Khanyi MlabaA big thank you to all of you who entered this year’s competition and the time and trouble you took over your entries. We loved going through them.
What struck us was the passion you all have for your homes and how much you enjoy improving them. From your entries we also discovered great ways to improve our own homes and we’re itching to get started. As usual it was really difficult to choose the winners but here’s the final line up.
FIRST PRIZE: SAMANTHA ANDERSON
For her renovation of a derelict 1920’s labourer’s cottage.
BEFORE
What impressed us about this entry was Samantha’s ability to see the potential in this old building on the farm she lives on in Drummond in the Valley of 1000 Hills, KZN. The renovation involved creating access, removing trees and extending the building to take advantage of what must be a wonderful view.
AFTER
What appealed to us is that she didn’t try to copy the original but took the design right into the 20th century with modern finishes and decorative touches.
AFTER
We also loved the fact that she used salvaged doors and windows from such diverse places as a car showroom in Pietermaritzburg and a social club in Durban. The kitchen island came from an old ice cream factory and the light fittings and other windows from an old brewery. So, while modern, it also has a great sense of history and character.
SAMANTHA ANDERSON
Samantha is the winner of a R20 000 voucher from UCook, a R2 500 Lasher Tools hamper and a R500 OneDayOnly voucher
SECOND PRIZE: ELLEN AND RUDI PEENS
For their transformation of a dated kitchen.
BEFORE
The stylish choice of materials and the practical new layout were deciding factors in giving this kitchen second place. Although the Peens’ one-bedroom Cape Town apartment was fairly large, all the rooms were completely separate and closed off.
AFTER
As they love to entertain, they decided to open up the kitchen and compensated for lost wall cabinets by including an island. Instead of just another white kitchen they chose a dark shade for the cabinetry which they contrasted with ash open shelving and a cream oven. What caught our eye is the smart way they laid the subway tiles on the splashback, the matte black taps and the very chic parquet floors.
AFTER
Although the kitchen is compact, the new layout makes it functional and, while the look is contemporary, it’s classic and timeless.
The Peens have won a R1 500 Linen Drawer voucher, a Lasher Tools hamper worth R1 000 and a R500 OneDayOnly voucher
THIRD PRIZE: MICHELE PRINCE
For her clever update of a boring bar area
BEFORE
This makeover is an excellent example of using cosmetic rather than structural changes. As the face brick bar was central to their entertaining area, Michele first white washed it to give it a lighter look, then added a chic drinks cabinet, bar stools and an L-shaped sofa.
AFTER
Phase two included painting the wall behind the sofa a dark moody shade, adding a monochrome rug and scatter cushions and installing picture shelves made from pine planks to display family photographs in inexpensive ready-made frames.
We also loved her final touch – introducing an abundance of greenery and installing a repurposed grid over the bar from which to hang plants. Stylish and budget friendly!
Michele has won a Wedgit premium hose kit worth R1 000, a Multi-sharp sharpening kit worth R400 and a R500 OneDayOnly voucher.
There were so many great entries that we decided to include two runners up:
RUNNER UP 1: BRONWYN COETZEE
For this boys’ bathroom renovation
BEFORE
Bronwyn Coetzee and her husband are hand-on renovators, updating their home gradually as time and finances allow. For this bathroom for their two boys, they designed and made many of the fittings themselves including the unique taps and towel rails which fit perfectly into the modern industrial style they were going for.
AFTER
We loved the distressed-wood look focal point and the brilliant way they hung the mirror on woven mesh bolted to the wall. The result is both eye-catching and practical.
RUNNER UP 2: DARRYN VAN DER WALT
For his backyard update
BEFORE
This entry is proof that there is potential in every unlikely space. We were so impressed that Darryn could see it in this dilapidated backyard. Although they were was initially confused by the outdoor shower, it proved to be a blessing in summer as there’s no nearby swimming pool.
To create a suitable spa like setting to complement it, they first installed decking over the concrete, then clad the shower with decorative tiles and brought in greenery with planter boxes. And voila, an attractive outdoor living space.
AFTER
Both runners up win OneDayOnly vouchers worth R500 each and hampers from Multi-Sharp and Wedgit.
The winners of the social media prizes who correctly matched up the Before and After bathroom and kitchen images are:
Genevieve Hendricks and Kalpana Gowan. They both won hampers from Multi-Sharp and Wedgit!
