Top South African Interior Designer, Stephen Rich and his talented team have an enviable portfolio of stellar projects under their belt, globally. His furniture selection game is en pointe and we are thrilled to call him our client. His remarkable recent project bathed in the Mediterranean sun in Greece exemplifies his talent.
Stephen’s firm brings over 40 years of experience to projects that emphasise elegant layering of texture, materiality, and thoughtful functionality. His portfolio includes high-profile work such as the interior design for the Werksmans Attorneys building in Sandton, which merges contemporary aesthetics with corporate presence. His designs are celebrated for their sophistication and sensory richness, reflecting both local and international influences.
Rich’s work is defined by elegant material layering, thoughtful spatial planning, and a sophisticated global aesthetic. This Grecian project blends classic Mediterranean lightness with his signature refined approach.
Stephen consistently chooses Vondom for his stelar projects globally. He values quality, style and longevity. This leading Spanish brand offers all of this, with a wide range of stylish designs by leading global furniture designers.
2025 has been a captivating year of design for us and the leading European brands we represent in Southern Africa. From luxury villas in the heart of the Côte d’Azur to award winning projects in Cape Town, our furniture has brought to life to the passion and vision of top designers globally.
We take a look back at the top five projects we featured this year…
SBID GLOBAL AWARD WINNING PROJECT
Primrose House, by Cheryl Herweg
POSTED: 11 FEBRUARY
Cheryl, founder and lead designer at Cape Town interior design studio Changing Spaces, and her team recently won the SBID Award for Best Interior Design for a Residential Project over £1M. The SBID – The Society of British & International Interior Design – is the UK’s leading accreditation body for the interior design industry. Devoted to excellence in learning, training, and the practice of interior design, SBID sets the standards that shape the industry in the UK and globally.
For her award-winning project, in the leafy and well-heeled Cape Town suburb of Bishopscourt, Cheryl employed a carefully curated selection of bespoke rugs, light fittings, joinery, and furnishings—each meticulously crafted—to create a high-end masterpiece. The exquisite artwork, thoughtfully chosen objects, and impeccable styling seamlessly complete this extraordinary home.
Entering Nay Palad Hideaway’s gates transports you to a realm apart from the ordinary. Step into the carefree ambiance of barefoot luxury. Created with designers Daniel Pouzet and Jean-Marie Massaud, Nay Palad Hideaway embodies eco-luxury, fusing local traditions with timeless elegance and features DEDON furniture throughout.
Inside this holiday home, a palette of soft natural hues, luxurious marble, warm natural wood, and refined steel details create an inviting, sophisticated space. Every material has been carefully curated by Cocoa Bean Interiors to enhance the home’s serene atmosphere, and it’s no surprise that this leading design studio made extensive use of our collections for the furniture selections.
Vondom furniture is used throughout this boutique hotel enhancing its uncluttered paired back style. The minimalist designs are precision manufactured in premium quality outdoor materials allowing them to withstand the harsh Mediterranean sun effortlessly all year round.
In the heart of the Côte d’Azur, Vondom furniture brings to life an outdoor space that balances comfort and Mediterranean aesthetics. Featuring the Milos collection designed by Jean-Marie-Massaud for Vondom, this outdoor space reflects the essence of Mediterranean design on the French Riviera: relaxed, elegant and full of personality.
With a legacy spanning 23 years, Bomax Architects has firmly established itself as one of Cape Town’s, and indeed South Africa’s, top architectural firms. Led by Dion Walters and partner Josh Brodie, this firm boasts a team of dedicated and experienced design and technical architects who share a vision for sustainability within a minimalist architectural style. Whilst their portfolio encompasses both commercial and residential projects, their recent focus has been on luxury residential architecture.
Getting to know architect Dion Walters
What would you say you are known for?
Bomax Architects is known for its contemporary architecture with a minimalist style. Our distinctiveness lies in our commitment to creating Sustainable Solutions for Contemporary Architecture. Designing buildings that are not only stunning, but also consider the natural environment is a core focus of our design approach. We always aim to integrate sustainable principles wherever possible.
Where do you find your inspiration?
My inspiration stems from the inherent balance and order found in nature. The modular and systematic patterns observed in well-resolved architecture captivate me. In today’s media-saturated world, distinguishing between reality and illusion can be challenging. While images can sometimes be influential, it is the tangible experience of standing in a masterful structure itself that fuels my creativity.
What is your number one design tip?
Understanding the sequence of priorities is crucial. In architecture, this principle is often referred to as “form follows function”. By addressing essential utilities such as circulation and movement in a logical sequence, the building’s design emerges organically. Then, we reduce noise through simplification. Achieving true minimalism is indeed a complex process.
Which of your projects are you most proud of, and why?
1. Outer Kom House: A passion project for the Bomax “archisurfers”, the Outer Kom House stands proudly on the untamed Kommetjie point of the Cape Peninsula. This modern-day “surf shack” effortlessly blends with its natural surroundings, serving as an extension of the environment. By implementing passive design principles, repurposing an existing building structure, employing efficient waste management during construction, conserving the precious milkwood coastal forest, and harnessing renewable energy sources, this project has become a model for us in our sustainable architecture journey. Outer Kom House is an ocean lover’s paradise, embodying innovation, and environmental sensitivity.
2. House Llandudno: One of our most notable and challenging undertakings… Constructed with cast off-shutter concrete, this Atlantic Coast residence features striking contemporary forms that embody a passive design approach. The razor-edge detail creates an illusion of weightlessness and elegantly cantilevers over the horizon. The concrete forms create a juxtaposition between themselves and the surrounding nature, adding a unique stateliness to the building and serving a functional purpose: tempering the harsh Cape storms.
Where have you used Core Furniture products before?
Which Core Furniture product do you currently have your eye on?
Several products have captured our attention, but one that stands out is the new Milos range from Vondom. We are particularly eager to incorporate this range into the outdoor spaces of our upcoming Mediterranean-inspired home, Sunset Villa, in Cape Town. Inspired by my family’s unforgettable sailing expedition to Milos Island last year, this furniture collection seamlessly integrates with our design and beautifully captures the essence of that inspiring experience.
Additionally, the Vela range remains a favourite at Bomax Architects. It complements our architectural style beautifully, and we intend to incorporate it into our future designs with the likes of our Villa Vera project.
In the heart of the Côte d’Azur, Vondom furniture brings to life an outdoor space that balances comfort and Mediterranean aesthetics. Featuring the Milos collection designed by Jean-Marie-Massaud for Vondom, this outdoor space reflects the essence of Mediterranean design on the French Riviera: relaxed, elegant and full of personality.
Milos, a Mediterranean design with enveloping shapes and unique versatility
The Milos modular sofa becomes the core of this space designed for maximum comfort and style. Its design, composed of three 60º corner modules and an upholstered lounge chair, gives rise to an organic and welcoming configuration.
Two coffee tables from the collection, one square and one round, are seamlessly integrated, creating a central area offering an ideal meeting point for any time of the day.
Nestled in the breathtaking Whale Rock Estate in Plettenberg Bay is a sanctuary designed for a very special family. More than just a holiday home, it is a retreat for quality time, meaningful connections, and unforgettable family gatherings.
Inside, a palette of soft natural hues, luxurious marble, warm natural wood, and refined steel details create an inviting, sophisticated space. Every material has been carefully curated by Cocoa Bean Interiors to enhance the home’s serene atmosphere, and it’s no surprise that this leading design studio made extensive use of our collections for the furniture selections.
We recently hosted an event at our Cape Town showroom to celebrate the arrival of stylish new ranges from our luxury Dutch brand, Eichholtz. Previously available only through orders with a 12-week lead time, Eichholtz’s iconic designs are now more accessible than ever to South African decorators and design enthusiasts. Celebrated globally for its timeless elegance and refined European flair, Eichholtz brings its signature blend of iconic style and modern sophistication to the South African design landscape.
