A modern update that stays true to the character of a Jo’burg abode
The old pressed steel ceilings in their new home inspired two avid renovators to refurbish it in keeping with its heritage.
The kitchen, lounge and dining room, as well as the outdoor area that connects all these spaces, are great for entertaining. – Stacey
For Stacey and Aaron Russell, things could not have worked out better when they decided to relocate from Cape Town to Johannesburg. First, they were enchanted by the distinctive small-townin-the-city vibe of Parkhurst, a suburb established back in 1903. The cosy street cafés, quiet tree-lined streets and residents strolling with their kids immediately made them feel at home, says Stacey. Then they fell in love with a property in the neighbourhood. “It was a corner stand with lovely big old trees,” she says.
“The beautiful 100-year-old house still had its original pressed steel ceilings and wooden floors – you could just feel its heritage and character.”
The good news was that the house, which belonged to Stacey and Aaron’s friends, was on the market. Their pals were moving to Cape Town! “We simply exchanged ownership of the two houses in a private transaction,” Stacey explains.
“Our friends now live in the duplex apartment in Harfield Village where we used to reside, and we live here. And they are just as happy with their new home as we are with ours.” >>
Serial renovators
The couple and their son Harley-Knox (4) have lived in Parkhurst since mid-2019; Griffen-Grey was born in November last year.
Although they loved the look of the house right from the start, Stacey and Aaron were keen to give it an update.
Now the original square structure boasts a funky pitched roof and a quirky black triangle painted on the front wall to match the black front door.
Stacey, who studied design, is a director of their family business House2Homesa, which handled the design and alterations of their new home. “We do interior decorating, construction and project management and have offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg,” she explains. Aaron is the owner of The African Influence, a liquor company.
Stacey says this is the fifth renovation project they have undertaken. “We can’t help ourselves. Renovating homes is in our blood! The first two were flats. After that, we tackled a house that was previously an old stable in Wynberg, Cape Town. It was so old that we discovered a sand floor under the carpets when we lifted them. We renovated the entire place. In Harfield Village, we gave a modern duplex a brand-new look.
Making their mark
In this house, the couple wanted to create more space and light. “We also weren’t crazy about the kitchen which was a small separate room, as is often the case in old houses,” says Stacey.
They gained 60m² by building onto the front of the house. Here, a pitched roof was installed to add height and complement the high ceilings of the original section; it also forms a striking skylight that lets more light into the previously dark house. “The pitched structure creates an interesting design element,” explains Stacey.
“We broke open the existing guest room and kitchen, creating an open-plan living area that includes the dining room and lounge. In the original living space, which leads out onto a deck, we created a new main bedroom with an en-suite bathroom; adjacent to that we set up an office space.”
The Russells also built a guest loo and decorated it with eye-catching wallpaper. By painting most of the walls in shades they mixed themselves, this creative couple was able to put their own stamp on their new home.
The family lived in the original part of the house while construction was underway. “It took longer than planned because we were working on other projects at the same time,” says Stacey. >>
Authentic charm
The old-world character of the house that so enchanted Stacey and Aaron has largely been preserved, despite the modernisation. “In the built-on section, we installed cornices on the ceilings that match those in the old part of the house. We also had a new plaster ceiling rose installed that looks just like the others that were here.”
The original wooden floors were treated and sealed. Unfortunately, some sections were too dilapidated to retain, Stacey says. “We had to break out the wooden floor in the passage and spare room and replace it with stone-look terrazzo tiles. Floorboards that were still in a reasonable condition were used elsewhere where the floors needed a bit of fixing up.”
Stacey says her favourite rooms in the house are the guest loo, which she calls the “powder room”, and the main bedroom. “They are both gorgeous, with a tranquil atmosphere. An arrangement I made using dry branches and flowers is suspended above our bed. I love the fact that one of the flowers, Lunaria annua ,is known as the honesty plant.”
The three-bedroom home is now the perfect fit for their family, says Stacey.
“The size of the house makes it feel homely and it’s easy to keep clean. But there’s more than enough space on the property if we want to build on again one day.”