Picture Perfect

These homeowners have lovingly curated their space so that every nook forms a colourful and textured snapshot of the things they hold dear.

- Kim Arendse

She grew up in Calvinia in the Karoo, he in Stellenbosch in the Winelands. As fate would have it, Suzette moved to Stellenbosch to study and their paths crossed when they ended up working at the same restaurant. They soon became friends and later fell in love.

So when it came time to build their dream home, the popular Winelands town was a natural choice for the couple. They decided on Jamestown, just outside Stellenbosch. “There’s such a lovely sense of community in this area – it’s the up-and-coming Stellenbosch!” they say. “We love it here and can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

Suzette and Malan bought their 419m2 plot in 2012 and designed a simple, compact home. “We wanted a space in which we could make use of every little nook, surrounded by all the pieces that we have collected over the years. Practical and beautiful is what we were after,” Suzette explains.

The pair decided on just one bathroom and two small bedrooms, allowing more space for their garden, living areas and stoep. “We figured that bedrooms are for sleeping, so those are just big enough. We opted for a home centred on a cosy, colourful, happy space,” says Suzette.

Once the shell of their house had been built, including high ceilings, unplastered white walls, cement screed floors and large windows and doors, Suzette and Malan turned their attention to their favourite pastime: decorating.

They had a number of inherited items in storage and while the construction of their home was in progress, they spent their spare time bargain-hunting. “We love a good bargain and creating something beautiful from very little.”

The couple’s home clearly reflects this sentiment with its eclectic blend of second-hand and inherited pieces as well as salvaged items – all the things they find meaningful, interesting and beautiful.