Project
Softline Wall Felt and a Hearth Runner bring comfort and calm to a Sea Point lounge shaped by wind, salt air and hard flooring.
Sea Point apartments face wind, salt and changing light. This lounge had painted walls, a tiled floor, and a long narrow window running almost the full width of the room. With each south-easter, the space rattled: the wind found every gap, and sound bounced from the walls and tile. The client wanted a warmer feel for movie nights, quieter sound for calls, and a surface that could cope with salty air and wet feet from the balcony.
The flat’s position also meant strong afternoon sun and the ever-present risk of seagull fluff or grit finding its way indoors. Any soft finish here would need to hold up to both sun and salt, and not trap mustiness if the windows stayed shut in winter.
We recommended Softline Wall Felt on the main window wall, fitted in panel sections with a rail mount. This softened the acoustics immediately and brought texture to the space without needing heavy curtains or cladding. The felt’s non-woven nature means cut edges do not fray, so we could shape it precisely around sockets and window reveals, keeping a crisp finish.
For the floor, we cut a Hearth Runner to fit along the tiled seating zone. Its felt surface brought warmth for bare feet, while the grip back kept it in place on the smooth floor, even with constant door use. Both textiles come in a range of neutral and muted tones; here, the client chose Mist Paper with a hint of Ink Edge for depth, echoing the sea and sky outside.
Three months on, the lounge feels calmer and more insulated. The wall felt has softened speech and TV sound, making conversations and movie nights much more comfortable. Guests notice the quiet undercurrent in the room. The runner cut the chill from the tile, and is easy to lift and shake out on windy days.
Coastal rooms demand regular care. The felt has handled the salt air and the odd splash without visible wear. We advised regular vacuuming and, for any marks, a gentle blot with cool water. UV exposure from the Sea Point sun does fade textiles over time, so we suggested rotating the runner and shifting furniture seasonally.
If you are fitting out a flat or home near the sea, choose textiles that work with your climate. Felt copes well with humidity and buffers sound in hard-walled flats, but needs some air flow to dry out fully after wet weather or cleaning. Avoid storing felt goods damp or folded in plastic.
If your windows face strong sun, consider lighter colours and rotate felt pieces to even out any fading. Entry mats and runners are worth the investment for keeping grit off your main floors. Felt’s warmth and sound absorption are real benefits in hard-edged coastal apartments.
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