Gracefully Georgian

The discerning owners of this elegant abode chose this particular house because they fell in love with the Georgian look. “We envisaged a warm, comfortable family home that our children could enjoy as much as we could,” adds the owner. The graceful architectural style of the structure is also enhanced by the lovely wooden windows and doors throughout.

With an eye for interior design, the owner adorned the spaces with a neutral palette of hues, which resulted in rooms that are warm and inviting. She goes on to explain how the overall look was created: “The house has very neutral finishes, so I tried to add as much colour as possible to brighten it up, and add a quirky feel to it. I also love French furniture, and so we have a few French-inspired pieces as well. However I didn’t want to overdo the the look either, as it can be very easily overdone. I believe that a house will be beautiful to its owners if it contains all their favourite things, as opposed to things that are put together to create a specific look.”

The furniture selection is an interesting yet sophisticated fusion of old and new. Some of the pieces were acquired from well known franchise stores, while others came from tiny second-hand shops and auction sales. A good example of this is the kitchen table, which was made from old floor boards. “Initially we struggled with the decor theme as the house is very different to our old home, which was your typical ‘old Johannesburg’ house with steel pressed ceilings and wooden floors. This house combines old world charm with modern elements, so it took me a while to figure out which way to go. However, I think we have created an eclectic and charming look by using a few different styles,” adds the owner.

In summer, the family spends time on the covered patio because it’s a cool and peaceful area. In winter they can soak up the sun in the quintessential courtyard.

The breakfast room is also another favourite where the family spends a lot of time together. “I love our bedroom too, it gets all the afternoon sun and is simply the best place to curl up with a book in the afternoons,” she goes on to add.

Attention to detail and the owners’ great sense of design, enhanced by functionality, is what makes this home ideal for family living. “I also believe that a home is a work in progress and should evolve along with the people living in it, so the house is by no means ‘done’ in terms of decor and look. We’re still working on it,” explains the owner.