readership to design more functional and marketable interior spaces fusing the very nature of african craftsmanship with the basic principles of interior design.

On my many outings to various interior design retail stores I discovered Mezzanine in Greenside, Johannesburg. Mezzanine gives the public a great opportunity to buy furniture that encompasses this ethos which we take pride in. Their product is of a high standard, from their 5mm edging on all their veneered timber furniture - hence no chipping of veneer on the edges of their units - to their choice of fabrics on all their upholstery items. The attention to detail in a piece of furniture from Mezzanine is noticeable (refer to the pencil tray in the pedestal). Have a look at their new website (www.mezzanineinteriors.co.za) for more information on their full furniture range.

The amount of people visiting South Africa during the Soccer World Cup 2010 will generate increased business for the hospitality industry, both big and small. South Africans traveling abroad would have encountered a wide range of accommodation, good and bad, but when asked what makes the perfect lodging, opinions differ. However, there are a few basic principles every guest would expect, namely quality and comfort. Such comfort and quality may only be achieved using products that are in line with client expectations. Future foreign guests shall bring their awareness of what is standard internationally, as well as their existing knowledge of design in the hospitality industry, thereby creating the need for local businesses to investigate and evaluate the quality and comfort needed to create that perfect experience.

I hope to be helpful in future when it comes to anything involving interior design. Every blog I write will concentrate on a specific topic / product and be ‘themed’ to help you make your own decisions making South African products more prevalent in the ever increasing market for quality.