With a touch of drama

By Esther Moloi, Project Consultant Candice Jin, Property Coordinator Gina Waldman-Balkind, Photography Nic Baleta

In the northern suburbs of Johannesburg is where you will find this family home, which was built to enjoy blue skies and greenery. The home owner’s love for the great outdoors led to a design that incorporates plenty of sunshine, and an indoor and outdoor flow.

Large windows and doors allow the family to enjoy the beautiful views from various parts of the home, in addition to the sculptures in the garden, which add depth and character to the outdoor spaces.

One of these sculptures, by a local artist, stands sentry over the pool, creating a dramatic impact as one approaches the entrance.

As much as the home enjoys a great deal of openness, not least as a result of a double-volume ceiling, it has the ability to offer privacy when needed through the use of curtains throughout the house. A neutral colour palette was employed, with pops of colour introduced to break the mould.

The interior decorator was given free rein. The objective was to create a clean, simple and contemporary home
that included a lot of warmth, to make the house feel like a home.

The art of layering is what brought the home to life, with a variety of accessories and textures used to create the final look. The contrast between smooth and textured, gloss and matte is illustrated through fabrics such as linen, velvet and leather, adding to the elegance of the home. The owners are avid art collectors, and some feature pieces were paired up with existing furniture to create a unified effect. Other dramatic highlights in the home include a chain light that drops from the top of the house all the way to the entrance. The fitting can be seen from every level in the home, and adds another dimension to the grand staircase.

The teenagers feel most at home in the TV room, fitted with a pool table, where custom-made wallpaper draws attention to one of the walls. Certainly the home has striking elements, but, mostly, it was built to be enjoyed.