Introduction

A German couple bought this property on Leisure Isle in Knysna in order to spend three months of the year in South Africa. They had had it for many years and let it to tenants in their absence. It was in desperate need of a complete renovation.

Client brief:

This property was not only very dated inside but it also required a completely new design to modernize, increase light and improve the layout. The original layout was awkward in places and the client asked us to come up with a solution to improve the flow of the space alongside a new kitchen, new bathrooms, a new mezzanine, new bedrooms, and improved access from the garage.

Outcome

Following 12 months of designing, building and furnishing we made various dramatic improvements to the lay-out of the entire footprint of the house to improve the flow between spaces, bring in more light and increase air flow to an overheating mezzanine. In places we increased the size of windows to provide a focal point of light up the main staircase and reduced the size of other windows for improved privacy. We created a new corridor from the garage into the main living space and we completely redesigned and re-built the staircases for a more contemporary slick and uncluttered finish. All bathrooms were re-decorated and some bathroom layouts were completely altered. A new kitchen and scullery were installed with a new breakfast counter opening up into the open plan dining room. Outside, with a cantilevered concrete slab we not only created an improved outdoor dining and braai area but we also entirely transformed the main entrance to the house. This slab also accommodated a new roof terrace off the master bedroom which previously had only a rickety old narrow pine juliette balcony to step out onto. Externally we had a new cobbled driveway laid, the garden landscaped, a new French drain put in and we finally finished off inside with solid wooden floors, white painted visible roof beams, new furniture, curtaining, blinds and soft furnishings.

Full Project Gallery