My mother was an inspiration to me growing up. She is so creative. She has always had an eye. She was the go-to person for the local wedding flower arrangements, to paint the back drops for the school plays, and so on. Early memories are of us scraping paint off furniture and fireplace mantels, using broken glass as a scraper. My mother always had a love for antiques and old homes. She could spot a diamond in the rough and transformed it into a showpiece. My parents bought, fixed and sold many homes during my childhood years. Our homes were always beautiful, filled with amazing South African antiques. I remember feeling so proud and fancy when our home made it into the April 1984 South African Garden and Home magazine.
My mom was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and we have made the decision to travel back to South Africa twice a year to spend as much time as we can with her. I recently returned from a trip to South Africa. The creativity and resourcefulness of the South African people astound me every time I go home. In terms of design, there is a raw, authentic quality to it all. The stores are beautiful. The restaurants are stunning. The hotels are amazing. The landscapes are indescribably magnificent. The very blue sky, nowhere else in the world is the sky so blue. The animals. The native plants. It is however a land of severe contrasts and extreme poverty exists alongside this beauty.
As I reflect on the last visit home, I suppose it makes sense that Ed and I would land in a remodeling and construction business. We love the challenge of improving our customers’ homes, be it kitchens, bathrooms, and all the parts in between. We can’t wait to work with you.