It’s not often that an architect or designer has the opportunity to renovate a project they originally designed. For House 33, Morris & Co got the chance to revisit a past project and rekindle a love for the space, for both their own practice and for their clients.
A fresh perspective
In 2008, Morris & Co were assigned the task of designing the architecture and interior for House 33. Their intimate involvement in the original project made them the natural choice when the clients decided it was time to relook the interiors. It also helped that the team knew the clients well beyond this house — when the brief came through in 2021, Morris & Co had recently completed the family’s holiday home, too. Considering their existing relationship, the team believed that it would be beneficial to bring a ‘fresh perspective’ to the project and the client relationship. Thus began the design journey for a new interior fit out of the entire residence.


The next chapter
The process began with a collaboration with Julia Day on the early conceptual design, forming the first of multiple parts of a two-year journey to the new home. The client wanted this space to be a home that considered the flexible dynamics of a young family. So, the ambition for the renovation was to reimagine the next chapter beyond that of the young family, to consider a more sophisticated environment, and to enhance connections to the garden.
An inside-out connection
Being based in Johannesburg, with its temperate climate, space for home entertainment and an essence of indoor-outdoor living was a primary consideration. To achieve this goal, the ground floor was conceptualised as a series of connected spaces that can flex from independent rooms into a large open plan family space. This space accommodates connections to the outdoor area and its generous garden.


Room to cocoon
The introduction of fireplaces, each with a signature design, was key to anchoring the multiple living rooms through scale and elegant detailing. The furniture layout and design were reconsidered to be more personal and intimate, achieved by creating distinct compartments for living within the home, presenting multiple opportunities to cocoon. The new design aesthetic combines warmer tones and tactility to create a beautiful and opulent backdrop for an eclectic art and object collection.
Throughout the house a rich material palette of natural timbers, bespoke marble details, and veined marble complements the soft furnishings, creating a contemporary and welcoming family haven. Vignettes further speak to the client’s love for entertaining. The home’s materials and finishes were carefully selected to meet the desire for a warm, relaxed, and sophisticated environment throughout. Natural, high-quality finishes were used consistently, while soft furnishings like linen, leather, and timber were incorporated across various features to enhance its natural texture.

Whether indoors or out, House 33 was reimagined to evolve at the same pace of the family that inhabits it. As the new aesthetic features and updated functions lay the page for a new chapter, the home hits every mark for a dynamic family looking to enhance and expand their living environment. In doing so, Morris & Co were able to revisit a beloved project, bringing updated skills and insights to offer the interiors a new level of connection and sophistication.
This article is an extract from our October issue. Read the full issue here.