The cretestone finish of the floors and walls, as with most of the house, has been left to weather without any intervention. The freestanding staircase leads to son Dax’s bedroom.
The minimalist nature of the bedroom and the gentle, filtered light is a study in serenity. Gorgeous Russian bed linen and air perfumed by distinctive French home fragrance add layers of sensory luxury.
Pillar candles wrapped with gold craft wire are immensely usable long after Christmas has passed. Here they are displayed on an inherited chest of drawers.
The bathroom walls are made from a mix of beach sand and concrete and juxtapose with the modern stainless steel fittings. trickles down to the smallest details, such as toothbrushes, toiletries and body products. Algria’s pared- down aesthetic
3. Spray paint is an easy way to indulge your creativity. Coat found objects from nature such as seed pods and dried flowers in antique gold and copper for an understated glow. Fynbos, spray painted black, is an edgy interpretation of the idea. Apply the same technique in creating the garlands using gold and copper craft wire. 4. Keep gift-wrapping simple and rustic. Crinkle brown Kraft paper and plain newsprint into tight balls and then spread out for use. You’ll be left with an organic, crushed linen look. Give each present its own unique treatment: experiment with white and brown twine and use fynbos – plain or spray painted – as well as spray painted seed pods as embellishment. Wrap the twine casually so as to have a more informal appearance.
5. Strings of fairy lights are a Christmas essential: left in vases, in the fireplace, draped over the mantle, around door frames or hanging from the ceiling in the corner of a room. 6. Approach a monochromatic table setting like a fashion designer focusing on layering and texture: think shades of chalk, grey, charcoal and bone; anchor the scheme with a beautiful linen tablecloth; set places with vintage silver-plated cutlery, rough-edged linen napkins tied with hemp string and handmade crockery (black adds drama); arrange a mix- and-match assortment of upcycled glassware for sprigs of fynbos and candles; and add final flourish in the form of gold and copper spray painted seed pods.
7. Serve your guests a deconstructed ‘naked’ cake: make two classic sponges (one large, one medium) and trim them into circular shapes. Layer only the tops of each cake with buttercream frosting (hence the term ‘naked’) and sprinkle on a fine layer of edible glitter. Embellish with springs of fynbos or woody herbs. 8. Wrap thick pillar candles of varying sizes with gold or copper craft wire for a personalised style flourish.
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