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Seen through industrial doors on one side of the loft, Lion’s Head soars above the Bo-Kaap’s homes, shops and mosques. Francois’ cat, Pepe, perches on the black loveseat sourced from Egypt and upholstered in a black T&Co Fabrics damask velvet. -
Monochromatic Cape Town Loft -
Ideal for enjoying breakfast in front of the Bo-Kaap view are a wooden-topped café table and vintage chairs that “have just always been around...”. -
The main sitting area features a pair of French-style armchairs owner Francois Irvine bought in Egypt and had re-upholstered locally in cream linen. The cast-iron wood-burning stove is a vintage piece he sourced, though it is no longer in use because “it smokes too much”. The two white-painted, four-legged wooden stools are from West Africa. -
Grouping collectibles in shades of white and cream creates a calming effect. The artwork is an original Flip Coaton from around 1965. -
The small guest room is tucked just under the eaves. The white canvas on the wall above the wooden pew is the perfect counterpoint to the plethora of collectibles and artworks displayed beneath it. -
Monochromatic Cape Town Loft -
Francois lounges on the couch with his cat, Pepe, and his three dogs, Ru, Willow and Kio. The couch is covered in vintage French linen bought for “next to nothing” in Marché Saint-Pierre and the lampshade on the right was designed and made by Francois to fit the lamp stand he recently rediscovered in a storeroom. -
This side of the loft faces Table Mountain, Kloof Nek and Lion’s Head, and the original old cast-iron windows allow light to stream into the space. Next to the wooden table and café-style chairs are vintage metal tables topped with a range of collectibles, including a brass lamp from India, a bust from a brocante in France, and a selection of glass bell jars. Under the tables are a metal and glass lamp from an old renovation project and a vintage basin from China. -
The extra-long dining table has vintage café chairs along one side that were bought from a scrap collector, and the bench is made from a solid wooden beam and two tree stumps. The ornately carved wingback chairs are two of Francois’ favourite possessions, discovered years ago in a market in Egypt. In the foreground, the simple lines of the two-seater sofa pair well with two four-legged, white-painted wooden stools from West Africa. Plain linen upholstery add natural texture to the mix.
WORDS Noreen Johnson PHOTOS Warren Heath/Bureaux PRODUCTION Shelley Street/Bureaux
In contrast to the vibrant exterior of its Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, the monochromatic interiors of Francois Irvine’s light-filled loft apartment reflect his creative collector’s eye.
“It was when I saw this view,’’ says homeowner Francois Irvine, ‘‘that I knew I wanted to be in this space.’’
Like many views in central Cape Town, it’s an urban one but also includes seductive slivers of the natural landscape that takes in Kloof Nek, lying to the right of Table Mountain’s looming bulk, along with one of Signal Hill’s signature curves.
Situated in the lively, historic Bo-Kaap, Francois’ loft occupies the third floor of a Cape Georgian house and, while its facade might match the riot of bright reds, oranges, pinks and greens that are the neighbourhood’s signature, the interior of his home is almost entirely monochromatic. Climb the three flights of stairs to the top of this small industrial building (the first and second floors contain small businesses) and you’re enveloped by an interior that layers multiple shades of cream and white, punctuated by a few carefully selected darker elements that add subtle contrast.
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The immediate effect is calming, tranquil and refreshing. “I’ve always loved these tonal off-whites,” says Francois. “At work, I’m bombarded with colour, so it’s great to have a more restrained, disciplined space here at home.” As the co-founder and co-owner of the renowned Cape Town design studio, coffee shop and gallery Haas, Francois’ days are spent on the other side of the CBD in a workplace filled with artworks, ceramics and products by a wide range of local creatives.
While it’s, of course, true that, as Francois puts it, “neutrals always work together”, keeping the colour scheme so controlled also means that elements of texture and shape are thrown into sharp relief. It liberates your eye from the task of absorbing colour, and it is instead drawn to other elements: the sculptural shapes of furniture pieces; the textures of the textiles used for upholstery; subtly carved decorative details; and plenty of evidence of the handmade.
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The loft is a fairly large one, with the main living area – entered directly from the front door – taking up the vast majority of the floor space. There’s a place for in-depth conversation, complete with enveloping armchairs and couches, a more intimate sitting area facing the view through the wooden doors, and an elegant love seat that’s close to the open-plan kitchen area – and perfectly situated for chatting to the cook. Leading off the main spaces are the kitchen (with a sliver of guest bathroom tucked in behind it) and a guest bedroom, on the one side; and on the other, a more spacious main bedroom. West facing, this room is bathed in warm afternoon light year-round.
Another bathroom and what Francois calls “the workroom” also lead off the main living area. It’s in this room that Francois still conjures up his maker’s magic and his loft is filled with items he’s created, ranging from the cleverly improvised white cotton lampshades to the elegant cream-upholstered armchairs from which his three rescue dogs rise to greet visitors. Whippets Ru and Kio, and the young Italian greyhound Willow, all stand out from the neutral interiors on the chilly winter’s day I visit, because they’re all clad in colourful dog jackets that – of course – were also made by Francois.
This is a home in which its owner’s creative hand and eye are evident absolutely everywhere.
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