Back to nature This family retreat is as serene as it is splendid

NESTLED IN A FOREST BESIDE A MOUNTAIN, GEORDI AND ANTON’S FAMILY HOME IS AS SERENE AS IT IS SPLENDID

City girl Geordi, an interior designer, knew it was love when she decided to give up her slick townhouse in the heart of Cape Town for a simple farmhouse in the rural surrounds of Hout Bay, set high up in the mountains. Her new husband Anton, a stonemason, had initially built the home as a simple barn to share with his two children Noa, now 22, and Ula, now 20. “It was a laborious process that saw us live in a caravan by candlelight on the site for two years whilst I built,” he recalls with a smile. “When Geordi moved in it was rustic, to say the least, with bagged brick walls and a rudimentary stepladder up to the mezzanine.” It was not quite a pad fit for a design aficionado such as herself, but she was unperturbed and set about making swift (and savvy) changes. “Initially I baulked at the idea of leaving the city,” she explains. “But with the magnificent coastal drive we take to get here and the incredible forest that surrounds our house, it wasn’t long before I realised that my soul actually needed the reprieve.”

Now a calm, effortlessly stylish and ultra-grounded family retreat, the home is a necessary balm for Geordi’s busy lifestyle. “We never really had a planned vision for where we wanted to take the house,” she says. “It was more of a slow realisation, in that we would add on as the need arose, and that made it a gratifying process for our blossoming family.” First came a small annexe addition to the barn that was a bedroom for Noa and Ula to share and then, when Geordi and Anton’s daughter Emilia arrived nine years ago, they added a nursery off the living area. “Finally, three years ago we bit the bullet and did a big extension, so an additional barn structure with a master suite for us and a bedroom for Emilia was added. We also enlarged the bedrooms and added ensuite bathrooms for all, and doubled the size of the kitchen.” Last but not least, a year ago they added a deep roof onto the existing verandah so that they could use it as a proper outdoor living space. “It’s pretty much our idea of perfect,” says Anton. “We certainly don’t need anything more as we prefer compact living where well-designed spaces can accommodate multiple functions,” adds Geordi.

With Geordi’s formidable eye and Anton’s building talents, it is no wonder the house has been so effortlessly put together. “Initially I tried to jettison Anton to just the exteriors,” quips Geordi. “But he has such fantastic taste and is such a perfectionist that he proved instrumental in doggedly working to get things right.”

And when asked if moving from the city to a bucolic environment has altered her aesthetic, she is quick to respond: “Not one bit. I think you can live in a semi-rural environment and decorate in a sophisticated city manner or vice versa.” Of course, the remoteness of the location does lend itself to a more relaxed aesthetic where you choose rugs that don’t show mud, or upholster in linens that look good slightly crumpled. “With the surrounding greenery and birdlife it’s pretty much our private Eden,” she says. >

“I LOVE THE PEACE AND TRANQUILLITY OUR HOME ALLOWS US. MY HOME IS A HAPPY, COMFORTABLE PLACE FOR ME” ~ GEORDI

RUSTIC RETREAT A labour of love for its owners Anton, a stonemason, and Geordi, an interior designer, this home has been extended over time to accommodate a growing family. In the living area (below), black metalframed windows turn the verdant outlook into artwork. Inspired by nature, the furnishings are simple and understated – for a similar look, try the ‘Mila’ coffee table and Hans Wegner ‘CH25 Easy Woven’ chair from Temple & Webster. The spacious garden terrace (opposite) has been designed to function as an all-weather outdoor living room. >

LIVING ROOM A sophisticated blend of neutrals and a play on volume and symmetry bring the lofty, double-height living area to life (below, where the family’s Schnauzer Marley happily sits). A replica of a ‘Murano’ glass chandelier (saved from a ’70s hotel) takes centrestage in this space. A custommade L-shaped sofa (for similar, try the ‘Caspar’ modular sofa from Coco Republic) and leather wingback chair are both from Geordi’s Cape Town store, Cecile & Boyd. The paintings over the fireplace are by Sarah Pratt. >

STUDY Geordi and Anton were keen to create ‘live, work and play’ areas in close proximity to the kitchen and living areas so that the family can all still be together while doing separate things. “It’s a game changer in such a small space,” says Geordi of the study (above). The photograph above the sofa is by Anton, and the floor lamp is a vintage buy. Industrial overhead lighting (for similar, try Dunlin) complements the black-framed steel windows. ENTRY As the entrance to the house is via the kitchen (left), it doubles as a reception area where guests can sit and chat to Geordi while she cooks or put their things down on arrival. Here, she created a little conversation zone with a Tom Dixon side table and a pair of mid-century inspired chairs – for similar try the ‘Den Arm Chair’ from The Modern Furniture Store. >

MAIN BEDROOM The barn-like main bedroom (above) was designed as a luxurious space in which Geordi can escape the hurly burly of family life. A photograph above the bed by Kevin Mackintosh creates an alluring focal point. The matching bedside tables in oak with a raw stone top were designed by Geordi for Cecile & Boyd and the bedside lamp is also from Cecile & Boyd. The lofty ceiling beams of the barn structure have been highlighted in black to create a clever contrast to the predominantly all-white palette in the bedroom. The wall behind the bed conceals the ensuite bathroom from the bedroom and provides privacy. ENSUITE The vanity in the main ensuite (top right & opposite) was custom made in oak, while the large mirror and ceramic stool are both from Cecile & Boyd’s showroom. The freestanding bath – for similar try Apaiser’s ‘Sublime’ – comes complete with a stunning vista.

LIVING ROOM A stone alcove wall built by Anton serves to separate the living zone from the kitchen. The painting that adorns it is called ‘Free As A Bird’ by Cameron Platter.

1. For a similar hand-blown glass pendant try Richmond Lighting or West Elm. 2. Geordi in her living room. 3. A Carrara marble splashback adds a luxe feel to the kitchen. 4. Artworks by South African artist Sarah Pratt. 5. Try Dulux Vivid White for a similar look. 6. An elegant ceramic stool from Geordi’s store Cecile & Boyd. 7. Get the look with the ‘Mercer’ chair from Coco Republic.