Our 2010 winners!
Hubri and Helene-Mari Bruyn
Hubri and Helene-Mari Bruyn of Groot Brak River in the Garden Route. For just R3 200 this resourceful young couple completely revamped their kitchen, even installing a new floor. The newlyweds had to work to a miniscule budget so they decided to use as much recycled material as possible. Luckily, they had some melamine in stock from their furniture business and they got the wood free from sawmills that were closing down. Then they got to recycling: the old floor planks from the lounge were used to make photo frames and tops for the cupboards, and drywalls that had been removed from elsewhere in the house were used to create a new wall next to the dining nook.
Open plan living
Hubri and Helene-Mari’s passion for woodwork has manifested in a furniture business, with Helene-Mari as designer and Hubri as heavy duty handyman. The talented pair sell their pieces to local décor shops and at various markets. Their home also sets a great example for recycling: an abundance of gorgeous fabric that has been re-used to make scatters, upholstery, a table runner, display case inlays and more, are from the tablecloths used at their wedding!
Bedroom and bathroom
The house was in a terrible condition when they moved in. Everything had to be removed and a new basin, shower and toilet were installed.
Future plans
Hubri and Helene-Mari are movedto Cape Town so Hubri can expand his home restoration business. The couple plan to spend their well-deserved R25 000 prize money from Pennypinchers on an old house they intend to renovate themselves.