An Interior to Soften Modern Architecture

Echoing the theme of our current issue is this home in the Cape Winelands, where Loredana Morton Interiors has employed used layered materials and the surrounding landscape to soften the linearity of modern architecture.

WORDS Steve Smith PHOTOS Paris Brummer

Founded five years ago, Cape Town-based Loredana Morton Interiors is a boutique studio focused on residential projects. Led by Loredana Morton, whose Italian heritage informs her appreciation for craftsmanship, materials and detail, the practice takes on a limited number of commissions each year. The result is a highly involved design process and interiors that are tailored to the specific needs and lifestyles of their owners. We spoke to Morton about her approach, influences and her new project at Val de Vie Estate.

How would you describe your interior design aesthetic?

“Our aesthetic is modern, refined and layered, with a strong focus on material contrast, distinction and feeling. I am drawn to interiors that feel sophisticated but not cold. There is usually a balance between clean architectural lines and softer, more organic elements. Neutral palettes form the foundation, but we often introduce depth through texture, sculptural furniture, stone, timber, steel, art and unexpected colour accents.

“I would describe our work as sophisticated, layered and contemporary, balancing elegance and bold focal points.”

As a client, how would I experience working your studio?

“Our approach is very personal and intuitive, but also highly structured. We spend time understanding how the client wants to live, not just what they want the home to look like. A successful interior has to reflect the people who live in it, but it also needs strong design direction. Our role is to interpret the client’s lifestyle, taste and aspirations, then elevate that into something cohesive, resolved and timeless.

“We guide the process closely, from concept and spatial planning through to hard finishes ,fixtures, custom furniture, procurement, installation and final styling.”

And tell us more about this latest project…

“The home is located in Pearl Valley, within Val de Vie Estate, one of the Cape Winelands’ most established luxury residential estates. The property sits within a highly manicured landscape, surrounded by mountain views, open lawns, ponds and the quiet pace of estate living.

“The house itself is contemporary and was a complete refurbishment. Our focus was to soften the architecture and give the interiors a more layered, personal and resolved quality. We wanted the home to feel elegant and sophisticated, but still warm and tactile, with our signature balance of Italian refinement and African soul.

“A key part of the design was to draw the outside in. The surrounding landscape, natural light and internal garden moments informed the mood of the interiors, creating a home that feels connected to its setting.”

What was the client’s brief for its interiors?

“The clients are European and wanted a sophisticated holiday home that felt luxurious, contemporary and comfortable. They were drawn to a more refined, international aesthetic, but the home still needed warmth, tactility and a celebration of and connection to, its African setting.”

How did you interpret that?

“We interpreted the brief through contrast. The architectural shell was quite strong and linear, so we introduced softness through texture, forms, rugs, fabrics, art and layered detailing. The material palette became an important way to bring balance to the home: polished and reflective surfaces sit alongside wool, timber, stone and softer upholstery.

“There is also a subtle dialogue between European refinement and African materiality. That is not expressed literally, but rather through texture, craft and local materials.”

Where did you source the furniture, lighting etc from? Mostly international brands or local?

“The sourcing was mostly local, aside from a few selected imported lighting pieces. We always try to use South African makers and manufacturers where it makes sense, especially for custom furniture, upholstery and bespoke pieces. Custom work allows us to create pieces that are specific to the project rather than simply specified from a catalogue.

“This allowed us to curate a European look while still celebrating South Africa and its talented pool of artisans and craftsmen. The final result is a layered home that does not feel like one brand or one source, but rather a curated composition of pieces chosen specifically for the space.”

What interior design features really stand out for you in the project”

“I love the European touch we were able to achieve through local suppliers and artisans. Almost every piece was custom-made, with every fabric, metal colour, stone texture and wood stain carefully selected and curated to achieve this look.

“The artwork in the home was also very special. Each piece was hand-picked to tie in with the interior and tell a story that related back to the clients, their taste and their experiences.

“The internal zen garden stone sculpture is particularly dear to my heart. We created it from a solid piece of sodalite with our stonemason, which was also a fun artistic expression for me personally.”

Were there any particular challenges in the design or procurement process?

“One of the main challenges was working within an existing architectural framework and making the interiors feel fully resolved within that. The architecture was already established, so our role was to create warmth, cohesion and a stronger emotional identity through the interiors.

“As with many high-end residential projects, procurement also required careful planning. We worked with a combination of custom-designed pieces, locally manufactured items and a few selected imported lighting pieces, so timing, lead times and coordination were key.

“A large part of the work was ensuring that every element, from joinery and stonework to soft finishes and final styling, felt considered and connected, all while managing the clients remotely from Europe.” loredanamortoninteriors.com | @oredanamorton_interiors

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