Barn becomes a home
In 2004, the Daneels bought a small farm in Napier where Jean planted his own vineyard. “The climate here is cooler than in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and the weather is ideal for white grapes, especially Chenin Blanc for which Jean is renowned,” explains Renée.
This is also where her dream of owning a restaurant came to fruition. While still living on the farm, they renovated their newly discovered property in town and Renée was able to open JD Bistro there in the original house a year later. Eventually, the couple also found a use for the barn structure in the backyard; it was renovated and served as a deli and wine-tasting room until these moved into the restaurant building two years later.
And so the old outbuilding once again stood unused for years... Due to health reasons, the Daneels sold the farm in 2018.
“That’s when Jean had the brilliant idea of converting the barn behind the restaurant into a home for us,” says Renée.
Demolishing the structure was never an option. “We prefer to restore, rather than build from scratch. Jean always says: ‘I like wet cement, so the Daneels will keep on renovating’.”
Initially, they had different plans for the 60-year-old barn.
“We first wanted to set up a guesthouse there,” says Renée.
“Our friends and family shook their heads in disbelief, but everyone sang a different tune once the renovation was completed. I think the most important aspect of a project like this is that one must be able to visualise it. We saw everything as a challenge and nothing as a problem or obstacle.
“We stayed true to the original building as far as possible, as it was exactly what we wanted. The house has a tranquil, cosy and lived-in feel. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live in an ordinary house with ordinary rooms ever again. >>