A SHOWCASE OF CREATIVITY
Reflecting Africa aims to find unique creative solutions for all your design and service requirements, reflecting your brand and the natural splendour and culture the property is immersed in.
Vumbura Plains
WILDERNESS SAFARIS, BOTSWANA
This is one of my favourite places in the Okavango Delta so showcasing the natural magnificence of this area was a constant source of inspiration.
It is a vibrant place with impressive conservation and community stories to tell – guests can go on a journey through the interiors with the majority customized to pay homage to the local culture and surrounding environment, bringing elements to life in a tangible way.
Photographer – Teagan Cunniffe
Ubuntu Lodge
ELEPHANT POINT, SOUTH AFRICA
A personal home, yet lodge environment, for an ex-South African family wanting to acknowledge their roots and create a sanctuary for them to share South Africa with their families. It was such a collaborative project and we all had such fun completing this reminder of Africa to the owners.
We strived to create something that told of African roots, with an African flavour, yet bringing all the modern touches into a home of comfort and convenience.
It was such a delightful project for me in every way. Exploring, pushing the boundaries of art and interiors in a “home” that would be enjoyed and relished with every little detail attended to.
Photographer:Esla Young
Architect – Nick Plewman, NPA Architects
Dulini Moya
SABI SANDS, SOUTH AFRICA
Set in one of the most game rich areas of South Africa, the Sabi Sands it is a distinctive landscape often with the privilege of a leopard seen from a deck! The rich prevalence of game is distinguishable in every way! The owners have been involved in Dulini for a number of years and it was important to pay homage to this personal history, distinctive style and an old-world take with the conveniences that luxury hospitality expects today. We strived to give an elegant take on a modern-day safari lodge, keeping in mind where Dulini had come from as well as where they wanted to take the lodge into the future.
Architect – Joy Brasler
Lamula Lodge
ELEPHANT POINT
SOUTH AFRICA
A personal home, yet lodge environment, this was a unique and very special project for me. The owners share my passion for Africa and their desire was to make a luxurious, yet relevant bush home for themselves. “Lamula” translates as “orange” in the local language and orange is a distinctive colour for the owners patriotically. It meant small touches of this important merging with the Kruger environment. I created a subtle integration of the two and focused on a “home away from home.”
Photographer: Elsa Young
Architect: Nick Plewman, NPA Architects
Little Kulala
WILDERNESS SAFARIS
NAMIBIA
Set in the Sossusvlei Dunes in Namibia, it is a haunting yet incredibly ethereal landscape. I strived to incorporate the patterns of the dunes and erosion lines together with the colours of the limestone surrounding the lodge. There is a focus on the learnings one can obtain from this incredible desert ecosystem, including hand illustrated paintings of the unique fauna and flora. By reflecting on this desert landscape, I gave the interiors a softness that is felt periodically when the sun illuminates the dunes creating a wondrous glow in an otherwise stark and unforgiving environment.
North Island Resort
THE MARRIOT COLLECTION
SEYCHELLES
A private island in the Seychelles, a property dripping in awards and a place of unrivaled beach and forest splendour. I lived here with my husband for 3 years and we enjoyed an involvement with North Island extending 18 years. The environmental message in such a luxurious setting always needed to subtly intertwine and I enjoyed working with many an artisan to embrace this through design elements. While it is such a subtle landscape – it is also so vibrant in the colour of the ocean and the sunset. There is an ever-changing beat to an island, and I reflected this into the interiors, some of which change between the night and the day to imitate different and appropriate colour schemes to emphasise the magic.
Photographers: Andrew Howard & Austen Johnston
Architect: Silvio Rech & Lesley Carstens, Adventarch
West Beach Bar
NORTH ISLAND, THE MARRIOT COLLECTION
SEYCHELLES
West Beach bar is a unique aspect of North Island. I relished working on this with Adventarch and it remains one of my most favourite places in the world. Designed around an incredibly interactive environment with a focus on the sunset and the subsequent glow that illuminates the island. The intention was to create a fun and very relaxed space – a true beach bar vibe and a unique offering for the island.
Photographers: Andrew Howard & Austen Johnston
Architect: Silvio Rech & Lesley Carstens, Adventarch
Hoanib Valley Camp
NATURAL SELECTION
NAMIBIA
Set in Kaokoland deep in north-western Namibia, the area is a melee of towering mountains, sand dunes, and huge expanses of desert. We wanted to create a camp that was an extension of the magnificent surrounds and I was also involved in the design of the Tenticle Tents. The six rooms blend seamlessly with the environment, offering a simple aesthetic that matches the rugged landscape down to a tee. The landscape, the Himba culture and the association with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation were all defining influences in the colours, textures and graphic patterns in the interiors. The camp is elegant, timeless and intimate while immersing guests into the wilds of the desert.
Kind Words
Nature is such a positive force and blurring the boundaries with interior design is a delicate art. Cate has perfected this balance of elements and creates magic in her simplistic sophistication. I love watching Cate’s timeless approach to design, her uncanny knack of integrating time and place is so important to portray the unique purpose of our Wilderness Brand.
Cate Simpson helped the award-winning Cottar’s 1920’s Camp build on their success with a refurbishment of the mess tent, explorers tent and honeymoon tent. With a vision and flair she designed and 1920s interior, that was befitting, authentic and provided the wow that we needed for intrepid Safari travellers.
Cate managed the full design and installation at Hoanib Valley Camp. With her experience of working in camps and managing service standards, combined with a great sense of style, Cate achieved the perfect balance of creating a beautiful retreat for our guests that is functional and practical too. We would highly recommend Cate’s services.
GET IN TOUCH
CONTACT
Please fill in the form below to contact Cate.