Rookies Prove Their Mettle

"Despite their lack of experience, this couple was able to create a simple yet ‘self-sustaining’ home in the heart of the Karoo."

- By Elna van der Merwe. Photography by Karl Rogers

Chandré and Stéffan

With their nearest neighbours 8km away and the closest town 80km away, there are no lights at night, other than their own, so the Coetzees can admire the night sky in all its glory.

WHO LIVES HERE? Stéffan and Chandré Coetzee

WHERE 80km from Calvinia

SIZE interior 63m² (103m² including stoeps)

The vanity was bought on auction and the Coetzees installed the basin and tap themselves. The wardrobe was built from pine shelving, with ordinary bedroom doors in front – the DIY rookies made it themselves and it took a week of hard work to complete.

Copper taps from TIC Bathrooms; baskets from Decofurn

If your only previous do-it-yourself experience involved hanging pictures, you’re probably optimistic by nature if you seriously consider taking on the renovation of a dilapidated labourer’s cottage on a remote farm.

Chandré and Stéffan Coetzee were also under the false impression that it was cheaper to repair an existing structure than to build from scratch. Nonetheless, they don’t regret taking this huge leap of faith.