About 90 minutes east of Cape Town, in the village of Greyton nestled beneath the Riversonderend Mountains, London-based South African interior designer Hubert Zandberg has completed the restoration of two historic buildings, transforming them into distinctive holiday rentals. The early waenhuis (wagon house) and a former craftsman’s workshop, both located within walking distance of Greyton’s centre, have been sensitively revitalized through a project that draws deeply on local architectural traditions and craftsmanship.
Founded in 1854, Greyton maintains much of its 19th-century charm, with original cottages lining its streets and an enduring village atmosphere. The area has attracted artists, craftspeople, Cape Town weekenders, and recent arrivals, but the community remains closely connected, offering a natural and creative environment that appealed to Zandberg. The designer describes the setting as “nature-driven,” with the practical convenience of local amenities.
Zandberg’s approach to the restoration emphasized preserving the essence of the buildings rather than imposing a superficial aesthetic. Rejecting the common “Instagram-ready” Cape style clichés, he invested significant effort in understanding the architectural vernacular shaped by climate, available materials, landscape, and historic ways of living and working. The project proceeded over several years, retaining features such as the oude barn doors and rafters of the waenhuis, while employing traditional building methods and materials sourced within a 100-kilometre radius.
The floors are laid in klompje, small bricks historically brought from the Netherlands in the 17th century, often as ship ballast. Local artisans hand-tied reed ceilings using riet techniques, a craft now practiced by few in the region. Zandberg highlights the rarity of these skills but credits local builders for maintaining access to them. Other materials—such as handmade tiles—were similarly selected for their simplicity, honesty, and regional authenticity.
After spending three decades based in London, Zandberg regards the project as a personal homecoming. It provided an opportunity to re-engage with South African culture and redefine his creative relationship with the country. Both buildings now function as one-bedroom holiday rentals, furnished in Zandberg’s signature layered style. He incorporated furniture collected from nearby Genadendal, including antique Cape pieces described as “Spare” and “functional” akin to Shaker design. Complementing these are his contemporary reinterpretations of traditional forms, such as beds inspired by Cape trek furniture and furniture incorporating riempies—woven leather strips common to local seating.
The former craftsman’s workshop, previously owned by a knife maker and timber worker, presented a unique custodianship challenge. Zandberg recalled the purchase involved negotiating terms to preserve elements of the workshop’s history. Items like old tools and bottles filled with screws remain integrated into the interior, which also features a repurposed workbench and other workshop relics. His collection of European industrial lighting and utility furniture mixes with Morris chairs, underscoring the layered narrative of the space.
Modern conveniences are alongside historic elements, with compact kitchens, coffee stations, contemporary bathrooms, and steel-framed doors reflecting Zandberg’s recognition that authenticity can coexist with comfort. Outside, the garden surrounding the workshop was largely rebuilt, inspired by Cape landscape practices. Added features include walls, paths, mature palms, and a borehole-fed irrigation system echoing traditional Greyton water management. A sculpture by the Italian-born South African artist Edoardo Villa enhances the outdoor setting.
Zandberg reflects on his evolving philosophy, moving from a concept of luxury as authenticity to a more nuanced understanding of “specificity”—the idea that a place’s distinct character arises from its unique materials, environment, and cultural context. This is underscored by subtle touches like the evening calls of frogs near the garden’s irrigation dam, creating an immersive sense of place.
The two restored buildings, named The Workshop and Waenhuis, will be available for rental beginning in December through Perfect Hideaways.