Simply Christmas
Written by: Mandy Allen
Stephanie’s Christmas. A large, twiggy branch found on a forest walk has been appropriated as an eco-friendly, sculptural Christmas tree.
Return to the simple things this festive season: a table decorated to evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia, a humble colour palette, and homespun decorations that weave in the wild spirit of nature
“I find that big holidays and events make me a little anxious. So I like to break them up a bit over a couple of days and leave space for serendipity.” This is Cape Town-based Stephanie Wolhuter Inggs’ serene and sensible philosophy to surviving the silly season. No pressure, no expectations, no disappointment. “For instance, take Christmas. It can be a Christmas Eve dinner with a few friends and family, a large Christmas Day brunch with family, or just a simple Boxing Day lunch with one or two friends… There’s no pressure for one day or one meal to be extra special. If the cake flops I can always serve it the next day for breakfast with lots of yoghurt!”
It’s an approach that is part temperament (friends and former colleagues will all attest to Stephanie’s composed nature) and part of the legacy of her professional past—one that required a balance of creativity and pragmatism during a career that spanned clothing designer, fashion editor and stylist, as well as head fashion buyer and marketing manager for a leading local retailer.
Stephanie prepares her signature pear-and-apricot spiced cake
The interiors in Stephanie’s beautiful heritage home are reflective of her fashion choices, which she describes as “plain and understated but with unexpected cuts or proportions.” It is filled to bursting with stylish ideas, personalised elements, and reams of character.
“My daughter, Alice, describes my house perfectly as being full of lots of nice stuff that’s being rearranged all the time,” she laughs. There’s also the presence of Stephanie’s menagerie of “very important animals.” Animals, more specifically birds, play a leading role in Stephanie’s next creative phase; one that also involves writer/editor/daughter, Alice.
freestanding staircase leads to son Dax’s bedroom
freestanding staircase leads to son Dax’s bedroom
Cozy and atmospheric, this inviting area of the living room.
The bird theme has beaten its way into this tranquil bedroom.
A fireplace mantlepiece offers myriad styling opportunities and can be easily transformed for seasonal decorating.
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