Old-fashioned charm

A Cape Town creative has renovated a Victorian terrace house, infusing it with contemporary allure while honouring its heritage roots.

WORDS Lori Cohen PHOTOGRAPHY Warren Heath/Bureaux STYLING Shelley Street

As a visual merchandiser, Sanet Coetzee has honed her talent for creating captivating spaces with a well-placed item that sets the perfect mood. This expertise became a personal passion when she transformed her home in Cape Town, South Africa, into a tranquil sanctuary. When she stumbled upon this charming Victorian house, she faced a challenge. It had previously functioned as a boarding house and featured six cramped and unappealing bedrooms. However, she immediately saw the hidden potential within its walls.

“Having experienced apartment living, I was overjoyed at the prospect of having a garden. While I had no choice but to replace the deteriorating windows and doors, it presented an opportunity to invite in natural light,” she says. The terrace house required not only the rejuvenation of neglected areas, but also practical improvements. Therefore, the sash windows were replaced with meticulously crafted ones, and a bold decision was made to extend them up to the ceiling, allowing for mountain views. Additionally, she infused a touch of whimsy by introducing a series of arches that filled the ground-floor living space with an abundance of natural light.

Sanet decided to break free from the traditional open-plan layout commonly found in Victorian renovations and put her own spin on things. She ingeniously transformed the entrance passage into an unexpected guest bathroom while maximising the space by incorporating a pantry for the kitchen right behind it. Also on the ground floor, she designed a set of liveable spaces that effortlessly transition from the lounge to the dining room, creating a harmonious connection to the home’s central hub, the kitchen.

The lounge is a bright and welcoming space, thanks to its warm wooden floors and a blend of cream, white and black furniture. A bold brass shelving unit serves as a focal point that complements the elegant shapes of the chairs and carpet. “Adding shelving provides extra storage space and a wow factor to the room,” says homeowner Sanet Coetzee.

When Sanet renovated her Victorian home, she decided to leave a part of the wall exposed, revealing the brickwork. This choice draws everyone’s attention when they enter the room, turning the wall into a centrepiece that feels like a work of art.

Here Sanet was drawn to the original small terracotta tiles on the floor, appreciating their simplicity and beautiful range of colours. She selected a palette of pistachio and pink lemonade to complement this, but the effect is far from saccharine. The addition of sleek copper handles, a vintage-inspired Smeg gas hob, and minimalist open shelving establishes an understated foundation, which Sanet then adorned with plants, art and an array of curiosities amassed over decades.

An unused courtyard was transformed into an extension of the kitchen, featuring a terracotta-toned gravel ground cover, vintage furniture and a wall of plants that blend the two spaces.

The kitchen also flows onto the dining area and lounge – linked by a double-sided fireplace. These rooms feature a medley of classic and vintage furnishings, softened and enhanced with table decorations that play with height. Dark sheepskin throws contrast with the soft Persian carpet and glass cabinets are brimming with precious collectables. A portion of exposed brick was left visible, showcasing their time-worn beauty.

Says Sanet: “The house’s neglect became its greatest strength because most of the original features were untouched. I couldn’t believe how beautiful the staircase was. It was there just waiting to be brought to life.” Sanet credits architect Alet Barnard for pushing her to play with the concept of arches and creating an organic opening from the staircase to the lounge and dining area. “It frames the staircase in a way I couldn’t have pictured,” she says.

Upstairs two bedrooms lead off the staircase, and a bathroom has been fully revived with a simple monochrome palette. Open shelving once again creates spaces that Sanet has peppered with precious finds.

Sanet’s good friend and collaborator, stylist Shelley Street, played a vital role in helping her give a fresh look to her furniture in her new home. According to Sanet, having another perspective was essential, especially in the upstairs bedrooms that had no storage and were basically empty spaces. They got really creative there, introducing a dappled shop counter as a headboard and decorating it with lots of leafy plants. They added a touch of elegance with a delicate porcelain light hanging from the ceiling. The rooms were brought to life with various vases scattered around, creating a cool mix of decorative elements.

“I’m loving the transition from an apartment to a house,” says Sanet. “It has allowed me to incorporate more delicate pieces into my living spaces. I never anticipated how much I would enjoy this change – not only because of the extra room but also the opportunity to explore different levels within the house.