By Janine Jorgensen, Project Consultant Lorna Ioakim, Property Coordinator Chantel Spence, Photography Irma Bosch
A children’s birthday party isn’t where one would usually make a decision to buy a property, but it was on just such an occasion that the owners of this house made up their mind.
“We were at a neighbouring site at a birthday two years ago, and there was the most magnificent sunset over the koppie. From that moment we were sold on the spot,” they say.
Along with being conveniently located near schools, friends and outdoor pursuits in which the family loves to take part, the house is enviably situated in the bushveld, on the outskirts of Pretoria.
These surroundings have inspired the decor of the home. Except for a striking Nelson Mandela portrait in the entrance hall, which the owner fell in love with at an auction, and the fun feature walls in the kids’ bedrooms, an earthy palette has been used throughout, combined with accents of green and blue.
This connection of the interior to the outdoors is mirrored in the choice of artwork and accessories, with paintings featuring African trees, and glasswork in organic shapes. Wooden floors and cabinetry, and steel finishes give a streamlined, Scandinavian-style feel, while large glass windows and doors fill the home with natural light and capitalise on its surroundings.
“I love that I can lie back in bed and see only grassland and animals,” says the home owner, with the main bedroom having been specially designed to offer uninterrupted views. The main en suite bathroom is luxurious, with his-and-hers basins and a large bathtub surrounded by glass walls, providing another opportunity to really soak up the setting.
As much as the house is a retreat from the city, it is also an entertainer’s dream, with an open-plan design ideal for socialising, which the owners love to do.
Downstairs, the large and welcoming kitchen has designated areas for cooking, dining and relaxing, including a bay window, which overlooks the landscaped garden and water feature. The cushions have been covered in bright fabrics, adding warmth to the predominately white space.
Large glass doors open out to the spacious terrace, kitted out with its own bar. There is also access to the dining area, which leads on to a sitting room. “We designed the living area as a flexible space. All of the rooms flow into each other, so if you’re in the kitchen cooking, you can still feel part of the party, or they can be closed off with sliding wooden shutters for privacy,” the home owner explains.
In summer, the verandah beckons with swing chairs and an inviting swimming pool close by, and in winter, a carefully placed armchair next to the fireplace in the sitting room is a cosy corner in which to curl up.
But it’s not just the seasons that have been taken into account. Grown-ups can take pleasure in the glass wine cellar under the stairs, while for the budding cricket star in the family, an outdoor net has been installed so that he can practise those sixes.
“The beauty of this home is that we built it to be very family-friendly, with a harmonious atmosphere,” says the home owner. “I love sitting on my patio looking at the animals. It is so peaceful and I never tire of the colours of the afternoon sunset.”
It seems that decision over candles and cake two years ago has proven to be very rewarding.
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