Julia Day Channels Grounded Elegance with the Contemporary, Timeless Interiors of House Houghton
An elegant family home situated in an enclave of three houses in the leafy suburb of Houghton, Johannesburg, House Houghton was originally built in 2012. It boasts a spectacular façade that opens to the pool and patio area, looking both inward and outward — a juxtaposition of two design directions. In need of a gentle refurb, the clients sought the expertise of an interior design aficionado, and thus House Houghton became a Julia Day Interior Architecture and Design endeavour.
Grounding with dimension and depth
Julia’s first move was to strip the spaces down to the bones to revise the interiors. Previously the space was flat and simple, with walls and floors that read as bland. Julia recognised that she needed to change up the resonance of the shell and create dimension and depth of field for the rooms to feel warm, architectural, and instinctively inviting to the senses — a place anyone would want to spend hours in. One of Julia’s solutions to this was to panel the wall using flowered cognac-toned walnut and continue the warm golden colour palette on all the vertical surfaces, even via the art and the ebony-stained shutters. Immediately, one feels held and grounded within the walls. Adding the architectural element of the wall cladding defined the space without having to do a full renovation. Further, walnut cladding and sculptural marble fireplaces create dimension and depth.
Iconic identity
The clients wanted to create a family home which was both elegant and practical and to utilise the interior and exterior spaces to foster a family lifestyle. The spaces needed to be timeless yet detailed, emanating warmth and comfort with iconic furniture that resonated with the contemporary spaces and abstract art that they love. When observing the landscape, Julia saw it as a continuation of the home due to the confines of the property and ensured that the transition between both was uninterrupted. Huge windows, doors, and sliding doors open up to allow the movement of traffic and the eye. The finishes and design pieces were chosen not to interfere or overpower in any way with the key stone of this architectural concept and to elegantly extend visually to the exterior, turning the outside into another interior space.
From cold to cocoon
All the interior detailing was undertaken to create a clean interior layered with traditional techniques of craftsmanship. A holistic design approach is successfully implemented by converting cold spaces into a layered warm cocoon, catering to the clients’ lifestyle. The rich patina of stone, marble, brass, and natural linen and leather tells a visual story of an embrace and yet holds its own as a timeless, traditional, refined interior.
A textural interaction
Natural products such as stone, marble, travertine, timber, and brass were used to underpin a feeling of contemporary elegance which brings the natural landscape in and creates a textured pallet. In keeping with this natural pallet, Julia incorporated jewel tones contrasted with creams and wheat colours. Slubby linens and buttery soft leathers accentuate the textural interaction with the space. The repetition and flow of these finishes enhance the feeling of continuity and calm in the interior.
The client also had a specific interest in abstract sculpture and art pieces, so Julia used the art to create movement and focal points within the spaces. An elevated blend of iconic pieces and designer and bespoke furnishings were paired with luxurious finishes, infusing and upgrading the space. Strong emphasis was placed on the careful selection of materials and finishes, like marbles, grained timbers, and warm brasses. The interior lighting was intentionally placed in the settings to create a soft, ambient, and warm experience when lit, with sculptural accent lighting reminiscent of jewellery being added to the final product.
House Houghton stands as a structure built on refined elegance, balancing contemporary sophistication with timeless warmth. Julia Day’s expert touch transformed this family home into a layered space where every detail — from the rich walnut panelling to the carefully curated art pieces — contributes to a cohesive, immersive experience. The result is a sanctuary harmoniously blended with comfort and functional beauty, embodying the clients’ vision of a home that is both inviting and iconic.
This article is an extract from our 2024/25 Coffee Table Edition. Click here to read the full issue.
