By Heidi Olivier, Project Consultants & Property Coordinators Avril Elias & Claudelle Knock, Photography Chris Allan
Owner of Crest Developers, John Hodgson, is a man who knows exactly what he wants – and he wanted a home that would embrace his family and friends with natural beauty and splendour. Being passionate about building, this well-known developer was better equipped than most to achieve this dream – and that’s exactly what he did.
“We wanted everything to flow and have clean, neutral lines. We also wanted a homely home as far as the decor was concerned – something that was great for entertaining yet not cluttered,” he says.
Keeping with the natural theme of the home, John had to take the very steep elevation of the stand into consideration. To do this he needed to be practical, and although this restricted him to some degree, he used it to his advantage by incorporating the natural environment into the design at the home.
“We wanted something practical, which we achieved, but we also wanted to incorporate all the big Milkwood trees on the site to give the home the fun and fantasy feeling of a treehouse,” he says.
In creating a home that is practical yet entertainment friendly, the kitchen is the most popular room in the house for John and his familiy. “The kitchen is the hub of activity in the home, and it has been built with an openness that allows you to see into the entertainment area as well as the lounge,” he explains.
The decor has also helped the home achieve the neutral, homely look that John and his family wanted. “The furniture is a combination of old and new. Some of the older pieces are favourites, each with its own story, that we have collected during our 36 years of marriage, while we have tried to incorporate a modern colonial feel to the house with the newer pieces,” he says. With its treehouse feel and location on a steep slope, John admits that the view from the upper levels of the home is spectacular. “This home is all about the view, the view, the view.” The construction of the home was an ever-evolving process, but once complete, it was nothing short of magnificent. “We made numerous changes while we were building, breaking down walls and adding on as we identified new potential in each space,” says John. “It was so exciting seeing this picture come together, and once it was completed I felt like I had arrived – this is home.”
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