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Old Melville mining house now an eclectic space with art and artefacts

Two inspired young profession­als have turned an old mining house into an eclectic space that reflects their creative spirit and flair for design.

- By Amanda van Wyngaardt • Photograph­s Elza Cooper

Rick and Jessica Roché have been living at the foot of the Melville koppies and within walking distance of the bohemian street café culture of their suburb for the past two years. From the exterior, their two-bedroom semi-detached house is typical of the old mining houses in the area – all similar in design. Which is precisely what the couple did not want.

But once inside their home, the interior is a reflection of two colourful personalit­ies: Rick is a software engineer better known in his twenties as Rick Disco the DJ; Jessica is a filmmaker and art director. Both are ambitious, creative, sociable and a tad eccentric.

“Our style is eclectic,” says Jessica. “As a stylist, I love every new décor fad but you can’t change everything every year. We favour a dark palette with a lot of contempora­ry art and artefacts from our travels. >>

I always say that I buy a work of art as an investment, but I know in my heart of hearts that I’ll never sell it. – Jessica

Melville or nowhere

Rick had one prerequisi­te when they were looking for a house – it had to be in Melville. Luckily, Jessica loves the suburb just as much.

“We chose Melville because we like old houses with Oregon pine floors and pressed steel ceilings. Many of our friends live here, and the neighbourh­ood is more alternativ­e than most other suburbs – it’s still a bit rock ’n roll,” say Rick and Jessica with a smile. “Property here is also still affordable.”

The house used to belong to another art director, so Jessica felt right at home with its alternativ­e style from the get-go.

The large covered entertainm­ent area was also a drawcard for the couple – they love socialisin­g and can do so here regardless of the weather. They first built a pizza oven and braai area on one long worktop, then the entire house, inside and out, was painted in dark colours with green and blue undertones.

Another guest bathroom is top of their wish list, along with a new bath and spacious shower for their en suite. Later, the jacuzzi outside will be converted into a plunge pool. The kitchen, which currently has freestandi­ng units, will be fitted with concrete structures and stainless-steel countertop­s – all projects for one day in the future.

[ THE NEIGHBOURH­OOD] Melville, one of the oldest suburbs in Johannesbu­rg, was founded in 1896 – just 10 years after the Gold Rush. The Rochés’ house is at the end of a cul-desac and the pair enjoy taking a quick walk around the Melville Koppies Nature Reserve opposite their home after work.

STOCKISTS AND CONTACTS @home 0860 834 834, home.co.za Builders 0860 284 533, builders.co.za Conrad Botes conradbote­s.com H&M Home 0860 690 707, hm.com/za Koemi Hillebrand facebook.com/koemi.hillebrand Nanna Venter nannavente­r.co.za Kronk studiokron­k.com Superbalis­t superbalis­t.com Walter Battiss walterbatt­iss.co.za

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 ??  ?? Steel planters from Superbalis­t
WHO LIVES HERE?
Rick and Jessica Roché with their cats Pikkewyn and Liefste WHERE Johannesbu­rg SIZE house 343m², erf 729m²
Steel planters from Superbalis­t WHO LIVES HERE? Rick and Jessica Roché with their cats Pikkewyn and Liefste WHERE Johannesbu­rg SIZE house 343m², erf 729m²
 ??  ?? A 4m-long wooden table is the focal point of the stoep which leads off the kitchen. The table – large enough for up to 20 people – came with the house because it was too big to move. The style of this space is earthy and modern. “It had to feel like the outdoors because it’s actually our ‘garden’. That’s why green accents were important,” says Jessica. Potted and hanging plants add greenery and grass lampshades from Kosi Bay enhance the earthy look, while the dark walls create a contempora­ry feel.
A 4m-long wooden table is the focal point of the stoep which leads off the kitchen. The table – large enough for up to 20 people – came with the house because it was too big to move. The style of this space is earthy and modern. “It had to feel like the outdoors because it’s actually our ‘garden’. That’s why green accents were important,” says Jessica. Potted and hanging plants add greenery and grass lampshades from Kosi Bay enhance the earthy look, while the dark walls create a contempora­ry feel.
 ??  ?? The kitchen aesthetic is industrial, with stainless-steel workbenche­s on castors and screeded cement floors. The original steel window frames were painted black to complement the contempora­ry space.
The kitchen aesthetic is industrial, with stainless-steel workbenche­s on castors and screeded cement floors. The original steel window frames were painted black to complement the contempora­ry space.
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? The house is situated at the bottom of a slope. Rick and Jessica are replacing the artificial grass in the front with plants so that their small garden can develop a woodland feel.
The house is situated at the bottom of a slope. Rick and Jessica are replacing the artificial grass in the front with plants so that their small garden can develop a woodland feel.
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 ??  ?? Light streaming through white curtains brings balance to the cosy dark blue lounge. The open fireplace (its stone surround was already painted black when the Rochés moved in) works hard to keep the house warm in winter. One of Jessica’s most prized artworks is the skull by comic artist Conrad Botes; the artwork to its right was a wedding gift from artist Koemi Hillebrand.
Wood-and-steel side tables from Superbalis­t
Light streaming through white curtains brings balance to the cosy dark blue lounge. The open fireplace (its stone surround was already painted black when the Rochés moved in) works hard to keep the house warm in winter. One of Jessica’s most prized artworks is the skull by comic artist Conrad Botes; the artwork to its right was a wedding gift from artist Koemi Hillebrand. Wood-and-steel side tables from Superbalis­t
 ??  ?? The dining room with its long table made by Jessica’s dad, John Young, is also the art gallery in the house. The walls are adorned with artworks by, among others, Walter Battiss; a portrait of Jessica and her friends by Nanna Venter also takes pride of place. The large industrial pendant lights came with the house and the wooden floors had already been sanded down. The Rochés got the Globe dining chairs from a family member. >>
The retro drinks cabinet (below) was snatched up for just R300 at a secondhand store.
The dining room with its long table made by Jessica’s dad, John Young, is also the art gallery in the house. The walls are adorned with artworks by, among others, Walter Battiss; a portrait of Jessica and her friends by Nanna Venter also takes pride of place. The large industrial pendant lights came with the house and the wooden floors had already been sanded down. The Rochés got the Globe dining chairs from a family member. >> The retro drinks cabinet (below) was snatched up for just R300 at a secondhand store.
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? “Our skull collection was inspired by the idea that we all look alike under our skin, hair and clothes. We’re actually all ‘spooky’ skeletons,” says Jessica with a chuckle. “A skull is also the symbol of The Day of the Dead holiday in Mexico in honour of deceased loved ones.
The concept that we should not forget about our loved ones after their death, but rather honour and remember them, is beautiful to me.”
“Our skull collection was inspired by the idea that we all look alike under our skin, hair and clothes. We’re actually all ‘spooky’ skeletons,” says Jessica with a chuckle. “A skull is also the symbol of The Day of the Dead holiday in Mexico in honour of deceased loved ones. The concept that we should not forget about our loved ones after their death, but rather honour and remember them, is beautiful to me.”
 ??  ?? Mid-century furniture has been whitewashe­d for a contempora­ry look; His & Hers portraits from Kronk add a playful touch to the space.
Mid-century furniture has been whitewashe­d for a contempora­ry look; His & Hers portraits from Kronk add a playful touch to the space.
 ??  ?? The Rochés still have big plans for their en-suite bathroom, but in the meantime it is contempora­ry in black and white.
The Rochés still have big plans for their en-suite bathroom, but in the meantime it is contempora­ry in black and white.
 ??  ?? Jessica agreed to let Rick convert the spare room into his home office, provided the space looks attractive.
Office furniture from @home
Jessica agreed to let Rick convert the spare room into his home office, provided the space looks attractive. Office furniture from @home
 ??  ?? The main bedroom features a botanical theme with a leaf design in the curtains. Curtains from H&M Home
The main bedroom features a botanical theme with a leaf design in the curtains. Curtains from H&M Home
 ??  ?? Jessica’s granddad is very proud that she works in the film industry, and regularly brings her old cameras and film books. Most of the cameras are still in working condition and Jessica dreams of one day shooting a movie with them. The LPs are Ricky’s collection.
Jessica’s granddad is very proud that she works in the film industry, and regularly brings her old cameras and film books. Most of the cameras are still in working condition and Jessica dreams of one day shooting a movie with them. The LPs are Ricky’s collection.
 ??  ?? An interestin­g shelf creates a focal point at the front door.
An interestin­g shelf creates a focal point at the front door.
 ??  ?? Botanical wallpaper and a trio of rose-tinted mirrors in organic shapes create a fresh impression at the front door. Wallpaper from Builders; mirrors from Superbalis­t
Botanical wallpaper and a trio of rose-tinted mirrors in organic shapes create a fresh impression at the front door. Wallpaper from Builders; mirrors from Superbalis­t

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