Stylish Green Point Apartment

INTERVIEWED BY Michaela Stehr IMAGES Shavan Rahim

Maybe Corpaci, co-owner of quirky local clothing label Mevrou & Co., gave VISI an exclusive look inside her stylish Green Point apartment, which up until recently she rented out on Airbnb.

Here, she takes us through her decor and design choices for this light and bright space.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

As with my fashion choices, my space has to be beautiful to the eye, but functional at the same time. I don’t compromise practicality for aesthetics. I adapted what the space came with in terms of structure and built-in cupboards, and chose contemporary pieces mixed with Mid-century items and lots of indoor plants to make the space more homey.

Did you come up with a main “theme” for the space?

I began the decorating process thinking “white”, “minimalistic” and “modern”. I ended up with subtle tones and pops of colour (especially dusty pink and green), no clutter, and a mix of modern and old, that in my opinion, is well balanced. It represents me in its entirety.

What is the intention for this apartment?

The apartment was bought for me to live in and was furnished accordingly. I then saw the opportunity to let it out on the Airbnb platform back in December 2016 and I have, since then, barely spent any time in the space, as it is always booked out. The apartment has attracted incredibly interesting guests from all over the world. Some of them have already become friends. I have finally moved in though and I’m very happy to be in the space I’ve created. It is richer and more beautiful now due to the lovely energy that the guests brought to it over the past few months.

Who are your interior design gurus?

A year ago faced with a question like this I would have dived into Google and researched decorators to find a few well known names whose work is to my liking. Today, I can say in complete honesty that I haven’t necessarily come across someone whose work has blown me away so much that I need to remember their names or call them my gurus. Can my answer be Pinterest? One seldom looks at who did the work behind those inspirational pictures anyway.

Where did you find your furniture and art?

Literally from all over. From Weylandts, @home and Chair Crazy to Gumtree and the Milnerton Market, from things that I’ve designed to some borrowed items from friends, as I reached my budget and couldn’t afford to buy any more items! Every week, new art and collectibles slowly come in, most of which is from artist friends like Lucie de Moyencourt, Nabeeha Mesopotamia and Chris Auret. The rest is a reflection of my Italian and South African heritage, as well as things I find on my travels.

What is your favourite area in the apartment?

This is a tough one, as I love the entire space. However, I love entertaining, so anything from the outside area and the living room to the kitchen. I love hosting people in my space.

Any stand-out pieces or striking features?

My couch (laughs)! It basically swallows the living room, but acts like the most comfortable chill-out giant bed for any activity that requires comfort. I could live on it.