Cool Spaces: Joburg Office

WORDS Amelia Brown IMAGES Elza Cooper

Property development company Narrative’s new offices in the modern development 78 Corlett Drive near Melrose Arch are a shrewd mix of classic styles, clean lines and a contemporary palette.

The conveniently located three-storey six-star-certified Green Star building is comprised of trendy co-working office spaces and proved to be the perfect fit for the progressive property development company. For the interiors, the Narrative team turned to Tammy Holmes of Ivy Décor & Design.

“The brief was to create a chic, clean, modern and masculine office space while incorporating the company’s brand colour through pops of pink,” Tammy explains. “Comfort was also key – the CEO often holds meetings in his office, so we focused on making the lounge pod stylish and welcoming.”

Taking inspiration from Pinterest, Tammy worked closely with her talented team of furniture craftsmen to create bespoke pieces for the two 32 m² offices. “The offices have a very industrial look with exposed conduits, air-con ducts and lighting,” she says. It meant that certain decor elements, such as pendant lighting, which Tammy felt would have created depth and interest, weren’t possible.

To introduce that intended sophistication, Tammy focused on luxurious textures, high-end finishes, prints, artwork and decorative touches, and a considered choice of pieces that stand out in the otherwise modern, minimal offices. Creating a mostly monochrome, uncluttered interior was important in the compact spaces and also to enable the millennial pink corporate hue to pack a striking and playful punch.

“The pink velvet chairs in the CEO’s office are my favourite pieces,” says Tammy, “and I love the beautiful communal oak work desk in the administration office.”

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