PERFECT BALANCE
This Victorian house in South Africa artfully pairs the historic with modern details that hark to the homeowners’ multicultural heritage
When a South African with French heritage and her husband, a doctor and health and wellness expert of Chinese descent, decide to renovate their home, it is no surprise that the result will be unusual. Anina Malherbe-lan and Michael Lan had been searching for a space in the city—one that had two separate entrances, with enough space to combine their home and Michael’s wellness centre and tai chi studio into one property. A traditional Victorian house that had fallen on hard times and was being used as a neglected guesthouse proved to be the surprising solution. “The house had six bedrooms and six bathrooms. One room even had carpeting on the wall,” recalls Malherbe-lan, who also notes that the front was bricked and the veranda had been sealed off to create a sunroom. She chose to work with architect Chris Zimberlin of Limeline due to his experience with heritage properties. “He knew where to source things like missing shutters and who to use to recreate the traditional French doors,” she explains.
OPULENT SHINE
In taking the house back to its original architectural integrity while modernising the interior, the first task was to remove the glass-panelled facade from the entrance to reveal the elegant pillars and welcoming veranda. Here, you’ll find the first hint of the surprises that lie within—two imperial marble lion statues guarding the front door. These are an auspicious symbol in Chinese customs, with powerful protective benefits, explains Malherbe-lan. “Michael’s only request for the interior design was that we adhere to the five principles of feng shui,” she explains. Gold, representing “metal” in feng shui, was a shade they were both comfortable with. Touches of it can be seen in the lighting, ornaments, wallpaper and details on furniture, but against the otherwise monochromatic palette it feels understated rather than brash.
VERDANT VISION
It is the walled garden in the conservatory (representing “earth”) that infuses the home with the most remarkable energy. “We wanted to bring a bit of nature inside the home and create balance within the hustle and bustle of the city,” explains Malherbe-lan, who adds that she is patiently waiting for the trellising to be filled with foliage. Other nods to feng shui are the floors and French doors (“wood”) and water elements, with a fountain at the entrance to the house. The conservatory, which transformed an unused courtyard into an enchanting space, was a smart design decision that gave the couple more space to entertain and relax in. “Once we designed the tai chi studio, we were left with what we realised was quite a small living area,” says Malherbe-lan. “It made sense to gain an extra room—i love it.”
“We wanted to bring a bit of nature inside the home and create balance within the hustle and bustle of the city”
CURATED COLLECTION
While the couple are avid weekend explorers of the Cape, Malherbe-lan’s job, as founder and CEO of Vivid Luxury Communications Agency, keeps her dialled into international trends. Her agency has represented some of the world’s top luxury brands over the years, including Gucci, Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Patek Philippe, Belvedere Vodka and Hugo Boss, to name a few. She professes that her love for luxury is not only reflected in her wardrobe, but also the interiors, citing Philippe Starck, Eero Saarinen, Minotti and Kartell as some of her favourite furniture designers. Handpicked pieces can be found juxtaposed with inherited antiques—the open-plan living room and kitchen, with its generous ceiling heights, can comfortably house the fusion of styles. The couple married in 2014, which means they brought not only their different heritages to the home, but a wealth of furniture they each had collected over the years. How did Malherbe-lan manage to successfully blend these? “I just painted everything black,” she admits with a laugh.