The Journal
Notes on keeping a house
Occasional writing on the ordinary work of running a private home in Pretoria and greater Gauteng. Written slowly, published rarely.
2 September 2026 · 6 minute read
Settling a Home in Pretoria: The First Ninety Days
A house is not settled the day the keys change hands. It is settled the day it runs without anyone thinking about it.
Read the note26 August 2026 · 7 minute read
Moving to Pretoria East: A Quiet Guide for Arriving Families
Families relocating into Pretoria East usually arrive with the house solved and the household unsolved.
Read the note19 August 2026 · 7 minute read
Managing Household Staff in Pretoria Without Managing Them Daily
Households rarely have a staff problem. They have a structure problem that shows up as a staff problem.
Read the note12 August 2026 · 6 minute read
Luxury Living in Pretoria's Old East, Quietly Done
In Pretoria's old east, the most expensive thing in the house is usually the calm.
Read the note5 August 2026 · 6 minute read
Estate Living and Household Security in Pretoria
Security in a Pretoria home is less about equipment than about who is allowed in, and who knows it.
Read the note29 July 2026 · 6 minute read
The Highveld Year: A Seasonal Care Calendar for Pretoria Homes
Almost every household emergency in Pretoria is a seasonal task that was left a month too long.
Read the note