Text: Tess Paterson. Photographs. Christoph Hoffmann. Article from the April 2013 issue of Garden and Home Magazine.
A cheerful and unexpected use of colour gives this contemporary holiday home an engaging, yet sophisticated appeal
When this busy, Jo’burg-based family decided to build a holiday home, they were looking for a location with a strong connection to the outdoors. Choosing a private golf estate that’s close to some magnificent beaches suited the sports-loving couple perfectly, as did its proximity to many of the Garden Route’s attractions.
“We’re great fans of golf and love to entertain,” they explain. “We not only wanted a welcoming home-from-home, but somewhere that we’d feel comfortable hosting our extended family and friends.”
Creating a series of relaxed, interconnected spaces, architect Bai Tshetlo of Facade Design worked on a predominantly open-plan ground floor layout, with three spacious bedrooms and a pyjama lounge upstairs.
“It’s very much about indoor-outdoor living,” he explains, “with comfy, informal spaces that can be used throughout the year.” So while there are folding doors that open up completely to the garden, there are also internal pocket doors that can be closed when more intimate spaces are needed or when the weather turns particularly cold. “The feel is clean-lined and contemporary,” adds Bai, “and to enhance that we chose natural finishes such as the stone accent walls, travertine tiles on the ground floor, and solid timber floors upstairs.”
When it came to the colour palette, the owners knew they didn’t want an all-neutral flax and grey scheme which is often the norm in holiday homes. “We loved the direction in which decorator Amanda Walters took the project – it’s beautifully light and fresh!” they exclaim. “She asked us how far we were prepared to explore colour in the house, and once we’d decided on the pink and green palette it all came together in the most wonderful and unexpected way.”
“It’s definitely something fun and different,” says Amanda. “While the pink is a bold, defining presence, it’s counteracted by plenty of calmness, such as the neutral walls, flooring and white plantation shutters. To keep it grounded and to add texture, we chose a lot of solid oak furniture which we kept raw, rather than going with a whitewashed finish that’s more typical of a beach house.”
“The mix of pinks and greens is a constant reminder of the protea – our favourite flower that flourishes in this area,” add the owners. “The rooms all complement each other, yet each one’s different — it’s fun to have your visual senses tickled as you walk through the house.”
Bearing in mind that this space is also home to active teens, Amanda worked extensively with loose covers and outdoor fabrics. “The owners didn’t want their home to be too precious for a wet beach towel or costume,” she says. “It really is a house where you can put your feet up or have a comfortable snooze outside.”
As it’s an easy flight from Jo’burg, this busy family manages to spend long weekends here as well as entire school holidays. Whether it’s pure family time or catching up with friends, this colourful lock-up-and-go is a breath of fresh air.
Who lives here
A professional Jo’burg-based couple and their two teenage children who enjoy weekends and holidays here whenever possible.
The house
A contemporary four-bedroom, double-story new build on a golf estate near George.
Amanda’s tips for decorating with colour:
- For bold, cheerful combinations such as pink and green, work with five or six different fabrics and use them throughout the house. Repeating the fabrics in different environments creates a sense of continuity.
- Don’t be afraid to combine different patterns – similar colour schemes throughout will keep the look interesting rather than being too busy.
- Balance the colour with plenty of neutrals such as natural linens, plain walls and wicker furniture.
Decor inspirations
What works best for this family is their open-plan living area
“We just love the combination of pinks and greens. It’s a relaxing space, yet you always get a kick from the vibrancy of the colours. There’s a sense of fun about it, despite being the most ‘formal’ room in our home.”
Make it work for you
Choose fabrics in a fun mix of florals, stripes and chevrons, while keeping to the same colour combinations. Pick a table which can fit ottomans beneath it – it’s a great way to save space, yet you’ve got extra seating when needed.
Fabrics from left: Flamenco Negative, colour Coral, Biggie Best;
Incense, colour Honeysuckle, Hertex Fabrics; Duralee Gold Red, Halogen International.
Trestle coffee table, Coricraft.
Bold suzani scatter* Woolworths.
Copper hammered champagne tub, @home.
Swazi fish, Weylandts. Southport sofa, Biggie Best.
Sources
@home home.co.za Amanda Walters Interior Design 082 413 3002 Amatuli amatuli.co.za Biggie Best biggiebest.com Caesarstone caesarstone.co.za Coastal Cupboards 083 878 0183 Coricraft coricraft.co.za Façade Design 082 872 1804 Halogen International halogen.co.za Hertex Fabrics hertex.co.za Lula Fabrics lulafabrics.co.za Mavromac mavromac.co.za Pezula Interiors pezulainteriors.co.za Plantation Shutters plantation.co.za St Leger & Viney stleger.co.za Suntups Flooring suntups.co.za The Gatehouse 011 444 1584 The Silk and Cotton Company silkco.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za
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