We were blown away by the talent, enthusiasm and love for their homes of those who entered our Don’t Move Improve competition. A big thank you to all of you who took the time to send in your renovation projects.

For the difficult task of choosing the winners, the GH team was joined by guest judge interior designer Claire Clark of By Dezign Interiors whose work has often appeared on our pages.

We spotted great talent, clever use of budget and fabulous creativity in the over 100 entries and we’ll be presenting some of the best to you both online and in print. Some were full on family projects, others started with sad circumstances but had happy endings and we were amazed at the number of women who had a baby in the middle of renovating – you go girl!

Winner: Pippa Robert for her stylish home renovation

BEFORE

After lots of deliberation, a clear winner emerged. Pippa Robert and her husband, Louie’s tasteful renovation of a Craighall Park home in Jo’burg which they did in just one month. We loved the way they’d modernised the house with new flooring, skirting boards and cornices and with new French and stacking doors house now has a better connection to the garden. It was much lighter which together with their stylish furnishings has turned it into a beautiful home.

Pippa is the lucky winner of a luxurious two-night stay for four at Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel and Spa in Stellenbosch worth R17 960.

Second prize: Cindy McVitty-Gravante for her clever home revamp

BEFORE

Hot on their heels was Cindy McVitty Gravante’s clever home revamp. She gained points for her clever use of a small budget. “The changes she made had a great impact and as it’s probably a small space, we liked the way she had carried the blue accents throughout, creating continuity between the rooms,” says guest judge Claire Clarke. Also in her favour was that that she had done many of the decorative updates herself.

Cindy has won a two-night stay at Val Du Charron’s beautiful four-star Guesthouse just outside Wellington, valued at R10 000.

 

Third prize: Savva Pafitis for the redecoration of his grandmother’s bedroom

BEFORE

And in third place was graphic designer Savva Pafitis’s fabulous transformation of his grandmother’s bedroom – proof of his excellent eye for design. We were incredibly impressed by his meticulous presentation and plans for the redecoration and how beautifully it turned out. He included some really practical ideas such as using different fabrics on the scatter cushions so that you can change the look depending on your mood.

Savva has won a fabulous R5 000 voucher from Coricraft and a R2 000 voucher from Volpes.

The winners of the two ProNature Paint hampers were Janine Hayward and Grace Madigoe.

Congratulations to all the winners!