By Anna-Marie Smith, Project Consultant Ruanda van der Walt, Photography Fiona Barclay-Smith
It is all in the lifestyle,” is how this graceful couple describes their lives in Betty’s Bay. They say that as working professionals leaving Gauteng, their new Cape abode had to provide long term solutions that would suit the dynamics of an active pre and post-retirement.
Adding to the pleasant discovery of a warm-hearted local community, are the endless pleasures derived from living in a beautiful home, cycling to the village at lunch times, or closing up “office” in the evenings for a beach picnic amid spectacular sunsets.
It also means experiencing true hospitality of the old fashioned kind, where neighbourly greetings translate into personal deliveries of freshly baked bread, or a memorable package of a vinous nature rooted in the nearby Overberg region.
This timber-frame design and construction project was managed by Architectural Design Studio’s Martin van Rooyen, whom the owners complimented for finding solutions to their needs, specifically related to building within the natural surroundings of the local biosphere.
The end result of a fine exterior design and double-storey structure, providing breathtaking views, that sits so firmly within the natural outdoors, demonstrates a contemporary architectural design in tune with its environment. Also complementing the design is a selection of superior quality cladding, roofing products and finishes from the Everite Building Product ranges suited to all-weather conditions and climates.
Since the original garden had to be “lifted” prior to the building process, it was soon replaced with an eco-wise garden and a variety of fynbos species that are free to grow without the restriction of fences. Minimal outdoor lighting was installed so as not to encroach on the magnificent night skies.
The owners’ personal styles in the interior design and decor are illustrated in the abundance of indoor comforts, also reflecting their lifestyle. Light tones and a variety of textures were combined with an abundance of natural light that enhances the uncluttered spaces.
A collection of beautiful indoor succulents, indigenous to this area, completes the special picture that the home portrays.
Leave a Comment