A new look for an old home

Once uninhabitable with various disconnected and cramped rooms, this Durban home is now a cosy family haven.

WWhen Durban photographer Sally Chance first came across her home in 2011, she wasn’t house-hunting at all. In fact, she was in Kloof to view a piece of land where she intended to build a home for herself and her two children, Ruby and Liam.

As luck would have it, a dilapidated house next door caught her eye. “It was owned by the same person, so I simply asked him if I could buy the house instead of the land,” Sally explains. Built in the early 1900s, the house looked a bit like a

construction site, as the previous owner had started doing minor renovations.

But Sally was undeterred. As an interiors photographer with a keen eye for detail, she could see the character and potential that was ready to emerge after years of neglect.

“My family thought I was insane,” admits Sally. “The house was uninhabitable and had neither bathrooms nor a kitchen. Thieves had made off with the old geyser and left a gaping hole in the lounge ceiling! But I love modernising tired old houses with lots of character. I can see past the neglect and visualise how they will look post renovation.”

On the plus side, the house had beautiful old Oregon floors and a stately arched window that could easily be replaced with French doors. At 2 163m2, the plot was big enough to add a new veranda and a whole new wing, which would incorporate the main en suite, a TV room, guest suite, laundry and staff quarters.

A serial renovator

Having built and renovated a number of homes over the years, Sally had a good idea of what she wanted to achieve. With a little help from her interior designer friend Bruce Fyfe of Fyfe Boyce Design, she worked out how she wanted to create an easy flow between the various disconnected and cramped rooms. “Once I’d worked this out, I approached architect David Hamilton to draw up the plans. He cleverly incorporated the new building on the southern side of the house so it didn’t look out of place next to the older structure.”

The renovation took six months to complete and six years later, she’s still pleased with the outcome.

A beautiful interior

The classic architecture of the renovated space provides the perfect backdrop for Sally’s décor, which is a mix of neutrals and brights, old and new. Nguni hides, a wooden kist and a leather armchair reflect her love of the KwaZulu-Natal countryside, especially the Midlands.

With the exception of the teenagers’ bedrooms, all the walls are white – and will remain white.

“In my line of work, I get to see the most amazing interiors all over KwaZulu-Natal and I pick up plenty of ideas on photo shoots, but I like the brightness that white brings to a room. My work is visually very stimulating, so I prefer the neutrality of white walls at home.

“My children live between two households and over weekends I love spending quality time with them. We play games in front of the fire when it gets really cold. I love the natural light, the high ceilings and warmth of the old floorboards, and the peace and quiet of my veranda. It has added so much character to the house and it’s a lovely area in which to entertain or unwind after a busy day.”

[ SALLY’S TOP TIPS]

• There are always surprises when renovating an old house, and additional expenses. I’m sure everyone has heard this a hundred times, but keep funds in reserve in case of emergency! • Definitely use a builder you know or someone with references. Don’t just go with a cheap quote – in the end, you might find a lot more work still needs to be done but isn’t covered by the quote.

• Often, it’s worth spending more on a good product that will last longer than a cheaper alternative.

• Consulting with an engineer is also money well spent. When my builder discovered that the soil had a clay-like consistency deep down, an engineer was called in as I didn’t want big cracks to appear in the new building at a later stage. The builder had to reinforce the foundation in that portion of the house, which cost a little more.

• Get advice from friends and family who might know a bit about renovating or decorating.

They could have a great idea for a space that you haven’t considered.

I’m pleased with my renovation and the fact that all four bedrooms now have en-suite bathrooms. – Sally

WHO LIVES HERE? Sally Chance and her children, Ruby (17) and Liam (15) WHERE Kloof, Durban SIZE 332m² (including double garage)

A sheltered veranda has transformed the façade. Architect David Hamilton made sure the new wing on the right which houses the main en suite, guest suite, laundry and staff quarters is in harmony with the rest of the home.

Cushions on sofa from Inside Out Home Boutique

The cosy TV room is in the new wing next to the main bedroom. The military chest of drawers was a gift from Sally’s mom, Betty Chance, and the artworks were done by some of Sally’s favourite South African artists (from left: Pippa Lea Pennington, Raoul de Carvalho and Audrey Rudnick). The pouffe slipcover was made from fabric Sally had custom printed. She prefers a mix of old and modern furniture, and bought her lounge suite (opposite) at a sidewalk sale about 30 years ago and has had it reupholstered a few times. Sally traded a photo shoot for the leather chair. “It’s our favourite chair and we all fight for it!” she says.

Screed by Diverse Designs A black screed floor runs seamlessly from the kitchen to the contemporary openplan dining area, where the décor is limited to two photos of Nguni cows that were taken by Sally. “I had the photos printed with a dot effect on canvas.”

Hard-wearing bamboo countertops and floating shelves add warmth to a monochrome palette in the kitchen. An alcove next to the fireplace provides space for wood and shelving. The kist is a family heirloom. Wall hooks from Muse

The kitchen is at the back of the house, where Sally has no window treatments. These windows are east-facing and the lush tropical vegetation, tall trees and sloping plot provide shelter from the morning sun.

“I love snooping in second-hand shops and I prefer items with character,” Sally says. She spotted this drawer unit in a warehouse in Pietermaritzburg where it was being restored, and bought it there and then.

Large cushion from Inside Out Home Boutique

Ruby and Liam’s bedrooms (this photo and below) are the only rooms where focal walls were painted in bright colours.

The old tennis rackets belonged to Sally’s uncle and aunt.

Liam’s bed is an heirloom from England. >>

Sally loves the tranquillity of the sunny main bedroom (above) located in the new wing. “It has a great view of the garden and valley, and I love watching the sunbirds feeding on the aloes just outside the window.” She had the curtains made from a discontinued fabric range that she bought on sale from Waste Centre Fabrics; Sally’s mom Betty embroidered the duvet cover.

Ruby’s bed was bought from an antique dealer about 25 years ago.

A wall-mounted vanity (above) is a space-saver in Liam’s compact en-suite bathroom where Sally painted a red star and white stripe. His is the only bathroom with a black screed floor; the other bathrooms all boast a white screed.

Sally painted turquoise stripes in Ruby’s bathroom; she diluted the paint with a bit of white for the paler stripes.

In contrast to the other bathrooms, Sally’s preference for a neutral white palette extends to her spacious en suite.