Last week I moved from Melville, the central Joburg suburb where I’ve lived for the past 11 years, to Brixton, another central Joburg suburb about five minutes away.
Moving five minutes up the road should be no big deal, theoretically. People move all the time. But this move is, in fact, a big deal for me. It’s a huge fucking deal, so much so that I haven’t been able to figure out how to blog about it.
I generally try to move as little as possible. Despite my seemingly transient nature, I am a huge homebody. I’m a Cancer, and while I don’t think much about the Zodiac I definitely have this crab-like trait: Moving homes makes me extremely anxious. I just reread the blog post I wrote after my last move six years ago, when I only moved from one end of Melville’s 6th Avenue to the other, and couldn’t believe how emotional it was.
Also this is the first time since I came to Joburg that I’m living in a place other than Melville. Melville is a wonderful, unique neighborhood and living there was a huge part of my identity for more than a decade. For many years I thought I would never leave Melville. But a year or two ago I started feeling like I was ready for a change, especially after the Melville Cat died.
Even though Brixton is really close to Melville, it’s a very different type of neighborhood. Brixton is older than Melville and closer to downtown Joburg. The houses are different. The people are different. The sounds are different. Even the light is different.
There are tons of kids living in Brixton, and they tend to be more free-range than kids in other nearby neighborhoods. The park next to my house — Kingston Frost Park, which I need to do a proper blog post about soon — is teeming with children on weekday afternoons and weekends. I love listening to them play. I also love listening to the call to prayer, which I can just barely hear on clear evenings from the mosque in nearby Mayfair.
So moving to Brixton is a big deal. The community here is really special; it’s extremely racially and economically diverse and there is a lot of pride in the community. I’m really excited to be part of it and to blog about all the amazing creative projects happening in Brixton.
This move is also a big deal because I’m moving in with Thorsten. I’ve been living alone for the past four years and moving in with a partner is not a decision I undertake lightly at this point in my life. But we’re both so excited about it, and I’m putting real thought into home décor for the first time in decades. Thorsten and I realized we have really good taste as a couple. (He’s an architect and extremely handy, which helps.)
Our cat, Trixie, looks amazing in this house.
I live in Brixton now — yay! Thanks for all the great years, Melville.
I dedicate this post to the Melville Cat, who died exactly a year ago today. I miss you, Smokey. I don’t think you would have liked living in Brixton (not enough outdoor space at this house) but we did bring a little piece of you with us and I think about you every time I see it.
More Brixton content to follow.
Congrats on your new home, what a beautiful house Heather. Be happy in it. 🙂
Thanks Di. Let me know when you’re next in Joburg — I’ll have you for tea!
It looks beautiful Heather! I hope you feel settled, are happy and enjoy many wonderful splendid year’s there.
Thanks!
Very urban chic, very nice. If you have not already, you will thank me for this next bit of advice: buy a roll of rubber under-carpet (the criss-cross holey kind) and a few rolls of carpet tape, and rubberise the underneath of that nguni rug.
That is a very good suggestion! Thank you.
A very pretty house indeed!
Thanks 🙂
What a nice home. Love those gleaming wooden floorboards and the decor!
Thanks!
So happy for you – looks gorgeous – Enjoy!
Thanks!
2summers I wish you happiness and light in Brixton. I lived there for 12 years and then moved to Melville – where I still am. I missed Brixton terribly.. it took 10 years before I started to really like Melville which at first felt very cluttered and yuppie to me. The skies and the light, the sense of being on top of the city, people talking to one another in the street, the magic if Kingston Frost Park…so many wonderful things.
I had many cats there. They were happy too.
Aw, thanks Anriette! Melville had its own magic, too. I think Trixie will live it here but Smokey could never have coped in this particular house – no garden.
Yay! the move is over and you and Thorsten look as though you have been there forever, I would still have had boxes all over the place. Wishing you both lots of happiness and memory making times in this new home. Love the shirt that matches the graffiti.
Oh, we do have many boxes still – I just didn’t photograph those rooms ???? But we are also very motivated to get things looking nice quickly.
Ah that’s a really lovely space – well done Heather. Wishing you lots of joy, fun and laughter in your new home xxx
Thanks so much, Gena 🙂
I am so happy for you and Thorsten. And I love the house. The reupholstered chairs are fabulous (LOVE that fabric) and the passageway….cool. And YES you and T do have wonderful decorating taste. Hope Trixie is happy there as well. (the Lesotho weaving is beautiful too)
Thanks Nancy! Trixie does seem very happy. We haven’t let her outside yet (there’s not a big outdoor space anyway) but she seems very happy scampering up and down that hallway with her favorite toys. Thanks again for the well wishes.
I wish a life filled with happy times for you and Thorsten in your lovely home.
PS And thanks for a very readable blog, the links to other posts are great.
Thanks so much. Frankie. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Great post!
Wishing you many happy and eventful years in Brixton .
Thanks Wendy!
What a beautiful house. I love the feel. Thanks for sharing and enjoy!
Thank you!
Congratulations to you, Thorsten and Trixie on your beautiful new home in Brixton!! What a beautiful old house and can we talk about those wooden floors and high arch passage ways!! You have decorated it amazingly. Trixie really does fit in so well with all of the colours and the decor. What beautiful homage to the dear Mellville cat Smokey. It really was so sad reading of his passing as I, too, lost a Smokey boy last year May 2020. He was a stunning siamese mix stray cat with two big enchanting blue eyes that entered into my life in December 2013, so at least I had him in my care for 6 and a half years. But back to you – so happy for you. It is a big bold new step but it’s a new chapter in your life and I wish you everything of the best and much more Heather xoxo
Oh, thank you Maureen and I’m so sorry to hear you also lost a Smokey. The worst thing about having pets is that they almost always go before we do. Anyway thank you so much for the comment and glad you liked the post.
Congrats on your move. What a beautiful home. Wish you guys many happy years there.
Thanks!
Stunning stunning home. Wishing you many happy years in Brixton. (I cant believe how good that yellow bed looks)
Thank you! Thorsten was the one who suggested the yellow — a stroke of brilliance.
Your house looks beautiful! Love the fireplace and the arched passage.Looks like a fantastic neighborhood, but I’d have had a hard time leaving the trees.
The tradeoff of having a handy partner is huge, though!
Thanks! Omg, having a handy partner is priceless. I would have spent so much money on a handyman already if I were doing all of this myself. (Or, more likely, it just wouldn’t be done.) But of course I appreciate him for more than just his money-saving potential.
There are some really nice trees in Brixton. The streets just aren’t fully lined with them like in Melville (and a lot of the other wealthier Joburg suburbs). I do miss them too but I was surprised to find how much I also like this slightly different vibe. And luckily we are literally next door to the park so there are still plenty of big trees nearby.
Beautiful new home wish so much joy
Thank you!
Congrats on the move!! Moving sucks but it looks like this one agrees with you nicely! Enjoy
Thanks. I can’t complain – Moving 5 minutes away is very different from what you just did!
congratulations Heather, on your beautiful new home – you and Thorsten will enjoy it very much, best wishes Anneliese C
Thanks so much, Anneliese. Great to hear from you!
Heather, It’s beautiful! I wish you and Thorston every happiness in your new home.
Aw, thanks Ellen. I miss you!
Your styling in the house is beautiful. Wish you both much happiness for your future together.
Thanks so much, Peggy 🙂
Such a beautiful home, Heather! And I hear you on the handiness of architects!
Those architects are nice to have around.
Congratulations! Your new home is beautiful! I wish you the best together.
Thanks!
The house is beautiful, i love the artistic touches. Let us know when the other side of the duplex comes available…we can be neighbors in retirement.
Aw, that would be amazing. xxx
I am really happy for you Heather! Yes I agree it is hard to move. I feel the same way. Hard to let go of. A place and all the memories it has. But also great to change! We have been in the same house for 16 years and I imagine someday I will be terrified to move. Yet my neighbor has moved every 4-5 years of her life. Take in the newness and adventure abs be grateful your old place isn’t far. ????
Thanks! My dad has lived in the same house for 50 years. I guess we all do our own thing 🙂
Looks gorgeous, congratulations on the big move!
Thank you!
I love the colours and the way everything has been ‘put together’ in your new home. May it be full of inspiration, togetherness, comfort …
Thanks Margaret 🙂
Congratulations on your beautiful new beginnings! Looks amazing, gorgeous light, and nice, and bright and colorful – chef’s kiss!
Thanks Lani! Still a few things to do but we’re getting there.
Congrats on your new home! It looks wonderful and I like the furnishings and interior. My brother used to own a house in Barnes St but I haven’t been in that part of the city for a long time
Thanks! You should come take a look – it’s still a great street 🙂
Congratulations Heather,enjoy your new home.
Thanks so much, Ross. I hope you’re doing well.
Beautiful, new place has a fresh look and great light, everything in its right place it seems. The houses in that area never cease to amaze me in their diversity of interior styles!
I agree I think Smokey wouldn’t have been the Brixton cat. Happy you are happy! 🙂
Thanks! It is a very cool place.
Wishing you many happy years in your beautiful new home. I see many happy memories on the horizon for you and Thorston.
Thanks 🙂
Oh, how exciting. It looks lovely. I hope you have many great adventures and happiness there. Happy Exploring!
Thanks!
Stunning home and I hope you will be very happy there!
Thank you so much!
Your new house is beautiful! I’m sure you will be very happy there!
Thanks so much, Gaby!