My Local Lovers!

Valentine’s day is around the corner and you're probably starting to think about how you can incorporate red into your home decor or looking for ideas to color in your table for this romantic occasion.

Red has main character energy in the color-story. It’s dramatic and bold and does not subtly ask you to pay attention to it, it’s the color that takes you by your face and forces you to look at it.

Because it’s such a bold colour it’s easier to get it wrong than to get it right. However, once it’s done right, what a lovely character it is to add to your space.

I found four local suppliers that do red right that you can add to your home or Valentine’s table.

1.That Skinny Bitch

I AM IN LOVE! These candles are on my wish list. I love the Salt and Nude candle, but I would definitely add the cherry red for Valentine’s or even Christmas time. These candles are stylish and simplistically dramatic. Each box set contains 20 candles, 10 reusable marble bases (either white or black marble), and a steel picker to clean the bases. They also have gold candle holders that you can buy. For Valentine’s Day I would use the gold candle holders to elevate your romantic setting.

They also have a Valentine’s Day special!

Where to find it: ALWAYS WELCOME & YUPPIECHEF

Pictures: Instagram

2. Sweet LionHeart

Something sweet for your sweetheart (the only cringey thing I’ll say to describe this cake). This is the perfect red to end off a lovely evening either spent with the love of your life, love of the month, or with your ultimate lover - yourself. They also have a Valentine’s Day cake range with the sweetest designs (pun intended).

They made our wedding cake and I can honestly say - it’s amazing. I’m not a big cake person (don’t judge), but I would eat this up!

Shop it here.

Pictures: Sweet Lionheart Website

3. The Little Haus

Don’t ask me why, but there is something about English cottage style that forever has my heart. If someone had to ask me where I would move to if I ever had to move overseas, it’s always England. Even though I HATE winter with my whole soul.

The Little Haus is another local love that I stumbled upon. They have the loveliest lampshades and bases that you can mix and match to create your personalized design to fit your space. Their lamps are full of character and interest, you won’t see this “sommer” everywhere.

Pictures: Instagram

4. ByJohn

It wouldn’t be right if I did not include ByJohn - not only do they have products to match this theme, but their whole brand identity screams fun-red! This is how you do red-right - with a mix of bright pink and bright red- I love this color combination. But let me not get too carried away by her branding, and let’s rather freak out about her products.

ByJohn offers eclectic homeware that includes napkins, scatter cushions, wall hooks, cupboard knobs, coasters, and tea towels. I love these red lobster wall hooks and door knobs - they are cute, fun and unique.

Pictures: Instagram

See this as the bonus track on a CD. It’s not a local supplier because anyone can make this, but it is a cute decor inspo for Valentine’s that I think is perfect for your table.

*Bows

Bows were big at Christmas, but I think it’s going to continue into the year. It’s cute, dainty, and romantic: the perfect combination for Valentine’s.

Just visit your closest fabric store, buy some ribbons, and look at this video and this video on how to tie your Pinterest-perfect Bow.

Pictures: Pinterest

Do you have a local lover? Share it in the comments.

I hope you have a lovely Valentines Day or Galentines Day - remember you are always worthy of love.

Light&Love,

Ansu

This is the start of a new story!

Hello, Huys is finally here and I’m so excited to share it with you!

After a year of dreaming, working hard, hoping, and planning - it is finally here! I’m so excited for this new chapter in my life - to build this business, to inspire you, and to help you create your space to tell the story of who you are.

If you’ve been spending some time on my website you’ve probably noticed how everything interior relates to storytelling. This is not random or to be cute. I want to live an authentic, true-to-self, life which means everything I do flows from my heart. And at my heart, I’m a storyteller.

Since we’ll be spending some time together, I think it’s good that you and I start to get to know each other.

My name is Ansu, I’m thirty-one and I moved to Paarl last year July to marry the man of my heart and the love of my whole life.

It might be interesting to know that I’m actually a South African actress, writer, and editor. For the past ten years, I have crafted a successful career in the South African entertainment industry in front and behind the camera.

After I got married last year November, I started to ask myself: What do I want my life to look like in five years? I realized to be the wife and the mom (hopefully one day) I want to be, I need to make a shift in my career. I prayed a lot about my next move and that is when the interior-lover came knocking. Not only am I starting this business for future-Ansu, but also for present-Ansu.

Present-Ansu, when dreaming about this new business, realized that she is quite a scared-little-Ansu. The fear of failure and what others might think have been holding me back and dimming my light and that is all my own doing because I allow it! I realized that a life ruled by fear is not only one that I don’t want but also one that will only lead to regrets.  I didn’t want to come to age fifty and say “Oh, I still wanted to start my own interior design business”. I wanted to be able to say “Oh I wanted to and I did”!  So I decided to say screw it - let’s do it!

I’m currently studying Interior Design whilst starting this new business. I want to expand my knowledge and skillset even more so that we can write you a best-selling story!

My love for interior started at a young age.  As a child, every other Sunday, my parents, I, and my two sisters would get ice cream (bubblegum flavor is my favorite) and go for a Sunday drive around the neighborhood. I would look at the houses and always imagine the world inside; the family that lived there and how their interior space complimented their daily life. 

When it was time to apply to varsity I actually applied to study Drama and Interior Design. When I got accepted to both I had to make a choice. At that time in my life, Drama was what my heart desired so I decided to trust my gut and follow my heart. I’ve loved creating and growing in the entertainment industry and I don’t think because Ansu at thirty-one wants to move into interiors, that Ansu at eighteen made a mistake. I’m very grateful for the opportunities that came my way and I’m not giving up on that part of who I am at all. I am just expanding on who I am. We only get one life, we have to live it!

In 2018 I moved into my first apartment in Linden, Johannesburg. Being the little interior-lover that I am, I immediately wanted to make my space home! Transforming my first flat (let me just say it was rented - so here’s your proof that you can own your space and make it yours, even if it isn’t legitly so). Anyhoo - transforming my first flat made me realize that I do not have to wait until one day when I’m old enough, rich enough, or married-enough to have a space that I love. Life’s too short for your home not to feel homey. So over the course of three years, slowly but surely, room by room, I made my flat my own little first home.  

I’m glad I did not waste four years of my life in my Jo’burg home, just accepting it as is. Your environment affects you - just like wearing a great fit can make you feel more accomplished and productive, I believe our surroundings have that same power. If we are surrounded by a space that reflects our true selves, it empowers us.

Transform your space, transform your life.

That’s why I am so passionate about creating Interior spaces for other people because I know how it can change your life for the better. This might seem like a luxury to some, but I believe it is a necessity for all.

To live a truly beautiful, authentic life you have to color in every inch of it.

I truly believe anyone can and should have the space they want and it should not break your brain or your bank. 

Don’t believe the lie that only future-you can have the house present-you deserves.

I’m looking forward to writing the story of Hello, Huys with you. This is only page one!

Welcome to Hello, Huys!