A perfect blend of old and new in a 90-year-old Durban home

Through the process of decorating her own home, Janelle Enslin created her dream space – and forged a brand new career path!

They finally found what they were looking for in this 90-year-old, sea-facing property; they fell in love with its location, interesting structure and old-world charm and purchased the house in August 2015. But the interior was a far cry from the elegant and eclectic home it is today.

“The previous owner, who lived on this corner plot for 45 years, hadn’t really done any renovations,” Janelle says.

The home required a few structural changes and a complete décor makeover – the perfect challenge for Janelle. She certainly rose to the occasion – in fact, she ended up pursuing a career in interior design and these days runs her own interior decorating business.

But before she could start experimenting with her own look, several walls had to be knocked down to create various open-plan spaces, especially in the front of the house which faces the ocean.

Mustard-coloured carpets throughout the home were ripped out, fixtures had to be updated and built-in cupboards were installed. Once the renovations were done, every room was given a fresh coat of paint – as were the exposed wooden ceiling beams, window frames and door frames.

Next, Janelle started to fill their home with interesting items, including many from the UK, where they lived for six years. While she may not have had any official training, Janelle, who previously worked in HR management, has always had a knack for designing spaces. Here, she was able to unleash her creativity. Friends and family encouraged her to pursue her passion full-time, which she did in March 2016 when she launched Beloved Interiors.

“I had a three-year struggle with health issues, and it would have taken considerable effort to re-join the corporate world, so I decided to invest my efforts into my own business instead,” Janelle explains. “This quickly evolved into a small online store and interior design consultancy. As the end of the renovation more or less marked the end of my illness, we named our home Hope Cottage.” >>

The Enslin family of Durban had always lived in rented properties, patiently waiting to find a place they could renovate and decorate as they pleased.

Janelle recently added accents of warm orange to the previously blue and white lounge, injecting energy into the room she describes as “bohemian vintage”. An ottoman covered in a blue slipcover adds a pop of colour and doubles up as a second coffee...

Wooden bench from Amatuli

The interesting structure and texture of the old home’s stucco exterior is one of the many things the couple love about their home.

Throughout the home (above and below), art collections are displayed simply and elegantly. Lampshade fabric from Mavromac & The Gatehouse; rug from Coricraft; white chair a second-hand find