Indoor-outdoor living in a classic '60s home in Stellenbosch

This family has made the most of the original architecture of their home, creating a seamless flow between spaces and a sociable atmosphere.

So says Annaline van den Berg of the home that she and her family have been living in since November 2016.

Once inside the open-plan living area, you understand exactly what she means. Toddlers Karlien and Joshua’s cleverly designed playroom is located just off the large living area but still forms part of it (see sliding door to the left of the living area pictured above). Gerrit can also be part of the action when he’s braaiing and it’s precisely this open-plan design that makes their home such a sociable space. “We can also keep an eye on the kids on the strip of lawn alongside the house, no matter where we are,” says Annaline. Annaline and Gerrit van den Berg with their kids Karlien (4) and Joshua (2) Stellenbosch 330m² (garage and outbuilding included)

“Since we installed the sliding doors, which open up on the south- and north-facing sides of the living area, we have had this wonderful sense of open space and we utilise the garden so much more. The house feels more expansive when the doors are open on both sides and you’re able to appreciate all the trees and mountains.”

The home, which dates back to the sixties, hasn’t always had such an easy flow between all the living areas and the outdoors.

“We made peace with the fact that we would renovate an older home because we really like established neighbourhoods with tall trees – the kind of address where empty stands are no longer available,” says Annaline. “Even before we saw this house, the leafy streets and rural vibe of the area stole our hearts. But the main drawcard was the rectangular layout all on one level, plus all the north-facing rooms.” >>

“My favourite thing about this house is that we are always a stone’s throw from each other.”

[ ] LIVING AREA

“I love entertaining, so the wide-open spaces in our home are the perfect setting,” says Annaline. When the weather turns, Gerrit braais right here in the living area. The TV is positioned so that it’s not a focal point, whether entering through the front door or from the deck or garden. The large pendants above the kitchen island (see opposite) were selected for their perfect proportions; they had to hang exactly one metre apart between the rafters and they had to be big enough to complement the high ceiling. Sideboard from Block & Chisel; dining room table from Coricraft; dining chairs from @homelivingspace; engineered wood floors in the colour Grey Mist Rustico from Oggie Hardwood Flooring; leather sofa from Weylandts; upholstered couch by Giraffe Designs; rug from Hertex

In keeping with the 21st century

Thanks to the excellent original design, no major changes were necessary to adapt the house to the needs of a modern family. The biggest job was breaking out a few walls in the living area to create a larger open-plan living-cum-kitchen area.

Other than an electrician who suddenly disappeared when the entire house had to be rewired, there were no major setbacks during the renovation. “The problems we ‘inherited’ were the main challenge,” recalls Annaline. “The floors weren’t all on the same level and fixing this once the walls had been demolished was quite a story.

“We also wanted to retain the pine ceilings in the living area and paint them white but it was an impossible task to join the timber in the gaps where the walls had been removed. Where we could, we kept the ceilings, such as in the kids’ bedrooms and playroom.”

But there was a silver lining to this ceiling saga: “When they were removed, we discovered beautiful Oregon pine rafters. We realised that the rafters would be a real asset and they would complement the wooden floors. After all, it’s good to retain something of an old house. Some of the rafters had to be shortened and we were able to use the offcuts for floating shelves and even a mirror frame in the kids’ bathroom.

“If you don’t try to retain some elements of an old house, you might as well build from scratch. Now we’re constantly reminded that this home is twice as old as we are – it commands respect. It’s a privilege to preserve the beautiful parts of an old house so that a small piece of its character lives on.” >>

By Marian van Wyk • Photographs Francois Oberholster The north-facing side of the house was redesigned to maximise natural light; the sliding doors were installed by architect Cillié Malan of Slee & Co. Sliding doors from Alutech

Who lives here? WHERE SIZE

It’s in the detail The roof structure was originally supported by a column but it divided the space and was replaced by a steel girder which provides support by means of structural forces, explains architect Cillié Malan.

The dining room opens out onto a deck made of Siberian larch wood on the south-facing side of the house (below) – a favourite spot for an al fresco dinner on balmy summer evenings. On hot days, the pin oaks on the pavement provide much-needed shade....

Annaline wanted to ensure that the décor in the open-plan living area was cohesive, hence the grey palette with wood and leather accents for warmth. The old Oregon rafters throughout the house were sanded once the pine ceilings had been removed.

Kitchen cupboards and bar stools designed and manufactured by Holly Wood Kitchens and Furniture; pendants from K. Light Import