Jeandri's creativity knows no bounds. (Karl Rogers)
Jeandri Streicher, a freelance Home garden photographer, has designed an eclectic space where she can express herself and her many talents.
WHO LIVES HERE? Jeandri and Hanré Streicher
WHERE? De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate, Stellenbosch
SIZE 600m²
Jeandri and Hanré at their front door. “We decided on an aluminium door because it gets full western sun, but it’s designed to look like a wooden barn door.” Door by JBC Aluminium. Powder coating: ANP 3055 Matt Charcoal. (Karl Rogers)
Fifteen years and then another 18 months is how long it took before Jeandri Streicher could call the “ugly duckling” she’d seen way back in 2007 home.
“At the time, the house caught my eye because it reminded me of a barn and was a little different to the other houses in the golf estate,” says Jeandri, our regular garden photographer.
This serene courtyard lies between the living room and kitchen. Trough by StoneCast. (Karl Rogers)
“A friend said it wasn’t the kind of house that should be here forever. The interior was a mishmash of styles in all the colours of the rainbow.”
In the main bathroom, Jeandri wanted everything to be “as tranquil as possible”. “The Caesarstone surround on the bath is for books, candles and a glass of wine,” she says. Porcelain floor and wall tiles from Studio Masson; sanitary ware from Bathrooms 4U; towel from Rain. (Karl Rogers) Porcelain floor and wall tiles from Studio Masson; sanitary ware from Bathrooms 4U. (Karl Rogers)
After Jeandri and her husband Hanré bought the house in 2022, it would require 18 months of extensive renovation work before a blank canvas finally awaited them in 2023.
This kept Jeandri’s creative mind busy.
Modern farmhouse style
Renovation and redesign project by Hein Visser and Mariska du Toit of VKDB Architects; DG fireplace from Fire and Gas Lifestyles; rug from Hertex Haus; linen wall hanging from Studio by Isobel Sippel. (Karl Rogers)
“I grew up on a farm; I think it influences the way you see yourself living,” says the multitalented Jeandri.
“I love gardening. I also do flower arranging for small weddings and functions, as well as paper flower installations.
“I preserve olives and make a chilli jelly that’s available at selected delis under my new brand, Pittig.”
And yes, the sketch on the label is also her handiwork.
The balance between mood and task lighting in the living room is striking. “We like track lighting as it can be used to illuminate focal points such as paintings,” says Jeandri. A double-sided fireplace divides the room into two cosy spaces and the iconic 1965 Ingmar Relling Siesta chairs are from Onsite Gallery. “I fell in love the moment I saw them; the fact that they’re super comfortable is a bonus.” Paint colour: Paintsmiths Midas Scaffold Plank. (Karl Rogers)
Jeandri’s hands-on versatility is reflected in her home’s interior, where a combination of carefully considered old-world, contemporary, Scandinavian and authentic South African elements creates a unique, modern farmhouse style.
Pre-loved furniture
The table was a battered second-hand buy. “I sanded it down until I was happy. The painting by Johann Slee is one of the few things I wanted with every fibre of my being when I first laid eyes on it,” says Jeandri. (Karl Rogers)
“Most of our furniture is very well used,” says Jeandri.
A vintage shop cabinet in a transition space between bedrooms on the top floor houses Jeandri’s cameras, brushes and paints, as well as the materials and tools she uses to make paper and fabric flowers. “I bought the cabinet at Odds & Ends in Strand. I sanded it down and resealed it, and had big new drawers custom made for underneath.” (Karl Rogers)
“I tried to create a more tranquil feel than in my previous home, but it’s starting to look busy again…”
Linen wall hanging from Studio by Isobel Sippel. (Karl Rogers)
Nevertheless, she prefers to collect items from all over, rather than buying new furniture from one place.
The kitchen was planned around an island cabinet from Koöperasie Stories. “Apparently, it was once the bar counter at the Tulbagh Hotel.” The pistachio-green paint for the cabinets was specially mixed. “It’s similar to the light green of the original Land Rover Series 1 Defender. I have a bit of an obsession with those old vehicles.” Kitchen cabinets by Jan Botha Woodcraft. (Karl Rogers)
“Hanré and I have always been drawn to pre-loved wooden furniture with a farm feel and a story to tell. Nothing is precious; what you see is what you get.”
Jars of olives are lined up in an old civil service cupboard, ready to be transferred into smaller bottles for Jeandri’s Pittig deli range. (Karl Rogers)
And we loved what we saw in Jeandri’s home.
Jeandri started collecting soup terrines years ago. “I bought most of them at Strand Trading Post. The cheapest one cost R60.” The flower arrangement is Jeandri’s handiwork. (Karl Rogers)
After all, it’s an art to decorate a largely neutral interior with unique and unexpected combinations that force you to pause and take it all in.
Collected and curated
Jeandri is a collector of unusual things. (Karl Rogers)
Beautiful mugs, measuring tapes, baskets, terracotta pots, objects found in nature… Jeandri is a collector of unusual things, but manages to keep her interior stylish and pared back.
Terracotta pots are some of the unusual things Jeandri loves to collect. (Karl Rogers)
She shares her tips:
My philosophy (these days!) is that one has to stop collecting things at some point. Nowadays, I stick to a theme such as wood, for example.
Jeandri has collections of rolling pins, shoe trees, hat blocks and abacuses. (Karl Rogers)
I have collections of rolling pins, shoe trees, hat blocks and abacuses.
They have been rubbed smooth from years of being well used and I find it hard to resist them when I see one for sale.
I admire the craftsmanship of such objects.
Jeandri says she admires the craftsmanship of such objects. (Karl Rogers)
I often use them in the still lifes I take with my Polaroid cameras.
Jeandri says the stoep is where she can express her creativity. “I arrange flowers for functions here, and work on paper flower installations. Comfy furniture with leather upholstery is a practical choice for a household with dogs. We saved on costs by reusing the leather from an old couch for the upholstery.” Bricks in braai area from Online Builder; patio benches by Nook Décor & Design; outdoor rug and dining chairs from Hertex Haus. (Karl Rogers)
All sorts of small objects lying around collect dust and become an annoyance. It makes a bigger impact when you display your collectibles in groupings, whether in a display case or on a shelf.”
The main bedroom is deliberately more neutral and pared back than the rest of the interior. The crocheted blanket is Jeandri’s handiwork. Linen blanket and fabric over headboard from The Fabric House; floor lamp from Woltemade. (Karl Rogers)
