Summer LOVING

A run-down beach house turned luxurious villa has become a much-loved haven for Renee De Wit's family

- JUSTINE STAFFORD

The picturesque village of Scarborough may only be 40 minutes outside of Cape Town, South Africa, but this quiet, laid-back coastal refuge could not feel more different to the hustle and buzz of the city. Embedded between two mountains, with the wild beauty of the Cape Point Nature Reserve on one side, and the thundering Atlantic Ocean on the other, it has become a favourite weekend retreat for many city dwellers including Renee De Wit, her husband Pedro and their children.

Despite the demand for properties in the area, Renee and Pedro were lucky enough to find a neglected beach house on their favourite road in the village and didn’t hesitate to make an offer. ‘The original house was a run-down rental that had suffered some awkward alterations over the years,’ says Renee. ‘We essentially bought a great location close to the beach and a swimming pool for the kids.’

No strangers to what others might consider an intimidating renovation project, Renee and Pedro immediately set to work envisioning a stylish transformation from dilapidated surf shack into Mediterranean-style villa. ‘We were inspired by places like the Amalfi Coast where we spent our honeymoon and previous Ibizan holidays,’ says Renee, who tasked architect Calvin Ettish of Archi-Tech to turn their vision into a reality.