A pint-sized apartment with a big heart in Cape Town’s city centre
A tiny studio has been converted into a lush haven for a portrait painter.
After living in London’s “permagrey” environment for 17 years, Vicky Zigras was more than ready for blue skies and sunshine when she returned home to South Africa in 2019. She found the perfect little studio in an apartment block in Cape Town’s city centre, complete with leafy gardens, abundant birdlife, a spring-fed swimming pool and beautiful views.
“I took up residence in December 2019 and I’ve really enjoyed living here – even during lockdown!” says Vicky with a smile. “Built in the 1960s by Bauhaus-trained German architect Pius Pahl, the building might look a bit austere from the outside but I love the thoughtful design with its lush central courtyard, pool and plenty of light and privacy.”
While Vicky’s one-bedroom apartment is a tiny 42m², it basks in direct sunlight in the winter months, thanks to its north-east orientation, and it’s sheltered from the afternoon sun in summer. However, the interior left much to be desired. “It looked as if it hadn’t been updated in decades and there was a real mishmash of styles,” she says. “It was dark and felt like a cave.”
An oasis
Vicky has always been fascinated by Hawaiian aesthetics, especially the Plantation style which boasts a combination of vintage pieces, touches of cane or wood and tropical foliage. “I wanted to recreate the feeling of being in a light-filled, exotic and tropical oasis,” says Vicky.
She called in the help of her interior designer sister Nikki Zigras of Studio Do Cabo to design plans and technical drawings for an update, after which Vicky project-managed the renovations. “My builder Simba Kasu and carpenter Wilson Chirikumarara also made suggestions and had infinite patience when explaining things to me and answering my many questions!” says Vicky.
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CLEVER TRICK IN A TIGHT SPACE]
Even though Vicky’s apartment is tiny, she created a small “mud room” at the front door. The passage between the door and the open-plan living room was enclosed with a second, glazed door. “It dramatically reduces the noise from the communal passage and provides a space where I can hang my scarves, bags, hats and shoes – which makes the living and sleeping areas free of that sort of clutter,” she explains. “I love arriving at home, taking my shoes off at the door, hanging my keys and bag up, putting on my slippers and then shutting out the world when I enter the living area.”
Light and airy
To create more of an open-plan look and feel in the small space, a wooden counter between the kitchen and living room was removed. The old cupboards were gutted and careful consideration was given to the new layout to make the most of the natural light. “We placed the stove next to the window for ventilation and so I could enjoy the view while cooking,” explains Vicky. “We also managed to squeeze in a table and two chairs so I could keep the floor space in the living area open and have an uninterrupted view of the garden from the bedroom.”
While the original 1960s rosewood parquet floor in the living room was still in good condition, it made the space feel dark and small and it created a stark division in the room because of the difference in colour between the kitchen tiles and wooden floor. “Originally, I had the floors sanded and painted white, but a lot of marks started appearing on the varnish,” says Vicky. “In the end, I installed laminate on top to match the new kitchen floor tiles as closely as possible and I really love the outcome – it reflects the natural light very well and is so easy to clean.” >>
Bedroom and bathroom
Vicky planned to install sliding doors between the bedroom and living room but later decided against it as she felt they weren’t necessary. Instead, she uses a vintage screen to conceal part of the bedroom at night and to avoid the bright morning sunlight.
“To accommodate a queen-sized bed with enough space to walk around it, I knocked down the corner of the bathroom wall and moved the door,” explains Vicky. “It was well worth sacrificing some space from the bathroom as the bedroom now feels so much more spacious.”
The original bathroom was gutted and the large 150L geyser was replaced with a smaller 75L geyser hidden by a small door. To save space and create flow, the basin’s concrete counter connects with the shower. “It reminds me of simple, organic Greek island architecture,” says Vicky. “The counter is covered in medium-sized mosaic tiles and there is sufficient space underneath for a laundry basket. The bathroom is too small for glass doors or partitions; instead, a bendable shower curtain rail follows the curve of the shower floor.”
I wouldn’t say that being a portrait painter influences my décor – it’s actually the other way around! I have always loved living with colour. – Vicky
[ KALEIDOSCOPIC TROPIC]
Vicky describes her décor style as “kaleidoscopic tropic” and her apartment boasts a lovely collection of indoor plants.
“My passion for plants took root in London. I lived a short walk away from the famous Columbia Road Flower Market and I’d get fresh flowers and plants every Sunday,” she says. “I love to create an outdoor feel inside my home. I like a combination of indigenous plants (for the sunny spots by the window) and sub-tropical plants (for those areas that don’t get direct sun).
“I’m a big fan of ‘easy-care’ plants – those that are more ‘forgiving’ if you forget to water them once in a while,” says Vicky. “A Delicious Monster is, in my opinion, idiot-proof and it will provide wonderful foliage for many, many years!”
When it comes to furniture, Vicky loves to upcycle old pieces. “I love furniture with curves – for both aesthetic and practical reasons,” she explains. “The Viennese artist Hundertwasser famously said that there is no such thing as a straight line in nature. Curvy shapes have a feminine energy that helps to soften what could otherwise be a rigid box. Perhaps that’s why I’m drawn to mid-century furniture with its elegant legs and contours.
“Also, on a more practical level, in a small space you run the risk of bumping into things, so rounded corners and edges are less harmful than sharp ones. This was taken into consideration when it came to the kitchen table, coffee tables and chairs.”
[ VICKY’S DÉCOR TIPS]
• Keep the floor and work spaces as open as possible by utilising walls: hooks on the walls, a wall-mounted desk and shoe rack, as well as floor-to-ceiling cupboards work really well.
• Buy multifunctional furniture. Here, side tables double up as stools that can be used as additional seating around the kitchen table. A desk chair is also used at the kitchen table if required.
• Let the light in! Small spaces can get dark quite quickly if shadows are cast from bulky items of furniture. Chairs and tables with slim legs will let more light through and look more elegant in a small space.
• Make the most of the natural light in your space with reflective surfaces such as glass-topped tables, framed prints and paintings, glossy tiles and mirrors. • Make sure you have plenty of drawers and cupboards in which to hide day-to-day items, groceries, cleaning supplies and equipment, and use shelves and horizontal surfaces to display ornaments that complement your décor style.