Simple pleasures

Keen on a holiday home in the Swartland, a city couple was thrilled to find a property with both history and potential.

- Pamela Whitby

The tranquil hamlet of Koringberg in the Swartland has a surprisingly robustsocial scene. It was this combination of peace and activity that attracted Johnand Pippa Walls, along with its proximity to Cape Town.

“We have six kids between us and we wanted an escape from the city and bustle of daily life,” Pippa says. “We heard from friends who own homes in Koringberg that there was a property for sale and although it was a bit like a rabbit warren with lots of small rooms – in fact, it was previously a restaurant – we could picture it as the perfect weekend getaway, just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town.”

Pippa has worked with interior designer Salomé Gunter on other projects, and the two of them drove to Koringberg to have a look at the house. Salomé could immediately see what John and Pippa envisioned and how they could transform the dwelling back to its original form as a large barn-style space. “Aside from a solid structure we could work with, the property had such a lovely atmosphere and so much character; we set about knocking out walls, changing the floor plan and adding new areas to create the perfect retreat,” Salomé says.

The renovation

Knocking out interior walls to create a large open-plan living space was the first step in the process. Salomé was guided by the different levels in the home; the kitchen, for example, is now located one step up from the living area.