Family treasures, art and colour work wonders in a suburban home

This warm-hearted artist believes family treasures, art and colour work wonders in a suburban home. Take a look...

This was once a very ordinary run-of-the-mill house, says Cillié van Rooyen. But then she filled it with treasured heirlooms, each with its own reminder of family and loved ones. Now the walls are aglow with jewel colours and striking works of art and souvenirs are displayed throughout, transforming the space into a sanctuary of precious memories. Cillié has created a home that is warm and inviting

– the perfect place to kick back and relax.

“It makes me happy when people say that my house feels inviting and friendly,” says Cillié. “When you walk in, you should feel welcome and comfortable to kick off your shoes, have a laugh and enjoy a meal.

People feel at home here because my house is colourful, eclectic and filled with stories and memories. Most of my belongings have come a long way with me and serve as a reminder of my life’s journey.” >>

Renovations

Cillié and Andries are former Capetonians who have lived in Johannesburg for years. “We planned to move back to the Cape after a year, but by that time we had already fallen in love with this city,” says the former librarian.

“The house was built in the seventies and had an eighties feel, but we’ve moved it into the new century.” The couple demolished the wall between the kitchen and TV room to create an open-plan living room and renovated the stoep, the boys’ bathroom and the kitchen. The other bathroom had to wait until later.

“Even though it was a monumental task, my friend Hanneli Rood and I completed the work within six weeks. When someone says their builder has been renovating a bathroom for months, I think they’re using the wrong project manager and contractors.”

The tiled floors in the living areas, kitchen and boys’ bathroom were treated with a layer of tinted cement screed and then sealed. “These floors are timeless and easy to clean, and they aren’t as cold as tiles,” says Cillié. “There were parquet floors under the carpets in the boys’ bedrooms, which we sanded down and sealed.”

In the main bedroom, Cillié and Andries lifted an old royal-blue carpet and laid a Supawood floor over the cement. “The wood was first painted black, then a cream colour was applied on top and sanded down in places to create a lived-in look,” explains Cillié.

High beams were installed on the stoep to create a sense of space and add light. “We eat out there most of the time; we regularly have to try and fit 12 chairs around the table. The more, the merrier, I say, because I’m cooking anyway. On cold days, we eat indoors. It doesn’t matter to me where I set the table; I usually go with my mood and the type of food I’m cooking that day.

“Our house is now perfect for our family. We live on a lovely street and have great neighbours. The kids can walk to school and even though we’re in the city, it feels like the platteland,” says Cillié with a satisfied smile. >>

By Marie Opperman • Photographs Elza Cooper • Styling Amanda van Wyngaardt Exposed beams create a greater sense of space on the stoep. Cillié and Andries made the shelving from old planks and pipes. Quite a few of Cillié’s accessories were made, given or lent to her by friends.

The red chair is an heirloom from Cillié’s grandfather Johannes de Wet. The display cabinet with the glass doors next to the fireplace was a lucky find in Robertson; a painting by Marinda Combrinck and an etching by Alpha Greeff adorn the wall above it. Red kettle from Dassiesfontein WHERE WHO LIVES HERE? SIZE

The cushion with a print of Vermeer’s Girl with The Pearl Earring perfectly complements the colour of the chair. Blue chair upholstered by SHS Office Furniture & Upholstery; pendant from The Lighting Warehouse

Douglas sofa from Incanda; cushions on sofa from Mr Price Home; Crater coffee table from Weylandts; armchairs upholstered in fabric from Sullies Fabrics Cillié loves the clean lines of the leather sofa in the lounge; this space boasts a rich variety of colours, textures and accessories.

Green vase from Decade Midcentury Modern; figurine from Lifestyle Home Garden; small bowl by Richard Pullen; crocheted stones from Matchbox

When it’s too chilly to dine on the stoep, Cillié sets the table in the dining room. Chairs from Incanda

Cillié and Andries had the blue paint on the wall specially mixed by Universal Paints.

Red wine glass from CRS; sherry glass from Checkers

Picture rails offer a solution to limited hanging space on the walls. “I paint them the same colour as the walls so they blend in,” says Cillié.

Porcelain cactuses from Lifestyle Home Garden; painted wooden cactuses from Boerevintage Gift Market in George

Cillié bought the blue Delft plates from a friend; the smaller plates were handmade by Lize Rossouw of Hartspotteri in Montagu. Cutlery from Mr Price Home