Contemporary chic
When Johan and Amori van Jaarsveld started renovating their historic Graaff-Reinet home, which dates from the 1800s, they wanted the new additions to be modern. “We wanted to experience a comfortable, more practical and contemporary lifestyle in the newly built wing, but we also wanted to retain a sense of nostalgia by using antique finishes and furnishings that would complement the architecture of the old section,” explains Amori. “We wanted our bread buttered on both sides!”
As owner of The Windmill Junction, an antique store in Graaff-Reinet, Amori is passionate about antique furniture and collectables. The 30m² kitchen, which is located in the new wing, boasts yellowwood beams and sliding windows from the original kitchen. She wanted timeless kitchen cupboards with clean lines that complement the older finishes.
It was important to Amori that her furniture – mostly from her shop – would suit the style of the house. The combination of old and new holds a special kind of “chemistry” for her. Jam Design of Plettenberg Bay custom built the cabinets for the Van Jaarsvelds by carefully combining the different textures of wood, concrete and granite.
Another prerequisite was lots of space for the couple, their kids – Nieke (5) and Jua (2) – and friends to enjoy. There also had to be sufficient storage space and power points, plus a decent coffee machine.
“The island is definitely the centre of our kitchen,” says Amori. “I didn’t want any prep bowls or gas burners in it so we could use it for dining and socialising, rather than for cooking. It is wonderful to have friends and family nearby while the food is being prepared.”