When our clients, a citrus farmer and his wife, approached us, they dreamed of turning their Durbanville house into a modern, light-filled family home. The brief was clear: create flow between the kitchen, dining and living areas, add warmth and character, and make space for a growing family – dogs included. They wanted a palette that felt fresh and uplifting, with layered textures and accents of teal, blue and purple to bring energy to each room.
The house had experienced several well-meaning DIY renovations over the years, leaving awkward walls and blocked sightlines that disrupted the natural flow. Opening the ceilings revealed a maze of electrical wiring, which required a complete rewire before any other work could begin. With a baby on the way, we were working to a strict deadline. The main bedroom needed to accommodate a dressing area, a television, a fireplace, and a seating zone, and we were later tasked with converting a dusty storage area into a sophisticated entertainment space.
We began by removing unnecessary walls, allowing light to flow through the home and reintroducing a sense of arrival with a defined entrance zone. A floating wall with a biofuel fireplace now divides the dining and living areas, creating intimacy while maintaining an open-plan feel. The kitchen was completely redesigned with integrated appliances, a central island and a wine fridge, making it the perfect space for cooking, working and entertaining.
Throughout the home, soft neutral greys and whites keep the spaces light and airy, while accents of teal, purple, and blue add personality through furniture, wallpaper, and textiles. Lighting was carefully layered to create mood and visual interest, with statement pendants above the dining table and sleek fittings in the kitchen and living areas. The main bedroom became a serene retreat, complete with mirrored panels to visually raise the ceiling height, a floating wall with a biofuel fireplace and mounted television, and a seating area ideal for slow mornings. The nursery was designed with custom wallpaper and a gentle, calming palette to welcome the couple’s first child.
Project Summary
Brief: Create a light-filled, modern home with open-plan flow, a functional kitchen and space for a growing family.
Challenges: Awkward walls from previous renovations, a full electrical rewire was required, there was a strict deadline before the baby’s arrival, and the main bedroom needed to accommodate multiple functions without feeling cramped.
Solution: Walls were removed to open the space, new ceilings and lighting were installed, the kitchen was redesigned with integrated appliances, and a floating fireplace wall was introduced to define the living area. A fresh palette of neutrals and accent colours was layered throughout, transforming both the nursery and the main bedroom into calm, elegant retreats. A year later, unused storage was converted into an indoor-outdoor entertainment area, completing the home’s transformation.
