CAPE TOWN HOUSE
A clever juxtaposition of light and shade, mixed with a keen eye for artisanal treasures, transformed a dated and unremarkable Cape Town property into a contemporary family home full of depth and drama
Filled with African art, an unremarkable building has gained interest thanks to smart use of light and shade.
Kate Lorentz’s elegant Cape Town family home owes its success to serendipity as much as her intuitive sense of style. The self-confessed interiors aficionado was guided by instinct as she skilfully curated the interior of her home, rebuilt in 2013. ‘There was no grand idea, no intention as such, just a desire to create an unfussy indoor-outdoor home filled with character,’ recalls Kate modestly, which make her accomplishments all the more remarkable.
Kate and her husband Michael, who runs safari company Passage to Africa, relocated to Cape Town a few years earlier with twin sons Sebastien and Marcus. The family sensibly decided to rent while they became accustomed to their new surroundings, although the imminent arrival of baby Felix – who is now five - ushered in a fresh sense of urgency to find a more permanent home.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
An unremarkable Eighties property next to a stream near Table Mountain answered the couple’s wish to be close to nature as well as good schools. But while the location was perfect, the property’s warren of rooms was a definite drawback. ‘The footprint was also on the small side,’ reveals Kate. ‘We couldn’t extend outwards due to the river, so the only way we could make everyone fit was by going up.’ Architect Karen Newman persuaded the couple to knock down the two-story dwelling and build a
contemporary, light-filled home over three floors, with open-plan living areas to enhance the sense of space. ‘It’s beautifully simple,’ says Kate. ‘And every corner of the house works incredibly hard.’
light and dark
When it came to the decor, Kate resisted the lure of an all-white scheme, in favour of depth and drama. Floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground floor flood the property with natural light, inspiring Kate to explore her dark side. Charcoal-grey walls, with accents of crisp white, are repeated throughout the property for a homogeneous, evocative look. ‘I enjoy the contrast of light and dark, particularly against the vegetation outside,’ says Kate. ‘It feels neutral in tone, but there’s also an element of warmth.’ This monochromatic scheme serves as the backdrop for the couple’s collection of y African art, as well as the unusual artefacts they have picked up on their travels.
The clean, unfussy lines of the architecture also create a calm setting for an eclectic assortment of furniture – both traditional and modern – acquired over the years. The armchairs in the library bought over a decade ago have stood the test of time, while in the open-plan kitchen-diner, the industrial-style concrete floor and units are paired with a gnarly vintage butcher’s block and an antique table. ‘I love mixing the lightness of contemporary pieces with the weightiness of old,’ says Kate. ‘It was a case of try that piece here, try that piece there, but I think we’ve made it work.’