Tips from a decor voyeur

This post isn’t as much about décor trends as it is about human nature – but tell me you don’t enjoy peeking around inside other people’s homes … Be honest! Who out there hasn’t visited for-sale homes in the neighbourhood just to check out the bathroom fittings and kitchen cabinets?

I’ve been known to do this on occasion. OK – so the show day agents all know me by name … whatever.

I don’t go to keep up with the Joneses, you understand, but to see whether their décor is as awful as their faux Guccis and Choos. Call it professional curiousity. And call me flabbersmacked at some of the things I’ve seen … Paris Hilton-style bling in the ’burbs. Doghouses nicer than some of the holiday flats I’ve stayed in. Vehicles housed in pimped out garages that probably cost more to decorate than my entire home.

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contemporary entry design by san francisco general contractorDijeau Poage Construction

I’m addicted! So imagine my absolute delight when I found out that I don’t have to wait for Sunday show days for my fix. And that I don’t even have to get out of my pajamas to skulk around. Property marketing website Private Property has introduced virtual tours to their offering – 360-degree views of the interiors and gardens of some of SA’s most desirable homes.

Check out this elite upper-Constantia home for example. That patchy lawn and uninspired landscaping – tsktsk. But good grief! How beautiful are the reflections in the glass mosaic-encrusted feature wall by the pool?

This Houghton estate residence is so stark I find it hard to believe that anyone actually lives there. My personal style isn’t maximalist at all but I do think that some artworks – Kemp or Kentridge, depending on the budget – would break up those glaring white walls. And a few choice Art Africa finds or Ardmore pieces would liven up the space.

Ten out of 10, though, for the matchy-contrasty wallpaper and lampshades in the main bedroom. The monochromatic black and white scheme, as well as the use of patterned wallpaper instead of a headboard, echo two major trends in the international décor world.

traditional bedroom design by chicago interior designer Michael Abrams Limited

And in this Northcliff cluster home , the proportions seem all wrong. The teeny weeny table in the lounge area would probably work better if it were square, while I think that the sofas should be more “plush” to offset the sparse lines of the armchairs. They would also work better in chocolate rather than black, with patterned or textured scatter cushions to introduce some depth (designers call this “layering”). This Firenze suite from Grafton Everest would do the trick, methinks.

To say that some of the homes on show could use a professionalstager is an understatement. Or perhaps I’m just a décor snob. Whatever.