Off the grid This couple have dreamt up and bought to life an incredible eco-friendly haven (left)

ON AN UNTOUCHED MOUNTAINSIDE, THIS CONTEMPORARY COTTAGE IS AT ONE WITH THE LANDSCAPE AND COMBINES SMART DESIGN WITH METICULOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Aconnection to nature is at the very heart of this tiny home on South Africa’s Western Cape, which is a standing testament that small really is beautiful. For more than a decade, owners Rudi and Karen patiently watched and studied the natural characteristics of their property, imagining where they would one day build the modern but modest holiday home they had long dreamed about. No strangers to the landscape, the couple had already built a set of rustic mountain cabins on one of the higher slopes to get their KolKol Mountain Lodge up and running. But when it came to the pod they envisaged, they knew they needed to pay extra special attention. “We carefully considered where to place it,” says Rudi, whose own two hands built much of structure as well as the custom furniture that sits inside. “I spent more than a decade getting to know all this land and then looked with the utmost care at precisely where this structure should be situated, taking into account the views, the movements of the sun, the prevailing winds and the impact on the indigenous fynbos plants that surround it.” Created as a place to relax, unwind and reconnect with nature, the pod was designed by the couple with a clear and careful vision in mind. “I’ve always had this sort of shape in my head,” says Rudi. “When the time came to build this, I drew it all, and then got an architect to make detailed plans.” Both rustic and futuristic all at once, the pod hovers between two: the minimalist design and clean lines of the structure are softened by rounded edges where the walls meet the floor and ceiling, while a variety of timbers and exposed concrete are used in abundance throughout the interiors to celebrate the natural world, creating the perfect space to escape the real one.

“WE WANTED IT TO FEEL COSY, homely, SPACIOUS AND LIGHT WITH ALL THE CREATURE COMFORTS” - KAREN

“IT FEELS AS IF YOU ARE miles away FROM CIVILISATION, BUT WE ARE ONLY ONE AND A HALF HOURS AWAY” - KAREN

LIVING AREA While Rudi played an essential role in the construction of the pod, Karen took the reins when it came to the interiors, opting for a casually luxe look with lots of warm colours and textures to set off the concrete and wood finishes. As a place to truly switch off, she wanted to create a laidback natural vibe: woven lampshades hang in the kitchen and lounge zones (try the ‘Bindu’ pendant from The Lighting Collective and the ‘Weave’ floor lamp from Zanui for similar), and a welcoming couch is paired with a lush velvety rug to bring plush softness to the lounge area (for a similarly chic lounging option try King Living’s ‘Delta III’ 3-seater in Manhattan Natural.) Meanwhile, the contemporary shape of the chairs – similar to the ‘Byron’ dining chairs from Life Interiors – offer a touch of contrast. The curvy dining table was hand-crafted by Rudi (try the ‘Nena’ reclaimed round dining table from Interior Secrets) and plays the perfect host to family dinners where they enjoy home cooked pizzas from the wood-fired pizza oven. > WALL PANELS For similar, try Rough Sawn Sleeper Feature Wall Panels, $141/sqm, Northern Rivers Recycled Timber.

TIMBER CEILING For similar, try Reclaimed Oregon Wire Brushed, $125/sqm, Northern Rivers Recycled Timber.