A creative partnership with acclaimed designer Etienne Hanekom has been key to the striking aesthetic of Majeka House, where five-star facilities and warm country hospitality blend seamlessly with cutting edge interior design.

Recently we got to experience Majeka house boutique hotel where we were treated to a night full of colour and flavour . The rain was a perfect excuse to enjoy the roaring fire place that welcomed us on arrival.. from there we enjoyed a good bottle of red wine while taking in all the quirk and opulent vintage pieces of the cigar lounge. Quirky wall paper and bright spaces of colour.

We got to chat to the very creative designer of Majeka house Etienne Hannekom

What was your main inspiration when decorating Majeka House?

Restricted color and scale. I decided to play with moody tones of muted colour – and pops of vibrant colours – from metallics to brights. Plants and animal themes played a big role in selecting wallpapers and objects.

Were you responsible for exteriors too?

Some areas, yes, there’s restrictions by the body corporate on what needs to stay where, but we were able to add a few privacy screens and pergolas to ‘fence’ off private from public areas.

What was the main inspiration behind the amazing colour palette ?

We have one focus colour, the petrol blue that was inspired by the blue South African skies and works well both inside and out. The rest of the palette is muted dirty tones of more edible colours like pinks and greens. The metallic tones were added to warm up the cooler colour palette. I think what was most important about working on Majeka were the clients. Clients can be the number one reason for the outcome of a space. If there’s no trust you can feel it in the spaces.

How long did the project take to complete ?

This has been a process as we did it in phases. We started with public areas and year after year we changed a few bedrooms pod by pod. Due to the time restriction and the fact that the hotel could only close for a couple of months during the quiet winter months.

One word to describe your work style ?

I don’t have a specific style. It all depends on the space and brief, but overall it’s darker and moodier and always an element of quirk. Some love it, others hate it.

The Majeka room or space you most like and why …
I think the bar lounge area. It was the most basic of architectural spaces, rectangular with a low ceiling. It was a challenge to make it look inviting and warm. It’s years old, yet still looks fresh.

Your favourite ‘piece’ at Majeka House
What started it all … The butler of Majeka house, that silly black pig table from MOOOI. It greets you every time you walk in.

A venue / place in Africa you’d most love to visit (other than Majeka) for the decor and art?
Kenya as a country  

Upcoming projects?  Im busy with a small hotel in Potchefstroom right on a hill, as well as a few exciting residential projects.

Favourite African artist?

Lakin Ogunbanwo from Nigeria