Modern Farmhouse

These seasoned renovators have converted a small 60-year-old house with a big garden into a contemporary family home.

- Beatrice Moore

We first met Grant Newman and Melissa Kretschmer-Newman more than 10 years ago when they were crowned our very first Fix it with Flair winners. Their garage conversion in Wynberg, Cape Town was an instant hit.

Over the years, we’ve featured a number of their projects, including a DIY loft conversion that was made possible thanks to their prize money, an open-plan bedroom and a courtyard. After the birth of their son Hunter Rocket in 2016, the couple realised they needed a bigger home. “We visualised a house with a big garden, and we were keen to sink our teeth into a new challenge,” says Melissa.

Grant grew up in Bergvliet and knowing that the area has good schools, large plots and a great family vibe, this is where they began their search. “We found a 60-year-old home and fell in love with the gorgeous garden,” says Melissa. “The plot is a spacious 900m² and the house had lovely ‘bones’ – it was well-built with strong potential for renovation.”

Although the home was neat, it was small relative to the garden with an awkward flow in places. The kitchen, three bathrooms, flooring and lighting were all outdated and needed some personality. So in the middle of 2017 when the family moved in, they decided to take on a large-scale renovation and called in the help of a trusted builder and contractors for the wet work, plumbing and kitchen. For the finishes, they decided to tackle the job themselves to save on costs.

“Our long-term vision is to turn it into a modern farmhouse,” explains Melissa. “But we’re only in phase two of five – so we’re far from done!”

Easy living