Three's Company

Creative triplets with an eye for design share this serene space – and a passion for music, people and mohair.

 

- Frieda Le Roux

For the Wandel sisters, life is all about the here and now. For these German siblings, being mindful is the key to happiness and self-expression and the spaces, light and textures in their home in Somerset West serve as a conductor for their creativity – as a collective but also as individuals.

Marion, who lives in South Africa most of the time, discovered “The White House”, as they fondly refer to their tranquil home with its view of the ocean. “We know the former owners; they said they’d never sell the house,” recalls Andrea. “But Marion always knew that one day it would be our home. And she was right!”

The sisters first came to South Africa on a vacation 15 years ago. They liked what they saw and decided to invest in property. Since then, Marion has relocated to South Africa – she only spends about one month a year in Europe – while Andrea currently divides her time between South Africa and Europe. Claudia only visits for about four weeks a year.

More like a holiday home

The former owners, Evi and Jochem Elsner of Home Concept, designed and built the spacious house with its high ceilings and lived there for six years before relocating to Yzerfontein. They’re friends with the Wandel sisters and have been back to the property several times – an experience Evi describes as “familiar and strange at the same time”.