What Our Clients Have To Say

Living Design - Home Renovations and Designs. Renovation Concepts and Pre-purchase Consultations.
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To Whom It May Concern
We bought our house, built in the 19th century, with the intention of renovating, after receiving an architect’s input, this seemed like a daunting task. We had extensive plans drawn up by an architect and it seemed that our vision, the character of our house, and our budget were being ripped to pieces. The word “renovation” was seen as a future nightmare if we could not even decide on the plans.
Wendy asked relevant questions regarding our lifestyle and within one week we had ideas and draft sketches that suited us far better than the architect’s plans. Plans were finalized and before we knew it, we were moving out for the project to begin.
Wendy gave us an estimated completion date and having heard horror stories, we decided to add an extra month to our alternate accommodation plans. We were later proved wrong and Wendy managed to complete the project on time.
Renovating a house is expensive and we knew that, we were concerned with starting the process and then getting caught out by unforeseen costs. The budget we obtained from Wendy was detailed and even though the total cost was more than budgeted, it was all due to us choosing more expensive finishes and wanting more work done during the process. I can honestly say there were no surprises.
Renovations are always stressful, but Wendy made it as easy as possible. She gave advice on the plans, and helped us when choosing finishing’s but always left it up to us to make the final decisions. She was practical in her advice and we followed it 95% of the time.
Looking back on our experience, we will definitely buy our next house with the intention of renovating, and Wendy Homes and her team will get the nod once again!
Kind Regards
Johann le roux

5
Johann le Roux
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We asked Wendy Holmes of Living Design to do some alterations on our house in Wynberg in 2015. Our original brief was to add on two upstairs bedrooms. Wendy came up with a design that did exactly what we asked for but she also said that the house had a lot of potential and suggested that more extensive changes would transform it.
She proposed some fairly radical changes which, after a lot of careful consideration, we accepted.
The result was spectacular. Our slightly tired and dated house became the home we’d always dreamed about. Besides the two extra bedrooms we had asked for, we added an office, completely opened up the downstairs section, and added a children’s TV and games lounge. We also extended the verandah and added a huge outside entertainment area with a braai and wood-fired pizza oven.
During the process, Wendy was always a pleasure to deal with. All changes we properly discussed and cost and there were no unpleasant surprises. She had a huge number of useful design ideas and suggestions which are not normally part of a building project. A good example was her suggestion to take the old Oregon pine floor joists, which we had to remove and use them to make two dining tables. She arranged everything and they came out beautifully. She also suggested a design for the wine cellar door using reclaimed oregon pine and an unusual oversized front door from reclaimed teak. Again these turned out beautifully and have added a lot of character to the house.
The whole way through the project we had the feeling that Wendy was treating the project with as much enthusiasm and commitment as if it was her own home. She brought in the main builder and all of the sub-contractors and we found them very friendly, helpful, and reliable.
Wendy was very involved in all the details. Instead of simply telling us to choose items like bathroom and kitchen fittings, handles, and cupboard finishes, she made useful suggestions and took us to the suppliers to help us. She even took us to a stove supplier to choose that.
In summary, we are very happy with our house as well as the entire alterations process. We can thoroughly recommend Wendy for any home renovation and alteration project.
5
Stuart and Cindy Aberdein
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Our house was in desperate need of a complete makeover. After four separate unsuccessful attempts (two architects and two interior designers), we considered ourselves very fortunate to have “found” Wendy. She took charge of the whole operation: from design to demolition, to rebuilding – even extending to assistance with the final re-decorating.
We are absolutely thrilled with the end result and are very proud to show off our “new” home. The whole drastic operation was carried out efficiently and without any anxiety or stress on our part.
Wendy was great, and an absolute pleasure to work with.

5
Bill & Phyllis Tooley
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Hi dear Wendy, this is a huge thank you to you.
You have created a most beautiful apartment for us.
I am so appreciative of the way in which you managed this whole process of working with us. I felt assured and gently guided by your expertise, care, and concern to make sure that we had a home that best reflected our intentions. You have been impeccably present and available at all times.
Your direct and pragmatic approach made it easy to navigate the challenges and your exceptional ability to see possibilities and to offer us choices in keeping with our intentions, all came together fabulously well.
You know how to create relationships while you create homes!
Thank you so much.
5
Maryse Barak
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When a person walks into your home – takes on the task of project management of the major refurbishment of the kitchen/dining room and completes the task within the appointed time and budget – you know that you have a “Professional Gem”
We have known Wendy Holmes for many years on a personal basis and have always admired her – for a host of reasons.   When we decided to undertake some major alterations in our B&B whilst still having guests we knew that we could be in for a tough time.
In walked Wendy and simply told us that she would project manage the alterations.
Into the pot she threw some excellent ideas…..add to this a team of dedicated builders, plumbers, electricians, tillers……..meetings always bang on time, due consideration for our guests – AND the neighbours – stir gently and we now have improvements that have more than met our expectations.
She has an excellent team of Artisans who take pride and care in their profession.
A professional person who we have come to respect and admire.
Simply put Wendy is a “Duracell Bunny” that never lacks energy.
5
Trevor & Liz
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Wendy from Living Design came highly recommended, and she and her team did not fail to deliver!   I wanted to renovate, but to limit costs, needed to stay within the original footprint of the house.  Wendy was incredibly creative in re-designing the layout of the renovation – finding solutions that brought so much more light, space, and flow.  She continually readjusted aspects so that they fitted our family’s lifestyle. I loved having her as my ally in helping to choose fittings and fixtures – her contacts, experience, and sense of style were very valuable.   Her contractors were all great workers and easy to have on-site, and it made a huge difference having her manage these relationships directly.  There have been no problems with them following up on small snags.  Our visitors always comment on both the beauty and simple functionality of everything in the house.   The final outcome is more perfect than I could have imagined.

5
Bokkermanskloof Hout Bay
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We used Wendy for the renovation of our home. We would happily recommend her to others looking to do the same. Wendy spent countless hours revising and tinkering with our plans until we were all happy with them. During the building phase. We spent little time on site or worrying. Wendy took care of that! She did a great job of keeping the project moving along swiftly, as well as keeping a tight lid on costs. Very few in the industry would try and talk you down on price on various items, but Wendy often advised us on cheaper alternatives. The subcontractors Wendy uses are all first class. It was also great that we only had to deal with her, while she would deal with all the subcontractors and other parties. We are thrilled with the overall product Wendy delivered.

5
Nicholas Stein
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In planning our renovation, I asked my friends and colleagues for building contractors they could personally recommend. Upon hearing a glowing reference of Wendy Holmes of Living Design, I contacted Wendy for a consultation.
My husband and I were both struck by Wendy’s enthusiasm and professionalism. Her ideas were grounded in practical sense and from the outset, we knew she was the right person. This was confirmed by seeing the quality of work she had recently completed.
Building is stressful, that’s a given. Yet, the situation is greatly ameliorated by having the right people on board. Wendy’s balanced approach and her team of highly qualified contractors were, and are greatly appreciated. The peace of mind of knowing that the renovation was done well is not quantifiable.
Wendy has exceptional people skills. Her way of relating to us as clients as well as to her contractors was in my eyes, ethical, fair, and respectful. She was patient yet proactive and gave us sound, practical advice throughout as she navigated us through some difficult moments and decisions.
Wendy is very hands-on and takes great care and pride in her work. The few niggles that have come up since the completion of our project have been dealt with in a very responsive and constructive way.
Our home has undergone a complete transformation from being an average space to an exquisite space. Our thanks go to Wendy and her team for superior service and work(wo)manship!
5
Hamann
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Dear Wendy,
The dust (and life in general) having settled following the frenetic events during November and December 2009, when the major aspects of renovations to my house were done, I felt that now is an appropriate time for this letter.
As I explained when we first met, I had for years wanted to renovate my house and make a few relatively minor alterations. While it was clear in my mind what I wished to achieve there were a few aspects of the reconfiguration that caused me problems – especially to achieve the desired objective in a cost-efficient manner. In an attempt to find a solution I employed the services of an architect who had been recommended to me. He introduced me to a number of building contractors. Neither the architect nor the builders contributed anything at all which was of assistance in resolving the issue which was problematic. The frustration I experienced led me to enquire with friends who had carried out renovations and extensions from whom they had received assistance. On their enthusiastic recommendations, I contacted you.
I was impressed by a number of facts. You immediately called to view the house and assess the scope of the work required. When I explained the major problem with which I had been grappling, without hesitation you said “why don’t you do it like this….?” which was the total solution. You produced a competitive quote and a timetable to do the work in the short time remaining before the end of 2009. You undertook complete responsibility for the project. In addition, you helped me choose bathroom and kitchen accessories, tiles, carpets, and the like, even driving me to suppliers with which I was not familiar.
The time frame within which the original scope of the work was to be carried out was extremely short. For various reasons, the scope of the work increased as the project proceeded. Despite this, you succeeded in ensuring that the original completion date was achieved.
I should like to thank you wholeheartedly for the most efficient, friendly, and cost-efficient manner in which you managed the entire project. I will unreservedly recommend to anyone planning to undertake the daunting task of house renovations and extensions that they seek your assistance first.
5
Roy Anderson

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