A mid-century-industrial mix might be an unusual interior design approach for most, but not for one of SA’s leading decor magazine editors, who lands the look with panache at her heritage-building apartment in the heart of Cape Town. Located in the city’s historic quarter, Irma has some of the city’s most significant cultural moments on its doorstep, including St George’s Cathedral, the Company’s Garden and the National Museum 

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So what brings one of the country’s most talented magazine editors to a lofty apartment in Castle Street in the heart of Cape Town? An unexpected discovery of this huge space in one of the city’s oldest buildings meant that she could happily curate her much-loved collections and books with ease, yet travel whenever she wanted. Without hesitating, she snapped up the space and brought in Etienne Hanekom, one of the Cape’s most creative interior designers (and a previous art director of VISI magazine). Having worked together for years, they transformed the space with ease.

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Entering directly from the lift from the modest foyer, dressed simply in the palest pink marble, it’s a complete delight. The stainless steel catering-style kitchen is offset by an abundance of plants and succulents and the living area is drenched in sunlight. It’s light, airy and anything but the traditional apartment. On the left, two bedrooms were created by Etienne using corrugated perspex as walls, a material he loves and first used to create partitions in Cape Town’s World Design Capital headquarters in 2012 to great effect – although they were bright yellow! The look pulls together a large collection of photographs, particularly those of Guy Tillim’s, many of which were taken all over war zones in Africa – including the one print photographed in Senegal and enlarged as wallpaper in the striking entry area. Tillim's works always struck a cord as they were deeply evocative of memories of carefree family holidays in northern Mozambique just before simmering unrest took hold, and they represent an equally sensitive time in Africa's history that will never be forgotten.

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Curated corners reveal a love of ceramics from childhood in Mpumalanga (the renowned Esias Bosch was an early influence) as well as collections from Mervyn Gers, Ceramic Matters to name a few - and more recently, delicate pieces from her stylist friend Tina Marie Malherbe. Equally evident is a passion for magazines and books that literally line the walls on both sides of the living area – enough to keep you entranced for hours while settled in the deep-buttoned sofa upholstered in olive velvet. Elegant metal dining tables by Gregor Jenkins are often beautifully styled with collected plates, ceramic servers and flowers. This is a home that is loved and objets that have been gifted by dear friends over the years all have a special place.

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Staying at Irma will inspire and delight those who truly appreciate the gifted eye of the curator and collector – book your next stay here

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