Innholdsfortegnelse for Home Renovations South Africa 2020 i Home

Each to their own These six compact en-suite bathrooms in Annamarie and the late Dirk Blom’s house in Betty’s Bay each have their own identity – and with good reason. The Bloms have four adult sons, each with a life partner, as well as six grandchildren. That’s more than a dozen people who descend upon this holiday home to unwind! The palette in each bathroom matches the décor of the individual bedrooms, which all open onto a courtyard. For a house that also serves as a holiday home, this works well because there’s never a queue for the loo! This eye-catching design was their eldest son Theuns’s idea. Then the entire family put their heads together and came up with the plan to place the square tiles above each basin;…

THE OWNERS Sumari and Alexander Milner with their sons Henry (7) and George (4) WHERE Natte Valleij, Klapmuts SIZE 28m2 each When friends and family heard that Sumari and Alexander planned to convert two run-down silos on their farm near Klapmuts into guest accommodation, they were surprised – but curious and excited as well. They knew that Sumari had the necessary mettle to take on such a project and that she would do so with careful attention to the heritage of the historic wine farm, which dates back to 1715. “The silos were built in 1935, just before the Second World War, and were originally used for storing grain,” she says. “When Alexander’s grandfather, Mordaunt Milner, bought the farm in 1969, he converted them into stables, as he bred racehorses.”…

WHO LIVES HERE? Ibrahim and Brenjin Bester with their kids Mea (11) and Aaron (7) WHERE Richwood, Cape Town SIZE 10.6m2 Ibrahim and Brenjin Bester’s dream of a French countrystyle kitchen began with a new oven and hob they purchased five years ago. But their dreams had to be put on hold, so the oven was relegated to a storeroom in their home in the Cape Town suburb of Richwood. As the owner of The Barn Door Shack, which manufactures custom-made barn doors, Ibby – as his friends call him – simply had no time for his own kitchen project. But when the Covid-19 lockdown started in March and he was able to spend more time at home, Ibby was able to turn his attention to their 1980s kitchen once again.…

WHO LIVES HERE? Sanita and Brady Dabner, their kids Nieke (5) and Nicolaas (4) and Sanita’s dad Frikkie de Necker WHERE Heuvelshoop Farm near Bonnievale SIZE 33m2 Sanita Dabner desperately wanted a farm kitchen from which she could enjoy the idyllic scene of kids playing outside and sheep grazing nearby. But then she saw the dilapidated old house on the farm her husband Brady wanted to buy – and her ‘dream kitchen’ amounted to little more than a rickety lean-to. “We’d already lived in a farmhouse that needed a major overhaul,” she says. “But this house, dubbed The Abbey and built around 1905, was a ramshackle ruin. The kids called it ‘the broken-down house’. “It had stood empty for years because no one wanted to buy the property. And no builders…

There is no doubt that the kitchen is the hub of a home. “The most important consideration for a kitchen is that it should be functional,” says interior designer Kim Williams. As with any other project, it’s a good idea to know what your needs and requirements are for a kitchen, how the family will utilise the space, and of course what your design ideas are before buying anything. “Look at the available space and adjust the design according to the look you want,” says Kim. “Keep in mind that plumbing and finishes such as tiles and lighting are long-term investments and often constitute the most expensive changes. Something like paint or wallpaper can be changed more affordably and easily. “The kitchen should blend in with the style of the…

“Containers have always been a popular choice for movable structures, but they can be incorporated into permanent homes,” says Stephen Hitchcock of Stretch Architects. A major benefit is that most of the work happens elsewhere in a controlled environment, he says. “Better quality control and less construction time on site means that it can be a cheaper alternative to traditional building methods.” If you decide to build with containers, use them in their original form as far as possible, he advises. Containers used for accommodation must be made fireproof and waterproof and be well insulated. Containers can last a lifetime provided they are properly maintained: choose an A-grade container, as it takes longer and costs more to get a B-grade container converted to your specifications. Treat rust spots as soon…

Equipped with the right tools, you’ll be able to tackle almost any project. The contents of a toolbox is a personal choice that can always be added to as your needs and budget dictate. The tools displayed on these pages are those that you are most likely to need – essentials such as pliers, saws, screwdrivers and tape measures, to name a few. It’s also advisable to keep various types of adhesives, nails and even a few plasters (for those occasions when you miss the target!) in your toolbox. Safety equipment is just as important. Rather buy good quality products that will last longer and are ultimately more economical. SANDING BLOCK This tool handles sanding jobs quickly and easily. You can also wrap a piece of sandpaper around it. PAINTBRUSHES…

WHO LIVES HERE? Ryan and Carla Jardine WHERE Hopefield SIZE 42m² with a 13m2 stoep Ryan and Carla Jardine have always been drawn to quaint country cottages filled with history and items that hark back to yesteryear. When they finally realised their dream of buying a house in a tiny village on the West Coast, they knew they could transform the original blacksmith’s stable on the property into a charming self-catering retreat where they can also live while completing major renovations on the main house. “Hopefield is only an hour from Cape Town but completely removed from the hustle and bustle of the city,” says Carla. “The village hosts an annual flower festival and several artists call it home, but most people come here to escape and enjoy the tranquillity.…

WHO LIVES HERE? HJ and Candice Nel with their kids Cameron (6), Sarah (4) and Charlotte (4) WHERE Johannesburg Initially, the Nel family was just going to redo the floors in their kitchen and dining room, but halfway through they decided to gut the entire space! “So our project wasn’t that well thought out from the get-go,” admits HJ, who did most of the work himself. The family has been living in this almost 50-year-old home in Franklin Roosevelt Park since April 2018 and they’ve been renovating the house, room by room. As in many old homes, the kitchen was dated and the “wall-to-wall dirty cream cupboards with green melamine tops” were no longer appealing. While there was nothing wrong with the functionality of the space, from an aesthetic point…

You will need SHOPPING LIST • wood offcuts to create the frame for pouring • nails • plastic sheeting • rebar • silicone • premix cement • additional cement to strengthen the mix • sealant of your choice TOOLS • hammer • wheelbarrow • shovel • spirit level • trowel • orbital sander Here’s how they did it… [PROJECT NOTES] Before casting the tops, Andrew researched the process extensively. “If you live in the US or UK, you can buy a special cement mix and moulds that make casting worktops very easy,” he says. “Since we live in South Africa and don’t have a ‘money tree’, we had to use a normal cement mix and make our own moulds. The premix (with a ratio of 3:3:1 of aggregate:sand:cement) was strengthened…

ALL IN LINE A new façade was the finishing touch to a project in which these homeowners tripled their home’s footprint. The lounge is now about 2m closer to the street, with a welcoming covered entrance that provides protection against the elements. The owner, Winston Williams, took an interesting approach using vertical lines – long windows, an extended chimney – and alternated them with horizontal lines in the way the wooden elements were installed. CONSIDERING DOING A RENOVATION PROJECT? We asked the experts what homeowners should keep in mind when embarking on a renovation, based on the entries we received for our annual Fix it with Flair competition. Be inspired, copy ideas and make a note of those tasks that apply to your own space……

Creating a tranquil bedroom is easier than you think, says Micke de Villiers of Home’s online design service Welcome Home. “There are a few basic elements that can add immediate impact, such as a headboard and window coverings that provide privacy and add atmosphere.” In a bedroom, built-in cupboards are the most practical solution, she says. “Decide how much hanging space, shelves or drawers you want, depending on your needs. In a guest bedroom, you can get away with a freestanding cupboard because less storage space is needed.” Plan carefully when it comes to plug points and light switches; it can be expensive to adjust these later and you don’t want ugly extension cables. “Bright lighting is often unnecessary; rather create a soft ambience,” says Micke. “Bedside lamps can also…

The most important building block of a functional stoep is the right orientation, says interior designer Trisch Barnard of Project Works. “It must get enough sun in winter and provide a cool retreat in summer. People tend to socialise for hours on a stoep, especially if there’s a built-in braai. Comfortable seating is also a must!” If your stoep is exposed to rain in any way, make sure there is a slight slope so that the water can drain away. And when it comes to floor and ceiling materials, consider the pros and cons of each. “Most types of wood, other than hardwood such as balau, require maintenance; consider composite wood made with wood fibre, recycled plastic and a bonding agent if you’re keen on having a deck. If you…

Cottage WHO LIVES HERE? Herman and Mia Lintvelt WHERE Wilderness I saw the potential to transform the run-down boathouse on our property into something truly magical. It took longer than expected, but I’m very proud of the result! We welcomed our first guests on 17 December, 2018. www. Lucille’s mom, Yvette Makaum, entered her guest cottage in 2017 – it was featured in that year’s Home Renovations. See the complete story online at News24.com/home. Kitchen WHO LIVES HERE? Lucille and Ruan Grové WHERE Centurion We got married last October and my husband and I decided to give up our honeymoon and buy a place of our own instead. We only went to view the property once, but we fell in love with its unique look and loved the location. We…

THE HOMEOWNER Adrian Lombard WHERE Prince Albert, Western Cape SIZE 390m² An authentic Karoo farmhouse – one that specifically needed refurbishing – was on Adrian Lombard’s wish list for many years. In 2016, he came across the perfect place in Prince Albert: a spacious corner property on the main road with a giant wild fig in the back garden and a wraparound stoep on three sides. “This town is the ideal getaway spot; here, my creative ideas can flourish,” says Adrian, a brand strategist and product developer from Cape Town. “Other than its clean crisp air, breathtaking light is one of the best features of the Karoo.” It’s been almost four years since Adrian purchased the house and he says it’s still a work in progress. But the most important…

IsoBoard offers an easy-to-install insulation solution to fit to new builds or retrofit to existing buildings. This enables your home to manage external temperature fluctuations with ease, maintaining comfortable living and working spaces for the lifetime of your building. Suitable for all the different areas in your home, this environmentally responsible thermal insulation solution is as versatile as it is effective. You’ll keep your home’s temperature steady, which means using less electricity for heating or cooling. IsoBoard is easy to install; watch the video at homemag.co.za.…

WHO LIVES HERE? Vince and Ronelle Muir with their son Matt (19) WHERE Tokai, Cape Town SIZE 4.8m2 “I can’t seem to stop when it comes to renovations and alterations!” says Ronelle Muir, who owns Holly Wood Kitchens and Furniture with her husband Vince. Since moving into their Cape Town home 17 years ago, they’ve made several changes to the design, including in this small guest bathroom. “We previously upgraded the tiles, paint and accessories, but the bathroom had a dated feel overall and the sanitary ware was old. It needed an update!” says Ronelle. After the strictest Covid-19 lockdown measures started to ease up, the Muirs took several weeks to transform the bathroom into a contemporary oasis, with a touch of Scandi style to fit in with the rest…

The façade can make or break first impressions of your home, whether welcoming guests or putting your house on the market. Regardless of the style of your home, you can either make simple or drastic changes to give it a fresh look from the outside. “If you plan on living in your home for years to come, you can consider large-scale changes such as replacing the roof or installing new windows,” says Nadine Naidoo of Meik Architects. “Get professional advice before tackling any structural changes such as a new roof or building a stoep. And remember: any extension must be approved by the authorities, otherwise you run the risk that insurers will consider it illegal.” Larger windows and more glass on the façade will change the interior temperature. “Windows can…

A bathroom is as much of a hard-working space as a kitchen; it must be functional and meet the needs of each family member. “Weigh up the long-term cost savings of quality products and service providers,” says Celeste le Roux, CEO of React24. “Quality materials, energy-efficient lighting and alternative heating methods such as solar geysers or heat pumps can save you a lot of water and electricity over the years.” When it comes to service providers, cheap can also be nasty. Don’t accept what looks like the best quote first, and always get referrals from contractors before you hire them. Make sure they have the necessary accreditation in their field. “Sanitary ware and quality taps will ensure a longer lifespan for your bathroom,” says Celeste. “Inferior products can crack, leak…