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A home isn't about the material things you collect, but the life lived in that house — it must reflect the homeowners' personality, says Eunice Swanepoel of Irene.
Who lives here? Eunice and Rikus Swanepoel and their children
Where? Irene, Pretoria
A farm-style kitchen with a large pantry was high on Eunice's with list; it's here that the family loves to gather. Eunice's impressive enamelware collection includes keepsakes her grandmother brought all the way from the Netherlands.
The bright red front door creates a welcoming ambience, while the walls by the staircase are home to a vast collection of family photos. Eunice likes to set a beautiful table when they entertain friends and family. The red chairs reflect her love of colour and the carpet with the rose motif was part of "a pile of second-hand rugs" — one of the many bargains unearthed by Eunice.
You won't often find the Swanepoels in front of the TV; in summer, the family likes to relax on this inviting stoep.
Eunice had the built-in cupboards in their son Markus's bedroom custom made to look like freestanding cabinets.
Eunice's love of symmetry is clearly visible in the main bedroom where the bed is placed precisely between the two windows. Instead of bedside lamps, she has hung chandeliers on either side of the bed.
The Swanepoels' garden, where decorative wrought iron and other weathered treasures make a design statement, is featured in the May issue of Home mag.
By Marian van Wyk
Photographs Elza Roux
Styling Amanda van Wyngaardt
