The Niemanns built a gorgeous home in the countryside where they could retire in peace.
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By Shané Barnard • Photographs Sally Chance • Styling Marian van Wyk
WWhen Kobus Niemann turned 55, he and his wife Adrie decided to exchange city life for a quieter existence in Richmond, closer to their daughter’s home. When the couple saw Clive Biden’s Montagu home in the February 2013 issue of Home, they immediately knew that this was exactly how they wanted their dream home to look.
Adrie says that although they already had plans for their new house, they asked the architect to draw up new ones from scratch.
Armed with their new plans, they decided to take a leap of faith and build their dream home from the ground up. Construction began in 2014 while Kobus was still working full-time and the couple were living in Westville near Durban.
Kobus hired local labourers to help him with the foundations and Adrie took on the role of project manager from the get-go, a job she describes as “the greatest adventure of my life”.
“I was quite shocked when I realised that it would take 28 10-ton loads of sand to fill the foundations, because the house had to be raised quite a bit,” she recalls.
Three years later, they were finally able to move into their new abode.
The couple, who own décor business Designer Flowers and Functions, have put their personal stamp on their home with carefully selected accessories. They love how well everything has turned out and particularly enjoy the early morning sunshine that floods into the living room.
Do lots of research and don’t doubt yourself! – Adrie
There’s probably no real word to describe my décor style. It started off as French-Victorian, but now it’s a little bit of everything that I adore. – Adrie
The curved corrugated-iron roof over the front stoep is typical of the Karoo style that Kobus and Adrie love so much. WHO LIVES HERE? Adrie and Kobus Niemann and their Italian greyhound, Daisy WHERE Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal SIZE 270 m²
The Niemanns sealed the cement floors throughout the house with Hall’s Retail Adhesive Clear sealant, which brings out the cement’s natural colour.
Adrie wanted lots of workspace in the kitchen, so she planned the layout around the island which consists of five kitchen units screwed together and covered with a large granite slab. With the help of her daughter and grandchildren, Adrie painted the cupboards white and added handles and embellishments.
Pendants from Lightco; cupboards from Mistry’s painted with Plascon Velvaglo
The back stoep is equipped with both a braai and a pizza oven – ideal for social gatherings.
The front stoep has various nooks, including this informal lounge and the dining area on the opposite end (above left).
Adrie loves the fresh feel that plants and flowers bring to any room – including a stoep. Monkey statue from Spaces and Places
The lounge suite is an heirloom that once belonged to Adrie’s parents. “The wood was stained a dark colour and the seats were upholstered in royal-blue fabric,” recalls Adrie. She had the suite reupholstered to complement the rustic shades in this space. Mirror and nesting tables from MRP Home
Adrie had the headboard in the main bedroom – originally from Coricraft – reupholsted in purple velvet. Together with the rich paint hues, it adds a luxurious feel to the space. Paint colour Duram Lynnwood Spring Paint colour
Fired Earth Liquid Metal in the colour Old Gold
The en suite off the main bedroom is divided into separate ‘his and hers’ spaces; Adrie’s is classic and feminine.
The vanity in the guest bathroom was Adrie’s parents’ first kitchen table. Blue-and-white tiles from Tile Africa
The stained glass in the guest bathroom (also below left) is Adrie’s handiwork; it adds a touch of old-world charm.
In stark contrast to Adrie’s side of the en-suite bathroom, the walls in Kobus’s section are either exposed brick or finished with Cemcrete. Copper pendant from @home