Tabla de contenidos para Home Renovations 2023 en Home

A while ago, my fridge/freezer started rumbling – the very fridge/freezer around which the entire kitchen was planned, with built-in cupboards to the left, right and above. (One day when I grow up, I’ll spend money on an integrated appliance, but I’ve never been able to bring myself to pay more for something that seems half-finished. Think about it: you’re paying more for the fridge/freezer or dishwasher simply because it doesn’t have its own neat little door. Doesn’t make sense!) But back to the old fridge/freezer. At first it was a low rumble, but later it struck a cymbal beat every time the compressor turned on to regulate the temperature – which echoed through the house at night, driving the dogs crazy every time. I should have known it was…

Tarien says they did as much planning as possible beforehand. “Make sure you order materials in advance, otherwise it puts pressure on your building timeframe and budget. “Shop around early for the best prices. You want to avoid needing something unexpectedly and then having to buy it in a rush – usually at a higher price. Deadlines must be managed well because the builders’ timeframe is not always the same as your own.” Good planning ensures that you can avoid nasty surprises: “For example, our builder discovered that the electrical mains ran under the second bathroom’s shower – and we hadn’t planned for this beforehand,” says Tarien. “They had to be replaced and rewired, which was an unexpected expense. It also meant that we had to postpone the renovation of…

Nagmaalhuisies (communion cottages) like these are part of our special Karoo heritage. They date back to the 19th century when farmers lived at least a day’s horseback ride – or further – away from church. They would travel to town by horse-drawn carriage for Holy Communion and stay in their own nagmaalhuisie for the weekend. These humble abodes, consisting of two rooms and an outside loo, were typically built opposite or near the church. Mrs Blackie is thought to have originally consisted of two front bedrooms, a hallway and a living room, which would have included a kitchen of some sort. The front stoep, current kitchen, sunroom and bathroom were added later. Luckily, Pieter was able to track down a 1980s architectural guide on Carnarvon, which proved invaluable in keeping…

What was the most expensive surprise and what would your advice be to other homeowners? The builders initially installed the window on the staircase landing too low. It was touching the stairs instead of being elevated, so they had to remove it and do it again, and we had to pay for the change. My advice is to be as hands-on as possible during a renovation so you can spot mistakes before they become a problem. What was your most cost-effective hack? Using Supawood for all the woodwork. We saved so much in the kitchen by also using Supawood for the countertops and simply painting them. The paint does chip but it’s an easy fix to just get out a paintbrush and give them a once-over. What would you do…

The four types of gas geysers: • Type A geysers are for indoor use and do not need a flue system for the products of combustion (gasses). These are usually small geysers that are used for washbasins. • Type B geysers can be used indoors if installed with a flue system evacuating to the outside; if not, they must be installed outdoors. • Type C geysers usually come with a flue system that is entirely sealed for use inside the house, but they also require flue evacuating to the outside. • Type D is the most common gas geyser and it is intended for outside installation only. These units deliver between 8–32L per minute. How much hot water do you need? This is measured in litres per minute. Calculate your…

CATEGORY: MOST BEAUTIFUL THE OWNERS Jacques and An-Mari Coetzee WHERE Oudtshoorn district SIZE 122m2 ‘Early on, I learnt how to paint, drill, chop and saw – I could tackle all kinds of DIY tasks. This means that you aren’t dependent on service providers or anyone else, and you don’t have to pay extra for a ‘simple’ task.” So says An-Mari Coetzee about her renovation project here at Kandrift Boerdery outside Oudtshoorn. The expression “not afraid to get her hands dirty” perfectly sums up this Gauteng schoolteacher who became a farmer’s wife on an ostrich farm in the Little Karoo, where she has converted an old labourer’s cottage into guest accommodation. “My mom Hettie Janse van Rensburg taught me from a young age to get by with very little, that you…

What was the most expensive surprise and what would your advice be to other homeowners? The house has beautiful original Cape clay floors but when we renovated, they weren’t cleaned professionally before they were sealed and basically all the old grit was sealed in. They’ll have to be redone at some stage. If you have an original floor, don’t cut corners! What was your biggest saving? Making do with what we had. I’ve overseen major renovations before, and it was all about ‘out with the old and in with the new’. This time, I realised that wasn’t necessary. There’s so much you can repurpose – it’s all about changing your mindset. What would you do differently next time? I honestly don’t think I’d do anything differently. We learnt to appreciate…

What was the most expensive surprise and what would your advice be to other homeowners? Fixing the damp! We initially thought we could just rip up the floor and replace it, but the plumbing was in such a shocking state that we had to fix that first and then waterproof. If you suspect damp, find out where it’s coming from. Don’t cut corners because you’ll pay more in the long run. What was your most cost-effective hack? Using melamine in the kitchen. We originally wanted wooden countertops and sage-green cupboards but the paint and wood would’ve cost too much so we went for melamine throughout. What would you do differently next time? I’d hire a skip and be prepared for the pain of taking all the rubble to the dump!…

What was the most expensive surprise? We had security gates installed on the front door and the back sliding door a year after completion. Since they were one of a few items I couldn’t make myself, they ended up being the most expensive element of the renovation – more expensive than the doors themselves. However, we wanted to be sure that our tenant would feel safe. What was your biggest saving? Building the exoskeleton with Shutterply, rather than traditional bricks and mortar, was the biggest cost saving. Any other framing method would have been expensive and made the walls too thick. The box method that I’ve used is incredibly light and strong, and I love that we can pick this house up and take it with us if we were…

CATEGORY: DIY WHO LIVES HERE? Drikus and Amber Viviers WHERE Durbanville SIZE 40m2 Although the original outbuilding on the spacious 2 000m² erf could hardly be described as a flat, Drikus and Amber Viviers were still excited about the prospect of creating a rental unit when they bought this property in 2017. “Rather, it was a ramshackle building with a laundry, bathroom and potting table with an added-on corrugated iron structure on top,” explains Amber. “The previous owner was 90 years old when he sold us the house and back in the day he had set up an art studio for his wife in the upper space. They lived here for more than 50 years before she passed away.” When Drikus and Amber embarked on a full-scale renovation of the…

CATEGORY: MOST BEAUTIFUL WHO LIVES HERE? Dieter and Ronel Grundlingh with their children Divan (22), Christiaan (18) and Marelie (15), and dogs Pepsi and Ace WHERE Lyttleton Manor, Gauteng SIZE 44m2 Serial renovators’ would be a fairly accurate way to describe Dieter and Ronel Grundlingh. In the 15 years since they moved into their home, they’ve added a main bedroom suite with a bathroom and another bedroom, created an open-plan kitchen/dining/living area, established an outdoor sitting space and built a granny cottage for Ronel’s mother. “One of the reasons we bought this property was that there was plenty of space to add on,” recalls Ronel, a stay-at-home mom. “And I was drawn to the large, immaculately kept garden which had a huge avocado tree,” adds Dieter, a retail tyre outlet…

CATEGORY: MOST BEAUTIFUL WHO LIVES HERE? Andrew Goodwin and Carin Smith with their “lucky packet” pooch, Thandi SIZE OF STOEP 9m² WHERE Observatory, Cape Town This creative couple is always on the lookout for new projects. And what could be better than a ‘blank canvas’ just crying out for a makeover? When architect Andrew Goodwin and his wife, designer and stylist Carin Smith, pushed open the front gate of their new (old) house three years ago, they couldn’t believe their luck. They couldn’t wait to dream up new plans, get their hands dirty and renovate what Carin calls the “white box bungalow”, having outgrown their previous home during the pandemic – an abode that had nothing left to fix up anyway. “The house was, and still is, a fixer-upper,” says…

CATEGORY: DIY THE OWNER Bernie Diedericks WHERE Villiersdorp, Western Cape SIZE 240m² (including stoeps) Bernie Diedericks’s home in Villiersdorp tells of this renovator’s love of simplicity and old houses filled with history and collectibles. It’s how we’ve come to know him, since it’s not the first of his projects that we’ve featured. Bernie’s previous renovation, ‘A man with a plan’ (Home, June 2020), bowled us over and this one – his latest – is once again proof of his meticulous eye and ability to transform what others consider old and run-down into something beautiful, functional and liveable. Bernie’s aesthetic is distinctive and eclectic, but also features contemporary elements that highlight an old home’s history and character. His style reveals a mischievous sense of humour. It’s nostalgic, yet fresh like a…

WHO LIVES HERE? Darryn and Elize van der Walt with their son Elliott (20 months) WHERE Cape Town The bathroom somehow feels twice as big as before.– Darryn After the birth of their son Elliott in 2022, Darryn and Elize quickly realised they needed to upgrade their tiny shower-only bathroom to include a bath to make things easier and safer for their little one. “We played around with a few different configurations, trying to incorporate a bath and shower in the same space,” explains Darryn. Besides the lack of a tub, the décor was dated with mismatched white tiles from floor to ceiling. “The shower was dark because there was a thick brick wall between it and the toilet, and it also had an awkward step,” says Darryn. “The main…

WHO LIVES HERE? Yolandi and Ian Dippenaar WHERE Paarl When Ian and Yolandi bought their house in the beautiful Boland town of Paarl, they were well aware that it needed a complete overhaul. They started off by demolishing a few internal walls to improve the overall flow and renovated the main bathroom and its separate toilet. “Apart from the fact that the bathroom and loo were outdated with orangey-yellow patterned tiles, the layout was also impractical and the space wasn’t optimally utilised,” explains Yolandi. “The doors of these two rooms were very close to each other, which made it difficult for someone to exit the bathroom while someone else was leaving the toilet at the same time. “In addition, an adjacent hallway closet ‘stole’ a lot of space which could…

WHO LIVES HERE? Graham and Danielle Weakley with their daughters, Sienna (18) and Pia (15) WHERE Cape Town After living in their home for about eight years, Danielle and Graham finally plucked up the courage to tackle a bathroom renovation. “It always seemed like such an intimidating undertaking, so we kept putting it off,” says Danielle. “Luckily, we have a smaller guest loo with a toilet and shower, and we decided to renovate this space first so we would still have access to a functional bathroom while we gutted the family bathroom.” Danielle, Graham and their two teen daughters share the family bathroom. “It had a lot of fixtures crammed into it and the space was not used optimally, making it feel even smaller,” explains Danielle. “It was old and…

WHO LIVES HERE? Andrew and Debra Maritz WHERE Mowbray, Cape Town What was originally part of the front stoep of a charming Victorian home in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs has been transformed into a chic bathroom with clean lines and contemporary finishes. The space as it looks today is the result of a project that started back in 2010… “We’ve lived here since 2004 and added the shower room with a toilet and basin when we enclosed the stoep and moved the front door,” explains Andrew, Home’s art director. At the time, a concrete slab was laid to replace the original flooring, while the window and lintel that had to make way for the new front door were repurposed in the bathroom. A second window was installed, and the entire…

WHO LIVES HERE? Charles and Candice Nortje WHERE Knysna The original bathroom was beige, bland and basic – we actually referred to it as the ‘50 Shades of Beige’ bathroom!” jokes Candice, a former winner of our Rookie Stylist competition in partnership with Mr Price Home. “It had dark wood joinery, very little natural light and outdated builder-grade fittings and fixtures. I envisioned a serene spa-like space to serve as a sanctuary for pampering and relaxing after a busy day. My aim was to achieve a balance between functionality, aesthetics and attention to detail.” The Nortjes moved to Thesen Islands in 2022 and completely renovated their new home as the finishes were dated, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. “For the bathroom, I chose a dreamy palette of misty greys,…

WHO LIVES HERE? Charles and Candice Nortje WHERE Knysna When Candice and Charles moved from Cape Town to Thesen Islands in Knysna at the beginning of 2022, their new home didn’t reflect the tranquillity or laid-back vibe of ‘island living’. “Although our new home is beautifully positioned right on the water, it had dated fittings and finishes,” says Candice. “The kitchen was particularly sombre with grey walls, dark granite countertops and beige tiles as far as the eye could see. It was a bland, unwelcoming space and had extremely odd proportions compared to the scale of the rest of the house. Design-wise it was a very basic holiday house kitchen – not planned or equipped for permanent residents at all. “We love cooking and enjoy entertaining, so our kitchen is…

WHO LIVES HERE? Sue and Jerome Putter WHERE Walmer, Gqeberha While Jerome and Sue loved their old farmhouse kitchen with its original hearth and antique cottage-style table and chairs, an update had been on the cards since they moved in 33 years ago. With the help of their architect daughter Donné Putter of Space + Field, they have now created a fresh and updated country-style space that also pays tribute to the property’s history as one of the original farmhouses in this part of Gqeberha. “Every morning when I walk into my new kitchen, I appreciate what a gorgeous space Donné has created in our home,” says Sue. “She has a special talent for turning small awkward areas into beautiful practical spaces. Our new kitchen is a testament to her…

WHO LIVES HERE? Willemien Krüger WHERE Bloemfontein The shelf between the tiles and the wallpaper is my favourite element. It’s a ‘clean canvas’ that I can decorate to my heart’s content – and it changes all the time!– Willemien As an interior designer and architect, Willemien Krüger of Niche Design Studio usually doesn’t use a lot of colour in her own home – precisely because she wants to take a breather between projects in a calm and relaxing space. “But white was just too clean for my farm girl heart, and I was bored with all the other choices in grey,” says Willemien with a wink. “Then I tried a new greenish colour and the end result is fantastic! As it’s almost a neutral, it creates much the same feeling…

WHO LIVES HERE? Sally and André Cronjé WHERE Fish Hoek I love how the mid-century feature window is offset against the black wall, honouring the architectural style of our home.– Sally We enjoy this uncluttered, easy-living space with its beautiful afternoon sun.– André With their kitchen in a galley layout at the back of their house, renovating it was never going to be straightforward, especially with no structural changes on the cards. “It would have been the original stoep when the house was built in 1945,” explains Sally. “It was an awkward space, long and narrow, and there was not much room for a fridge and freezer!” “Due to the age of the property, its heritage, and a fear of overcapitalising, we decided not to make any structural changes,” adds…

• Black is easy to use in any space and can instantly add ambience and an element of sophistication. It also pairs well with a variety of colours. • Make sure that you have enough natural light entering the space. • One might assume that ‘black is black’ but it has many undertones. Depending on the room and the amount of natural light that enters the space, you could introduce an inky blue-black like Dulux Newspaper Ink. This shade adds an element of surprise and can turn a simple space into a striking interior or exterior area. • Avoid using matte paints in high-traffic areas as they are prone to unsightly scuff marks. • Choose a premium wall paint such as Dulux PearlGlo Water-Based which has a mid-sheen finish and…

• Remove the door handles and fill the screw holes with wood filler. • Measure the length of the doors and saw the required number of strips accordingly. I recommend using 10 x 44mm pine planks. • Glue the vertical planks to the doors using Alcolin Acrylic Sealant as an adhesive, and then secure them with a pneumatic nail gun and panel pins. • Once the vertical strips are in place, measure and cut the horizontal planks, one by one, making sure of your measurements as you go along. Glue and nail the top and bottom planks firmly in place and make sure that the middle planks are 100% level before attaching them with nails. Repeat the process on the other doors.…

San-Maré van Zyl and her life partner Garth Pennacchini live in Paternoster and commute to the city. Their newly built home has a Mediterranean feel. “When construction of the house was finished and everything was painted white, I stood back one day and thought: something’s missing,” San-Maré says. “There and then, I asked the builder to construct an arched niche and install plumbing for an outdoor shower.” The inspiration for the coloured tiles and brass tap only came later. “My original idea was a combination of blue and white, but then I discovered De Kleipot on Facebook; the owner, Petro van Zyl, helped me to perfect the design and colours.” The brass taps and showerhead have already taken on a dull green patina due to the sea air – “just…

CATEGORY: MOST BEAUTIFUL WHO LIVES HERE? Tarien and Pierre Engelbrecht WHERE Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria SIZE 150m2 She was initially sceptical about the old, dark house in Pretoria, and went to view it rather half-heartedly. But Tarien Engelbrecht had barely entered when she realised: “This is the one”. She told hubby Pierre: “There’s no need to look any further, I’ve found our home.” This art teacher envisioned colour and light with spacious rooms opening out onto the garden, and the Mediterranean charm of a small water feature in the courtyard. She particularly loved the home’s traditional Spanish architectural style with its whitewashed bricks. “We wanted to keep this style,” says Tarien. The fact that the house clearly dated from the ’70s didn’t put the couple off. “There were coffee-brown tiles in…

What was your biggest expense? The kitchen, which was our top priority. It was completely redesigned and purposebuilt for the space. We love cooking and wanted a functional kitchen that suits our needs. It’s the heart of our home. What was your biggest saving? We made a huge saving on an expensive idea: we wanted parquet floors and were lucky enough to get second-hand tiles cheaply from people who were removing them from their homes. Is there anything you would do differently next time? We didn’t seal the terrazzo floor in the bathroom immediately after it was laid. When the parquet flooring in the main bedroom was sanded, the sawdust settled on the bathroom floor and stained it. We were only able to repair part of the floor with soft…

What was your biggest expense and why? “The old roof of the sunroom consisted of an array of patched-together transparent roofing sheets which had to be removed completely. My building team had to install new roof beams and corrugated iron sheets. A major challenge when it comes to a comprehensive project like this is the distance from Carnarvon to major centres. I always have to consider the cost of materials and how to get them here.” What was your biggest saving? “I searched for cement parts for a fireplace, like the one we built in the living room, but it would have cost close to R30 000, and getting it to Carnarvon was a conundrum. After I shared a photo with my building team on our WhatsApp group, they built…

• The staircase was built against the back of the home to maximise space. Installing it at the top end of the loft room also made for better flow upstairs – if it had been anywhere else, it would’ve broken up the area. • Because space had to be created for the stairs on the upstairs floor, a couple of the wall-to-wall roof beams were cut short and new crossbeams the width of the stairway were added. A post was also put in to support the new beams. • There are rules and regulations involved when building a staircase. The minimum size of the tread is 250mm – or 280mm for open treads – and the minimum size of the riser is 200mm. The staircase must be at least 700mm…

Future plans Elsje and her mom have already completed a second mountain cottage with its own hot tub – they have dubbed it The Sinc Shack because it was literally a corrugated iron shed before they renovated it. Mom Elsje has also laid out several walking paths and they are busy compiling an information book on the unique fauna and flora in the area. They only recently discovered that there is a chameleon endemic to the area that can only be seen at night.…

What was the most expensive surprise and what advice do you have for others? Plumbers! They quoted us an amount but small costs were constantly added for more materials and bits and pieces that we had to purchase ourselves. My advice is to have someone knowledgeable on site at all times to make sure that contractors are doing the right thing – and that things work! We had problems and leaks afterwards that resulted in us not being able to receive guests immediately. Plus, all those extra purchases and mistakes blew our budget! What was your biggest saving? Building the open kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and shower walls ourselves. They are durable and practical – and they look impressive. Is there anything you would do differently next time? I would…

• If your area doesn’t have fibre, you need to contact a wireless internet service provider (WISP) that will take a large commercial fibre line from a city or town and wirelessly transmit it to a custom-built tower on a high point, such as a hill or mountain, and then transmit it down to where the client is located. • The house will connect to the tower via wireless, much like how your phone connects to a Vodacom tower, for instance. The main difference is that the connection is fixed wireless, which means it doesn’t move around. The benefit is that the speed and stability of the connection is much stronger than that of your phone. • If the tower is in the line of sight of the home, the…

“Work from top to bottom. If the ceilings are 20m2 and the walls are 100m2, work out how much paint you’ll need to cover it all. This must include an undercoat and at least two topcoats, depending on how close the new colour is to the original – if you’re painting white and the original colour was dark, you might need three coats. You’ll need at least 1L of paint for 5m2.” Rick also recommends talking to various product manufacturers before you start to work out your budget. “Compile a comprehensive list of everything that needs attention and price each item. You can also Google products – this is a great way to get estimate costs. “You can almost double your estimate for material costs when you want to work…

“When you look at the economic reality, millennial homeowners have to do more with less because that’s what they can afford. As people choose to live alone for longer before coupling up, they also need to tailor their budget accordingly. More mature homeowners, on the other hand, are choosing to give up space because of the lower maintenance costs, freeing up resources for experiences and travel. “Initially, we might have erred on the small side and tried to pack more into a space than was really possible but as the tiny home trend has matured, we’ve course corrected to something that’s liveable.” Chris has also observed a split between urban life and country life. “People who choose a more urban setting are happy to give up space to access what…

What was the most expensive surprise? Definitely the quote for the stairs, which is why we decided to simply weld and build it ourselves – at a fraction of the price! What was your biggest saving? Keeping the same foundation and exterior walls made the construction easier and kept costs down, as did sharing a wall with the main house. What would you do differently next time and why? Although the three windows just under the roof are architecturally striking and let in light, one can see into the bedroom from the street. We had to have roller blinds custom made afterwards. Perhaps we should have thought of other solutions for the windows.…

• If you plan to have space for a braai stand and potjie hook, the surface height should be around countertop height (approximately 900mm). This gives you access without having to bend and lets you place and remove items without straining your back. • The recommended depth for an indoor braai is about 500–600mm, which offers ample space for grilling and accommodates larger pots. It’s advisable to have an opening not more than 800mm high for efficient ventilation and smoke dispersal. • To prevent smoke from filling the room, the width of the chimney or flue should be in proportion to the opening of the braai. As a general guideline, the cross section of the chimney should be about an eighth to a tenth of the cross section of the…

What was the most expensive surprise? We were amazed at how much rubble was generated by such a small demolition. We had to get someone to carry it all away in bags and that worked out to be quite expensive. We now know that it’s better to rent a skip for the duration of your project. It works out cheaper and definitely requires a lot less effort. What was your biggest saving? Salvaging and reusing bricks! If your bricks are of good quality, the old cement or plaster can simply be chipped away lightly with a trowel. You save twice – on buying new materials and on rubble removal. It’s also environmentally friendly. Is there anything you would do differently next time? We will be more realistic about how disruptive…

What was the most expensive surprise? The bathrooms and the scullery and laundry cost a lot more than I had anticipated. When it comes to plumbing, there are always hidden expenses that are not immediately obvious. Always budget extra for those areas. Any advice for other homeowners? It’s advisable to work with the best contractors possible. It’s no good using cheap contractors if you have to redo their work afterwards. I ended up completing a lot of the work the contractors had started. What would you do differently next time and why? Maybe I should build something from scratch sometime……

What was the most expensive surprise and what would your advice be to other homeowners? After we discovered a leak, we had to replace the bathroom’s separate section of roof, but we ultimately came in under budget overall because we found great deals on other items. Our best advice is to budget, budget, budget! What was your biggest saving? The bath actually ended up being the least expensive large item. We shopped around and found a great deal online at Leroy Merlin. Even with shipping from Johannesburg, it cost less than half of what we budgeted for: we expected to spend R12 000 and ended up paying about R6 000. Is there anything you’d do differently next time? My wife Elize will project manage our next renovation to avoid mistakes.…

What was your biggest cost and what would your advice be to other homeowners? Sanitary ware is very expensive, so it’s important to shop around for the best deal. Decide in advance what you’re willing to spend more on; for example, an interesting vanity can serve as a focal point. What was your biggest saving? It’s not necessary to buy the most expensive brands to create a dream bathroom. I’ve wanted a freestanding bathtub for a while but was really stunned by the cost. Then I realised that a ‘house brand’ from a major retailer would be just as beautiful as those with big names. We saved thousands of rands! Is there anything you’d do differently next time? While I’m pleased overall, I should have given more thought to the…

What was the most expensive surprise and how did you get around it? We wanted to move the plumbing around, but it was much more cost-effective to work with the existing arrangement, so we designed the new look to echo the original layout. What was your best buy? The giant marble tiles were a winner – their size creates the illusion of spaciousness. Is there anything you’d do differently next time? I wouldn’t wait so long! It wasn’t nearly as painful a process as I thought it would be – I don’t know why I lived with a bathroom that was neither practical nor beautiful for as long as I did!…

• Marble tiles are a timeless choice if you want to create a luxe look. Their natural veining adds a unique aesthetic and visual interest. • Natural stone-look tiles offer an earthy feel. Their unique textures and colour variations add depth and richness to a bathroom design. • To create a seamless and spacious look, opt for large-format tiles. These tiles minimize grout lines, giving your bathroom a sleek and sophisticated appearance • Soft, neutral hues such as beige, cream or light grey can create a serene atmosphere. • Alternatively, incorporate calming blues and greens reminiscent of the ocean to evoke a sense of peace and tranquillity. CONTACT stiles.co.za…

WALLPAPER Incorporate pattern and texture with wallpaper, just make sure that the basis is vinyl and not paper so that it can handle the moisture and steam. Be bold and go for something that screams personality for that wow factor. PATTERNED TILES are always a great option if you’re keen to make an impact in a bathroom – again, be bold and creative. Since it’s generally a small space, a busy tile is eye-catching and creates interest. One of our firm favourites is a terrazzo-inspired tile – these tiles come in various styles, shapes and sizes of aggregate, and offer you an attractive colour scheme. Shaped tiles, such as fish scale or scalloped, or fluted subway tiles also remain popular – these work well to create drama and interest. SEAMLESS…

What was the most expensive surprise? The only unexpected expense we encountered post completion was having to add a special UV vinyl filter to the skylight to regulate the amount of heat and glare that was coming through, without compromising on the quality of light. In hindsight, the glass should have been treated with the UV film before it was installed; however, it was a fairly simple process to apply it after the fact and it immediately had the desired effect. It also didn’t break the bank, which was an added bonus. Your best advice? Scour the internet! I did a fair amount of sourcing and shopping on Amazon. Sadly, with the prevailing dismal exchange rate, this solution doesn’t apply currently. Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are a treasure trove…

What was the most expensive surprise? It was a shock to discover a giant hole in the old timber floor under the original built-in cupboards. We had to quickly decide whether to repair it, replace the timber entirely or cast a new concrete slab with a different finish. It was an extra expense and delayed the process significantly, but we ultimately chose to replace the floor with a new slab and finish, adding special ventilation pipes to supply fresh air to suspended timber floors in the adjoining rooms. It’s a good idea to have a 10–15% contingency budget for unforeseen expenses, especially if you’re working with an older building. A smart solution that works in the space? A clever idea that was recommended by our joiners was to use traditional…

What was the most expensive surprise? We had to move the DB board. Luckily, we could move it to the garage and use the same wall, which saved a lot of money as the wires were still long enough to connect. Although it was expensive, it was worth it as its previous position was an eyesore and would have ruined the whole design and layout. A smart solution that works in the space? I used patterned tiles for the splashback. They look like small individual tiles but there are actually four in one 300 x 300mm block. This saved time in terms of installation and was cheaper than using mosaics. The tiles were positioned first and the top cabinets were fitted accordingly. As a result, there was no need to…

What was the most expensive surprise? The house was built in 1945, so there are always surprises! We had to move and install a few plug points and update a lot of wiring – which was expensive! A smart solution that works in the space? A scullery next to the kitchen is our ‘engine room’; it houses the dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer and a narrow broom cupboard. Two builders’ buckets act as recycling and laundry receptacles. We saved on costs when André made and installed the floating shelves in the kitchen – we love them and they’ve proven to be very durable. Is there anything you’d do differently next time? I might opt for a sleeker underslung prep bowl to match the main sink in the scullery; but we’re…

WHO LIVES HERE? Joe and Shaun Strydom-Oosthuizen WHERE Johannesburg While shopping for white subway tiles for the guest bathroom in their new home, Shaun Strydom-Oosthuizen spotted striking emerald subway tiles and just knew they would be the perfect addition to the kitchen. However, it took a bit of convincing for Joe to agree. “I must admit, I wasn’t sure at first, but I trusted Shaun’s vision!” says Joe. “I liked the idea of our brushed brass pot filler against the emerald tiles.” The kitchen was renovated about two years before the couple bought the house and was in a good condition, but they wanted to make a few changes before moving in. “The grey faux wood laminate on the cupboard doors didn’t really match our aesthetic,” explains Joe. “There was…

What was the most expensive surprise? We were surprised by the cost of a screed floor and the amount of cement needed. I would advise people to look at alternatives, such as a self-levelling screed which can be applied directly on top of tiles. What was your biggest saving? Doing things ourselves! It would have cost almost the same price as a new kitchen to get new Shaker profile doors made and to replace the old drawer sliders. Is there anything you’d do differently next time? We would plan for a more concealed scullery.…

“I mixed Duco’s matte paint in a colour they chose from an ordinary paint chart,” he says. “For the past 10 years, all I’ve used is Duco.” He explains why: • Duco gives a smooth finish, does not fade and is extremely hard-wearing. • As a car paint, it is readily available and can be mixed in any colour. • It looks professional and any damage done to it can be easily fixed. • It’s easy to keep clean. Siebert says that even though it is more expensive than other paint, it works out cheaper in the long run because the paint lasts longer. Here’s how to apply Duco: • If you want to paint a large surface, buy Duco in large quantities (5L tins) – it works out cheaper.…

CATEGORY: SUSTAINABILITY WHO LIVES HERE? Pieter Hoffman WHERE Carnarvon, Northern Cape SIZE 163m2 Raging rivers and drifts that are usually dry force us to a halt time and again as photographer Greg Cox and I travel the dirt road from Beaufort West to Carnarvon. By the time the town’s NG church tower shows us the way to Church Street, we are counting our blessings. The town looks a bit sad in places but Church Street is different. Here, Pieter Hoffman’s five nagmaalhuisies (communion cottages) – each bearing a meaningful name – proudly await us. To the left, we first see Ouma Alie, then Svenskbo – the winner in the ‘Most Beautiful’ category in our 2022 Fix it with Flair competition. And almost directly opposite, Miss Poley peeks through the building…

What was the biggest cost and what advice do you have for others? Fuel and transportation to drive things up the mountain! And a generator for when we needed electricity to get things done. We also had to get an excavator to dig a hole for the sewerage. Good planning is essential. What was your biggest saving? We decided to lay ordinary cement floors instead of tiles. They are easier to keep clean and don’t show the dirt as easily. We also used stones from the area that complement the look of the cottage – and, of course, they were free. Is there anything you would have done differently? I wish I had purchased new windows and doors because the old ones needed a lot of work. I should also…

CATEGORY: DIY THE OWNERS Dirk Pieters and his wife Cornelle Ellis WHERE Pinelands, Cape Town  SIZE 20m2 1972. Parktown, Johannesburg. Ten-year-old Dirk Pieters’s mom drops him off with workshop manager Mr De Wit at the former Johannesburg Children’s Hospital (now Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital) where she worked as a nurse. These Saturday morning carpentry lessons would become Dirk’s routine for the next two years and sowed the seeds for a wide range of DIY skills, including welding and metal work, under the watchful eye of Mr De Wit. 2020. Pinelands, Cape Town. The world goes into Covid-19 lockdown in March. Photographer Dirk has time on his hands – and itchy fingers. He’d been following the Tiny House Movement and toying with the idea of converting his self-built garden shed into…

THE SHED When Dirk built this shed a few years ago, he simply made a ‘box’ out of OSB board and placed it on a wooden frame. “I would transform it into a tiny home by simply adding another ‘box’.” 4TH LAYER: SISALATION The entire home was wrapped in Sisalation reflective foil (seen to the right of the sliding door above), the fourth layer, making it very well insulated. WINDOWS AND DOORS Dirk installed Kenzo aluminium doors and windows from Swartland. For the bathroom (above) and kitchen, he made pop-out box frames with Nutec fibre cement panels. THE FRAME The shed was built quite sturdily, so all Dirk had to do was add an extension for a bathroom, an entrance area and a bigger sleeping area. 5TH LAYER: PLASTERING Plasterer…

The newly built wall in the bathroom acts as a load-bearing wall for the loft area, while wall-to-wall wooden beams provide additional support. Although they initially considered installing a loft ladder, it did not comply with building regulations and also limits the rental market – one has to consider those who may battle to climb a ladder. An L-shaped staircase was, therefore, more practical and complied with the regulations. Railings on the staircase and mezzanine level ensure safety, while the steel cables complement the feel of the space. RhinoBoard is ideal for the ceiling of a mezzanine – especially if it is lower than a standard room – as it is stronger than PVC and can better withstand any knocks. Position a light switch at the top and bottom of…

What was the most expensive surprise? What we didn’t expect was that Dieter’s initial calculations on the opening/chimney volume ratio would cause the room to fill with smoke every time we lit a fire. After some research and with advice from friends, we made the opening of the fireplace slightly smaller by putting in a railway sleeper beam. We also had to increase the height of the chimney and install a rotating cowl on top of it (see Expert Tips on opposite page). What was your biggest saving? Buying furniture for a space like this can be very expensive. You have an idea of what you want and when you go to the shops, the prices are often out of your budget. But we love to ‘thrift’ and many of…

Klompie bricks are a traditional type of clay brick that is not mixed with waste material at all. These bricks are made from different types of clay found in local soil. The clay is then mixed with water, pressed into the desired shape and left to dry, or it is baked in ovens until hard. These bricks are characterised by their uneven, rustic appearance due to being shaped or pressed by hand, and the clay is baked without the use of modern manufacturing techniques. The bricks are often used in the preservation and restoration of historic structures, especially old Cape Dutch houses. Their durability makes them ideal for floor surfaces that carry a lot of traffic. Klompie bricks provide good thermal insulation due to their density and clay composition. They…

• Preparation is key. Sand the surface thoroughly with an industrial machine to level it out before applying the paint. • The type of wooden floor plays a role. A solid wood floor can be sanded and painted five to six times. Laminate wood floors can be sanded two to three times before replacement is required, depending on the thickness of the laminate – a floor with a 3mm coating isn’t really suitable for sanding. • Karin recommends products such as Lobadur Hardwood Varnish and Stain, Woodoc Water-Borne Floor Matt or Woodoc 25 Polyurethane Floor Sealer. These products are water-based and dry quickly. Various colour options, from a natural look to light tones, are available. • At least three coats are needed to properly seal the wood. The first layer…

• Frameless step-in showers are still very popular; you no longer have to contend with a constricted space or a mouldy shower curtain for privacy. Open showers help create the illusion of greater space, while also allowing more light to penetrate the bathroom. • While black frames surrounding shower glass remain popular, there is a move towards more simple lines with thinner frames or completely frameless glass. • Reeded glass has also gained popularity and can add a modern vintage-style feel, as well as a bit more privacy. It’s important to only use SABS-approved safety glass fitted by an accredited installer. There are some fantastic off-the-shelf products available to suit any budget. • The wellness and relaxation element is trending with modern showers incorporating rain shower heads, fragrant steam bombs,…

• Wood, stone and natural woven textiles such as linen, jute and wool infuse a room with organic texture and a natural warmth that is unmatched by synthetics like plastic. • Natural light – lots of it! • Introduce greenery with a variety of attractive house plants. • Add a lovely natural fragrance with room diffusers. • “There are so many wonderful surfaces to consider, each of which presents the opportunity to introduce elements that echo the patterns and textures found in nature,” says Melanie. “Consider nature-themed porcelain tiles with their remastering of wood and stone, and patterned mosaic tiles that reference the stars and botanical motifs. CONTACT italtile.co.za…

• The most popular and practical size is 55cm in length, ideally paired with another basin in a ‘his and hers’ setting. Installing these on a floating cabinet adds storage to your bathroom and allows for more floor space. • A 48cm basin on a floating shelf in a guest loo or bathroom adds a small but striking focal point, while again providing storage and increasing floor space. • Matte black continues to be a popular shade in the bathroom, although we’re seeing more and more vibrant colours being incorporated into these spaces. • When choosing a basin, take into consideration what you will be using it for; this will guide you on the shape, depth, length and colour finish. CONTACT vandabaths.com/en-za…

What was the most expensive surprise? After the renovation, we decided to tile all the way down the passage and searched for the same tiles as used in the shower room; unfortunately, they were out of stock. So, we had to settle for something similar but slightly larger in size. This complicated the tiling where the passage meets the shower room, but our tiler did a great job of hiding where the different tiles didn’t line up. Any advice on keeping within budget? Re-use, recycle and look out for bargains. We upcycled the original stoep window frames to create a frame for the doors, which were bought at a second-hand shop, and we got the shower glass for next to nothing on Gumtree. Keep an eye on what’s happening during…

What was your biggest cost and what would your advice be to other homeowners? Detailed planning and research along with budget-conscious sourcing ensured that there were no expensive surprises. What was your biggest saving? Using Nutec fibre cement boards instead of wood for the panelling! Thanks to its waterproof attributes and mould-resistant qualities, it was the perfect material to create faux panelling in the bathroom, especially since it extended into the shower area. We painted it with antimicrobial bathroom paint (UniShield by Universal Paints) to reduce the occurrence of mildew, which is more likely in damp, high humidity environments. To create a cohesive feel, we also used it as a backing in the art alcove. Is there anything you’d do differently next time? I’d increase the size of the bathroom…

• In SA, buildings must comply to national standards with specific requirements for the likes of solar heat, which may be gained or lost through the building’s openings, such as a skylight. It’s important to have a professional guide you through this process. • Creating the skylight in Candice’s house was fairly simple: we removed the existing roof covering over this portion of the kitchen and inserted new structural timber trusses at a low pitch, above which a glass sheet was installed. Essentially, we replaced a sheet-metal roof with a glass roof. When installing a skylight, pay careful attention to waterproofing; keeping water off any joints and junctures is key. • With the correct construction detailing, a skylight can be designed to suit any kind of roof – flat or…

• Draw inspiration from beautiful things already in your space. Identify the items you love and consider how to incorporate them in your renovation. In this kitchen, the original hearth and sash window informed the layout, while a collection of beautiful ceramics, antique furniture and copper pieces informed the style. • Let your family culture guide your design. Give some thought to how those who will be using the space live, how they spend their time and what they value. Sue and Jerome eat every evening meal at the table and love to prepare food together. The design response, therefore, had to be very practical with sufficient prep space as well as beautiful light and a view of the garden. The palette is tranquil and brings a serene feel to…

• White countertops are beautiful, but curry and red wine can stain them. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, avoid colours that are too light. • Don’t fill all the walls with cabinets; the space needs to breathe. • Make sure there is adequate ventilation when you’re cooking so it doesn’t look like the house is on fire! • Preferably, avoid using glass pendant lights as a focal point above the stove. The steam from cooking will have you cleaning the glass every day! CONTACT nicheds.co.za…