An urban work of art

Buying the house right across the street from them meant that Andrew and Liz Milne didn’t have to travel to a building site everyday – plus they had all their tools nearby. “Proximity aside, this early-1950s house was pretty much untouched; it was like a time capsule,” says Andrew. “From the outset, we decided to preserve much of the original structure, from the fenestration to period light fittings. We made a clear distinction between the design style of the new additions and the retained original character.”

The entire external load-bearing wall of the old kitchen was demolished and an extension of 8 x 6m added to form the new open-plan kitchen and dining area.

“We had a long list of objectives for this project but two of the most important were that the original house merge seamlessly with

the new addition and the entire house be on one level once you enter the front door. To achieve this, the back garden was excavated to about 1m deep to match the level of the original house,” says Andrew. “After removing the external wall of the old kitchen, we created a ‘transition zone’ which allows the 70-yearold space to merge into the new kitchen addition, which has even higher ceilings. This solution was a eureka moment for us.”

The Milnes wanted lots of natural light, high ceilings and a design style that has an urban loft/art gallery look and feel.

“To achieve this, we used lots of natural elements such as oak countertops, slate floor tiles, steel ‘school windows’ and exposed brick. We wanted something that not only looked good but could function as a hard-working kitchen, where any chef would feel at home.” >>

WHO WHERE The fireplace is often used for cooking potjiekos, potbrood, lamb chops and ribs.

Slate floor tiles (400 x 400mm) enhance the timeless look of the kitchen. African Blue floor tiles from Natural Stone Warehouse

A large part of the island (above) was constructed from old Oregon pine planks salvaged from the original 1950s garage door.

A touch of light blue enlivens the space and blends in well with the hues around it – from the white island slab and walls to the dark slate floor, as well as the oak shelves and countertops.

The dining table (above right) features 19th century cast-iron trestles with original yellow paint. The Overberg stinkwood chairs are part of a set of eight that belonged to Andrew’s grandfather.

Under construction... Andrew mixed lime powder with water and applied this to the walls with a brush. He says the trick is to make it look random and irregular, so he would rub down certain bricks to remove lime and further develop the weathered aesthetic. Large 1970s abstract artworks add impact to the whitewashed walls. These days, the Milnes rent their home out as accommodation, as well as for functions and photo shoots; take a look on Instagram @southern_sky_life.