Tres Chic!

Ever stylish, Nelia de Wet’s gorgeous home will transport you to the French countryside – it’s relaxed, unpretentious and open to change…

- Kim Arendse

When Nelia de Wet bought her house 15 years ago, she realised that the plot provided the perfect opportunity for her to pursue her passion. 

The then stay-at-home mom of two and part-time painter converted the outbuilding on her plot into a workshop and store – and so Gister, a well-known vintage furniture and décor store in Somerset West, was born. These days, it’s filled with intriguing collectables sourced, and often revamped, by Nelia.

A creative at heart, Nelia is living her dream. “Every now and then, I ask myself if I would retire if I inherited a shipload of money. Would I continue to do what I do? The answer is always yes,” she says. “I love finding old gems and giving them a new lease on life with a paint technique or presenting them to my clients in a new or different way.”