This issue's winner: Drey-Andra van der Merwe

“I’m a jack of all trades, like my mother. We make a plan and make something fit. Art runs through all of our veins, although we all practice it differently. My work as owner of my own marketing business, Want Media and co-owner of Die Kraal private venue (behind Hennies) also keeps my creativity burning hot – with all the industry’s challenges.”

Drey-Andra van der Merwe


Drey-Andra, who is currently pregnant with her second child due in April 2026, is married to Christo van der Merwe and they have a son, Daniël-Douw (2 years). Being a mother will always remain her greatest privilege, passion and profession.

She and Christo, together with her mother, father and brother, bought a house in Langstrand in 2024 to market as AirBnb under the name Art Cabin.

“Christo actually came across the house; he has a nose for good business (and is head of marketing at King Price and co-owner of Hennies). He immediately saw that the seafront house had potential.

We had a very small budget and decided to stay within limits and make it work. We therefore approached the rest of the family members to discuss priorities and agreed to postpone equipping the bathrooms with new baths and toilets to a later stage. Only the most important things were done first.

Apparently your parents, Danie and Jurietta Otto and also your brother, Royal Otto (who has his own construction business, Royal Develecon) were very involved. Tell us a little more?

With my parents, who farm outside Grootfontein, and the rest of us working in Windhoek, the whole remodelling process had to take place over 3 weekends. Basically, we all drove to the coast on Fridays after work and got stuck in.

We split into teams and drove all over Swakopmund and Walvis Bay to buy everything from crockery to bedding, a washing machine and much more. After that we worked until late at night. There were even two farm workers who came along, saw the sea for the first time, and added their weight over and over again.

How did you decide on the theme and colour scheme for the AirBnb?

We had the house and garden fence repainted white for a clean, blended look. The sea theme, with jade as the accent colour, was a joint decision. We searched all over for the cheapest furniture, classic items and special offers.

My mom and dad then changed everything according to those themes. My mom was involved in the painting, curtains and décor and my dad in making the various furniture pieces and items made of wood.

Your parents seem to have been very committed?

Oh yes! My father framed all the paintings with wide, rough, wooden frames. He made all the bathroom shelves, bath boards, towel ladders, mirror frames and extra kitchen shelves. The unique headboards are his handywork, too, and the uneven wood gives the rooms a warm, earthy feel. He also made a variety of bedside tables and trays. The wooden lounge suite was made of squares on pedestals with backrests and cushions for comfort. Apart from making all the curtains, my mom deconstructed the arm chair by reupholstering the front section, but leaving the back open. She then drilled holes to weave a thick rope through it. In addition, she made all the wall paint techniques. Her paintings of the shells in the living room and the boats upstairs naturally contributed to the choice of the jade accent colour throughout.

And the décor and other elements?

Because a guesthouse requires little décor, I mainly limited the décor items to paintings and lighting features. As the kitchen door and drawer handles were rusted, we needed to make another plan. Second-hand paint brushes replaced the kitchen cupboard handles, to match the bohemian Art Cabin name. In the bedrooms we opted for thick rope, braided through two holes, which were drilled in the cabinets and drawers.

Were there any limitations and challenges during the project?

There were many challenges! Because the house is old, this means that the paint, lights, cabinets, tiles, floors, taps and showers were old-fashioned and neglected. The cheapest way to work with what you have is to choose a classic or bohemian theme, because then you can make old taps, tiles and floors work. Stay away from a modern idea, because you will need to replace everything at a high cost!

Before

After

Read part 2 in our Apr/May issue-ed