WALKING THE LINE
THIS REINVIGORATED BEAUTY COMBINES A MODERN AESTHETIC WITH THE BEST OF MID-CENTURY DESIGN FOR AN ART-LOVING COUPLE AND THEIR YOUNG FAMILY
LIVING IN THE LIGHT A breathtaking vista cascades into this soaring home that is as much a gallery for art aficionados Candace and William, as a functional family home for the couple and their three young children, Max, 12, Tessa, nine, and Stella, four. “We have a lot of glazing and no eaves,” says Candace, who was determined to retain the original 1970s window, with its grid of timber frames – a standout feature of the Cape Town abode (above). Furnishings combine mid-century gems with reupholstered pieces from the family’s original collection, such as the shapely green velvet armchairs (try Gumtree or Ebay). Natural textures, including the stone-coloured sofa (try the ‘Hadley’ sofa in Crescent Natural from Coco Republic), handwoven grass rug (get the look with the Natural Gazil Magic Rug from Temple & Webster) and timber panelling, create a muted, neutral palette that celebrates the surrounding landscape and mirrors the artwork by Rosie Mudge (opposite). >
Candace and William’s first impression of their future home was somewhat underwhelming. “It looked like a school building,” says Candace, with a laugh, of the two-storey, 1970s house located in Cape Town, South Africa. Nevertheless, “it had a wonderful sense of space”, she recalls. “And it’s right at the foot of Table Mountain.”
A terraced rocky garden with a beautiful stone staircase seemed to draw the mountain right down to the edge of the house, but somehow, perhaps because of its not-so-elegant architecture, its potential had been overlooked. Candace and William weren’t going to make that mistake. “I just remember being astonished at the views,” says Candace, an art gallery owner who was also able to appreciate some of the late mid-century features in the property.
They closed the deal, but she and William didn’t rush into renovating, choosing to live in the home for three years. Pressing pause suited Candace, who was busy launching her art gallery, then energised by its success, she was ready for the next challenge – a renovation and a baby, their third. “I was excited to start the project,” she says, explaining that knowing their family was growing came in handy when planning bedrooms.
The couple worked with architects Stuart Thompson and Matt Pretorius of STARC to transform the house into the dream Candace had been nurturing in her imagination. The result is a remarkable alteration, retaining many of the late modernist features Candace and William had grown fond of, such as the fireplace, and stairway with its glazed facade to allow those mountain views. >
“WE LIVED IN IT FOR THREE YEARS. WE HAD TIME consider TO WHAT WE WANTED TO DO” ~ CANDACE