Style Guide SOUTH AFRICAN

Take a page from Illze’s book to get this cool South African vibe in your own farmhouse.

1. CHOOSE NEUTRAL TONES. Illze decorated with varying shades of brown, black, tan and white, giving the barn a clean, elegant feel. She didn’t shy away from rustic elements such as the rafters and parts of the exposed brick walls, which adds to the rustic farmhouse feel. South African tones tend toward more black and white, even with elements like the barn rafters.

2. LEAVE ROOM. South African and Australian homes tend to have lots of space, and Illze matched that feel in the barn by not filling up every nook and cranny with furniture or décor. Let some of the walls remain blank, and it’s fine to have white sheets on the bed when the walls are also white.

3. SIMPLE STYLE. While creating great design with texture, Illze also added breathing space by not texturing every wall, floor and ceiling. Let some walls be smooth and blank, and let the architecture and décor items you do choose for the space be the stars of the show.

4. INTEGRATE NATURAL ELEMENTS. This is a central feature of the American farmhouse too, but there are different types of plants in South Africa. Don’t be afraid to bring in some exotic species that will add a little flair to your house. Illze used flowers, branches and even natural items like bird nests as décor pieces, bringing the outside in.

Illze converted the farm’s old milking shed into a second guest bedroom. She carried the boho farmhouse theme into this space by using neutral tones, varying textures and a tasteful number of plants. “It just felt right to create sliding track shutters, considering the history of the rooms,” she says.

In addition to having a farmhouse feel, the second bathroom also reflects the milking shed’s heritage. The concrete basins mimic feeding troughs that would have originally existed in the space, and the exposed pipes and fittings are timelessly appropriate. The ceiling is a South African take on ceiling paneling, with lengths of bamboo.

A mezzanine storage area looks down onto the bedroom and serves as a lofty retreat and reading space. A matching one can be found on the opposite end of the barn above the kitchen. By repurposing a farm ladder, Illze created a staircase to access the elevated area. “In winter, the mezzanines are particularly warm–– they’re a great place to relax,” she says.

With crisp white linens and a simple design approach, the bedroom has a serene atmosphere. The double vintage headboards and wood side tables give the space a boho touch. When you look out the window, you can see the property’s beautiful courtyard.

Installing a bathroom beneath the mezzanine was an opportunity to break away from the home’s open plan concept. A steel and frosted glass structure separates it from the rest of the barn and adds spa-like luxury. “I didn’t want to build a wall because I change my mind a lot,” says Illze. “I preferred something less permanent in the space.”

The second bathroom has a large freestanding shower with a concrete floor. The wood on the ceiling and the greenery on the wall add an earthy, boho element to this indoor spa. Once again, Illze and Hannes put their creative minds to work to construct the mirror, seen on the left.

Illze added plenty of personal touches throughout Langskurr. She sourced many furniture pieces from the farm––dating back five generations––and incorporated some of her family’s heirlooms into her design. For instance, the kitchen features a basket her grandmother used to collect flowers from her garden. Elsewhere, Ilzze has a storage unit that her father used to display grain in his country store.