Country Fresh!

Inspired by the charm of this laid-back Swartland town, Pierre Antoine and Francois Nel set about restoring the rustic style of a former agricultural building.

- By Mary Jane Harris. Photographs by Greg Cox

When visiting Riebeek-Kasteel a few years ago, Pierre Antoine, who lives in CapeTown, came across what he calls “an ugly duckling”. “We’d been looking for a place in the country for many years,” recalls Pierre. “But the problem with a lot of country towns in the Cape is that they’ve either become too touristy or far too upmarket. Riebeek-Kasteel is the exception. It’s also close to Cape Town and the airport, it has great food, excellent wines and olive oils and the valley is spectacular.”

Originally the stables and barn of the neighbouring wine farm, the house had been given a cosmetic update. “Initially, we rented it out, but it was vandalised while it was unoccupied. Last year, we decided to ‘bite the bullet’ and renovate it properly.” Pierre, who founded specialist rug company Fibre Designs 12 years ago, has remodelled a number of properties over the years and was keen to turn their ‘duckling’ into a swan. Fortunately, their good friend architect Bertie

Schreuder was just as enthusiastic. “The challenge,” recalls Bertie, “was to transform what was basically a rectangular box without extending the footprint of the house or changing the roof and maximise the views towards the Kasteelberg mountain. And to do all this on a tight budget.”

HOMEOWNERS Pierre Antoine and Francois Nel

WHERE Riebeek-Kasteel, Swartland SIZE 200m²