Garden and Home review article

A Perfect Match

A mix of modern glamour and easy-going comfort, this new build offers the best of both worlds

Text Tess Paterson

Who lives here

A professional couple who wanted a spacious family home that they could grow into

The house

A double storey new-build in Waterfall Estate, Midrand. The ground floor has an open plan living, kitchen and dining area. Upstairs are four bedrooms with a mezzanine study.

“This project was definitely a balancing act,” says interior designer Sharon Nicolaci of Spegash Interiors. “My clients’ brief was a luxurious farmhouse. However, his tastes lean towards more rustic bushveld, whereas hers is far more glamorous. The trick was to combine the two into something lasting and elegant that appealed to both of them.”

Opening out onto an all-weather patio and pool, the house has a modern, streamlined simplicity. The shell is neutral throughout, with bagged plaster exterior walls and white raftered ceilings giving an airy barn-like feel. “It’s a high-spec house,” explains Sharon. “We wanted to create something with longevity, and we paid particular attention to the walls and flooring which always set the tone for the rest of the house.”

On the ground floor, Sharon chose cement-look tiles to create a seamless connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas. This multi-purpose space faces directly onto the pool, with sliding folding doors ensuring a wonderful indoor-outdoor flow. “The doors retract completely into cavity walls,” says Sharon. “In summer this becomes one big entertaining space, yet in winter it’s really cosy with an indoor fireplace and outdoor brazier for atmosphere.”

Much of the furnishings are custom designed, and Sharon took practical cues from her clients’ lifestyle. “They both work very long hours, and I wanted to design a sofa that was long enough and comfy enough for stretching out and watching the rugby on weekends. They’re also part of a large extended family, so we designed a 20-seater dining table to accommodate these gatherings.” The clean-lined galley kitchen has everything close to hand, and Sharon designed an expansive island with plenty of under counter storage. “The couple are both good cooks and very generous with their down-time. It was important to have an easy connection between the cooking, seating and outdoor spaces.”

Décor-wise the home is finished in a calm, neutral palette. “It’s essentially shades of grey with accents of natural wood.” Textures abound, and Sharon combined rubber-wood tables with modern pendant lighting, sleek floors with an Nguni rug; glossy duco and timber drawers on the kitchen island. Adding a metallic gleam, an Andrew Martin wallpaper, Palmer color Steel from Halogin International. with a corrugated iron motif lends a quirky touch to the living room.

Upstairs, Sharon’s love of luxury and quality really comes into play. Wood-look porcelain floor tiles add a layer of texture and interest, with deep-pile carpets used in the bedroom spaces. At the top of the stairs, a useful mezzanine serves as an airy study, with shutters allowing for views of the garden. The main bedroom is a statement in understated luxe, with an extra-width daybed allowing for a Sunday afternoon snooze. “For the guest bedroom we wanted to acknowledge my client’s Durban roots, so we went all-out with a tropical theme. It’s fun and unexpected, and very personal.”

Perhaps this home’s greatest success is its level of comfort. “It’s beautifully finished off and the flow just works,” comment the owners. “It’s also got great atmosphere, both in the day and at night. Even though we’re in the city, we can light the brazier and it feels like we’re miles from anywhere.”