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Renée stands next to a table she snapped up at second-hand shop ANOUK Furniture & Decor on Roeland Street. The chairs are from Chair Crazy, and the brass centrepiece from Aspen Flowers. The painting, Untitled (Yellow Bikini), is by Anton Karstel (courtesy of SMAC Gallery). -
The living area is a testimony to Renée’s laid-back, contemporary style. The couch, by Moorgas & Sons, is accentuated by a striking rug from Mae Artisan Rugs and cushions from Isobel Sippel Designs and Fabricate. The coffee table is from Weylandts and the side table from Indigi Designs at The Woodstock Foundry. The painting, titled Leo, is by Georgina Gratrix (courtesy of SMAC Gallery). -
Indoor-outdoor flow was of primary importance in the design of this home. The outdoor furniture is from marlanteak and the modern wood detailing in the ceiling by Wood n Structure. -
Boston terriers Elvis and Lola relax on a Nguni hide in the open-plan dining area. A portrait by Jimmy Law and a print from Cécile & Boyd stand out against the neutral dining table set by Olympia Decorators. The vases are from Aspen Flowers. -
Catalina, aged three, stands in front of a burgeoning magnet collection. The Smeg fridge is adorned with mementos from the family’s travels – Renée admits she can’t go anywhere without bringing one home. -
The spacious kitchen, designed by Olympia Decorators, allows Renée to keep an eye on the kids while she cooks (or bakes cupcakes, a firm family favourite). The brass wall adornment is from Aspen Flowers. -
Six-year-old Sanchia’s pretty bedroom features a bunk bed and Miffy Nijntje night light from Kids Living, Country Road scatter cushions, rugs from Rugalia and a side table from Treehouse. The table lamp is from @home and the hat stand from MRP Home. -
Renée, Catalina and Lola in the home’s stylish kitchen. The bar stools are from Boardmans. -
The serenely decorated bedroom is one of Renée’s favourite spaces in the house. The custom-made bed and bench by Moorgas & Sons blend perfectly with the rug from Gonsenhausers Fine Rugs and the Isobel Sippel Designs bedding. A striking photograph by Johan Wilke hangs above a retro Marshall amplifier. The table and the bedside lamp are from @home. -
The bathroom is minimally accessorised. The white chair is from Victorian Bathrooms, the metallic pot from The Pause Room in Gardens and the Metris mixer taps from Hansgrohe. -
Renée designed her dream walk-in closet, located off the en-suite bathroom, for the team at Olympia Decorators to bring to life. The ottoman is from MRP Home. -
Pedro loves his temperature-controlled wine cellar, outfitted by Olympia Decorators. The marble countertops are by Cannata and the copper lampshade by Tom Dixon. -
The chair on the balcony, the best place to watch a Cape Town sunset, is from marlanteak. The table, chairs and tree trunk stools below are from Weylandts. The bowl on the table is from LIM and the outdoor rug is by Fibre Designs.
PHOTOS Micky Hoyle PRODUCTION Sumien Brink WORDS Lindi Brownell Meiring
This modern property on the slopes above Camps Bay Beach exudes a warm family atmosphere.
For make-up artist Renée de Sambento, home means family, calm and comfort – which you sense as soon as you step through the front door of the contemporary four-storey abode in Camps Bay where she lives with her entrepreneur husband Pedro, six-year-old Sanchia, three-year-old Catalina, and Boston terriers Lola and Elvis.
Renée wanted to transform the existing house into a modern, open space that not only brought family and entertaining to the fore but also embraced the natural surroundings. When it came to choosing an architect, finding a studio that understood this need was paramount. Renée and Pedro turned to close friend Marco Bezzoli of archilab, who involved Michael Borgström and Jacqui Bez in the planning.
“The brief was a natural response to the existing building on the site,” says Marco: “to transform a cramped shell with no connection to the garden into an open, light-filled, easy-living space that would embrace views and allow family life to spill outdoors. Most importantly, we had to screen out the wind.”
“Weather is a huge factor in planning a Camps Bay home,” says Renée. “We made provision for the wind by creating a ‘cocoon’ space outside by the pool that protects against the south-easter in summer, ensuring we are able to entertain outdoors at all times.”
Aside from the temperamental weather (which also played a part in delaying the completion of the 18-month build), living in Camps Bay is packed with perks – including close proximity to the beach, magnificent sea views and a mountainous backdrop. “We wanted to have a spectacular view in whichever direction we faced,” says Renée.
To ensure uninterrupted views, archilab manipulated the sloping site and introduced a new pool and terrace adjacent to the main living areas. Combined with large glass doors that slide open all the way in both directions, “this action transformed the entire relationship between inside and outside, with the bonus of enlarging the living space,” says Marco.
The sleek interior design is the result of Renée’s “creativity and uncompromising eye for style”, he says. Her plan was to keep the decor as simple as possible. “I wanted a calm space that wasn’t overdecorated.” The result is an elegant combination of modern design pieces and family collectibles.
To reduce waste, the team recycled as much of the original structure as they could. “Summer solar heat gain has been mitigated by expansive shading devices and ample cross-ventilation,” says Marco. “Winter heating and heat retention are centred on window orientation supplemented by a high-efficiency fireplace and double glazing throughout. LED lighting, solar water heating and rainwater harvesting all contribute to the package.”
The sense of calm Renée feels when she looks out from the main bedroom over a green belt, the joy Pedro experiences when he picks a bottle from the cellar to share, and the sounds of splashing and laughter heard from the pool on a balmy summer’s day are just some of the reasons the De Sambentos love their home – a place where the doors are open all year round for family and friends to come together and kuier.
