Amanda and Shawn wanted the interiors to have a boutique- hotel quality inspired by their many travels.
We travel so often and are so blessed to experience the best of what countries and hotels around the world have to offer,’ says actress Amanda du-Pont of the recently completed Joburg home she shares with her husband Shawn Rodriques and their two dogs. ‘It was important to us that we come home to the same comfort and luxury we experienced while travelling, hence many spaces having a boutique-hotel influence.’
Given the site location, building outward was not an option, so upward they went, designing a home across three levels, each easily accessed via two staircases that cascade down a triple-volume space. as the couple headed up the project themselves (while working closely with streamlight designer Brad Kalish), they found that, throughout the build, their vision changed and evolved. ‘We had to be dynamic and adjust certain elements as it progressed,’ says Shawn.
Today, the configuration sees the first floor accommodate an open-plan living space, kitchen, lounge and dining areas, where Amanda and Shawn spend most of their time. above that are the private living areas – the master bedroom and en suite – as well as two additional bedrooms that have subsequently been converted into an office and ‘glam room’ space. Finally, the third level hosts entertainment and workout areas as well as offering a knockout view of the Sandton skyline. ‘We wanted a home that would fit into our lifestyle and schedules, a home that was easy to live and work in,’ says Amanda. A space that we can host friends and family in, but is versatile enough for business meetings.’
(In March, Amanda will be launching Lelive, her natural skincare brand). Much of the home is also automated, from blinds to lights and appliances, all operated from an app. ‘We wanted a space that is autonomous and can be monitored, managed and controlled from wherever we are in the world,’ says Shawn. A practical home that needs minimal upkeep.’
This sentiment is carried through to the interiors of the home where the brief was simple: a clean aesthetic with muted tones and a minimalist feel. This has to be a home that possesses a quietness, with spaces that serve as a serene antidote to the homeowners’ hectic lives.
‘We found inspiration everywhere,’ says Amanda. ‘We would often spend Friday nights on the couch, with a glass of wine, scrolling through Pinterest.’ For the couple, creating the interiors was always going to be about collaboration, with each room speak- ing to their tastes. ‘There isn’t a single space in the house that was touched without Shawn and I discussing it first and bouncing ideas around,’ says Amanda.
One name they always agreed on: Weylandts. ‘There’s this beautifully moody, clean approach to design that we just loved about the brand,’says Amanda. Anyone who walks into our home immediately notices those pieces, which was such an important deciding factor for us, because of our pared-back approach.
‘What makes me so happy is that it truly is a blend of both of us. We’ve managed to mesh both our styles together throughout the house.’
