IN LIVING COLOUR
Combining bold visual flair with clean architectural lines, this home is a classic study in the power of contrast |揉合繽紛視覺元素與簡約建築線條的家居是鮮明對比的有力研讀
Stepping over the threshold of interior designer Kim Stephen’s gloriously colourful home in the affluent Bishopscourt suburb of Cape Town is like virtually inserting yourself into her plethora of gorgeous Pinterest boards. Vibrant hues are everywhere and yet these bursts of brightness are also framed within the crisp lines of Kim’s classic-yet-contemporary style, which nods to architectural lines, beautiful fabrics and a few judicious touches of whimsy.
Kim’s home exhibits a graceful sense of classicism that includes a confident use of black and white, which, as she explains, "works as a foil to the vibrant palette by balancing and grounding it". The contrast comes from, for example, the bright orange front door that opens onto an elegant hallway and stairwell that features poured terrazzo floors and a textured charcoal wallpaper, as well as a tall potted palm tree and a number of artworks, including an eye-catching series of silkscreens by littleknown South African artist Stephanie Watson. Kim spotted them in an antiques store in the Cape Town suburb of Wynberg and instantly fell in love.
Another indicator of Kim’s penchant for classicism is the architecture of the house, which
走進室內設計師Kim Stephen位於開普敦郊區Bishopscourt的色彩家居，有如投入她那亮眼精彩的Pinterest專頁。鮮艷色彩滿目皆是，但同時仍能跟Kim經典而當代的風格框架配合，向建築線條、美麗布藝與另類奇異點綴致敬。
Kim的家陳列出經典主義的優雅風尚，包括無懼運用的黑、白色豐富組合，她表示：「它們能充當彩色的陪襯，與之平衡組合。」精彩對比可見鮮橙色前門跟優雅走廊和梯間相通，當中以水磨石地板和富質感的深灰色牆紙裝飾，再加上高身棕櫚樹盆栽和數幅藝術品，包括南非藝術家Stephanie Watson的絲幕創作系列。Kim在南非
“BLACK AND WHITE BASE TONES WORK AS A FOIL TO THE VIBRANT PALETTE BY GROUNDING IT”
she describes as "Georgian lines with modern edges". Before the structure was completely renovated three and a half years ago, it was a simple, rustic A-frame that’s difficult to imagine today. With husband Graham and their 10-yearold son, Jamie, the family lived here for seven years before the remodel. Their daughter Anna, who is three years old, came along in its immediate aftermath.
The open-plan living-dining-kitchen area is the heart of the house and is made even more family friendly by having a colourful kids’ play area, situated just off the kitchen space. Beyond this is a beautiful indoor-outdoor living space that was added to the house during the renovation. Reminiscent of the extensive patios and terraces that are popular in Durban and Johannesburg but are still relatively new to Cape Town houses, this "outdoor room" can be closed up during more inclement weather or completely opened to the elements during the city’s long, hot summers.
The patio area adjoins the garden, showcasing an inviting square swimming pool – as well as a marvellous wooden jungle gym for the kids, featuring a slide that runs directly into the pool. The views here are spectacular, with an uninterrupted vista of the side of Table Mountain above Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden – it’s a typical Bishopscourt view and gives the entire property a real feeling of expansiveness and freedom. Wynberg的古董店看到這批作品，並一見鍾情。
對熱愛經典主義的Kim來說，房子最讓她傾心的地方就是建築結構，她將之形容成「喬治王朝風格線條和現代鑲邊混搭」。三年半前未經翻新時，它只為一座簡單的田園式結構，是當下一刻難以幻想出的模樣。此前，她跟丈夫Graham與10歲兒子Jamie已在此住上了7年。3歲的Anna在房子改頭換面後才加入大家庭。
開放式客廳、飯廳和廚房屬房子重心，更考慮到一家大小的起居日常需要，於廚房旁增設色彩繽紛的孩子遊玩區。翻新期間也加設了美麗的室內戶外客廳。這間「戶外房」帶有德班和約翰尼斯堡常見的廣闊平台和露台，對開普敵樓房來說算是新型，天氣不佳時可關起來，又可以完全打開，方便享受城市的悠長炎夏。
Across the front of the dining and living space are French doors that open onto an uncovered, narrow terrace. It was originally going to have a pergola over it, says Kim, until she substituted that idea for the four huge grey planters with lime trees in them. It’s a boldly elegant idea that creates a much more modern feel than a pergola would have – and the trees provide a great supply of limes to boot.
The family’s bedrooms, as well as Kim’s petite home office – which features a fresh green ombre wallpaper by Designers Guild – are all upstairs. All these first-floor rooms lead off a hallway that has been furnished as a casual pyjama lounge and features a glorious view across Cape Town towards the distant Durbanville hills.
平台跟花園相連，可見宜人方正的泳池，還有供孩子暢玩的玩架連滑梯，滑下即能跳進水池。物業飽覽Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden上方的Table Mountain無阻隔美景，這種典型Bishopscourt景色為房子注入開揚和自由奔放的情感。
飯廳與客廳前方均建有法式大門，能打開至不受遮蔽的幼窄陽台範圍。Kim表示，該處原本建有藤架，但後來決定以四大個種有青檸樹的灰色花架代替。這出眾而優雅的意念比藤架更能有效散放現代情調，樹兒本身更能不停長出青檸供一家享用。