Pearl Valley 334 has been designed by SAOTA Architects for a young family looking to re-locate from city living to a more relaxed country lifestyle in Cape Town, South Africa. The couple wanted to raise their young family in the exclusive Pearl Valley Golf estate, located near Paarl, just 30 minutes away from Cape Town. The owners approached ANTONI ASSOCIATES to create an interior that was modern but with an emphasis on ‘barefoot luxury’ and the use of natural materials.

The house has been designed around a central landscaped courtyard with a reflective pond. On entering the house, one crosses a foyer bridge which is flanked by wet-walls cascading down ribbon-stone clad feature walls. The formal lounge is a large double-volume cathedral-like space with a trussed ceiling which is overlooked by the mezzanine study situated above the formal dining room. The dining area features a horizontal strip-fireplace which has been placed level with the dining table. A feature hooped-glass chandelier cascades over the waney-edge French oak table.

Linking the formal areas to the entertainment rooms, the kitchen looks out onto the central courtyard. Custom designed soft leather and steel barstools from OKHA Interiors provide seating around the central island. A floating stair leads up to the four en-suite bedrooms.

The family entertainment level flows out onto the front terrace and infinity pool, incorporating a number of entertainment areas such as a TV lounge, an indoor grill and a bar adjacent to the courtyard. Floating steps over the reflective pond lead to the bar area, which has a decked spa overlooking the pool. The bar area is also linked to an outdoor “boma”, which is a casual enclosure with seating area around a fire-pit.

Subtle lighting has been incorporated in all recesses and feature bulkheads to give a warm glow to peripheral edges. Concealed lighting has also been used to highlight and accentuate the organic natural finishes. The interior furniture and decor is modern and adds to the experience of the home. Tactile finishes including timber, textured leathers and raw linens add a sophisticated sense of understated luxury.

Photos: Adam Letch