The small town of Stellenbosch is the second oldest in South Africa and it is unusual to still find purely residential properties in the heart of the oak-lined central historical district, where some buildings are centuries old. But when Peet and Mary-Jane (MJ) discovered the property adjacent to their own home, where they live with their children Milla, eight, and Max, five, was on the market, it was sold to them with a particular proviso from the original owner of 40 years. “The owner was only willing to sell it to us if we promised not to develop it or resell it to the commercial developers in town. This suited us perfectly since we also wanted to keep the street strictly residential and, of course, because we’re right next door. She was happy about our plan to construct a cottage which we wanted to turn into somewhere guests or my folks can stay when they come visit,” explains MJ, who met Peet while they were students at the town’s university. “We love living here, we both have offices nearby so walking to work is a pleasure and meeting up with friends after work is also great. Stellenbosch also welcomes a ton of tourists every year and this makes for a very vibrant fun atmosphere,” she says.
This story is from the May 2022 edition of Home Beautiful.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2022 edition of Home Beautiful.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
HOT PURSUIT
NEED A NEW OVEN? WE DIVE DEEP INTO EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE INVESTING IN WHAT IS OFTEN THE MOST-USED APPLIANCE IN THE HOUSE
PERFECT MATCH
THIS HOLIDAY HOME OF AN EXPAT AUSTRALIAN LIVING IN FRANCE IS THE IDEAL BLEND OF LAIDBACK AUSTRALIAN BEACH STYLE AND FRENCH CHIC
ENDURING ELEGANCE
THIS SMALL BUT MIGHTY PREWAR HOME IN BRISBANE WAS LIFTED AND EXPANDED, TOP AND BOTTOM, TO PRESERVE ITS CHARACTER AND ACCOMMODATE A GROWING FAMILY
ROOM TO GROW
WITH BOUNDLESS ENERGY AND A VISION FOR THEIR OWN SECRET GARDEN, THIS GOLD COAST FAMILY CULTIVATED THEIR DREAM HOME FROM THE GROUND UP
Shades of style
VIBRANT HUES AND A MIX OF VINTAGE, GLOBAL AND MODERN PIECES MAKE THIS BRISBANE HOME A SHOW-STOPPER
Beautiful SHOPPING
FASTA SAUCE DECORATING IDEAS AND STYLISH BUYS FOR YOUR HOME INOUBL
THE Art oF Sleep
Rest and rejuvenate with SleepMaker
PRINTS CHARMING
A LOVE OF BLOCK PRINTING, DISCOVERED IN THE HIMALAYAS, LED HOLLY FIRTH TO START HER RANGE OF QUILTED BAGS AND LINEN HOMEWARES
Holiday at HOME
FROM THE TOP END TO TASSIE, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN, DISCOVER 10 OF AUSTRALIA'S BEST TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
Small space masterclass PETIT PROPOSAL
A COMPACT APARTMENT GIVES AN INTERIOR DESIGNER THE CHANCE TO USE A CAREER'S WORTH OF TINY IDEAS