The House

The House is based on classical architectural components and typical living spaces and rooms of Cape Dutch Houses in South Africa.  Mr and Mrs Stegman have appointed an architect, Clive Donald, to ensure the house was built to their specific requirements.  Their dream materialised when the house was completed in October 1973. 

In the early 1980’s a few additions were done to the House for the couple’s expectation of running a Guest House with several intriguing elements that would interest guests, such as the wine cellar, a swimming pool and bar area, including a build-in sauna.  These contributed to the Stegmans to become leaders in the hospitality industry in and around Kempton Park during the early 1980’s

The house was called Meerust.  (foto) The name was inspired by its resemblance with the historic Cape Dutch house on Meerlust wine farm, Stellenbosh, in particular the matching “holbol” gables and front elevation.  Closer to home, the street address, 18 Rustig Avenue West, added to the blend, resulting in the perfect name for the Guest House – Meerust.  A friend and neighbour at the time, Nicolette Prins dressed up in a traditional Holland’s outfit and literally poured out champagne on the house’s gable end for the opening ceremony.

The iconic spiral stair’s railing is made of indigenous yellow wood and stink wood.  The timber was sourced from the childhood farm, Rooidraai, outside Adelaide in the Eastern Cape, where Mrs Stegman grew up.  The well-known South African author, F.A. Venter, refers to this farm in one of his best-selling novels, “Geknelde Land”).

When approaching the house, the majestic timber front door creates an impression of strength and admiration.  The carpenter, Harry New, a former colleague of Mrs Isabelle Stegman at Atlas Vliegtuig Korporasie (Atlas Aviation Corporation), had to create it from a mere sketch by the owners.