Sea and sky Moody hues set the tone of this beachside home

LAYERS OF MOODY HUES SET THE STUNNING TONE IN AN INTERIOR DESIGNER’S BEACHSIDE HOME

With its panoramic views across the magnificent Atlantic Ocean, the terrace of Sumari’s Cape Town home could easily be the bow of a luxury cruise ship. Like the rest of the home, the terrace radiates understated elegance, but it’s not in any sense a ‘show space’. It’s all about the warmth and everyday ease of a practical family home, which Sumari, her property developer husband, Gerhard, and their children, Nicola, 11, and Luan, 10, have adored living in since it was completed two years ago.

Built on a narrow double plot, the structure was designed by Archilab, an award-winning architectural practice based in Cape Town. “Our brief was quite simple really,” explains Sumari, whose company, La Grange Interiors, took care of interior finishes, joinery designs and soft furnishings. “We wanted a contemporary family home that takes full advantage of the views of the ocean. And we wanted the indoor-outdoor flow of the house to work well, with the two spaces complementing each other.”

Sumari says that as the design of the house evolved, her ideas for the interior gradually took shape. Due to the constraints of the site’s narrow footprint, it has five levels linked by a stunning central staircase boasting glass balusters and dark wood details (there’s also a lift for convenience). “I wanted the staircase to be a prominent design feature,” she says, explaining that all of the action takes place on the fourth floor. Mostly open-plan, this space includes the kitchen, scullery, bar and living-and-dining area that opens through onto the expansive terrace – and a much-loved plunge pool. There’s also a landscaped rear courtyard. The separate areas are designed to “seamlessly blend into each other, creating a very relaxed and intimate environment for entertaining and family time,” says Sumari, who enhanced the laid-back, yet refined, atmosphere by combining dark, textured timber floors with black stone and taupe carpets, meticulously layered with reworked Persian rugs and kilims. Moody shades of charcoal, anthracite and stone abound, with splashes of colour throughout that can easily be updated.

It’s quite a departure from the decor of your average beach house, with Sumari deliberately avoiding any hint of standard nautical cliches. Rather than accentuating the harsh afternoon sun with bright whites and blues, she has instead underplayed it, introducing a relaxing sense of cosiness and intimacy. “Even our ‘white’ walls are a very soft, warm shade of white,” she explains. Another key technique was to use fewer – but oversized – pieces of furniture in order to help complement the generously proportioned spaces.

In the main bedroom – and indeed almost everywhere in the house, including the living spaces and her covetable top-floor home office – Sumari’s signature layers of tactile textures draw the eye, and hand. “I love fabric that gives you the feeling you need to run your fingers over the surface,” she says. “To me, the layering of contrasting textures is one of the most important ingredients in soft furnishing. And I feel that texture adds character and depth.” The evidence in her sumptuous, yet intimate, home suggests she’s absolutely right.

“HAVE A BIT OF FUN decorating KIDS’ ROOMS. THEY ARE ONLY KIDS FOR A SHORT TIME” ~ SUMARI

COOL & CALM High above the beaches of Cape Town is the sumptuous family home that elite South African interior designer Sumari Krige calls home. The view from the kitchen and dining area looks out to the front deck (below), with the Atlantic Ocean beckoning beyond. The Cortona outdoor table and Modena Low dining chairs by Borek are all from La Grange Interiors, designed for ultimate relaxation over long lunches and dinners alfresco. >

LIVING & DINING AREA The open-plan living, dining and kitchen area (top left & opposite) has an inky colour palette that’s all about understated elegance and easy living. The oversized ‘Jonny’ hanging pendants add a dramatic touch (Zanui’s ‘Gaia Elegance’ pendant light is similar), as do the solid oak ‘Ed’ dining table, ‘Alfonso’ dining chairs and ‘Tomaz’ sofa (try the Cleon sofa from Blu Dot for a similar style), all from La Grange Interiors. KITCHEN The boldly sculptural kitchen island (top right) features a gas hob by Smeg and an Ottavo mixer tap from Lavo. Sumari designed the sensational joinery that takes inspiration from the surrounding landscape. The ‘L’Usine’ bar stools by District Eight (for similar, try the ‘Bistro’ bar stools from Vavoom) add a textural balance (and retro vibe) while the Dutz glass vase from La Grange Interiors reflects the super-sized proportions.

LIVING AREA Dark oak floors and a concrete fireplace form a strong textural foundation in the living area (below). The ‘Reloaded’ Persian rug (for similar, try Temple & Webster’s ‘Navy Art Moderne Cezanne’ rug) and a chunky ‘Tomaz’ sofa upholstered in Marble, by Casamance, are an invitation to relax. A pair of ‘Hudson’ lounge chairs, and a ‘Bressle’ brass side table (for similar, try the Temple & Webster Antique Brass ‘Mars’ side table) complete the look. >

TERRACE Sunset is definitely a magical time of the day, with an L-shaped Portofino sofa by Borek providing the perfect spot for Sumari to relax (top right). The multi-textured cushions and planters add to the resort vibe and are all from La Grange Interiors.

DECK Nicola and Luan are happy to make the most of the plunge pool on the far side of the deck (right). The wooden Trenton loungers (get the look with ‘Portsea’ sunlounges from theteakplace.com.au) are the perfect additions to create the resort-style experience. >

CASUAL LOUNGE On the same floor as the children’s bedrooms, the casual lounge (top left) is designed to be a relaxed place where Nicola and Luan can enjoy hanging out on their own or with friends. Sumari designed the custom-made storage unit on the wall, which houses books and toys as well as a television. The ‘Pod’ sofa from La Grange Interiors is ideal for lounging. For a similar turquoise rug, try the Ultra Vintage Persian Rug from AURugs.

BATHROOM The open-plan dressing area and bathroom (top left) in the main bedroom features a custom-built double vanity, with Agape mixer taps from Lavo. The raffia fabric featured on the pouffe and the striped cotton rug add layers of tactile textures, while a wood and glass tray of old apothecary bottles adds warmth to the modern scheme.

LUAN’S BEDROOM Sumari designed these sleek, yet cave-like bunk beds for Luan (pictured) to retreat to for some reading. Comfortable piles of pillows and linen in gentle tones soften the lines. >

MAIN BEDROOM Sumari and Gerhard’s tranquil bedroom (top right & opposite) is a classic example of Sumari’s laid-back yet luxuriously lush style, with natural materials and textures taking centre stage. The custom-designed bed, ‘Roberto’ bedside table and ‘Vasco’ lamp are from La Grange Interiors. A trio of artworks (by, from left to right, Anton Karstel, Willem Boshoff and Stephen Hobbs) makes the ideal understated choice for the scheme. The striking use of ‘Cerano’ mirrors from La Grange Interiors makes a grand style statement.

ENSUITE A spa-like scene is created in the guest bedroom’s ensuite bathroom, with an impressive outlook to the Atlantic Ocean. The ‘Singapore’ rattan and steel chair, ‘Pill’ stool and ‘Olivio’ ceramic planter from La Grange Interiors provide a stylishly curated collection. CONTACTS Architect Archilab, archilab.co.za. Interior designer Sumari Krige, La Grange Interiors, lagrangeinteriors.co.za.