Liam Mooney, interior designer behind the award-winning design at the Bosjes’ Die Stalle spa in the Breedekloof Winelands, has now made the bold move to relocate to the picturesque town of Paarl.
The designer, who lived in Cape Town for more than two decades, says the move was brought on by him rapidly approaching his 40s and feeling a yearning for the peace and serenity of a rural setting.
“The pace is comfortable, the new friends I’ve made are warm and welcoming, farm life suits me and after all it’s not very far from Cape Town when I absolutely need to be there. How long until I get to call myself a Bolander remains to be seen,” he says.
The move comes with an anticipated excitement of birthing new concepts fuelled by a fresh burst of creativity and evolution.
Liam has worked in the Boland on a few projects before, so he’s not venturing into completely new creative and professional territory, and says he has found enjoyment in this creative space and can’t wait to see what fresh ideas and concepts the new location brings forth.
“Uprooting and starting over somewhere totally new has its advantages and hopefully I can bring a new offering to the table.”
His love for the breathtaking beauty of the natural surroundings in the Boland has extended to, and been interpreted in many of his artistic creations and projects. It’s against the backdrop of this pristine canvas and natural elements of the Boland that brought the design at Die Stalle to life.
Liam says the rich historical features of the farm was an instrumental influence and inspiration behind the artistic design process in creating the completed look.
“First and foremost it was the history of the farm and the family that have occupied it (since the 1790s). From there on out the interior design is about telling a story by using a layering of different narratives. The fauna and flora, the architecture, the mountains and the people of the Breedekloof Valley all played a part in what is now the end result.
“Bosjes is a vivid amalgamation of styles and ideas that I hope appear to have happened in a natural and organic way,” he says.
He expands on some of the unique design elements incorporated at Bosjes. “There are many motifs in the interior design at Bosjes, from the waved line of the kapel, the equine imagery in the old stables (now the spa) to the history of the riempie chair and its iconic weave.
“I like for there to be meaning in the aesthetic and so many decisions that were made, were made because of a specific idea or reason. This is an evolving design that has gravitas, patina and a very solid foundation.”
Liam’s work on the spa’s design (in collaboration with the architects) has won him a prestigious accolade.
Die Stalle Spa, located in the farm’s original horse stables, has won an award in the Unique Spa Concept category in this year’s Les Nouvelles Spa Awards.
But awards and accolades aside, the fulfilment in his role as designer tasked with transforming a space, he says, is mainly found in bringing his creations to life with the input of those he works with.
“It’s the people that I get to collaborate with that makes it so rewarding.
“From the clients whose ideas I make physical – to the tradesmen that so patiently bring my (sometimes crazy) ideas to life. The process is quite slow and there are many meetings that lead up to installation day – it’s this process of understanding something better and better over time that really makes it all worth it.”
He attributes his acclaimed industry projects, growth and evolution in the industry to an innate willingness to be a lifelong learner and never losing his sense of curiosity.
Although local projects currently keep him busy, the aspiration is to expand his signature style, which places a strong focus on ‘homely’ feel for designs, on a global scale, but for now locals can indulge in his expertise on offer at his new headquarters in Paarl. A move this designer hopes will usher in a new design era.
