Peace & quiet...

A cinematographer and a set designer found the perfect bolt-hole in the Eastern Cape Karoo where they can truly relax and unwind.

- Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel

Working between Africa and Europe, Katy Mills and Julian Robinet were in search of a spot where they could take it easy during their downtime. "We're both freelancers and we wanted a space where we can relax and clear our minds when we're not working," says Julian.

In 2020, Katy spent a few of the winter months in Graaff-Reinet and this Great Karoo town proved to be the ideal escape from Cape Town, where the couple usually hole up. The clear skies of the Karoo were a big drawcard in comparison to the wet, rainy winters of the Mother City.

"So, instead of taking a holiday overseas, we've been escaping to the Karoo since 2021," says Julian with a smile. At first, the couple stayed with friends, but when the opportunity presented itself, they decided to buy a place of their own.

The house, believed to be built sometime between 1880 and 1890, is on one of the original streets in Graaff-Reinet, just two blocks up from the iconic Dutch Reformed Church. It is built in the Cape Dutch Karoo style with thick walls, a front veranda and a white-painted facade.

The previous owner renovated the house in 2017 with the intention to retire here, but her plans changed and Julian and Katy took over. "But it was almost a little too modern and so the alterations we made afterwards were specifically done with the intention to blend the new with the old."