COOL KENNEL IN SALT RIVER
A fabulous renovation turned this apartment into a place a beloved dog can call home
‘What we really chose was the building,” says Wesley Vorster. “It offered a big (66m²) open space that we could adapt into a one-bedroom apartment with a loft feel. We didn’t want a studio and, generally, anything above 50m² is divided into two bedrooms. We’ve done our share of house guests, so we didn’t want that, either. But more than anything, because it was new and under development, Koos wasn’t a problem.”
“New and under development” is something of an understatement; “shell” comes closer to describing the open-plan semi-industrial space that Wesley and Nicolaas Louw signed up for. But where others may have baulked, the absence of finishes, let alone fittings, just added to its appeal.
“When it comes to space, my philosophy is first and foremost practical. What’s most important is to think of the space as an entity in its own right and to do whatever it takes to make the most of it. I’m not concerned with projecting my existing likes and dislikes onto a space. I don’t need a living space to ‘reflect’ me, or to become a showcase for my personality. Nic and I are both generally unsentimental that way. We’re more concerned with spatial flow and relationship dynamics, so being able not only to finish and furnish but also to configure an undefined openplan ‘raw’ space was ideal.”
The configuration is as simple as it is inspired. The introduction of rhino board walls inset with custom-made metal and glass door and window panels creates an airy bedroom that is both separate and part of the greater whole while delineating an entrance area — replete with storage cupboards and a built-in unit for shoes, umbrellas, mail and sundry clutter. In addition, the dry-walling extends the galley kitchen, enabling it to accommodate a state-of-the-art fridge — all the while working as a bold focal feature that links the internal skeleton to the building’s industrial bones.
Painting the face-brick walls an even matt white and laying a white concrete floor served to establish a base that accentuates the natural light flooding in from generous windows and balconies. “We used monochromes with bright pops of colour and the result is modern and uncomplicated, with a hint of quirkiness, which reflects my style,” says Wesley.
But it’s perhaps the couple’s lack of sentimental attachment to objects that’s behind the success of this apartment. The only piece they brought with them is the large antique wardrobe they use as a crockery cupboard and which anchors the dining area and layers a secondary wooden theme over the monochrome base.
Everything else was commissioned or bought to make the most of the space. “When sourcing decor pieces, I try to think of what I need practically and how to best integrate that piece into the space in a fussfree way,” says Wesley. “‘Sometimes things need to serve a purpose and sometimes they just need to look pretty. If they can do both, then you’ve won.”
www.wesleyvorster.com