Durban - Spacious homes with large tropical gardens and incredible views of Durban, in areas close to good schools and shopping centres, have made the Berea and surrounding areas among the most sought-after suburbs in Durban.
However, beyond the commercial viability of these houses is a certain charm.
Grand Berea homes have character and often capture the opulence of old Durban. Re-appropriated by modern families, these homes represent the meeting point of past and present.
The three-storey Waverton Road house we visited was no exception.
Architecturally, little comes close to the elegance and opulence of these colonial-style houses with their white wooden verandas and matching look-out balconies.
There is always a wide stoep, floored in ornate tiles, and a lantern before the elaborate front door which is often a work of art in stained glass.
This house, with its somewhat oriental, curved, canopy-like corrugated iron roof against a deep blue Durban sky, promised an interior as magnificent as its decorative outside.
Inside, high pressed ceilings, ornate staircases, expansive sash and bay windows, as well as original fireplaces, invoke a bygone era.
However, the young family who inhabit it have decorated with a new South African sensibility that sometimes downplays the magnificence of the house.
There are lovely Persian rugs and a collection of South African – and particularly local – art, but the feel is of a home that is lived in.
There is a tree house and trampoline in the front garden and one of the children has a climbing wall in her bedroom – a brilliant idea if you consider the lavish height of the ceilings.
The kitchen, with modern amenities (glass splash backs, mosaics and high-gloss beige cabinetry), is cosy. A reclaimed table takes pride of place in a naturally lit enclave. Three contemporary lamps hang over the table.
The master bedroom is massive, with a striking arched doorway. Once again a modern light fitting coupled with contemporary florals adds a twist.
The living areas are bright and cheerful with plenty of colour.
The trick with old houses is often to let the light in – take heavy drapes off the windows and paint the walls in cool colours – precisely what this homeowner has done. - The Mercury