A House Untouched for 40 Years Was Revamped on a Budget

Name: Chantelle Frankel, husband, daughter, and cat
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Type of home: House
Size: 1454 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I am an interior designer and construction consultant working at Konkreet Construction Consulting. I studied as a construction cost consultant and have always had a passion for renovations and interior design. With my background in cost management and eye for design, it has enabled us to renovate on a tight budget our entire place. This house was untouched for 40 years, and the kitchens, bathrooms, all floors, lights, and facades needed a revamp. The total renovation took about three months. The living room has the most beautiful wood ceiling and our decor theme of industrial and mid-century was built around this. We love our house and it is an entertainer’s dream!

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Industrial, mid-century, and a touch of boho.

What is your favorite room and why? Our outdoor area is the place we spend the most time in. Our patio is private with a garden wall that encloses us from any cars and neighbors. There is plenty of greenery and birds to see. We spend late afternoons playing backgammon on the patio and weekend entertaining in the boma area.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? We source most furniture secondhand and the last items bought were vases and gold photo frames.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Decorating a home is a process and should not be a one-stop-shop experience. As you live in a space, buy items new and secondhand that “feel” like your family’s vibe.

This submission’s responses were edited for length and clarity.