I once heard the saying ‘You become what you gaze upon’, and that basically became my motto in life as I choose daily to see the beauty in things, to stay positive, and to be content. I am creative and can follow through, as I enjoy hard work and like looking back at the end of each day to see what has been achieved.

Tertia Stone recently revamped the interior of a house on one of Piet du Toit’s hunting farms.

How did your love for revamping, beautifying and restoring start?

When I was young and still living in my mother’s house, I liked to move all her furniture around to make it look “better”. I am able to quickly see the potential in certain things and creatively imagine the outcome. A coat of paint or a piece of fabric becomes “alive” in my imagination.

Give us a broad overview of what was done, and also what limitations there were.

Working with a well-built house made with quality materials makes it easier to refresh. New carpets, wallpaper, and a coat of paint quickly make a difference. Add a few new lights and durable curtains or blinds, and the ambiance transforms. I enjoy a contemporary style that blends old and new in harmony.

Renovating on a farm is always challenging, especially during the rainy season. Muddy roads mean delayed travel time for the material and installation. With some products ordered from South Africa, delays are common, so planning and timing — especially around the seasons — are crucial.

The bathroom renovation project

In this issue, we focus on the bathroom. What guided your choice of colours in this small bathroom (which is part of an en suite bedroom)?

The bathroom was really worn out and crying for help. Keeping the colours as neutral as possible allows it to match the rest of the house. When the base is was brought in, for example, with an olive green bathmat.

Why did you include wooden elements in the bathroom?

As the house already contained elements of wood, it was necessary for me to extend that into the small bathroom to create a flow throughout the house. Wood’s natural texture, colour, and feel bring warmth and balance to any room.

Which parts of the original bathroom were kept during the renovation, and why did you choose to retain them?

I aimed to keep costs low by using what was still in good condition. The light brown tiled floor and the mosaic shower floor were both well-preserved and complemented each other, so I kept them. The existing shower taps were also reused.

Tell us more about your choice of “kit-kat” tiles behind the basin?

As kit-kat tiles are currently very trendy, I felt it would be good to bring some freshness to the accent wall. The narrow, slim lines also create an illusion of space. Clean lines in a confined space look clinical and give me a sense of calm.

If some of our readers also want to renovate their bathrooms, can you offer advice on choosing shower heads and taps?

Start by checking what you already have. Timeless, durable taps are worth the investment. If you have lime-rich water, choose a shower head that’s easy to clean or be prepared to replace it. With low water pressure, avoid oversized shower heads.

And remember: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they make the best of everything.”

Before

After

After: Tertia gave the bedroom a facelift too

Revamp & WIN!

A gift voucher to the value of N$ 800 from Orpheus Products - Fresh from the farm!

Share your pics: remodelling, revamping, overhauling, refurbishing, reconsidering or whatever! We are looking for a home or garden project or merely an item from your home such as painted cushions. We want to see your Before and After photos and if you are short-listed, expect a call from us. After a few questions we will determine the winner of the next issue. This entry is simply your creativity in any space!

Send your entry via email to gerty@housefindernam.com as soon as possible.