HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN

Tightly edited furnishings create a modern, adaptable take on apartment living in this blushpink addition to the Cape Town skyline

Compared to the generic boxy grey new builds that havepoppedupinFresnaye–atrendyneighbourhood beneath the shadow of Cape Town’s Table Mountain and just above Sea Point promenade – the Clarens building is a blush-pink breath of fresh air. For Dawid Augustyn, who worked with developers Malcolm Kluk and Christiaan Gabriël du Toit of KLûK CGDT and Hours Clear Architects as the project’s quantity surveyor, it was the block’s uniqueness that convinced him to call it home.

‘I appreciated that, architecturally, it had real character, but there were three other compelling aspects that spoke to how I enjoy living,’ explains Dawid. ‘The connection to the outdoors and nature was important. Then there were the rooms, which have an openness and abundance of natural light that means they never feel energy-sapping. Lastly, as a designer, I bonded big time with the colour palette.’ A feature wall of millennial pink is offset in each apartment by touches of charcoal, stone and caramel, plus nude, buff and cocooning tones. ‘It’s a very grounding ambience.’

As well as being expert in building consultancy, Establishment, the company Dawid founded 15 years ago, is also an interior design studio, representing a roster of leading brands from DCW Éditions to the likes of Woud and New Works. Every piece he champions, including his own range of furniture, ties into his love of multifunctional, hardworking design. ‘How we live now,’ he muses, ‘is very adaptive. We’re a generation of natural nomads. I like the idea that a chair can be around a dining table one day and at your desk or even outside on the terrace the next.’ All the designs for his own compact apartment were chosen with exactly this idea in mind. They are, he says, ‘easy to be around’.

As you enter the duplex, the Miniforms dining table is the main focal point of the open-plan living area, with its curved metal legs echoing the sculptural motifs of the architecture. Its terrazzo top is similarly inspired, resembling the crazy-paving floors of the lobbyandcourtyards.Upstairs,thebedroomhasbeen mindfully appointed to avoid blocking the view over the pool, garden and rooftops to the ocean beyond. The four-poster lightly anchors the space, while an ingenious bedside table by Woud offers shelves that can be adjusted to accommodate what you need.

Witty and flexible designs like these contribute to the kind of comfort that comes from living in a space that works, not just on paper, but every day. Ahomethatiscontemporary,relevantandexpressive. establishment.co.za; klukcgdt.com; hoursclear.com

‘How we live now is very adaptive. We’re a generation of natural nomads. A chair can be around a dining table one day and at your desk or even outside the next’

Witty and flexible designs contribute to the kind of comfort that comes from living in a space that works, not just on paper, but every day

‘The rooms have an openness and abundance of natural light that means they never feel energy-sapping’

Living area Behind the ‘Offset’ sofa by Norm Architects for Menu, the arch-shaped artwork is by Rosie Mudge from Smith Studio, while the marble ‘Plinth’ coffee table is also by Norm Architects for Menu. Upon it sit playful sculptures by Nabeeha Mohamed, also from Smith Studio. The green ‘Bernard’ chair is by Shane Schneck for Hay and the ‘Remi’ chair is by La Grange Interiors. By the doors to the balcony and pool is a ‘Come Here’ side table by Woud that can be used inside and out. A ‘Kelly’ sideboard by Emmanuel Gallina for Poliform acts as a TV unit. Beneath it all sits a design by Mae Artisan Rugs

Dining room Designed by Alain Gilles for Miniforms, the ‘Barry’ dining table’s curved legs mimic the forms of the surrounding architecture. The ash and rattan chairs are by Meuble and the pendant light is the ‘Aaro’ by Simon Schmitz for DCW Éditions. The optimistic Rainbow, 2019 painting above the bespoke blue sideboard is by Nabeeha Mohamed Kitchen Extending out to the balcony, the deep granite countertop cleverly makes this space feel larger and offers plenty of room for braai (barbecue) prep. The cabinets are bespoke and the appliances are all from Siemens. Homeowner Dawid Augustyn stands beside a work by local photographer Thandiwe Msebenzi, bought at Cape Town’s Smith Studio

Opposite The stairs act as an extra display area, with a marble ‘Kizu’ table lamp by Lars Tornøe for New Works and a sculptural ‘Beosound Balance’ speaker by Benjamin Hubert for Bang & Olufsen Guest bedroom This upholstered bed, with its wingback headboard, was chosen to provide a cocooning feel – for a similar style, try ‘Basket’ by Mauro Lipparini for Bonaldo. Architectural ceiling lighting by Establishment is joined by a DCW Éditions wall light and artworks by Claire Johnson and Dale Lawrence from Smith Studio Bathroom This ensuite space features fittings from South African brand Your Space Bathrooms

Exterior The pink-pigmented concrete façade of the block has an open brickwork screen that, at night, glows like a lantern on the Cape Town skyline Workspace Situated in the bedroom, the ‘Jumbo’ by Paolo Cappello for Miniforms acts as a desk and dressing table. The ‘Paperclip’ chair is by South African designer Joe Paine, the vase is by Utopia & Utility, and the artwork is by Claire Johnson, from Smith Studio. An upholstered ‘Roly Poly’ chair by Faye Toogood for Driade sits by the window Main bedroom The four-poster bed from South African brand SHF Home is paired with an adaptable ‘Tray’ shelf upon which sits a ‘Tangent’ lamp, both by Woud, and a ‘Beosound 2’ speaker by Bang & Olufsen. A grey marble ‘Plinth’ by Norm Architects for Menu provides space for extra bedtime reading. The bed linen is from H&M and Weylandts, while the Gladrags artwork is by Claire Johnson, from Smith Studio See Stockists page for details