Minimalist Home Makeover in Stellenbosch

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS vinylraephoto.com 

This Stellenbosch residence, expertly revamped by interior designer Susanne Brodnik, founder of My Place in Cape Town, epitomises the essence of minimalism while embracing a diverse palette of textures and forms.

At first, Susan’s client only wanted to transform her living room, but this small renovation quickly developed into a project with a much larger vision. “The aim of the task changed when we discovered her newly purchased home had major waterproofing issues. This resulted in a complete renovation of the house to make it watertight and ready to withstand our infamous Cape storms. After finding some clever design solutions and creative ideas, she asked us to extend the project into the rest of her home,” she explains.

The home of a professional athlete, especially a double Olympic winner, should be a temple of focus and serenity. “In getting to know our client, we saw that her priority is stripping back any distractions. Wanting to uncover a streamlined space where the body and mind can unwind and reset,” says Susan.  

She started with a loose framework of furniture essentials, which the client had begun gathering herself. Through this process, she was able to identify the client’s preferences and incorporate them into her visual language. “Working with a client who knows exactly what they don’t want, helps us develop a clear sense of the direction we should take,” says Susan. “She had a strong existing design aesthetic and preferred a very stark colour palette of off-white, natural wood and only a few touches of green”. 

Considering Susan had limited colours to work with she opted for shapes and forms as the primary tool to elevate the space. “We leaned into our love for detail and executed the golden ratio through the repetition of round shapes,” she says. 

The custom built-in features of this home are the real showstoppers in the design. The dining room’s double-arched shelving unit, which reflects the curves the client was already drawn to, adds a soft and feminine touch to the space. The home office features a desk which seamlessly curves into the shelves, paying homage to the beauty in the lines of raw wood. Bespoke panelling and bedside tables match the soft flow of tailor-made curtains, which pay tribute to subtle, timeless elegance. “How a client uses their home is essential to the design. Being exceptionally tall, we had many items custom-made for her comfort. The office space is bespoke with specialised elements for ease of use,” explains Susan. 

In terms of decor, Susan focused on using local suppliers. “This was not just a style choice but stems from an environmental perspective. This project is a testament to the blend of different elements and suppliers,” she says. The house features items sourced from several Capetonian brands such as Herringbone, Haus by Hertex, Pezula, Pedersen + Lennard, Vamp, Joe Paine and Folha plant shop. Bauhaus prints, which repeat the curved lines of the interiors, add a timeless aura to the walls. “We included a poster inspired by Yusaku Kamekura, an official poster for the Tokyo Olympics. Local artist Luami Calitz created a custom piece for the home, and small artworks from Michael Taylor bring colour and fun to the office area”. 

The home exudes a captivating minimalistic charm. Its understated yet sophisticated neutral colour scheme effortlessly melds with the natural surroundings, crafting an inviting, sensual and calming abode.

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