A Happy Homecoming

With sustainability in their DNA, a Kommetjie couple brought a modern edge to passive design in their off-the-grid home.

- Marian van Wyk

WHO LIVES HERE? Charrisse Johnston and Ian Macduff, Oscar the British Shorthair cat, and Winston the Chow Chow

WHERE Kommetjie, Western Cape

SIZE 195m2

“We wanted to be able to open up to the outdoors as much as possible. So, the entire corner of the lounge opens onto the garden with stacking sliding glass doors,” says Charrisse. “Unfortunately, Winston decided that we’d planted too many sour figs and that his guard dog duties required a path to the fence.”

Scatter cushions by Inyoni Art; ceiling fan by Solent

A bright coral and green tallboy immediately catches the eye when Charrisse Johnston and Ian Macduff’s front door swings open. But, as it turns out, this is by far the boldest décor statement in an otherwise muted neutral palette.

The couple built their off-the-grid home last year on one of two neighboring plots that Ian bought in 2007. The plots form an ‘L’ and their house is on the long leg, 40m from the beach. As Charrisse puts it, their vacant beachfront plot “serves as Winston’s personal dog park”.