A peek inside… Bronwyn Cane’s Eclectic Westdene Home

Being invited into someone’s home is really special. It is also very personal, so I always feel very honoured to take you on a house tour with me. Home tours give you a real sense of who the inhabitants are. What they’re about – their interests, where they’ve been & what they love.

Turning A Rental Into A Home

I particularly enjoy seeing how rented spaces are converted because it is a different ball game to transform a rental than renovating, painting, making & breaking in your own space.

When I met interior designer Bronwyn Cane for the first time, I was instantly impressed by her unique creative flair, her eye for design, enthusiasm for travelling & creating beautiful things.

Bronwyn & her equally talented brother Jono (with whom she shares the home) can really create magic in a space. 

She describes her style as Eclectic & Comforting comprising a carefully curated selection; including many second-hand items that are rough around the edges, some from auctions & other from their travels. Selected items received some special care to make them last.

Her favourite items are the two Ercol lounge chairs which she found on the side of the road in Newlands! “They had this really ugly fabric cushions which I reupholstered with bright blue felt which gave them such a cool vibe. They are so comfortable & people love sitting on them.”

The sea turtle specifically fascinated me. Bronwyn explains: “The sea turtle Jono bought when he was going through a taxidermy phase years ago & its name is Edward.”

Indoor Plants For The Win

It is the house plants & grouping thereof & carefully curated & collected pieces.

Houseplants instantly create a more homey feel as Bronwyn explains: ”Plants bring life!”

“My brother is very passionate about plants & always surrounds himself with them as well as spends his spare time in the garden. I have learned a lot from him & have also come to really enjoy & appreciate having lots of plants in the house. It really makes a difference!”

Working from home means she spends a lot of time from home & enjoys moving around in the space. Bronwyn cannot single out a space that she loves most: “It changes but at the moment I am loving our lounge. We have two nice deep French grey corduroy armchairs which are my favourite place to have my first cup of coffee in the morning & look through emails. The lounge is right next to the garden so you feel like you almost in the garden with that lovely morning light.”

“Through the years we have both collected items that we like and somehow both our styles actually work well together.”

“We are creating a Victorian picture wall in the one room with pieces we find from all over, some of them are drawings we both did as children which is fun to have on the wall.

On another wall I have framed botanical drawings my grandfather kept from his days in Rhodesia – I really love them & wanted to preserve them.”

As an interior designer, Bronwyn enjoys the freedom of the space. “Ever since I decided to go on my own I haven’t felt like sitting at a normal desk so I work at the table, put samples on the table, eat at the table – I am just really enjoying other ways of working that are not as static. I do have a lovely big old school desk but that is more to keep my work stuff in.”

Their space is ever evolving with the focus on creating experiences. And don’t be surprised if you arrive at their home & things don’t look exactly like last time! “We move things around seasonally or when we get bored & want to see what else we can do with space we have. Always experimenting & creating new experiences. We cook almost every night & sit at the table so we spend a lot of time eating there too.

“I [also] love my bedroom because I always wanted white linen curtains than fold onto the floor & sway with the wind so I really enjoy reading & chilling on my bed. Those curtains are a bargain from H&M home btw.”

Any specific purchases if money weren’t an object? “I love lighting, so I would probably invest in a very special light, maybe a table lamp from Flos would be very smart.”

“I am also a huge fan of industrial designer Benjamin Hubert Products (clever use of materials / honest intelligent design).”

Although who wouldn’t want something of their own from Moooi with its sense of humour and drama (the perch light is adorable).”

Thank you Bronwyn & Jono for inviting us on a tour of your home.

Yolandi ♥

All images: Bronwyn Cane for aZestyLife