TLG Drawing Designs

27/05/2026

The inspo vs. the 3D.

Warm colors that feel like sunshine in the winter days we are having🌞

19/05/2026

When did the word Interior Designer become a bad word?

We sugarcoat the reality, with interior designers using titles like “Interior Architect”, “Space Planner”, “Design Professional”, “Design Specialist”, “Technical consultant”…. The list goes on.

I don’t know about you guys, but my Baccalaureus Technologea degree from TUT says “degree in Interior Design”. But I rarely tell people that anymore. When the word interior designer leaves my lips, the general public assumes they can’t afford me. They have not even seen a quote or my portfolio for a project, and it’s already a no.

Social media, especially American influencers show this luxury lifestyle that interior designers cater to. Even before social media, television shows showed the same image.

Qualified interior designers in South Africa don’t do only luxury work. We are a necessity in a project. A proper interior designer will make decisions that won’t go over budget (including our fees) but add to your home immensely. We think about the people living in this space, how will it be used and make sure that the same space will be able to grow with your business or family. We even think about your income and project. I will not put an 80K price tag on a 200K project. But I can promise you that I can significantly lower your unexpected costs by careful planning, budgeting, ex*****on and clear communication with contractors.

We get it. Building is expensive. More expensive? Unexpected costs because of poor planning and little patience.

18/02/2026

This project was completed while I was working as part of a design team at a previous firm.

My responsibilities included construction drawings, site coordination and project management.

16/02/2026

Why contractor relationships are worth gold

One of the biggest reasons projects run smoothly isn’t the design. It’s the relationship between the designer and the contractor.

When there is trust and clear communication:
- Problems get solved faster
- Mistakes are caught early and rectified
- Timelines are respected and met
- Budgets are protected and communicated clearly

I’ve seen what happens when this relationship doesn’t exist. Designs get misinterpreted, changes happen on site without discussion, and small issues turn into expensive delays. Contractors don't questions designs (which they should!) and mistakes are built.

Good contractors don’t just “build” — they help problem-solve. And good designers don’t just draw, they coordinate, clarify, and guide.

Strong working relationships mean:
- better workmanship
- fewer misunderstandings
- less stress for the client and team on site

Good design is important.
But good collaboration is what makes a project succeed.

The best results come from teams that communicate, not compete.

13/02/2026

Pinterest, love it or hate it?

I know of a few industry professionals that have a deep dislike for the app. And I understand why. It creates an image in the client's mind of what can be built, not taking their budget, materials available locally and technology / craftmanship available into account.

While others love it. It shows the designer exactly the inspiration the client has in mind and it gives us a starting point. It shows their version of a "modern farm" and what they expect from a design.

In my personal opinion, I think Pinterest has a time and place, as most apps.

If communicated that the images are AI, done with international materials and craftmanship or renders, I think it can be a useful tool. A Pinterest board gives me an idea of the color taps a clients likes, or the style of floor / wall finish they like. I get to know them through their board. Which areas did they pin the most? Those are areas that are important to them.

What is your opinion on the app? Do you find it easier to communicate what you expect from a designer?
Or do you prefer the designer to take the lead with the information you have given them verbally or in writing, without the visual?

11/02/2026

Common mistakes I've seen homeowners make when choosing the right tile

Choosing look over function:
- Is it slip-resistant?
- Will it be applied to walls or floors?
- Will it be used in wet areas?

Size matters:
Choosing the wrong size for the room size.
A small tile will look busy on a bigger area while a big tile can look awkward in a small space.

Lighting
A tile can look cooler / warmer in store where they most likely use cool white lighting, while in residential spaces we use warm white or daylight/natural white. Ask if you can borrow a sample from your supplier to see what it looks like in your lighting. And please remember to return it!

Not taking wastage into account
A larger tile will need more wastage (15-20%) while smaller tiles will need less wastage (10-15%). Not taking wastage into consideration can lead to a batch difference when purchasing more. Especially if the tiles are purchased long before the project.
Extra tiles not used can be kept as attic stock for when a tile needs to be replaced.

Maintenance
While grip / textured tiles are slip-resistant, they are a nightmare to clean. The same goes the other way for high gloss tiles. It leaves marks that show easily and they scratch over time.

Grout
Choosing grout color can make or break a design. Consider it carefully and remember to mix grout with bonding liquid instead of water! Always make sure your contractor does this.

Which mistakes have you seen before?

09/02/2026

Out with the old, in with the new! Is that not the saying?

This is a project I worked on earlier in my career as part of the design team.

The house was an older Tuscan style house that we modernized by removing the arched wooden frames windows and replacing them with modern charcoal aluminium frame windows and doors.

We also made the house wheelchair friendly for the occupants to be able to use the space for longer.

My involvement on the project was site communication, project management, on site supervision, construction drawings and managing the various contractors.

This was such a fulfilling project. It came out great and, most important, on time!

16/12/2025

01/12/2025

Modern Farmhouse kitchen Revamp

Contact us for any Interior design related projects