Earthy and light

You certainly have a lot of trust in your friends if you hand over the keys to your house and give them free rein to renovate it, but that’s precisely what Aleit Swanepoel, founder and chairman of the Aleit Group, did when he moved into his new home in Somerset West three years ago.

“Fifteen years ago, I took care of Corlene Fenwick and Flip van Rooyen’s wedding plans. These days, Corlene is my family doctor and Flip is a master builder and owner of DB Spaces,” says Aleit. “My only brief to them was that the exterior of the house must be black. I left the rest of the revamp to them.”

Once his friends were done, the old kitchen with its white melamine cabinets was a thing of the past. In the process, an adjoining office was incorporated into the new openplan kitchen, increasing the space by a third.

Deep brown bamboo cabinets create a warm and earthy feel in combination with the new cement floor, while large marble tiles form the stove splashback.

The showstopper is the black I-beam and metal grid on the ceiling. This serves a dual purpose: it’s a support structure for the garage above the kitchen and it adds aesthetic value. “I think it frames the kitchen beautifully,” says Aleit.

I can give other people’s houses a makeover but I’m totally at a loss when it comes to my own! – Aleit

The mastermind behind the kitchen was Gerrie van Dyk of Galactic Kitchens & Cupboards, who used MDF with black Maxximatt polyester laminate for the outside of the cabinets. It has a durable finish that retains its colourfastness and has also been treated to resist scratches and chemical stains – ideal for use in a kitchen! Bar stools from aCreate; olive oils from African Oils; plant basket from Mr Price Home, handmade journals from Papèl Cocreate; coffee and syrup from Magnificent Barista Boys WHO WHERE

Drawers with lots of containers for Aleit’s collection of antique and modern copper, gold and rose-gold cutlery are a major bonus, and there’s ample display space for treasured items. Cabinets by Galactic Kitchens & Cupboards; tea towel from Mungo Aleit describes his kitchen as minimalist. The forest feel created by the blue gums outside the window flows over to the interior, giving it a light and fresh feel.

Soap from Fuego Lifestyle; brushes from South Bound

Aleit loves these pull-out taps; he says this is his favourite feature in the kitchen.