The property Colonial Revival family home in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg
Homeowners Michael and Janine Miller
even years ago when Michael and Janine Miller started looking for a new house, they set their hearts on finding somewhere that would evolve into the perfect place to raise a family. At the time their daughter was just a tiny baby, but already Janine knew she wanted her children to have a large garden to explore and run around in, as well as spacious rooms. “We spent time trawling the property pages and were thrilled to find something available in this area. When we drove up the driveway and saw the lush garden with so many huge trees, we knew this was where we wanted to live,” says Janine. The previous owners had transformed the house from a 1930s Art Deco to a modern and more functional Colonial Revival style. Michael and Janine liked the fact that the home was newly renovated. With a brand new baby to consider, they were not keen to embark on a renovating project, big or small.
Large trees line the long driveaway leading up to the house.
Laid back living Driving up the long driveway, one is struck by the unspoiled, lush garden that is home to several giant trees as well as a magnificent Magnolia bush. Garden beds are planted with simple, hardy, verdant plants that can withstand the digging paws of young pups or the impact of a misdirected soccer ball. Well-maintained lawns make up the rest of the garden, giving the children ample space to run off surplus energy. An enormous tree hung with ropes and a swing offers a clear indication that children play a central role in the lives of this family. To complete the idyllic picture, charmingly tucked away in a corner of the garden is a pretty white Wendy house with a sign on the door announcing “My House”. A few steps away, a large wooden jungle gym keeps the children and their friends happily entertained. Inside the double-story home it’s a similar story. Janine has managed to expertly combine classical elegance with the needs of her growing family. Stylish and functional, comfortable furnishing are covered in robust, resilient fabrics and a family-friendly, yet serene colour palette of taupe and duck-egg blue provides the ideal backdrop for display cabinets and an informal wooden dining table. The casual look is emphasised by the choice of natural fibre rugs and wicker baskets for storage. The hub of the home is the open-plan family room, dining area and kitchen. Sunlight streams in through glass-panelled
double French doors leading out onto a small courtyard garden. The effect is a cheerful, homely space where family and friends feel free to commune. On the opposite side of this large room, wood and frosted glass-pained doors also allow a fair amount of light in, and when left open, the family is rewarded with a wonderful view over a large covered patio and into the garden. The kitchen, French country style, is cleverly designed with a dividing wall to provide storage on both sides. The back of the kitchen serves as a scullery-cum-laundry while the front provides space for cooking while a large centre island offers a convenient preparation surface. “We’d like to have a separate laundry. It’s something we may eventually build on,” comments Janine. However she doesn’t see it as an immediate necessity but rather a ‘nice to have.’ Despite the fact that the emphasis is on informal family living, there are two formal rooms leading off either side of the central space - a large, and very ‘grown up’ dining room and a formal lounge. Here, specially chosen pieces and favourite objects are tastefully displayed out of reach from curious little hands, an indication that these two rooms are less lived in but no less loved. While remaining within a similar colour palette for the formal areas, Janine chose to add splashes of stronger colour to these rooms to lend an air of sophistication. Patterned cushions and accessories in a mix of materials, such as glass and metal, add depth to the scheme. August n September n October 2011 EasyDIY 87