Name: Sebastian & Sarah
Location: Noordhoek — Cape Town, South Africa
Size: 2,360 square feet home
Years lived in: 2 (unrenovated) and 1 (as you see it)
Meeting Sarah and Sebastian in their wonderfully colorful home was a breath of fresh air — a home where you instantly fall in love with the building and its inhabitants. It's inviting and interesting without overwhelming your senses — casual chic at its best! Architect Sebastian finds his inspiration in contemporary rural farmhouses and it formed the base for their renovation.
This was a simple farmhouse, with small windows buried in the maze of roads at the end of world famous Chapman's Peak, but Sebastian had the vision to create an open family home with lots of light. The renovation took place over a couple of years and they are relieved it's over since two became three with the arrival of their daughter. Sarah and Sebastian's playful style is emphasized by their wonderful collection of contemporary art from some of South Africa's most prominent artists.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
What are your hope and dreams? Enough time to enjoy life with my family and friends.
Inspiration: Contemporary rural farmhouses.
Dream source: Oshun in Noordhoek for all their outdoor things sourced in Bali and India.
Our Style: Whatever still looks good after India (our 3 year old) has made a food offering, or the dogs have chewed, on it.
What Friends Say: S**t it's hard to find this place! — they love all the natural light.
Proudest DIY: Building the staircase up to the loft.
Biggest Embarrassment: The en-suite toilet stack vent sits dangerously close to the outdoors dining area.
Favorite element: The wrap around deck leading to an outdoor shower.
Biggest Indulgence: 4meter high ceilings and 6 meter built-in cupboards in the main bedroom.
Biggest Challenge: Getting the builder to not try his hand at modifying the design as he goes along.
Best Advice: If you are doing the project management yourself, understand the enormous amount of time and patience required to complete the task. It becomes a FULL time job and if you think the contractor does not follow something, they probably don't.
Kitchen Hardware, Cupboards & Furniture: Custom designed cupboards throughout, with a Caesarstone top and self-closing Mepla hinges on doors, Breville Coffee machine from @home
Rugs & Carpets:: Weaved leather rug — Mr. Price Home, Oriental Kilim from somewhere
Tiles & Stone:: Black slate tiles— Just Tiles, mosaic from Penny Pinchers
Art:: Ooh, hmm, cowboy in lounge by Frank van Reenen. Stuff on lounge wall: Conrad Botes prints, Tracey Payne painting (from Bondage series), large Tracy Lynch painting over fireplace. Kitchen: 1 of 1 Pieter Hugo print, dining area: a Gabbi Raaff painting, Conrad Botes cabinet with Frank van Reenen things inside.
Thanks Sarah & Sebastian!
Images: Liezel Strauss
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I don't care what anyone says, pink makes a room. This place is making me swoon.
I stared at the staircase for a while (I guess you have to walk down the middle?), and then decided I really like it. The high ceilings and color palette do wonders for the living room and the artwork is amazing. Where can I find those artists?
The house is really lovely.
Please edit out the repetitive vignettes next time.
I hate on house tours when the detail i want to see up close is on those thumbnails beneath the first block of text. Is that the staircase?
Love the casualness, effortless with so much personality throughout. T
The art is wonderful!
Beautiful.
I NEED the painting in pic 16&18 of the the heart and negligee, where is it from!? And am swooning over painting in pic 30........do tell
opps already listed it....hee hee
This place is amazing - so much personality and light. And I agree with creative license that pink makes a room!
On an editorial note: some of the pix are redundant.
Ack...a.d.d......paintings not listed...need my coffee
I also love the painting in pic 16&18 please tell the artist!
The staircase looks like a big accident waiting to happen. And for a big unfortunate klutz like me, it seems like suicide.
Geez, I want to move to South Africa so I can have a funky staircase like that. You'd never get away with that here in the USA.
I love the mix of new and old here. I'm bookmarking this one for future reference.
Great place. I like the color palette that you have used.
Wow!! There is nothing here that I don't love.
Really nice- Love the colour schemes :)
loved the outdoor terrace with the table bench and chairs .
loved the kitchen and the turquoise cupboard in the living room. Not so much the bed with the pink cover but the house is clearly a country place and very welcoming.
Love this house and the art work....please do tell the artist. I tried to find information on Tracey Payne but couldn't find anything.
ok the light over the DR table....OMG!
BEAUTIFUL!!
My gosh this is a beautiful home, I barely know where to begin. I look at A LOT of homes and this is by far one of my favorites. Everything about this home is right. Soft colors, gentle retrained hand. Simple with just the right amount of whimsy. Modern and organic. Love the use of low scale balanced by large scale art. There's room to breathe here, but there are still beautiful things at every turn.
Your art collection is wonderful. I especially love the low scale pieces. Low scale makes a home look so breezy, large and uncluttered. The bench piled with magazines, for example. Because the bench is low this eliminates the piles of magazines from looking like clutter.
Great job. Thanks for sharing.
I love the textiles and textures in your home. I'm also very impressed with your magazine orginization. I can never get mine to look so neat. Using that rustic bench for that purpose is genious. Also want to give kudos to the photographer. You got some really nice shots.
ack...organization...don't know why that word wouldn't come out right.
That was funny about "What their friends say"!
This is such a rustic but updated-rustic home and even though I am a modernist at heart, I find myself strangely loving this home.
My favorite home by far!
Such a great job you've done renovating this. It's a home one could really grow into. Like others, I love the color scheme--lively neutrals with punches of red and green--and the whole vibe of this place. It's calm and sweet without being syrupy. And of course the artwork is fantastic, as stated.
I especially love how you've brought the outdoors in and vice versa. I'm sure the outdoor area will develop more as those potted plants grow to a fuller scale. I've seen those white deck chairs (next to the sofa) or somewhat similar ones in homes across South Africa. Any ideas on where one can find those in the States?
i love this house!! And all the artwork too :-)
Does anyone know where I can find similar white wire stools as those pictured along the table outside on porch?
The perfect place to relax and have a fabulous summer party.
Amazing place, I absolutely love it, and I thank Sebastian and Sarah for sharing it with us.
The best things I love about your house are:
The open air patio which looks sooo welcoming, with the open air shower etc etc, and the sun and shade on them is just plain intoxicating!
The native pieces you have used in furnishing, like your lovely wooden cupboard in the smaller bedroom, and the floor mats, and the wicker baskets on the living room shelf
The warm tones of red and brown on your couch contrasted with the pastel shades of the other couch.
You have given me sooo many ideas for redecoration, thank you very much!!
Fabulous Artwork !!!
Beautiful place! And I love your art and will be visiting South Africa soon! Can you recommend artists? Thank you!
I am an Interior Designer in Nashville Tn. Hearthstone Interior Design, and I must commend you on your scents of scale. You really understand how to use it.
Great place! Where is that lovely little red night light from?
Love this home! Proud to see some Cape Town content on Apartment Therapy. With all of the beautiful tasteful design in the homes of South Africans, I always hope to see something featured.. Awesome!
It looks like a real family lives here. I like the aqua tile in the bathroom and that light blue piece of furniture.
All that and a fabulous outdoor shower too?
The space and light are amazing.
Great job!!!