Text Lori Cohen
Photographs Warren Heath
Styling Shelley Street
A Cape Town creative has renovated a Victorian terrace house, infusing it with contemporary allure while honouring its heritage roots.
As a visual merchandiser, Sanet Coetzee has an instinctive understanding of how spaces should feel. Her Victorian home in Cape Town is a reflection of that approach – layered, thoughtful and deeply personal. Previously run as a boarding house, the property had lost much of its warmth and flow, but Sanet immediately recognised the opportunity to reimagine it as a calm, character-filled sanctuary.
The lounge is a bright and welcoming space, thanks to its warm wooden floors and a tasteful blend of cream, white, and black furniture. The room exudes sophistication, with a bold brass open shelving unit serving as the focal point. This unique piece features a playful graphic design that complements the elegant shapes of the chairs and carpet. Vintage chairs, The Space Agency; cream sofa, Klootique
Sanet wanted to create a connection between the entrance hall and the dining room, so she decided to open up a wall. Architect Anet Barnard encouraged her to think creatively and explore unconventional shapes. Sanet embraced the challenge and experimented with an organic form. The final result pleasantly surprised her, beautifully framing the intricate wooden staircase.
Rather than following trends or creating a perfectly polished interior, Sanet focused on building a home that felt collected over time. Each room balances old and new influences, combining vintage finds, sculptural furniture, art and meaningful objects in a way that feels relaxed yet intentional. Her background in visual merchandising is evident throughout, particularly in the way she plays with texture, proportion and display to create spaces that feel both functional and expressive.
When Sanet renovated her Victorian home, she decided to leave a part of the wall exposed, revealing the brickwork. This clever choice draws everyone’s attention when they enter the room, turning the wall into a centrepiece that feels like a work of art.
Working alongside architect Alet Barnard, Sanet approached the renovation with sensitivity, allowing the home’s original details to guide many of the design decisions. Instead of stripping away the building’s history, she embraced its imperfections and celebrated the character that already existed within the space.
The original bathroom was fortunate to have the same terracotta floors as the kitchen. This made it easy to connect the two rooms and provided an opportunity to create a multi-use space that linked the kitchen with the dining room. According to Sanet, “The space is a confectionary, a plant haven, a place where I enjoy breakfast in the morning. But it’s also a practical space housing the dishwasher.”
The kitchen radiates a lightness with its new cabinetry, tastefully combining shades of green, grey and pink. Complemented by white stone countertops, the space exudes a dreamy and inviting atmosphere. “I practically live in the kitchen, especially because I’ve got a cosy fireplace to keep me warm. I love entertaining and it works so well having doors that open to the courtyard so I can set up a table outside in summer when I want to,” says Sanet. Print by Ulrich Knoblauch print; Gè suspension lamp by Kartell, Ride a White Swan; stove, Smeg.
Collaboration also played an important role in shaping the home. Stylist Shelley Street helped Sanet rethink furniture placement and decorative layering, while many of the pieces throughout the house were designed, restored or sourced alongside her creative partner Rupert Smith. The result is a home that feels artistic and eclectic, yet still warm and liveable.
Sanet revamped the guest bedroom by adding French doors at the top of the stairs. Now, the room opens up to the landing, giving an easy flow to the adjacent bathroom. The space feels light and airy, offering gorgeous views of Table Mountain. Its simple furnishings and muted grey bedding prove that Victorian design can be modern and cosy without feeling old-fashioned or stuffy.
The bathroom is blessed with a tree canopy view, so Sanet positioned the tub right by the windows, creating a perfect spot to enjoy them. She added shelving to display plants and trinkets to keep things interesting and lively in the otherwise monochrome space. Taps, Victorian Bathroom.
For Sanet, moving from an apartment to a house opened up new ways to live and decorate. “I never anticipated how much I would enjoy this change,” she says. “Not only because of the extra room, but because it’s allowed me to explore different moods and moments throughout the house.”
Sanet had a vision for her bedroom: she wanted it to be a totally different space compared to the other rooms in the house. So, she teamed up with her studio partner, Rupert Smith, and they transformed an old store counter into a one-of-a-kind headboard using Victorian ceiling plates. To add some flair, she decided to tuck her bed into the corner of the room. Not only did this create a dramatic setup, but it also gave her extra space for more furniture.
The courtyard, previously choked by bushes and completely unusable, got a budget-friendly facelift. Gravel was spread out, and a row of terracotta pots was added to create a feature wall. A bare concrete and wood table was placed alongside a comfy vintage daybed and laid-back chairs. Table, Onsite Gallery; daybed and chairs bought at vintage markets.