“You Make Me Proud”: Renovation of a Run-Down Home in the Karoo Has SA Inspired
- A local woman captivated social media after she shared the stunning transformation of her Karoo living room following a move from Cape Town
- The renovation video shared on Facebook showcased a complete DIY overhaul, including a fireplace and reupholstered furniture
- Social media reactions were filled with praise for the creator’s interior design taste, with some finding inspiration for their own home improvement projects
- Briefly News spoke with Mlondolozi Kani, owner of Kannjane Construction and Supply Services, about the transformation of the run-down Karoo home that inspired many viewers
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Source: Facebook
One homeowner turned her relocation from a bustling Cape Town to the quiet Karoo into a viral DIY journey. By sharing a room-by-room progress, she gave her followers a front-row seat to the exhausting but rewarding process of turning a house into a home.
The clip was shared on Facebook by Estelle Grobler on 10 March 2026 and gained significant views as the online audience gathered to see the dramatic before-and-after results.
The creator began by showing the living room in its original condition before any work was done. One of the first tasks she tackled was a dull-looking table, which she sanded down to restore its natural beauty.
The fireplace and DIY furniture steal the show
A major highlight of the renovation involved the fireplace. While the creator originally wanted yellow tiles around the fireplace, she allowed her followers to vote on the final look. The winning colour was green. The front door was brought in, fitted to perfection, and installed. To complete the aesthetic, Facebook user Estelle Grobler reupholstered her couch from its original grey to a soft cream-white and even added a plant to the living room.
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Watch the Facebook reel here.
Why the Karoo fixer-upper is the property goal
Following the viral before-and-after photos of the old house turned into a modern sanctuary, Briefly News asked Mlondolozi for his take on the potential of rural South African properties.
The team asked what the first thing an expert looks for when seeing a very old, run-down house in the Karoo. He responded:
“You have to look at the bones of the building. In the Karoo, the old houses were mostly built with thick walls to handle the heat. I’d check if the walls are still standing straight and if the foundation is solid. If the structure is okay, everything else can be fixed with a bit of hard work.”
We asked how he keeps a project similar to the Karoo home on a budget, and the man shared:
“The secret is to plan everything before you buy the first brick. You should focus on the essentials like plumbing, electricity, and the roof first. I advise against spending all the money on fancy tiles if the roof is still leaking. The trick is to be practical and fix the invisible things first.”
We asked his advice for someone who has just bought a fixer-upper and feels overwhelmed. The construction expert said:
“Take it one room at a time and don’t rush. Find a contractor who understands your vision and is honest about the costs. It is a long journey, but saving a piece of history and making it your own is a very proud moment for any homeowner.”
SA loves the gorgeous living room
The post received significant views on social media, with users flooding the comments section with positive reactions. Many viewers were impressed by the renovated living room and praised the creator for her good taste. Some admitted they drew inspiration for their home renovations. Others expressed their anticipation for the next room in part three of the renovation series.
Source: Facebook
User @Adele Vercueil advised:
"Pragtig! Onthou net om n deur stopper of iets by die voordeur te sit. Daardie spasie laat nogal baie lug deur. Maar dit lyk pragtig. Die blomme op die hout rakke is so mooi! (Beautiful! Just remember to put a door stopper or something by the front door. That space lets in quite a lot of air. But it looks beautiful. The flowers on the wooden shelves are so pretty!"
User @Suzette Le Riche Fernhout said:
"Wow. Man jy maak my trots. (Man, you make me proud)."
User @Michelle Fourie shared:
"Love dit.Dankie vir die deel (Love this. Thanks for sharing)."
User @Leonie Nightingale commented:
"Sien uit om jou harde werk te volg (Looking forward to following your hard work)."
User @Koekie Myburgh added:
"Pragtig! Moet net nooit stain op dai pragtige hout sit nie sit woodsealer op (Beautiful! Just never put stain on that beautiful wood. Please, put a woodsealer on)."
User @Cherie Issel said:
"Absolutely beautiful."
3 Briefly News home renovations-related articles
- A 26-year-old grandchild surprised her grandmother with a massive home makeover, including new furniture, leaving her in tears.
- An Afrikaner couple renovating their newly bought home shared their progress on day 15 of work, promising to document and share every step of the way.
- A young woman shared a video of her maternal grandmother's house, which she turned into a gorgeous home after renovations.
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Source: Briefly News
