Retail design specialist Rupert Smith’s industrial loft in Cape Town is an exercise in storytelling, with natural light and contrast in the starring roles.
Rupert Smith, co-owner of VM Central & Olive Studio, South Africa’s only accredited visual merchandising school describes his job astutely, “This discipline is the art and science of attracting and engaging potential retail customers by bringing objects alive. It’s all about creating a coherent narrative.” And while his portfolio includes varied works for iconic international brands like Harley Davidson and Heineken, it’s hard to imagine a more distilled demonstration of what he means through his own living space in Cape Town.
CREATIVE INTENTIONSThis compact loft is infinitely more than the sum of its parts – in Rupert’s hands, the somewhat clinical, static industrial and concrete abode breathes with life. “I was drawn to the raw elements like the steel windows and staircase and to the volume, but I didn’t want a soulless, run of the mill, modern, cold look,” says Rupert. “What I also liked was the sense of life unfolding all around me (the block and the surrounding area hosts residential and commercial units equally). The bigger context is one of people working, playing, living, resting, retreating, entertaining and I wanted to bring this multi dimensionality into the heart of my home.”
This story is from the February - March 2017 edition of Elle Decor India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February - March 2017 edition of Elle Decor India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WAYS OF SEEING
From the bustling streets of Delhi to the serene embrace of the Jahanpanah Forest, Abhimanyu Dalal in collaboration with Amrita Guha and Joya Nandurdikar craft a home that finds itself in a dialogue of art within an architectural marvel
A SINGULAR DUALITY
Vaishali Kamdar and Ravi Vazirani collaborate to design a home in South Mumbai with an understated statement of elegance and rare art discoveries
BEAT THE HEAT WITH SAINT-GOBAIN
SGG Sun ban solar control glass by Saint-Gobain is the ultimate summer shield dedicated to innovation, aesthetics and comfort
ART BEYOND SIGHT
Asian Paints and St+art India Foundation embark on an nclusive Journey at Rajasthan Netraheen Kalyan Sangh, school for visually impaired kids a unique artistic flair onsuring a koloidoscope of visual delights. Vot for individuals with
KUZU ZANG ;O LÀ BHUTAN
Embraced in quiet solitude amidst the magnificent Himalayas, the Six Senses at Bhutan is soup for the weary urban dweller's soul
KEEPING TAB
TAB TAB QUARTZ unveils a designcentric campus at Hosur, that reflects a commitment to social responsibility through the power of design
FRENCH PRESSED COFFEE, GUJARAT MADE HYGGE
With hand-plastered walls, earthy tones and aromas of France, this cafe in Gandhinagar by tHE GRID Architects is quite the masterclass in sustainable design
When Luxury meets Comfort with Maestro Buildwell
Being the maestro in the game needs courage, curiosity and boldness”, a belief embedded by many but practiced by few, is what sets Maestro Buildwell Pvt Ltd apart from the rest and marks itself as the emerging Maestro of the Real Estate world.
IN THE STUDIO OF ARCHITECTURE BRIO
We take you to the workspace of your design favourites, giving you a glimpse of what keeps them ticking period collectibles, paintings and plenty of indoor plants!
IN CONVERSATION WITH TOM DIXON
From the Indian craft's ple in his life to never being bored as a designer, venture beyond the obvious to decode the elusive essence of the creative colossus