HOME

Our homes and the things we choose to display in them are a reflection of our lives, our personalities and the experiences that have shaped us.

Our homes are often seen as an extension of ourselves – a physical manifestation of our personalities, values and experiences. The things we choose to display in our homes, from furniture and artwork to family photos and souvenirs from our travels, can offer a glimpse into who we are and the life we lead.

Our homes are a reflection of our personalities. The way we decorate our homes can be an expression of our personal style and tastes. Some people may opt for a minimalist approach, while others may prefer a more eclectic look. Our choice of furniture, artwork and home accessories can reveal our likes and dislikes, as well as our personal values.

Secondly, our homes reflect our experiences. Each item we choose to display has a story to tell. Family photos remind us of cherished moments shared with loved ones. Souvenirs from our travels can transport us back to a particular place and time, evoking memories of people we met and experiences we had. Even the books we display on our bookshelves can reveal our interests and what has shaped our lives.

Thirdly, our homes reflect our life stages. From the band or movie posters that used to hang on your walls (or still do, no judgement) to the inevitable transition to functional furniture and durable materials to withstand the wear and tear of tiny humans.

They say we look like our dogs. And that our music taste says a lot about our personalities, especially the parts we hide from others. In that thread of thinking I believe our homes are a reflection of our souls. Our hopes and dreams are reflected in the knick-knacks we collect and the pictures we choose to display. Our things and stuff. Thingamabobs. They tell a story of a life lived and a future planned for. Home is family

and pets and messy beds and coffee mugs on the kitchen counter. Home is truly where the heart is and where the soul is put out on display for all we welcome inside to see. And treasure. W.B. Yeats said, “I have spread my dreams at your feet. Tread lightly, for you tread on my dreams.”

I started this series not just because I am a fan of beautiful interiors and houses, but because I’m a fan of people. Their idiosyncrasies and nuances. Their portrayal of humanity. I believe their homes are a beautiful culmination of what makes them human. So, over the next months I hope to meet humans willing to take me through their unique residences and show me their hearts, whether they are reflected in family homes, marvellous mansions, quaint cottages or starter flats – home is home.

The first visit on this quest took me to the home of a friend. To me that home is the one place that you walk into and think: “This is what I want to be when I grow up.” No matter where life takes me, I want a place like this to come home to. Elmarie, Pierre and their kids started building their forever home in the quiet neighbourhood of Klein Windhoek in 2017 and moved in the following year. She notes that building from the ground up is always a challenge, but the construction style they chose certainly did not make the task easier. The contemporary design for their home (powered fully by solar) used steel and concrete for the double-storey space. This added significantly to the building timeline, but was key in creating the unique ambiance of the structure. The exterior grey concrete walls and fittings are reflected in the interior, much of which needed the highly skilled techniques of artisans who handcrafted elements of steel and wood. Artisanal construction takes time and patience, but the results are worth the wait. One would imagine entering a space built entirely of concrete and steel would feel cold and uninviting, but the reality is far from it…

With soaring 3.3 m high ceilings and more space than most people would know what to do with, the interior is bright and airy. Glass walls make up most of the bottom half of the house leading out to a courtyard, inviting the outside in. At the same time, through some act of magic, Elmarie’s home exudes a sense of warmth and comfort I have never experienced when surrounded by so much concrete. Cosy spaces, mixtures of rough and soft textiles, raw wood of various shades and ages and the most eclectic and intriguing collection of art and displays make this contemporary space what it needs and deserves to be… a home.

Elmarie’s favourite space is the kitchen and open-plan dining room. “I believe a home should be a sanctuary and not a showcase,” she says. For her it's more about what happens in a space than how it looks, though in my opinion she has certainly found the perfect balance. Cooking happens in the kitchen and you will often catch the scent of something freshly baked as it’s pulled out of the oven by their daughter Emma. The dining room is for conversations and laughs, with the dogs snoozing under the table. For Elmarie this is the “most meaningful and welcoming space.”

In the upstairs guest bedroom stand two old copper bed frames, heirlooms with a lot of sentimental value, that were in Elmarie’s own room when she was growing up. A hand-carved wall clock from 1904, once owned by her great-grandfather, adorns the wall in the study. When I asked what among her vast and diverse collection of art was her favourite she lifted a colourful figurine off the very top shelf in the kitchen, where it was protected beneath a glass dome lest the cat get too curious. “I bought this in San Antonio in Texas close to the Mexican border. She is a Mexican La Catrina. It is a celebratory figure which traditionally represents the circle of life and serves as a reminder to enjoy life but also to embrace death.” The fine porcelain doll was difficult to transport back safely from their travels, but Elmarie carried it in her hand luggage all the way home, where it now has pride of place in her most-loved space.

Their love of travel is further reflected on the walls of their TV room and their study. Elmarie notes how she loves the fresh perspectives one gains from travel and the introduction to new cultures. Therefore they make sure to bring home something light-weight and easy to transport. Prints and artworks from Argentina, Spain, France, Mexico and Singapore tell the story of a life lived for new adventures and experiences.

As for her children, being teenagers, their rooms are their favourite parts of their home. An escape and private space unto themselves. Husband Pierre generally gravitates towards the porch that overlooks the riverbed running alongside their property, where he can be close to the braai and enjoy the fresh air and the sounds of guinea fowl and nature.

A modern space filled with a collection of old and new. Elmarie’s house is a juxtaposition of natural fibres with mute tones and bright, colourful accents. Each crevice tells a story. Each slight crack in the concrete walls surely has tales to tell of a space designed to host friends and family, of laughter and love. Even Pierre’s hats are on display, which makes so much sense for those who know him.

Elmarie agrees that a home and the needs of its inhabitants shift along with the tides of life. One day, when the kids have grown up and their lifestyle changes, they may not need four bedrooms and as much breathing space as they currently enjoy. Then it might be time for a new adventure. Until such time though, this is home.

Elzanne McCulloch