Leafy streets, older homes and a lot of winter rain: the Southern Suburbs have their own character, and that changes how we approach a feature wall here. Inslit works across Rondebosch, Newlands, Claremont, Kenilworth, Wynberg, Plumstead, Bergvliet, Tokai, Constantia and the surrounding suburbs, finishing walls, floors and buildings by hand.
Older walls need the right preparation
Many homes between Rondebosch and Wynberg are decades old. Some are Victorian or Edwardian semis with thick plastered walls, high ceilings and original features worth keeping. Others are mid-century family homes that have been extended more than once. These walls often carry years of paint layers, old patches and the odd crack where an extension meets the original house.
The Southern Suburbs also sit right under the mountain, and areas like Newlands and Bishopscourt get some of the highest rainfall in the city. Damp is the enemy of any decorative finish. Before we quote for a feature wall here, we look closely at the wall for signs of rising or penetrating damp, flaking paint and hollow plaster. If there is a problem, we tell you and deal with the cause first, rather than covering it up. It is the reason our finishes last, and the reason we can offer a 5-year guarantee.
Finishes that suit southern suburbs homes
Stucco is a natural fit for these houses. A hand-trowelled stucco wall in an entrance hall or around a fireplace feels warm and established, and it sits comfortably alongside wooden floors, pressed ceilings and older joinery. In bathrooms, a stone-look stucco gives the feel of a spa without tiling every wall.
In the larger homes around Constantia, Bergvliet and Tokai, open-plan kitchens and living rooms are often the heart of the house. A Pandomo wall gives these big spaces a calm, seamless backdrop, and pairs well with a polished or screed floor if you are renovating at the same time. Have a look at our floors page if that is on your list.
For the many restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques along Main Road and around Cavendish and Kenilworth, we do granite-look and special-effect walls that handle daily traffic and make a space stand out.
Boundary walls and exteriors
Southern Suburbs streets are lined with boundary walls, and in a wet climate they take a beating. Moss, peeling paint and cracked plaster make a property look tired from the road. We repair, prime and repaint boundary walls with products suited to wet conditions, and we also paint house exteriors, outbuildings and roofs.
Who it suits
- Owners of older homes in Rondebosch, Newlands, Claremont and Wynberg who want a feature wall that respects the character of the house.
- Families in Constantia, Bergvliet and Tokai renovating open-plan living areas or bathrooms.
- Restaurants, shops and practices along Main Road that want a durable, eye-catching wall.
- Anyone whose boundary wall has started to show its age.
Planning around the weather
Interior feature walls can be done in any season. Exterior painting and boundary walls are best scheduled for drier spells, so if you are in the Southern Suburbs and planning outdoor work, talk to us early and we will book it in when the weather allows.
Get a free quote
WhatsApp Shelton a photo of the wall or building, your suburb and the look you like, and we will reply with advice and a free quote. We work Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 17:00. You can also reach us through our contact page.