No.9
Emma and Stefan Kruger designed their perfect retirement property with the emphasis on an interior that is relaxing and low-maintenance
FEATURE VANESSA RICHMOND/MILA CREWE-BROWN
HOME TRUTHS
THE PROPERTY Detached new build
ROOMS Sitting room/kitchen, dining area, four bedrooms, three bathrooms
LOCATIONWestern Cape, South Africa
SITTING ROOM
All the furniture faces inwards in this room designed for chatting. For a similar sofa, try Clara, Furniture123. Bundle armchair in Sellvagio Parchment, John Lewis & Partners, has this look. Octavius coffee table by Union Rustic, Wayfair, would work here
KITCHEN
‘We wanted something a bit different for the island,’ says Emma, ‘so we chose a pale mottled slab of granite.’ Try the Browning three bulb pendant, Neptune. Carved wood tray, Nordic Nest, has this look
DINING AREA
The big oak table and leather chairs make this a comfortable space for family gatherings. Similar woven pendant shade, Cox & Cox. Sisal linen rug, The Cotswold Company, is a match
With retirement nearing, Emma and Stefan Kruger knew exactly where they wanted to settle down for the next stage of their lives. ‘We were looking for a home in a beautiful setting, one we would be able to share with our grown-up children and extended family,’ says Emma. They settled on a historic town nestled in the foothills of the Wemmershoek Mountains surrounded by farmland, vineyards, nature reserves and peaks. Part slow-paced small town, part buzzing hotspot, it’s a dream location for anyone looking for a retirement property.
The couple decided to find a plot and build their own house. The area of land they bought is relatively small by South African standards, but the couple maximised the space with a building that hugs the boundary in a Ushape, opening onto a pool and patio. ‘We decided on a modern barn-style interpretation of the Cape Dutch tradition,’ says Emma. It’s compact, but feels spacious thanks to the seven metre-high ceilings and big windows. Double glazing ensures that the interior is blissfully quiet. The well-insulated house regulates its own temperature, with solarheated water, underfloor heating, solar-powered electricity and woodburners.
