Don’t move, improve!

Photographs Francois Oberholster | Styling Marian van Wyk

Three years after moving into their three-bedroom townhouse in Bellville, Petrus and Nina Steyn were faced with a decision: build on or sell.

At the time, they felt that the house was becoming too small for their growing family.

“I suppose you always think you need a bigger place,” says Nina.

But when the Steyns started making plans, they realised their home was the perfect size. All it needed was a makeover.

Once they’d decided not to build on, the couple set about planning their renovation. Since they are both doctors who work full-time, their first step was to appoint project managers.

“We wanted to leave the headaches of a home improvement project to someone else,” says Nina.

The renovations began in June 2017 and the family moved out for four months while the work was being done.

Today, the Steyns still appreciate the fact that they made optimal use of every square centimetre of their home: even an unused walk-in closet between the guest bedroom and bathroom was converted into a small study nook with built-in shelving and in the garage a new mezzanine level provides storage space for bigger items.

Before

Living area

In the open-plan living room next to the kitchen, three different types of flooring created a real eyesore. The Steyns replaced it with large square tiles – their initial plan was a cement floor but they were concerned that it would make the space feel too cold.

Nina and Petrus both love unique furniture pieces and prefer earthy colours and materials such as stone, wood, leather and pure wool. They also prefer handmade items.

“We like furniture with a story behind it and love to combine old pieces with contemporary ones. It creates a warm, homely feel,” says Petrus.

Pendant from TrenDIY; rug, copper candleholders and vase from MRP Home; black-and-white scatters from Woolworths

Before

Kitchen

A section of wall next to the counter in the kitchen was demolished and the old counter was removed to improve the flow.

Originally, the Steyns wanted to enclose a courtyard between the kitchen and garage but they realised this would compromise the natural light in the kitchen.

A new Smeg stove and extractor inspired the monochrome palette.

Planter with stand from Woolworths

Before

Dining area

The couple had the table custom made to match the industrial-style light fitting; George Croucamp of CraftsmanXDesign constructed the framework with copper and steel pipes and the top is marble. Nina crocheted the covers for the cushions on the dining chairs. 

The Steyns consulted with Marco Zampini of Fine Interiors Marco when it came to the finishes. He suggested the dynamic pattern of the floor tiles in this open-plan area to create the illusion of greater space.

Light fitting from Kamers/MAKERS; copper candleholder from MRP Home

Before

Bathroom

New tiles were installed in the bathrooms and the doors were replaced with sliding doors which take up less space. Nina found the antique vanity at Nerf-Af. The mirrors above the basin were a wedding gift from Nina’s grandparents.

Bathmat from MRP Home

Before

Bedroom

Nina’s mother gave the couple the quilt on the bed in the main bedroom as a wedding gift. The linocut artworks above the bed are Nina’s handiwork.

Cushions from MRP Home

Before

Outdoors

The grass they planted in the backyard struggled to grow in the shade, so Petrus and Nina  decided to use tree rounds, stones and indigenous plants to create the feel of a courtyard. Petrus laid out the different elements according to a design Nina created.

The new braai area in the waterwise garden is low-maintenance and inviting.

Wooden stumps and stones from Atlantic Pebbles

What was the biggest challenge?

Renovations are always way more expensive than you budget for and plenty of things can go wrong along the way! And, of course, there’s always the temptation to do more alterations but we decided to prioritise things according to our budget.