Modern family

An inspired couple turned neglected student digs into a compact and contemporary home.

TThree years ago, Naeem Abdullah and Cecelia van Rensburg rented an apartment in Tamboerskloof, where they lived with their infant daughter Amelia. Keen to expand their family, the couple began searching for a property they could buy. It would be their first and what they had in mind was a well-established, modern family home.

One of the properties they viewed was a run-down, 92-year-old house in the heart of Mowbray, Cape Town. The homeowners were living overseas and had rented the place out to students, leaving it sorely neglected. “The floors were rotten and the ceilings mouldy. The entire place was in bad shape,” Cecelia says.

Although it was the polar opposite of what they were looking for, the couple were charmed by this little heritage home – and it was larger than the apartment they’d been renting. They knew they could make it work, so they snatched up the two-bedroom, one-bathroom home and began making plans to turn it into a haven for their growing family.

Cecelia, a fashion designer for a large retail company, has an eye for beautiful things and had a clear vision of the space she wanted to create. “In my job, I’m constantly trawling the internet for the latest international trends and ideas for clothing, and that spills over into the décor in our home, whether it relates to colour, texture or design,” she says.

This flair for design paired with Naeem’s skills as a carpenter – he runs his own business, Custom Woodworks – was the perfect recipe for a job well done. “We work well together; I’m creative and he’s practical, so we had a lot of fun transforming this small, old space,” Cecelia says.

It’s a lifestyle

Conscious of the limited space they had to work with, Cecelia and Naeem removed everything that was unnecessary, such as a back door leading from the kitchen to the yard which they replaced with a sash window.

They also removed a wall separating the kitchen from the living area to create a seamless, stylish space that was easy to navigate.

“My favourite spot is our kitchen,” Cecelia says. “I love how I can cook for my family while my kids are playing in the lounge and Naeem is reading a book or working on his computer nearby.” In the bathroom, the ceiling was extended, a bigger window was added and a shower was built into the dead space behind the door.

With careful planning, the pair made the most of the available space but they also made a lifestyle decision to live with less. “We have these big clear-outs every few months to get rid of clutter,” Cecelia says. “I go through all our cupboards and give away whatever we haven’t worn for a long time.

“I also ‘recycle’ the kids’ toys. I keep the bulk of them in storage so they only have a certain number to play with and then I swop them every few months – it’s like they’re brand-new all over again!”

Cecelia says the only items on display and in use in their home are ones that she and Naeem absolutely adore, many of which have been inherited or acquired over the years, such as the Persian silk rug in the hallway at the entrance. They’ve decorated their home around these prized possessions, layering to add texture and warmth. “Every piece needs to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional; otherwise, it’s given away.” >>

WHO LIVES HERE? Naeem Abdullah and Cecelia van Rensburg with their kids, Amelia (5) and Sofia (2) WHERE Mowbray, Cape Town SIZE 120m² The couple spent many Sunday afternoons driving through the colourful Bo-Kaap to find inspiration for their home’s exterior. They finally decided on green. “Naeem’s grandmother has a house in Durban that’s a similar green, so it’s close to our hearts.”

A raw brick statement wall anchors the dining space. After stripping the paint from the bricks, Naeem used pool acid to wash off bits of cement before applying a coat of clear brick sealant. While the family eats at the kitchen table most nights, this slightly more spacious area is reserved for sharing meals with visiting family and friends. Dining table from @home; chairs from Chair Crazy; striped rug from Weylandts; coat stand from MRP Home

Paint colour Dulux Obsidian Glass A dark grey accent wall draws the eye towards the end of the room, lengthening the space. The couple subtly combined old and new items in both muted and bright hues to create an intimate, stylish lounge. Naeem custom made the bookshelf so it fits into the alcove next to the fireplace. Scatter from Woolworths; rug and swivel chair are second-hand finds

Love the front door? Go to homemag.co.za to see how to achieve this weathered look. While the home is small, good flow afforded by a straight passage leading from the front door to the courtyard at the back creates an airy, lightfilled space. When they moved in, the front door was a bold blue. “We used paint stripper to remove the many layers of paint it had acquired over the years, but we ended up loving the way it turned out halfway through the project and left it like that!” Cecelia says.

Paint colour Steel Symphony 1 “We love open-plan living,” says Cecelia. The dining table in the new kitchen is the same one that she had dinner at every night while growing up. Naeem made new kitchen cupboards that extend to the ceiling to increase storage space. The smooth finish of the Supawood doors was achieved with Dulux Ducospray. Metro tiles from Cash Tiles

Pendants from MRP Home

The main bedroom has a luxurious feel with its modern finishes against a neutral warm grey wall.

The ceiling was raised in the bathroom. A horizontal window was installed above the bath and a shower was built in the nook (right) behind the door. Bath from Builders; pendant from Weylandts; towel from Woolworths; vanity custom made by Naeem

Naeem custom made the plywood bookshelf in the kids’ bedroom. Throw from Woolworths