Same Space, Two Looks

Identical empty shells in a former factory in Woodstock, Cape Town were transformed into very different but equally trendy open-plan apartments.

- Marian van Wyk 

Durban-based creative couple Yanni and Sonia Vosloo use their Cape Town getaway as often as they can, be it for a business trip or an inner-city adventure. And when they’re not staying there, they rent it out on Airbnb.

They first spotted the clothing factory conversion on Instagram. “We made a plan to visit Cape Town and have a look – and the rest is history,” explains Yanni, merchandise director of a homeware retail group.

The Vosloos took their interior design cue from an artist’s loft with all the comforts of a modern apartment. “It was such a treat to work with a blank canvas,” says Yanni. Since they had to source everything from scratch, Sonia’s creative background also came in handy. As the owner of Shoppe in Durban’s trendy Station Drive Precinct – a unique retail space that offers quirky local ceramics, art, curiosities and décor – she is passionate about local design.

When it came to decorating the apartment, the energy, creativity and industrial character of the neighbourhood inspired the couple’s palette. “Woodstock set the tone for our predominantly monochrome colour scheme of black, white and grey with touches of cobalt blue and pops of yellow,” Yanni explains.

Clutter is avoided in this pared-down interior, thanks to Yanni’s simple philosophy: “Edit, edit, edit. Be ordered and have lots of storage space.” 

[HOW YANNI AND SONIA TRANSFORMED THEIR LOFT…]

Staying true to the loft architecture, Yanni and Sonia retained the open-plan design. Rather than building walls or partitions, they selected their furniture and finishes carefully to divide the space into various areas for sleeping, relaxing, eating and cooking. Yanni explains: