Double delight

By Anna-Marie Smith, Project Consultant Ruanda van der Walt, Photography Adam Letch

To live in this picturesque Durbanville suburb means sharing in the double delights of a magnificent region, enveloped by wine farms and mountain splendour.

When this family, after living in the same area for many years, finally set foot in their dream home, they were ready to live where peace and tranquillity were on their doorstep. For them, moving away from an area that served them well when the younger family members were school-going, finding a quiet cul de sac removed from the hustle and bustle of a busy suburb, brought the perfect solution.

These owners say they actually up-scaled from living in a smaller home when their children were young, and now enjoy the pleasures of abundant space to accommodate any number of family members and friends. For this very purpose, the dining room was furnished with an extendable table and chairs to seat 14 guests, absolutely ideal considering the owners’ fondness for a “fat big wedding” kind of dinner table arrangement.

Entertaining in the warm and regal ambience of this room becomes an ideal setting for any joyous occasion. From the moment of entering the house through the double-volume front entrance, to seeing the different rooms, each with individual character, is to sense the classic yet modern quality of the interior. The owners say that it was with the professional assistance of interior designer and decorator Michael Prinsloo of MPD, that they achieved their goal, which was ultimately to create a happy living space.

In complimenting Michael, the client says by working closely together through regular meetings, that sometimes meant viewing fabric samples in the suppliers’ coffee shop, he achieved a perfect understanding of the family’s needs.

One of the many eye catching design elements in the home is the contrasting effect between the bright reflections from the floors and walls, against the rich tones of the furniture, window treatments and floorcoverings to soft furnishings. The fine selection of beautifully upholstered furniture throughout the living areas, that was skilfully done by Supreme Upholstery, shows off the magnificent ranges of fabrics selected by the owner and decorator. A number of timeless pieces of Gordon Fraser furniture add to the warm ambience of the living areas, where style and comfort meet.

Art works from Lindy van Niekerk Gallery were purchased to round off the interior and add to the family’s art collection, and make for wonderful dynamics throughout the house. The owners say they were familiar with Lindy’s art since first discovering her gallery years before, when she skilfully framed the treasured art of a much younger family member. The easy flow of the home is emphasised by well-executed ideas, such as the relaxed lounge area in the kitchen, which Michael introduced since this is the most frequented room in the house. From there, the living areas move outward onto an enclosable outdoor patio and pool area, where the green sculpted garden comes into its own.

When looking up to the house from the garden, the large number of window spaces providing an abundance of brilliant light and airflow make for a perfect picture.