#3 Rustic charm

These readers show that you don’t have to live in the platteland to enjoy the tranquil simplicity of a farm-style kitchen.

Onthefarm

Hannes Brümmer and his late wife Henriëtte fell in love with Stilbaai more than two decades ago. Hannes, who still lives in Port Elizabeth, initially bought a small cottage at the coast where they could spend holidays with family and friends, but in 2006 he decided to exchange the beach for a working olive farm called Oudewerfskloof.

Here, on the banks of the Goukou River, the couple, with the help of architect Jason Erlank, designed a house that would create the feel of living in among the olive groves. “Each window had to frame a picture; something that connects you to the farm outside,” Hannes explains. In the kitchen, which forms a focal point in the open-plan design of the living space, two windows on either side of the oven provide a gorgeous view of the olive groves.

Throughout the living space, exposed treated pine beams enhance the feel of an old barn. “I also wanted to create the look of a farm kitchen, with many natural elements and textures,” says Hannes. Oak worktops add warmth to the space, while the custom-made cabinets contrast with each other in two shades of grey, one lighter and one darker.

The house provides a place in which Hannes can unwind and he particularly wanted the kitchen to look and feel lived-in.

“The house, and especially the kitchen, had to be hospitable and ready for entertaining.” >>

A quality stove, large work table fridge and with a view make this kitchen! – Carina

Home industry

For two caterers, a hard-working kitchen is a must. Andrew and Carina Johnson, owners of The Little Deli and Deli Express, bought this house in Linden, Johannesburg more than 25 years ago with the aim of running their business from home. At the time, they made changes to the existing kitchen – elements such as an industrial extractor fan and stainless-steel splashback were vital prerequisites.

Within a few years, however, the business had outgrown that space; the Johnsons bought another house nearby and moved The Little Deli there, with all its kitchen equipment. “I was left with a completely empty kitchen – apart from a giant extractor fan that was too small for the kitchen at the new premises!” says Carina.

Little by little, she fitted her home kitchen with a combination of freestanding stainless-steel counters and built-in wooden cabinets that add balance and warmth to the space. “The steel tables are the ideal working height and, of course, very easy to keep clean,” she explains. An old haberdashery cabinet was specially built in as it blends so well with the rest of the kitchen.

Stacking doors connect the kitchen to an undercover stoep where the Johnsons and their teenage kids love to relax and entertain. “It really is the heart of our home. Everything happens here; our friends help us to prepare food, cook, set the table and pour drinks. Nothing is precious, everything is comfy and convenient.”

Kitchen cabinets custom made by Gawie Botha of Classic Frank; bar stools from Velvet Home & Living; splashback panel by Hope Vol Hoop

The cream and green handmade floor tiles are a showstopper! “I travelled to Spain shortly before we built the house and fell in love with the beautiful handmade tiles they have there. These are similar and were the perfect choice for this kitchen,” says Hannes. Tiles from Akashic Tiles (formerly Knysna Pottery House) The kitchen island is a freestanding unit with a dedicated space for the microwave at hip height.

Carina came across the haberdashery cabinet at a thrift store on Jan Smuts Avenue in Johannesburg some years ago. “It’s a very large, impractical piece of furniture, but I just had to make it work! It reminds me of when we used to buy sweets at the Greek café as kids – it was the highlight of the week,” she recalls. The cabinet also serves as a partition for the scullery area. Black and white wall tiles behind the sink add rustic charm.

Inspired by an exhibition held at the Design Museum in London some years ago, Carina proudly displays her kitchenware and utility items.

The copper pots on the wall next to the stove come from Paris. “I brought them back to Johannesburg in my hand luggage!” says Carina. “I love cooking in those pots.”

Nan Greyvenstein, the ‘ouma’ of Ouma rusks, is Carina’s maternal grandmother. “I’m very sentimental about the Ouma rusk tins that I’ve been collecting for years. My mother grew up on the farm in Molteno in the Eastern Cape and yes, the story on the rusk tins about how Ouma rusks started is true!”