MEET OUR DESIGNER,
Toni-Anne
At the meeting point of innovation, elegance, and design alchemy stands Toni-Anne van der Meulen — the creative tour-de-force behind Tones – Spaces with Soul. Formerly known as Hot Cherry Signature Spaces, her boutique interior design studio has long been recognised for its bold concepts and beautifully curated environments. Now, with over three decades across the worlds of graphic and interior design, Toni-Anne brings a rare gift: the ability to weave both craft and consciousness into every project she touches.
Toni-Anne – or Tones, as she is most often called – is more than a designer… she is a space whisperer, a dreamweaver, a tuner of spaces. Her work is about resonance, not just arrangement; about awakening the original tone of a space, not merely decorating it. To her, colour is vibration, texture is memory, and every room can hum with soul. She transforms interiors into living, breathing soul-filled chambers, where the atmosphere holds meaning and the energy feels “just right”.
Even her nickname carries intention: she is here to tune the tones of your space.
In July this year, at Decorex, Toni-Anne unveiled Tones – Spaces with Soul, while also representing SA Décor and Design in a curated space that distilled the essence of functional Afro-Chic beauty and inspired living. Presented at 100% Design, one of South Africa’s leading contemporary design showcases, it was an opportunity for the world to witness the soulful sophistication she brings, and a celebration of shared values between Toni-Anne and a brand that honours authenticity, artistry, and the story within every space.
She tells us a little more about herself in her own words:
“For as long as I can remember, life has always been about colour and creativity, texture and tone, the joy of crafting things, and the thrill of discovering the perfect piece that feels like it has always belonged. And while I happily embrace any and all styes of design, I’m naturally drawn to comfortable glamour, to elegance that whispers rather than shouts, and to spaces that reveal the truth of those who live there.
Tones is the natural evolution of my original design studio, Hot Cherry Signature Spaces, which I launched in 2007 after my time as Head of Design at Northpoint. And while Hot Cherry was dynamic and successful, I felt the pull to go deeper: to create interiors from a place of conscious intention, and to weave more soul into the spaces I shaped. I’ve always had a passion for crafting interiors that are both memorable and deeply liveable – spaces that invite you in, wrap you in comfort, and speak directly to your spirit, and Tones is an extension of that passion.
I’m a firm believer in the power of affordable design, where imagination and intuition matter more than excess, and where design honours the planet, the budget, and the story. My three favourite design mantras are: Abundance in Simplicity – meaning finding richness in thoughtful design; Inspired Restraint – creating beauty through considered choices; and The Art of Enough – which is making every detail count.
I am deeply grateful for the blessing of being able to enjoy working at my passion and expressing my creativity at will, and I find true bliss in crafting spaces that feel alive, deeply personal, and unapologetically authentic.
When I’m not immersed in a project at my laptop or sewing machine, you’ll find me lost in a book, listening to my favourite music, spending time with loved ones, or curled up with my fur-babies and a binge-worthy series. And whether in the bush, at the beach, or on an overseas adventure, I’m at peace in any place where nature, stillness, and beauty intersect.
