Harmonious blend of old and new
Art Deco cues new and original showcase this renovation, writes ROBYN WELSH
First impressions count, but they can also be delightfully misleading. At first sight, this house has all the original Art Deco cues that inspired its builder in 1949.
But all is not as it seems throughout the house that Graeme and Mary Pinfold bought in 1987 off the original owner and which they’ve extended sympathetically as their four boys have grown up.
Take that curved exterior wall, for instance. It is original, right? “No,” says Graeme. “That was a Leo addition.” He’s referring to architect Leo van Veenendaal, who masterminded this collaborative, progressive renovation that took place over several years.
Their unified blend of old and new is further evident in the horizontal windows and fanlights and the casement windows that flank the picture windows. These profiles match the original but the all-new joinery is aluminium and cedar, chosen for its style-appropriate, low-maintenance aesthetic.
“It was about modernising the house but keeping it sympathetic to its original design,” says Graeme. Inside, stand-out original features include the Art Deco lounge fireplace and the coved ceiling with its perimeter lighting that eliminates the need for ceiling lights. Two of the original bedrooms upstairs still have their original coved ceilings. The new areas of the house have the contrasting modern squarestopped finishes.
For Graeme and Mary, this property that backs on to Madills Farm has evolved into the quintessential family home through two major extensions and alterations. “We did a lot of painting and redecorating when we first bought it as a couple, but the major step was about how this house would work for a family,” says Graeme. “What we’ve done is continually adapt the house to suit our needs.”
The home’s 500sq m floor plan unfolds over four levels. Above the ground floor rumpus room, bar and wine cellar, the main entry-level, deck-side living areas are the lifestyle focal points. Upstairs, there is a two-bedroom/bathroom wing at one end, two studies in the middle and the master bedroom quarters at the opposite end, across an industrial-style bridge that spans the main living area. On the top floor, there’s a fourth living area, along with two bathrooms and another bathroom.
In between the house alterations, they landscaped their 1616sq m grounds, adding a pool, spa pool and tennis court that doubled as an all-weather children’s play area. Mature palms add neighbourly context to this towering home.
“It’s a setting reminiscent of a private resort,” says Michael Boulgaris of Boulgaris Realty. “From large palm trees to high hedges framing the property and a circular driveway leading to a handsome portico entry, this truly is paradise.”
Two years ago, Graeme and Mary updated their 1990s kitchen. After much family debate, they opted for another upstand rather than a flat island bench. The result is Leo van Veenendaal’s Art Deco-inspired backdrop that screens the kitchen from the living area.
Now Graeme and Mary are “very comfortable” handing it over to another family as they move to an apartment.
Sales Method: Negotiation Contact: Kurt Bassett, Boulgaris Realty, 021 20 80 246.