Beautiful simplicity

By Heidi Olivier, Project Consultants & Property Coordinators Avril Elias & Claudelle Knock, Photography Chris Allan

The designer was given a straight-forward “out of the box” brief: a simple design, with flowing lines to accentuate the natural lighting, is what this home owner wanted.

“We wanted a simple design, just big enough to accommodate our needs. We didn’t want unnecessary or unused space. What we wanted was a home that was flowing with natural lighting, and this was achieved by letting the outside form part of the inside,” says the owner.

The open-plan kitchen, dining area and lounge, with an integrated, hi-tech visual and sound system, is the core to this home. “This is where we spend most of our time. We used mood and functional lighting to create a tranquil atmosphere, and the natural colours add to the overall ambience of the area,” he explains.

Interior Edge, under the expertise of Ilsa van Niekerk, was employed to design and decorate the home. “We wanted a modern, classy home that is stylish, but practical too. To achieve this, we used textural cloth with earthy and natural colours,” he says.

But why build here? “We have a family holiday home in Port Zimbali, but wanted something special and specific for our own use. With the two houses so close to each other, it creates a feeling of togetherness.

“When we walked into our new home, we were in awe; the presentation given to us by the interior designer created an expectation, but walking into the home for the first time far exceeded our dreams!”

Working in close collaboration with the architect and interior designer right from the inception of the project prevented a lot of architectural changes later on. “To employ a competent interior designer doesn’t cost more than the do-it-yourself option. This results in a home with an easy flow and brilliant finishes,” says the home owner.

The owner also wanted the garden to be part of the house, and the indigenous garden is a great success. It was kept simple, and the garden is low-maintenance and water-wise.