When Jen and Andrew bought their Victorian terrace a decade ago, they cleverly divided it into two apartments, living downstairs and renting out the upstairs. But now with two young children, they needed more space- more room for playdates, family gatherings, and dinner parties. And like most moms, Jen longed for a little privacy from the kids. Like most century-old homes, theirs lacked storage, natural light, and had an awkward flow.

Despite its generous size, the layout wasn’t working. We reworked the downstairs configuration, opening up five rooms. One of the challenges of open-plan living is maintaining a sense of separation- sometimes, rooms can feel like they merge into one. Here, the entrance hall, stairwell, music room, dining room, and kitchen now flow seamlessly yet remain distinct, thanks to strategically placed nib walls and high supporting beams. The added bonus? This approach also met the heritage requirements for this high graded home.

Upstairs, the existing layout featured two spacious bedrooms, a shared bathroom, a small kitchenette, a living room, and balconies at either end.

The rear balcony off the living room had magnificent views of Table Mountain, but like many first-floor balconies, it was rarely used.

The solution? Transform the unused balcony into valuable living space. By combining the kitchenette, living room, and balcony, we created an adult sanctuary. A compact yet well-designed en-suite means no more sharing a bathroom with the kids. The main bedroom now takes full advantage of that spectacular view, and a wall of cupboards ensures a clutter-free, peaceful feel.

For Jen and Andrew, the renovation has been life-changing. Now, they can entertain effortlessly, welcoming friends and family into their home with pride. Every detail of this home was thoughtfully designed around Jen and Andrew’s needs, and it shows. They are flourishing in this new chapter of life at Protea Villa.