Lisa van Aswegen, her husband Shaun O’Meara and son Kevin (4) live in Camps Bay. The couple work long hours and haven’t paid much attention to the entrance of their home since they moved in three years ago, except for adding a workbench (previously used as Kevin’s nappy change station) for storage.

The Problem

Lisa and Shaun are renting this home, so they don’t want to drill too many holes or make permanent changes. But their solution, the freestanding workbench, has become a dumping ground for everything: Kevin’s school bag, Lisa’s handbag, laptops, mail and shoes that get kicked off as soon as they arrive home. The workbench also blocks a low window that could let in more light. A messy bookshelf has added to the clutter, and then there are the hats, coats and scarves at the front door. ‘One row of hooks just wasn’t enough for everything; the hats kept on falling down,’ says Lisa.

The Solution

The Home team painted two of the walls blue to delineate the space; Lisa and Shaun can always paint them white when they move out.

The workbench was moved to where the bookshelf was so that more natural light can come in through the low window on the left. The bookcase is now in the living room where it can be properly utilised.

For the hats and coats we suggested separate hanging space on opposite walls:

Shaun made the hat rack on the right from MDF board and leftover dowels which we spray-painted yellow and red. Instead of drilling holes in the wall for each and every hat, only four holes were needed to attach the board. The pine plank originally used for coats and hats was painted white and new silver hooks were attached.

Each family member now has their own storage box on the top shelf of the workbench, and a pair of walking shoes on the bottom shelf. Lisa’s handbag also has its own spot.

Lisa has always wanted to print a few family and wedding photographs and this project has inspired her to do just that. She has displayed some of their old framed wedding photos with new ones in weathered wooden frames. These and a cute impression of Kevin’s hands and feet were first laid out on the floor and arranged before Shaun drilled the holes in the wall.

Their mail is now stacked in an old toast rack from their kitchen.

A rug with a striking geometric motif, a collection of vases and a red Mini complete the picture.

Words: Marian van Wyk
Images: Francois Oberholster