When my petite South Korean client asked me to do a complete renovation of a historical 1930's house in Claremont, Cape Town, I got so excited! We soon began transforming an old space into something stylish, modern, functional, and totally reflective of the client’s personality. Here’s how it all came together:

 

- Stripping it back: We kicked things off by tearing out all the old carpets, light fittings, bathroom, kitchen, and outdated windows. The wooden floors were beautifully restored, and we updated an enclosed concrete patio section with stunning oak parquet mosaic flooring from Zimbo Flooring. It tied in perfectly with the original Kiaat floorboards for that seamless, warm look.

 

- New windows and security with style: To tackle the noise from busy Cavendish Road, we swapped the old windows for noise-reducing double glazing. For security and a touch of class, we added burglar bars, Trellidoors, Venetian blinds, and shutters where needed. The apartment instantly felt safer and more polished.

 

- Fresh paint and classy touches: After removing the old dado rail fittings in favour of adding wainscoting for character, we gave the interior a crisp, clean coat of Plascon Cashmere white. We also popped in modern yet ornate vine-leaf air vents from Pudlo (who were an absolute pleasure to work with) to elevate the space.

 

- Opening up the lounge: To let in more light, we knocked out a wall and created a huge gorgeous arch from the passage. At the end of the room, we installed two grand solid wood doors that added such elegance. It completely transformed the flow and feel of the space.

 

- Lighting and electrical upgrades: We added new plug points throughout the house for convenience. For that perfect mix of style and function, we installed three ceiling roses with chandeliers, ceiling fans in each bedroom, and under-counter task lighting in the kitchen. I love to use light to help with creating the right mood!

 

- A dreamy Korean-inspired kitchen: The kitchen got a total glow-up with custom cabinetry designed for the client’s love of Korean cooking. Appliances are cleverly hidden in sliding drawers, and a luxurious 90cm sink with a Trendy Taps gold mixer adds a glam touch. The pink splashback tiling paired with a hand-painted mural by Rachel from Fired Up is a showstopper. Glo Lighting’s hanging coloured lights make the kitchen sparkle at night, and a mobile kitchen island on wheels is perfect for prep and casual meals. The new hob fits right into this modern, pretty space.

 

- A luxurious bathroom overhaul: We replaced the old plumbing and went all out with a massive luxury shower, complete with a shower niche and a waterfall vanity in translucent stone with motion-sensor under-counter lighting. Another Trendy Taps gold mixer and gold counter top basin added that luxe vibe and had my tiny client smiling from ear to ear. The old toilet was swapped for a new one, and we went bold with bright, floral wallpaper from NIC at Basement Wallpapers—printed to fit perfectly. A sparkly centre light brought out the feminine charm of the wallpaper. Oh, and inspired by a cool idea from Australia, we tucked the washing machine into a bathroom cupboard with shelves for the client’s cosmetic fridge storage. A custom 115cm LED round mirror was the cherry on top!

 

- Clever storage solutions: Out with the old cupboards, in with the new! We installed floor-to-ceiling cupboards with built-in lights and velvet-lined drawers for jewellery, watches, and sunglasses. We also designed a custom shoe cupboard, complete with antique door knobs, honouring the Korean tradition of removing shoes at the door.

 

- Ode to heritage with custom gates: One of my favourite bits was designing two wrought iron gates inspired by 1930s architecture. I dived into research to keep things authentic to the heritage home, incorporating a unique circle design into the patio gate arch. It’s those little details that make all the difference! 

 

This project was such a joy, and seeing the client’s face light up made it all worthwhile!