{The Charming Hopetoun Avenue House designed by Serena Crawford}
While perusing Pinterest yesterday, I came across the photo above of a lovely house with pale green shutters and a green and white striped awning. I was immediately drawn to the facade of the house and clicked, through hoping to see more. I soon found out that this house, titled the Hopetoun Avenue project, was designed by South African designer, architect, and builder, Serena Crawford. I am always so happy to come across inspiring designers who are new to me, especially ones as multi-faceted and talented as Crawford. Her work has an effortless style that feels classic and timeless. Marrying traditional roots with modern elements, these stunning homes designed by Serena Crawford are sure to be enduringly beautiful for many years to come.
{Hopetoun is lovely at first sight. Notice the beautiful view just beyond.}
{Though quite elegant, the living room in the Hopetoun house has an easy, effortless quality.}
{Ikat, Block Printed Textiles, Chinoiserie Panels, Slipcovers, and Chandeliers Work Together in the Living Room}
{The kitchen is casual and chic with shutter-type cabinetry to echo the home’s location near the beach, easy open shelving, and lots of blue and white.}
{The terrace at Hopetoun features an array of neutral rattan and wicker.}
{Beautiful White-Washed Floors and Elegant Accessories in a Bedroom at Hopetoun}
{The cabinetry and open shelving in one of the bathrooms at Hopetoun echoes similar elements in the kitchen.}
{I’m not quite sure what the purpose of this room is, but it is lovely nonetheless. A children’s playroom, perhaps?}
{A Sun-Drenched Breakfast Room is Lovely in Neutrals}
{A Beautiful Bathroom at Hopetoun features a modern bathtub, skirted sink, and dramatic Venetian mirror.}
{A separate project called Parsley Bay is slightly more formal and traditional, though a lot of the same elements– a neutral palette, slipcovers, etc. are present.}
{The great room is a combination of a living and dining area. Instead of having one large dining table, the dining room features a cluster of smaller tables seating four people each. Doing this is probably great for larger gatherings. }
{Notice the Vintage Louis Vuitton Trunks that Appear throughout this Space}
{The Beautiful Grounds at Silverhurst, another Serena Crawford-Designed House}
{A Dramatic Staircase Welcomes Guests in the Entry at Silverhurst. Notice the same leopard chair that appeared in the dining room at Parsley Bay.}
{I love the simplicity of the mud room.}
{The terrace at Silverhurst features the same neutral wicker and rattan that was used at Hopetoun.}
{This is such a pretty bathroom!}
{It looks like Crawford likes to use this cabinetry in most of her projects. I love the look of it.}
{Castle on the Cliff was designed by Serena Crawford and once functioned as an award-winning luxury boutique hotel. It is now a vacation home for the current owners.}
{Incredible Views at Castle on the Cliff}
{Blue and White Stripes and Batik Prints in the Living Room at Castle on the Cliff}
{Can you imagine waking up here with the beautiful ocean just beyond the windows?}
{Castle on the Cliff is Rustic Chic}
{I love this bedroom at Castle on the Cliff. The ceiling detail and built-in bookshelves are fabulous.}
{There are only two photos of the Wellington Project on Crawford’s website, but the exterior is too beautiful not to share.}
{This is such a beautiful garden, pool, and guesthouse. I love it!}
While observing Crawford’s portfolio, I couldn’t help but notice that she uses a lot of the same design elements in each project. As a designer, I know this is important in defining one’s look and point of view and frankly, sometimes you can’t help but keep going back to individual pieces you love. However, I am curious how you feel about designers employing a lot of the same elements from one project to the next. What are your thoughts?
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What an amazing projects! Absolutely stunning, love the harmony that the rooms have. So dinamic, simple and elegant 😉
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Lovely design and enviable properties! I don’t think I have a problem with designers using the same elements in different projects. I would look to a designer for product resources and hope that the designer has favorite and “go-to” suppliers. There are certainly efficiencies to be had. On the other hand, I understand not wanting my home to look too much like someone else’s, especially if I have paid for an expensive interior designer, so I guess it is a fine line for the designer to navigate.
Serena’s work is incredible. I do like that she uses some of the same elements in her projects, it doesn’t look redundant and it definitely works!!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Thank you for the wonderful accolade on your blog.
These are all my personal homes. And as a result it’s often the same furniture moved from country to country house to house!!! I’m now building a new house..very excited. And once again the same favourite gold mirror will reappear !! I have lived and moved too many times . I have mostly been my own client as a result !
Serena, your work is absolutely beautiful and truly inspiring. How wonderful that these are all your personal homes. While there are some common threads, they each seem to have a distinct point of view and personality.
Beautiful portfolio and interesting question. As a designer I do not appreciate it if someone walks into a room I have done and says “Diane must have done this”, which says to me that I did not adequately reflect the taste and style of the client. While I do use similar elements in most rooms i.e. contrast welting and a touch of black, this is not a “signature” but more of a good design “trick”. That being said, I love the fact that she, like most of us, hang on to her favorites and use them in each of her homes. Proof that good design never goes out of style!
her designs are wonderful + love them all + thank you for the introduction. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Loved it all.
These rooms are perfection! Effortlessly beautiful is my favorite look in interior design as well as fashion. Ms. Crawford has achieved that look in all of these projects.
I think if a designer is talented they can use some of the same elements in many projects but still reflect the clients desires. But some designers do almost the exact same look from wall paint to furniture to accessories in all of their projects. For me, that becomes extremely boring and almost a paint-by-the-numbers approach to design, which isn’t design at all.
Serena’s work is superb. Especially love the Hopetoun Bath!
Just looking through all these wonderful comments on your fabulous blog… and Im so touched!! Anyway the one room you didn’t know what its was.. and thought it was a childs room….was actually my bathroom! You can see tip of bath in one corner.It had sweeping views of Sydney Harbour..through marvellous sliding open windows. My new house in Cape Town is nearly finished and when its done I will send the photos to you.xxx
Love your blog!!
love Serena Crawford
What a great profile on my dear friend Serena. Do you know that we have been friends since we were 15 years old in Johannesburg South Africa!! I am actually going beach walking with her in Cape Town on Monday, I am visiting my sister and going to a 60th birthday. We are having breakfast at her house that she has just built here in Cape Town. I hear word that it too is spectacular. I will keep you posted.
That designers do have a style that they naturally gravitate towards is a given. Many people adore this style of interior decoration. It’s not new but Serena’s approach is a fresh uncluttered take on it. I think it’s quite lovely and easy on the eye.