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When it came to a choice between a swimming pool and a koi pond in the backyard, the couple decided on the latter. “We couldn’t not have a water feature in the garden,” says Nico, “and this made the most sense to us.” The planters were designed and made by Muse Contracts. The other two occupants of the house are cats Felix and Mia. -
There were no period pieces in the original house to protect and preserve, besides the parquet flooring, which Christo and Nico used in their study. They opted for kiaat finishes to frame the doors. The wine decanter at the entrance of the lounge is from Design House Stockholm and the lamps are from Weylandts. -
The Dokter and Misses bench in the vestibule affords the best view of the koi pond and the fire tower in the back garden. The contrasting textures of the corrugated iron wraparound, brick walls, floating concrete over the pond, grass and beach sand create interest. -
Nico Venter and Christo Vermeulen. -
Felix and Mia enjoy spending time in the kitchen almost as much as their owners do. Christo says he and Nico opted for the seamless stainless steel countertop to enhance the industrial look of the house. The kitchen fittings are from Inside Living and the shelf and mirrors were designed by Muse Contracts. -
This is Nico’s favourite space in the house. It brings people together, he says, and nature enters through the kitchen door, which leads to the pizza oven and the herb garden in the courtyard. -
The couch in the open-plan lounge and kitchen area is from Weylandts, and the coffee table and corner lights were designed and made by Christo’s company, Muse Contracts. The concrete flooring was done by his secondary company, Vloer. The couple opted for soft lighting and skylights rather than ceiling lights. -
The mirror in the guest bedroom is a Muse Contracts design and the copper hangers were bought at a store in Marylebone, London. The bed is an old army cot, with bedding from Loads of Living. The bedside light is from Modernist. -
In the en suite bathroom, the free-standing tub with its black feet gives a vintage feel with a contemporary twist. The skylight allows natural light into the room, and the bare-bulb pendant adds a romantic touch. -
The siding doors add an industrial feel to the bathroom. One of Nico’s favourite accessories in this room is the black liquid soap dispenser from Yuppiechef. The basin pedestals and shelving are by Muse Contracts. -
Originally, the garden couldn’t be accessed without going around the side of the house, so Nico incorporated a courtyard-like garden that can be entered from the bedrooms and study. The outdoor furniture is from Big Blue in Kalk Bay.
PHOTOS Dook PRODUCTION Annemarie Meintjes WORDS Katharyn Williams-Jaftha
This design couple’s renovated Joburg home is the ultimate blend of contemporary design, clever alcoves and earthy textures.
It took four years, about 95 brainstorming sessions and countless bottles of vino to turn what this design couple termed “the ugly duckling of Parkhurst” into the suburban gem it is today.
Situated in one of Johannesburg’s most sought-after neighbourhoods and just metres from bustling Fourth Avenue, the house has undergone a transformation since Christo Vermeulen and Nico Venter took occupation in December 2011.
The pair, who met 13 years ago on a blind date on Valentine’s Day, credit their backgrounds, Christo’s in textile design and Nico’s in urban design, to the rebirth of their abode – a space they describe as “simple and beautiful, yet stylish and different”.
Christo says they had been coveting the area for years because they wanted the freedom of living in a village like Parkhurst, but it had always been just out of their financial reach.
“When we found this place, the estate agent told us she didn’t think she’d ever be able to sell it because of the condition the house was in. It needed a lot of love and attention. We decided we would take up the challenge.”
It wasn’t long before they packed up and relocated from Westdene, near Melville.
“We spent four years planning, plotting and saving to come up with what we have today. You design and redesign, and then you redesign again,” says Nico, who was responsible for the planning and architectural details.
Christo, who has worked in construction with his father, took on the role of builder. He says they were careful about preserving the original feel and shape of the house. “We wanted to be sensitive to the area and maintain the feeling of living in Parkhurst.”
The duo based the main features of their home on four elements: concrete, steel, glass and wood. Major operations involved creating a garden, removing the front rooms to create an open-plan kitchen and living space, adding an en suite bathroom to the master bedroom, modernising the doors and windows, and adding the carefully thought-out finishes.
The finished product is an immaculately conceived two-bedroomed house filled with contrasting textures – about which Christo is passionate. “We wanted to create the feeling of a contemporary yet warm industrial space, so we mixed and matched rough brick walls with smooth finishes, and corrugated iron cladding around the house with contrasting concrete.”
When asked to choose their favourite part of the house, it’s a toss-up between the kitchen and the modest backyard. “The ‘fire tower’ in the backyard feels like the most comfortable part of the house. I love being out there with friends – it feels like we’re on a farm,” says Christo.
Nico agrees that the area is great for relaxing, but prefers the kitchen. “We always seem to gather around our kitchen table. I particularly like the fact that it’s the centre of our entertainment space and connects everything and everyone.”
