Q&A with Jeanette and Thom

Any cost-cutting tips? Use the same paint colour throughout the house; this way you can buy in bulk and save money. However, buying something on the cheap can often cost you more in the long run. Where did you get your ideas? We like to look at the original architectural plans and use them for inspiration; it gives you a good idea of the possibilities without being blinded by what’s in front of you. We also look at magazines, especially Home, and Thom studied architecture for a year, which helps.

What do you enjoy most about your new home? Definitely the open-plan kitchen and living area. There’s plenty of room for everyone; I can cook and socialise at the same time – and thanks to the indoor braai, the men don’t feel left out. Your top renovation tip? If you can’t do everything at once, decide what’s most important for your lifestyle. For us, it was entertaining so we decided to start with the living area. The bathrooms were liveable – they could wait. What’s next? A swimming pool is high on our wish list for those 40ºc days. And maybe a covered outdoor entertainment area with comfy chairs.

I’m glad we didn’t demolish the pantry; this created more space in the kitchen and gave us more flexibility for placing the large appliances.

– Jeanette

A large new bath was installed in the kids’ bathroom (left); the mosaic tiles are from CTM. The main bedroom (above) has an Asian feel with framed sketches from China and an appliquéd throw from Turkey.

Scatter from MRP Home

Jeanette and Jean-mari painted the striped wall in her bedroom in Dulux French Clay and white Plascon Wall & Ceiling Paint (below). The bed is from Jeanette’s childhood; she bought it from her mom, Elsabe du Plessis, for R15 in 1970. Jean-mari’s granny, Elmien Orchard, made the scatter cushions.