By Retha Venter
As owner of a marketing agency that boasts luxurious brand names, this home owner wanted to reflect this creative aspect of his life while creating a space where he could be himself – where he can kick off his shoes and relax on the couch. It had to be a space where he could invite clients and friends for cocktails, but also where he could get away from it all and just unwind.
With his Spark partner, Paul Mrkusic, he transformed the three-bedroom, triple-storey living space into a more sensible two-bedroom home – each with an en suite bathroom situated on the mid-level, with roomier and more open living spaces on the ground floor. On the top floor they created a roof garden – host to a big teak table, white plastic chairs, built-in bench as well as a spacious L-shaped couch, perfect for lounging. In Johannesburg, with its temperate climate, this space is priceless.
The abundance of wood found throughout is the owner’s idea of a tree house in the city, and upon entering the bedrooms and their respective bathrooms, one gets a feel for his love of this natural element. A forest effect is created in a few rooms with wallpaper, providing a soothing and calming ambience. The wooden floors and tree trunk side tables complement the theme without overpowering it. Mirrors are also used to great effect to make the whole house appear more spacious. Select accessories and elements like a round art deco mirror and a silver airplane add a personal. The same goes for the Eastern elements found throughout.
This magnificent tree house is an exciting space created by a passionate owner who loves people and gets his joy from the simple yet beautiful things in life.
