Renovated Observatory Cottage

WORDS Michaela Stehr PHOTOS Melissa Carollisen

A quaint semi-detached Victorian gem in the heart of Observatory, Cape Town has been revamped into a welcoming, colourful space.

As antique and vintage design collectors, the owners of the Lizmi Cottage jumped at the task of transforming it into a Mid-century treasure trove. “This charming Victorian cottage had been frozen in time and we couldn’t wait to bring a new lease of life to the house again.”

High ceilings and wooden floors feature throughout the three-bedroom space. Originally, the home featured wall-to-wall mustard carpeting, which was swiftly removed, revealing the original Oregon pine floors. A bright yellow kitchen features as the hub of the house, with Formica tables and quirky open-display cabinetry. “When we lifted the linoleum to restore the wooden floors beneath, we discovered, amongst other items, a Sunday Times newspaper from 13 November 1977!”

The two bathrooms received Art Deco tiling in shades of mint green and cream, with fittings, doorknobs and handles sourced from local flea markets and vintage shops. The main bathroom features a classic free-standing claw bath.

The six-sleeper space is available for rental, offering Smeg and Grundig appliances, off-street parking and a private deck for relaxing lazy lunches. The cottage is also available to rent for photo shoots and film shoots.

For more information, visit lizmicottage.co.za.

Looking for more architectural inspiration? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, here, or take a look at this cottage renovation in Sea Point.