TROORA_Living_Summer_Issue_2023

This issue dives into the stories of the under-represented efforts of LGBTQ+-owned emerging brands, creatives, and entrepreneurs. We demonstrate LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs' success and ability to thrive in business while remaining true to their identity. In our newly added section, "Troo Spotlight," we bring the stories of three of my personal friends in the beauty industry, makeup artists and entrepreneurs Freddy Lopez and Mercedes Gramajo, and hair stylist Robert Douglas. In Home Design, Nigerian-born Stephanie Fintan, founder and creative director of Studio Fintan, based in Ontario, Canada, shares her focus on elevating living spaces through accessible e-design. Get ready to drool in Culinary as we bring you six features taking us through the experiences and stories of some established and up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Be inspired by SF-based chocolatier Carol Gancia. Jake Bullock and Luke Anderson are co-owners of Cann Social Tonics, the best-selling THC Beverage in the U.S., and the no-nonsense Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza talks about all things food and more. In travel, contributing writer Filipa Araújo transports us with her mesmerizing imagery and writing in "Free to Travel Queer." I am obsessed with Rich Mnisi and the Phluid project's initiatives, designs, and bold, colorful energy in fashion. This issue will dazzle and take you on a fun and colorful journey of learning about the revolutionary brands and entrepreneurs in the LGBTQ+ space. Be Inspired!

L I V I N G

This Cape Town home combines its BREATHTAKING location with clean-lined architectures Into the Light

Entering an unfamiliar state of CONSCIOUSNESS is the ultimate escape Take Five In Bali

Barmen are the new rock stars of the taste world and LUKE WHEARTY leads the pack from Australia Shaken

SUMMER ISSUE

Lucid Motors Luxury mobility company reimagining what a car can be.

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vintage-inspired yet refined and modern colored glass collection that starts a revival of colored glass that is reminiscent of a past time

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swim and lounge wear sustainable and inclusive designed for fit, comfort, and versatility

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Our inaugural rosé features an alcohol content of 11.4%, a total acidity of 0.71 grams per liter, a pH of 3.21 grams per liter, and almost no residual sugar, truly making it 'bone dry'

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HOORAY FOR ROSÉ

Plant-based designs bringing the outside in & celebrating the natural world

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A carefully chosen selection of items for people that enjoy “ the finer things in life. ”

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Peruvian Wall Mirror - Crescent Moon

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Founder TRYSTANNE CUNNINGHAM

CREATIVE ART DEPARTMENT Creative Director TRYSTANNE CUNNINGHAM EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Editor In Chief TRYSTANNE CUNNINGHAM Copy Editor AMANDA ORAHA Editorial Design Director SHERDELLAH ANUNCIADO Creative Art Director ANDRES MALDONADO Proofreading CRISTINA DEPTULA

ART DEPARTMENT Graphic Design Director SAMMY CAMPANER Asset Creator MUHAMMAD ASIM Photo Editor ALAA AL-SAEED Photo Editor ZAIN AL-TAWEEL Brand Strategy Graphic Designer JANINE AIGNER ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Global Brand Outreach KATIE LISTER European Brand Outreach MANSOUR NDIAYE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT Operations Director TRYSTANNE CUNNINGHAM ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT Executive Administrative Assistant RONA MAGLINES Virtual Administrative Assistant INNAH MARIE ALMARENIA

WRITING DEPARTMENT Contributing Writer MICHAEL DAKS Contributing Writer NIZIE LOKMAN Contributing Writer JESSE ADUMA

Culinary Contributing Writer CARY WONG Contributing Writer CRISTINA DEPTULA Travel Contributing Writer FILIPA ARAÚJO Fashion & Beauty Contributing Writer STELLA POLIZOIDOU Beauty Contributing Writer NEHA SURADKAR Contributing Writer GEORGE DIKE Contributing Writer KEVIN JEFFREY JAMES Contributing Writer MRUDAVI PUNEKAR Contributing Writer HIRA TUFAIL Contributing Writer TRACY CHEMALY Contributing Writer ROBYN ALEXANDER Contributing Writer VICKI SLEET Contributing Writer MANDY ALLEN Contributing Writer TUDOR CARADOC-DAVIES Contributing Writer GRAHAM WOOD Contributing Writer TARA SLOGGETT Contributing Writer DANIELA KRATZ STYLING DEPARTMENT Styling Contributor SHELLEY STREET Styling Contributor SVEN ALBERDING Styling Contributor TILLE DEL NEGRO PHOTOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT Contributing Photographer MICHAEL DAKS Contributing Photographer GAELLE BELLER Contributing Photographer WARREN HEATH Contributing Photographer ELSA YOUNG Contributing Photographer GREG COX Contributing Photographer KWAME ACHEAMPONG Contributing Photographer COURAGE MUEGBEYOGHO Contributing Photographer GILBERT ASANTE

MARKETING DEPARTMENT Marketing Director KWESI DONTOH

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING DEPARTMENT Social Media Director JUSTICE ANN CUENCA

FINANCE DEPARTMENT Finance Director RONA MAGLINES

WEB & SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT Web Coordinator MRUDAVI PUNEKAR Web Design Director MATT SCHULER Systems & Operations Director ALESSIO MONINO PRESS DEPARTMENT Press & Public Relations BARBARA WICHMAN

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STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD Beautiful Things that Last

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TrooRa’s Sustainability Efforts

TrooRa is committed to building a sustainable business model promoting and protecting the environment . Our digital platform on troora.com offers a conscious approach, creating an immersive space. With your help in building robust online support, TrooRa will print fewer magazines to ensure we remain a leader in the industry. However, when TrooRa produces print issues, we will uphold the highest quality in sustainable standards.

The magazine you are reading is:

printed on fully recycled paper

printed with vegetable-based ink and biodegradable laminates

printed in close proximity to our markets in an effort to reduce distribution emissions

TrooRa’s Reforestation Commitment

TrooRa's reforestation commitment in partnership with a leading environmental organization, Click A Tree, advances towards a greener future through our global communities collective impact. For every print subscription or print copy sold, a portion of the proceeds is donated to advance our efforts to actively fight climate change. Join us in this noble cause and let's make the world a better place, one tree at a time. Order your copy of our magazine today and help us plant more trees! In Ghana , we plant over 20 different tree species, through our reforestation system called “syntropic farming”, which creates both a forest and fruit trees, enabling the local community to eat and sell the fruit, as we create a forest. We also support an educational program teaching Ghanaians entrepreunership. In Thailand , we plant over 40 different tree species, creating a habitat for elephants and other endangered animals, as well as a food source for the local community and the animals. In the Philippines , we plant 13 different tree species and for each tree planted, we remove 1 kg of plastic from the ocean in the Philippines.

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Trystanne Cunningham Editor-In-Chief Creative Director Founder

Charles Schoenberger

Editor’s Note

TrooRa Living’s Summer issue inspires cool shades for a peaceful space. From leafy greens to bold blues, combining an array of materials and textures that range from natural stone to wood, linen, bamboo, river pebbles, and more, you are sure to be inspired to create a colorful makeover in your own home for a summer feeling that will last all year. Seasons are a great catalyst for change. Magical things happen when we take space from our everyday grind. Every month, the day after we send the magazine to the printer, our staff changes scenery. We go beyond the screens of our computers to dream up big ideas and make plans for our upcoming issues. The idea for this TrooRa Living publication was, in fact, born. We had the idea to create this additional seasonal issue, and before we knew it, a collective decision to move from publishing five issues per year increased to nine. Enter our first-ever TrooRa Living Summer Issue. In this standalone resource for our readers, we chose summer design inspiration. Incredibly, each of the home design features in this issue is distinctly different, yet all illustrate a common truth: interior decorators and designers are interpreters—artists of space who take a vision and make it come to life. We hope you find the inspiration for the rooms in your life—perhaps for a space that takes you away from your routine and is a haven for your imagination. In Travel, Carmen Jenner enters an unfamiliar state of consciousness in the ultimate escape by discovering the ideal diversion from reality at Fivelements, Puri Ahimsa in Bali’s hilltop town of Ubud. In Wellness, learn about infrared saunas and Angela Sinnett’s depth and heart to healing through Magnolia Wellness as she tells us how her clinic breathes gratitude and transformation. We’ve also compiled a selection of some of our stellar dishes and emerging recipes from some new daring food lovers. However you choose to use this issue, we hope it becomes motivational and inspirational for you and your loved ones over this summer season.

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L I V I N G

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ethically grown, certified-organic hemp and essential oils

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LUXURY HEAT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IMMERSING ADVENTURE SEEKERS INTO THE SOCIAL TRADITION OF THE HOOKAH EXPERIENCE

CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS ISSUE

WARREN HEATH

Contributing Photographer

CRISTINA DEPTULA Contributing Wr i ter

SHERDELLAH ANUNCIADO Editorial Design Di rec tor

ANDRES MALDONADO Creative Art Di rec tor

AMANDA ORAHA Copy Editor

TRYSTANNE CUNNINGHAM Editor-in-Chief

PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THIS ISSUE

GREG COX

BUREAUX

ELSA YOUNG

ISTOCK

SHELLEY STREET St y l i ng Contributor

SVEN ALBERDING St y l i ng Contributor

FILIPA ARAÚJO Trave l Contributing Wr i ter

ROBYN ALEXANDER Contributing Wr i ter

TUDOR CARADOC- DAVIS Contributing Wr i ter

GREG COX

VICKI SLEET Contributing Wr i ter

Contributing Photographer

PARTICA

WARREN HEATH

UNSPLASH

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CONTENTS

Home Design & Decor

48 56 68 78

LET’S GO OUTSIDE PERFECTLY PETITE IN YOUR DREAMS POWER NEUTRALS

90 INTO THE LIGHT 102 PACKAGED IN NATURE Culinary

1 14 128 142

WILD AT HEART

SHAKEN

FOUR SIMPLE FOOD CHOICES

Let’s Go Outside 48 10 OF THE BEST DREAMY VERANDAS

78 Power Neutrals TEN OF THE BEST SERENE, COMPOSED AND RELAXING LIVING ROOMS

Four Simple Food Choices IT’S DIFFICULT TO LOSE WEIGHT. AND IT’S EVEN HARDER TO KEEP IT OFF. 142

The World’s Finest, Consciously Made Handbags

behno.com

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Healthy beauty that works.

The Dara Kennedy Sea Serum is an innovative hydrating, multi- dimensional, and adaptive serum for more vibrant, resilient skin. It starts by addressing what your skin craves the most, and its benefits build on one another in an intelligent, cumulative way.

Travel

152 160 168

TAKE FIVE IN BALI THE MAINE EVENT HIDDEN TREASURES

Wellness

182 188 196 202 208

DIVINE PUZZLE

SELF LOVE

HEALTH CHECK THE HEAT IS ON

The Heat is On 202 INFRARED SAUNA IS NO BETTER FOR YOUR HEALTH THAN TRADITIONAL SAUNA: BUSTING A COMMON WELLNESS MYTH

WHEN HOPE REAPPEARS

Hidden Treasures 168 UNCOVER 11 OF THE WORLD’S

MOST SECLUDED PROPERTIES THAT YOU WON’T FIND ONL INE

Divine Puzzle 182 ANGELA SINNETT BRINGS

DEPTH AND HEART TO HEALING THROUGH MAGNOLIA WELLNESS AND TELLS HOW HER CLINIC INSPIRES GRATITUDE AND TRANSFORMATION

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48 LET’S GO OUTSIDE BY ROBYN ALEXANDER 10 inspiring ideas for creating a secluded outdoor living areas 56 PERFECTLY PETITE BY ROBYN ALEXANDER 10 of The Best Small Swimming Pools 68 IN YOUR DREAMS BY ROBYN ALEXANDER 10 of The Best Modern-Romantic Bathrooms 78 POWER NEUTRALS BY ROBYN ALEXANDER Ten of the best serene, composed and relaxing living rooms 90 INTO THE LIGHT BY ROBYN ALEXANDER This Cape Town home combines its breathtaking location with clean-lined architecture 102 PACKAGED IN NATURE BY ROBYN ALEXANDER This coastal home blends in with its natural surroundings

home design & decor

Let’s Go Outside 10 of the best dreamy verandas Perfect for summer lounging and alfresco entertaining alike,

verandas are among many homeowners

favorite spaces – especially in warm climates. Here are 10 inspiring ideas for creating a secluded outdoor living area where you’ll simply love to spend time

ALFRESCO FEAST This recently renovated cottage in a small country town is the home base of the creative director of a textile company who was born and bred in the area, and its typical vernacular features – such as shady verandas running the full length of both sides of the house – are complemented by personal touches that bring in color and texture via salvaged pieces, plants, art and books. This veranda at the rear of the cottage sports a charming view across the adjacent fields, and is furnished for lounging and chatting on one side, and meals taken outdoors with family and friends on the other. Tip The dining table is made from upcycled wood that came from homeowner and textile designer Frances van Hasselt’s (francesvh.com) family’s nearby dairy farm, and the vintage spindle-back dining chairs were inherited from an old friend. Frances made the mobile-style artwork on the wall – with friend and fellow designer Leandi Mulder – from shells, driftwood and plastic toy dinosaurs.

PRODUCTION BY: SVEN ALBERDING, TILLE DEL NEGRO PHOTOGRAPHED BY: GREG COX, WARREN HEATH, ELSA YOUNG WRITTEN BY: ROBYN ALEXANDER

PERGOLA PERFECT Their brief to the architects, say the homeowners of this laid-back holiday home, included a request “to expand our outside area, which was achieved by introducing classic Mallorquin-style pergolas”. The resulting veranda spaces now combine easy simplicity with an absolutely authentic aesthetic, but they were far from easy to get right, she adds: the challenge was to ensure that they would be “in complete harmony with nature and the house”. Tip Here, architects More Design (moredesign.es) added a new river-stone floor, as well as improving the pergola structure and updating the planting. Structurally, the pergola consists of masonry pillars with lime plaster, plus a locally forged iron metal top frame and cross wires covered with bamboo, and a salvaged mature grape vine. The vintage wooden chair and table were sourced by the homeowners at local flea markets.

LOOK OUT Built along the natural ridgeline of the hillside, and using views as an axis to design its primary form, this contemporary getaway in the mountains – and its sleek veranda – is all about the views. Say the architects, “We wanted to make the most of the views, which are in all directions, [and] create outdoor living spaces from which to enjoy them.” The homeowners love to lounge under the pergola and watch the resident Pale Chanting Goshawks hunting the slopes of the other side of the valley. Tip Architects Andrew Payne and Miguel Ferreira-da-Silva of Migs + Drew Architects (migsdrew.com) were briefed to create a contemporary take on a mountain cabin. The homeowners have a particular admiration for natural, traditional Malawi cane furniture, which led to them sourcing and distributing the product globally via Malawi Cane (canefurniturecapetown. co.za). Their raffia and cane items were ideal for this project, as the tones and textures are rooted in the landscape outside.

FARM FRESH Described by its floral-designer owner as “modern meets farmhouse”, this home on a smallholding outside a bustling country town features an inspired assemblage of objects that makes its interiors both an intellectually engaging narrative and a visual treat. Each item here reflects a personal or historic meaning: “We don’t find them – they find us. They’re mostly passed-on heirlooms, gifts, and junk-shop or reclamation yard finds,” the homeowner says. Tip Verandas are ideal spaces for creating a unique feel with inherited or vintage pieces. Floral designer and gardener Dané Erwee (okasie.co.za) says he “grew up with the blue and white plates that hang on the wall” of his home’s generously proportioned veranda. They were “my mother’s collection. I recently unpacked it, and the vine growing through it adds a new take on something old.”

MAKING ROOM A veranda running the full length of a house can be used to create a full set of outdoor “rooms”, as this inviting space demonstrates. “It’s amazing how much time we spend outdoors now,” says the homeowner. “We wanted the flexibility to dine or relax outside, and it’s given us so many options.” When it came to finishing and furniture choices, both she and her interior designer wanted to prioritize organic materials, lashings of plants, and pieces that felt more informal – and they also agreed that comfort was the top priority. Tip Decorated by interior designer Simone Hirsch (simonekatherineinteriors.com), the veranda is cooled by paddle fans from Glo Lighting (glolighting.co.za) and features lots of hanging baskets planted with ferns. The slipper chairs are covered in Maranta by Osborne & Little (osborneandlittle.com), the rattan chairs are by Cécile & Boyd (cecileandboyds.com), and the onyx side table is from Weylandts (weylandts.co.za).

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Perfectly Petite 10 OF THE BEST SMALL SWIMMING POOLS

Have you always thought you don’t have enough space for a pool? Think again – here are some inspiring ideas for smaller swimming pools that are both gorgeously inviting and small-garden appropriate

MEDITERRANEAN COOL Outdoor living need not be a complicated business, as this compact back garden of a resolutely pared-back holiday home demonstrates. On a hot summer’s day, a little shade, a table and chairs, and a simple rectangular swimming pool to plunge into regularly are, quite literally, all that one requires for complete contentment. Well… maybe a long, cold drink of some sort wouldn’t go amiss? Tip This outdoor living area is centered on the salt- water swimming pool, which has a classic blue mosaic interior and is made even more of a central feature by its raised surrounding wall – also a pleasant place to perch for a towel-down after swimming, or during a casual sundowner gathering. The shade cloth affords protection from the sun for the seating area, and can be moved around or even removed altogether, as the sun shifts its position in the sky.

PRODUCTION BY: SVEN ALBERDING PHOTOGRAPHED BY: GREG COX, WARREN HEATH, ELSA YOUNG WRITTEN BY: ROBYN ALEXANDER

ON THE SIDE Neatly tucked into a weathered wooden deck alongside a compact, newly built contemporary home, this fairly long but narrow pool is perfect for leisurely laps (it’s also well suited to quick dips by the homeowner’s Jack Russell terrier, we’re told) and nicely demonstrates just how to make the very most of a small space along the side of a house. Tip Adding a special decorative touch is always a good idea: this pool is edged with handmade aquamarine stoneware slabs that were specially commissioned to match the crockery set the homeowner’s ceramicist mother made for him, and which is regularly used to serve alfresco feasts at the nearby outdoor dining table.

FRESH PERSPECTIVE “We had always wanted a pool hanging off a cliff,” says the owner of this weekend property in the mountains. While he and his wife were out on a hike, they spotted a small recess in the mountainside here that presented the perfect position for precisely that dream pool – and it soon became the desired location around which they built their enviable retreat. Tip Perfect for cooling off in post-hike, this pool is all about its position and the views, as the terrace on which it is set drops away steeply from the pool’s edge to the valley below, and looks out at the mountain peak rising beyond. Perfectly positioned for the sunset are wicker loungers from Malawi Cane (canefurniturecapetown.co.za).

LEVEL UP Tucked into a tiny linear space alongside an equally compact house, this lap pool has been designed to make the very most of a small footprint. The stepped level changes, a strategically placed sailcloth shade over a simple built-in bench, and potted creepers adding greenery to the boundary wall alongside the pool all combine to make the entire area feel more spacious – as well as delightfully inviting. Tip Planting fast-growing creepers to clamber up the whitewashed brick wall adds a further dimension of texture, softening the space and adding an organic counterpoint to the architecture. The outdoor sofa is from La Grange Interiors (lagrangeinteriors.co.za).

FARM STYLE Located on an isolated farmstead in a semi-desert, water-scarce landscape, this small pool is modelled on the simple plastered water-storage tanks of the area. With its locally inspired design, the shade of pink in which it’s painted, and the fact that a winding pathway leads to it from the house, the pool is rather like a quirky piece of land art – albeit one in which a quick dip at any time of the day is a practical way to cool down and feel refreshed. Tip The pool has been painted pink to suit the house’s moniker, Pink Hill Karoo – the homeowner matched the color to a small piece of plaster she picked up in Marrakesh when walking past a house being decorated in what she immediately identified as a most intriguing (and attractive) hue.

DOUBLE DUTY The way this lap pool is integrated into the design of the house and landscaping around it means that it’s both an inviting place to swim and an eye-catching feature that adds aesthetic appeal – and a relaxed, tranquil feel – to the outdoor space. The simple, pavilion-style architecture of the house is perfectly complemented by the strong lines of the outdoor area here, including those provided by the long and narrow pool. Tip Its location – adjacent to a tropical beach – means that all the outdoor elements here take a serious battering from the elements. Hence the use of the simple screed finish around the pool’s perimeter, which can be easily cleaned and won’t fade or degrade in the sun.

LAP TIME Inspired by the work of Japanese architect Tadao Ando, this house is all about clean, minimalist lines – as is its boldly utilitarian, walled outdoor lap-pool area. Ideally suited to daily exercise, this pared- back outdoor space also has a generous retractable awning, which when deployed helps transform it into part of an indoor- outdoor living area that is connected to the main lounge area inside the house via glass folding doors. Tip The utilitarian wooden bench is the perfect item of furniture for the space – find a similar one at Cielo (cielo.co.za) or Knus (knus.co) – and makes an excellent spot for some post-swim meditation or an early morning sunbathe.

TAKE THE PLUNGE In this garden on the edge of a coastal reserve, “You plant whatever will grow,” says the homeowner. “We spent a fortune on bulbs, but lost them all overnight to a hungry porcupine.” But while the garden design was trial and error, the raised plunge pool was an instant and permanent success: the dark grey shades of the natural slate tiles on the exterior blend beautifully with the colors of the mountainside above the property. Tip It’s useful to think of a plunge pool as a water feature – in other words, as an element within a landscape design – as well as a practical resource. This area is a good example of such an approach, as the pool, a leafy canopy of Erythrina trees, and inviting outdoor furniture combine to create a most appealing space.

IN THE ROUND The fact that it’s situated alongside a recently renovated home in a country village means that this home’s new circular pool – reminiscent of the stock tanks found on all the area’s farms – feels very appropriate. The positioning of the pool has been carefully considered too: it’s located next to a storage shed that has been converted into a home office, so it’s perfect for a midday dip on a summer’s day. Tip Raised high enough that swimmers have a view over the house to the landscape beyond, this pool is also heated, making it as good a spot from which to stargaze – even on chillier nights – as it is to appreciate the ever-changing cloudscapes during the day.

SIMPLE PLEASURE Owned by an artist, this home evokes the Japanese aesthetic principle of wabi-sabi, celebrating elements of the imperfect as an essential part of any well-made and inviting design. Following a renovation this small interior courtyard-cum-backyard is now almost entirely devoted to the pool, which is so delightfully secluded, says its owner, that it is “perfect for daytime skinny dipping”. Tip Stripped back to its original, rustic clay bricks, the rear wall provides a beautifully textured backdrop to the sparkling water, while the stone slabs used around the edge of the pool are a practical choice that also adds another subtle element of natural texture to the space. The rustic, weathered wooden bench and ladder are the ideal accessory.

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In Your Dreams 10 OF THE BEST MODERN-ROMANTIC BATHROOMS

PRODUCTION BY: SVEN ALBERDING PHOTOGRAPHED BY: GREG COX, WARREN HEATH, ELSA YOUNG WRITTEN BY: ROBYN ALEXANDER

Longing for a bathroom that combines contemporary

lines with a dreamy

ambience and a classic color palette? Here are 10 pieces of visual inspiration – and some key tips regarding the practicalities – to help you create a chic yet tranquil retreat

WOOD WORKS In a newly built dream home filled with handmade pieces of contemporary design that have caught the keen eyes of its globetrotting owners, all the bathrooms have a very laid-back and simple appeal, rather than reflecting up-to-the- minute trends. The results include this relaxed guest bathing space, which exudes comfort and warmth courtesy of its natural wooden vanity unit and brushed-brass tapware. Tip Reminiscent of the classic, hard-wearing brass taps now most likely to be seen in a garden, brushed-brass mixers, shower heads and hand showers have loads of nostalgic appeal – and, what’s more, are unlikely to date quickly, as matte black or rose gold fittings probably will.

LIGHTEN UP A tranquil haven, this master bathroom is centered on a large picture window that enables its users to enjoy the views of a spacious private garden bursting with flowering and edible plants, while also enabling lots of natural light to flood into the interior. The property is a peri-urban smallholding with horse stables and paddocks, and this part of the garden has mostly been left to its own devices, with the idea that its layers will develop over time. Where better to stop and take some time to admire the greenery than this elegant oval tub? Tip A freestanding tub adds instant romantic appeal, but the practical details are vitally important too: a shelf installed along a nearby wall is essential for all the necessary bath-time accessories, toiletries and a favorite scented candle or two.

GREEN WASHING Making use of a restrained palette of materials and deep, nature-inspired colors – think milk white, dark olive green, and charcoal – this master bathroom of a barn-style family holiday home in country town is a smart study in old-fashioned elegance. Our favorite touch here is the wooden board and batten paneling used to line one wall of the space, which creates a warm backdrop and is painted in a delightfully rich shade of green. Tip A freestanding tub by Dadoquartz (dadoquartzbathware.com) stands out against the panelled wall, and the deep green paint color is Addo Skin 59 by Plascon (plascon.com). The overall design, including the selection of tapware and accessories, is by Studio 19 (studio19.co).

IN THE DETAIL This hotel-style bathroom is en suite to the master bedroom of an art-filled family home owned by a jewelery designer who is well-known for her fearless approach to color and proportion in her jewellery creations – a style that is also expressed in her interiors. Here, the all-over use of petite white floor and wall tiles with black grouting gives the bathroom a graphic sensibility that is softened by a very elegant wooden vanity unit, lightweight cotton towels, and a trailing philodendron. Tip The white ceramic tiles used here are by Douglas Jones (douglasjones.co.za), the vanity console is from Sangengalo Marble & Granite (ske.co.za), and the ceiling-mounted shower rose is from Flush Bathrooms (flushbathrooms.co.za).

GET THE BLUES This family bathroom combines practicality (plus much-needed storage space for towels, toiletries and cleaning supplies) with vintage appeal via a custom-made vanity unit painted in a deep and restful shade of blue. Topping an old cabinet or sideboard such as this one with a slab of marble, and installing a pair of oval basins on top with brushed brass tapware, is a budget-friendly recipe for giving any bathroom space some old-school charm while also making it resolutely user-friendly. Tip The ultra-simple shower cubicle, demarcated via a single pane of glass and a shift to tiled flooring, further adds to the easygoing appeal of this bathroom. And don’t neglect the storage: here, a sleek, recessed shelf in the shower area holds all the necessary accoutrements.

VEIN GLORIOUS For a young couple with small children, renovating a 100-year-old cottage on a steep slope meant transforming it into a family home with a terraced garden and charming views over densely treed suburbia – and sensitively updating even the bathrooms without simply imposing an overly contemporary aesthetic on them. Key to giving this small bathroom a pared-back yet period feel, for example, was the use of a thick slab of the couple’s favorite marble as an eye-catching vanity counter. Tip The Arabescatto marble used here hails from Italy and is characterised by dark grey veins on a crystalline, pure white background. Here, it forms the main visual attraction in the bathroom, with a luxe appeal that is perfectly set off by the classic, all-white splashback and basin.

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ALL WHITE NOW Situated in a cottage on a working wine farm, this light-filled bathroom combines its status as a relaxation zone with elegant, modern lines. The all-white floor and wall tiles enhance the back-to-basics feel, while the eye-catching centrepiece – a retro-fabulous iron bathtub, complete with wooden backrest – is a contemporary take on the iron tubs that were once hauled into kitchens and manually filled with hot water for once-a-week bathing, back in the day. Tip A further reminder of this bathroom’s rural setting is the 19th-century botanical print that hangs above the tub. The latter is the Vieques XS, which was created by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola for Agape (agapedesign.it). HOOKED ON CLASSIC Sleek and geometrical, this bathroom combines black and white to ultra-chic effect, as seen in the wall of subway tiles with black grouting, the sculptural freestanding tub and the graphic black window frames. Under foot, natural slate tiles laid in a crosshatch pattern add tactile appeal, and are warmed by underfloor heating for maximum comfort on chilly winter mornings. Another monochrome element, the floating vanity counter, provides plenty of storage and is topped with an oversized yet very elegant contemporary basin. Tip In a hard-working bathroom space, it’s essential to carefully consider the lighting. Use both a ceiling fitting – we love Jasper Morrison’s modern-classic Glo-Ball designs for Flos (flos.com) – and side-mounted task lighting at the vanity mirror, and place them on separate dimmer switches.

VINTAGE VIBES While it was necessary to add all-new bathrooms to this 100-year-old farmhouse during its recent renovation, the owners insisted that the spaces have an appropriately “period” feel as well as including all the contemporary comforts. The result – as seen in this guest suite bathroom – is an emphasis on natural materials, rich textures, honesty and simplicity, all of which combine to create a mix that celebrates the rustic charms of life on the farm. Tip There’s loads of retro appeal to get inspired by in this space, from the whimsy of the patterned floor tiles to the clean lines of the glossy black metal frames used for the shower enclosure, and the placement of the classic oval basin on sensuously turned legs.

HIS DARK MATERIALS Boldly masculine in style, this bathroom is all about strong chiaroscuro – contrasts between light and dark – that when blended with tactile materials and smart detailing, creates a strong feeling of understated glamour. Every element deployed here has been considered with care, from the natural stone wall tiles to the placement of the lighting, and the use of a floating vanity unit. It all combines seamlessly to add to the feeling of lightness and ease in a space that could otherwise have seemed confining. Tip Opening onto a verdant courtyard, this unapologetically luxe bathroom includes a sleek basin by Dadoquartz (dadoquartzbathware.com) and taps by Meir (meirblack.co.za). The floating vanity cabinet was designed, manufactured and installed by Make Furniture (makefurniture.co.za).

cacophonous, fractal, visual, symphonies

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Decorating Homes Remotely We deliver style and comfort to your doorstep

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Power Neutrals Ten of the best serene, composed and relaxing living rooms

T ransform your living room into a tranquil yet light-filled cocoon that soothes and revitalizes its occupants by employing multiple tones of creams and whites – or ultra-pale pastel shades – in combination with natural textures and details. TONE ON TONE Situated in an apartment with a layered aesthetic that is designed for laid-back family holidays, this living room’s original period features – including traditional floor tiles and pressed ceilings – enliven a neutral palette of creams, beiges and pale bamboo tones. An inviting L-shaped couch prompts thoughts of lazy lounging, and the walls have been plastered but left unpainted, giving them a subtly textured look. Tip This effortlessly easygoing apartment is owned by Danish designer Tine Kjeldsen, and the tin-framed mirrors, couch, rattan coffee table, side table, wooden stools, brass table lamp, throws and cushions are all pieces from her eponymous homeware brand, Tine K Home (tinekhome.com).

PHOTOGRAPHED BY GREG COX, WARREN HEATH, ELSA YOUNG WRITTEN BY ROBYN ALEXANDER PRODUCED BY SVEN ALBERDING, TILLE DEL NEGRO, SHELLEY STREET

INTERIOR DIALOGUE The formal living room of a home that mixes classic elements with vintage and modern pieces features a high ceiling emphasized by off-white walls and full-length curtains in a matching shade of pale, with the entire scheme anchored by a chic Carrara marble coffee table. Inside this refined frame, carefully selected fixtures and furnishings – including an expansively luxurious yet clean-lined sofa, a vintage chandelier and a contemporary standing lamp – make for a very sophisticated space. Tip A gleaming leather wingback armchair is a vintage piece, as is the teak-framed 1957 Boomerang easy chair by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, which was reupholstered in Pedroso linen from T&Co (tandco.co.za). The plaster and resin artwork above the fireplace is by Michele Mathison (michelemathison.com).

SERENITY RULES The living room of an urban cottage reveals its creative owner’s passion for layering earthy elements into a serene, monochrome palette. Light floods the space thanks to large windows, white-painted concrete floors and the high, open-truss ceiling – and the eye-catching centerpiece is a beautiful contemporary chandelier made from clay beads. The wall-mounted mirror is inspired by the form of an anemone and made of coconut sticks, and adds further natural texture to the space, as does the rustic wood side table. Tip “My personal aesthetic has been very constant,” says homeowner and design consultant Shelley Street (instagram. com/shelley.space.solutions). “I’d say my colors are ‘beach pebble’ shades rather than slavishly monochrome: white, obviously, but also charcoals, grays, chalk.” The clay bead chandelier is by Mud Studio (mudstudio.net).

WHITE HEAT The main living room in this beachside family home benefits from a double-volume ceiling that creates a spacious feel. Painting the wooden floors, walls and ceilings all in crisp white pushes the sense of seamless openness to the max, with stacked doors opening up to wooden exterior decks. Instead of using a traditional blue and white “beach” palette, the homeowners chose to punctuate all the white with textures of wood that range from wind-worn and weathered to honed and handcrafted. Tip To create similar natural-chic appeal, choose your shade – or shades; more than one might be needed – of white paint with care, then layer your interior with wood and rattan furnishings, plus decor items such as the traditional African wooden mortars and off-white ceramic pieces seen here, which serve to animate the canvas.

BLUE YONDER A boldly conceived holiday home situated on a steep mountainside blends an urbanely contemporary sensibility with elemental ease in its interiors. In the living room, natural textures are deployed with elegant restraint: the floors, for example, are made from polished locally sourced stone that will age naturally, taking on a unique patina as the years go by. Additional natural materials – wood, rattan, woven grass, leather and linen – add layered depth and a subtle sensuality to this beautiful living space. Tip The modular sofa covered in natural washed linen, the hanging lampshades and the wood and rattan occasional chairs are all by More Decor (moredesign.es), and the painting is by Spanish contemporary artist Guillem Nadal, acquired from Pelaires Gallery (pelaires.com). The scatter cushions are made from collected vintage linen and raw silk fabrics, and the luxurious cashmere throw is by Frette (frette.com).

SENSE & SENSIBILITY This country house teams its idyllic location with an earthy yet contemporary decor sensibility. Of particular note is the all-natural, hand-polished, traditional lime-based plaster – tadelakt – used on the interior walls throughout, including in this secluded living area. Featuring built-in banquettes and designed for relaxing and reading, the space contrasts soft wall, floor and upholstery tones with a textile wall hanging, cushions and old glassware that add interest to the scheme. Tip The white lime plaster used for tadelakt comes from Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains, and can be subtly coloured using pure pigments. It is built up layer by layer, then polished by hand using stones – a key part of the process, as the word tadelakt means “to rub in” or “to massage”. This gives it a handmade, slightly imperfect finish. The final step is a treatment with a natural soap solution that makes the plaster water-resistant.

UP & AWAY A large central living space – open-plan to a dining area and kitchen – forms the heart of this holiday cottage, and is slightly raised to ensure its occupants enjoy sweeping views of the nearby coastline. The room combines a casual airiness with an elegant feel, thanks to its all-white walls and high ceilings, exposed roof beams (also painted white) and sand- grey screeded floors. Likewise, the oversized sofa is ideal for holiday lounging, yet also has sleek, urbane lines. Tip Each piece chosen for the space gives a nod to the driftwood, sun-bleached pebbles and white sand of the wild coastline the home overlooks. The sofa, circular wooden coffee table and armchair are all from Weylandts (weylandts.co.za), while the wooden footstools- cum-side tables are by LIM (lim.co.za).

PASTEL PERFECT Combining a secluded location with spectacular views and layered interiors, this holiday home has a glamorous, contemporary spirit. An enclosed porch forms part of the main living space, and is light-filled all year round. The French Burgundy stone floor adds texture, while the built-in couches were designed to keep a low line to draw the eye to the horizon beyond the windows. The soft green shades used for the upholstery and cushions help ensure that the space blends beautifully into its natural surroundings. Tip The couches are upholstered in repurposed antique Mallorquin bed linen, hand-dyed with natural pigments by More Decor (moredesign.es) to create the sea-foam and olive-leaf shades. All the glass vessels and drinking glasses are made from recycled glass and were sourced from Viveca (instagram.com/viveca_spain/).

SCULPTED CHIC In a mountainside holiday home that clings to a terraced hillside and sports spectacular sea views, the cosy living room is situated two steps lower than the dining area, and features a sculptural fireplace, curvaceous built-in seating and floors combining polished stone and microcement – all in shades ranging from pure white to natural stone. Punctuated by traditional wooden ceiling beams and softened with a grass rug and fluffy sheepskins, it’s a study in effortless ease. Tip The built-in seating and plastered fireplace are organic in style and shape, creating an inviting and intimate atmosphere. Find similar sheepskins, which add loads of texture and are also ideal for warming up the space in winter – at Pergarden Produkt (pergarden.com), Scandinavian Skins (scandinavianskins.com) or IKEA (ikea.com).

DREAM OF GREEN Tucked away behind a stone wall in a lush garden, a discreetly private holiday home celebrates the simple life and includes this enclosed patio, which is an ultra-relaxed space ideal for laid-back lounging. The pre-existing concrete beams from the old porch were reused – finished in a simple lime wash – for the ceiling, and the elegantly pale floors are made from a lime mortar base, in the family of polished cement. Tip The homeowner’s mul tip le sofa components were reupholstered in a soft green linen by Tapicéria Tomas Riera in Manacor, Mallorca; similar scatter cushions and throws can be manufactured by Teixits Vicens (teixitsvicens.com). Find rustic wooden stools like these at vintage stores, or try Tine K Home (tinekhome.com).

Designed and hand-produced stoneware ceramic table lamps from the Catskill Mountains of New York

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sculpture and site-specific installations

elevating vernacular forms of knots

inspiring awe and understanding

the journey of the line

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY GREG COX PRODUCTION BY SVEN ALBERDING WRITTEN BY ROBYN ALEXANDER Into the Light This Cape Town home combines its breathtaking location with clean-lined architecture, panoramic views and considered interiors featuring a spectacular selection of contemporary design H omes on this Cape Town cul-de-sac are not easy to come by. Situated high up on the slopes of Signal Hill and overlooking the world- renowned beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, this is The street-facing facade of the house presents an intriguing aspect to visitors with an intricately patterned brise-soleil screen – created using terracotta tiles by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola (patriciaurquiola.com) – above a wall clad in Canadian cedar wood. The bold “patchwork” walkway, made from Paarl sandstone, evokes both sculpture plinths and playful childhood games of hopscotch.

probably the city’s most exclusive location, and properties aren’t regularly on the market here. The owners of this remarkable house, for example, purchased their property back in the late 1990s, following a lengthy search for just the right spot for a Cape Town home. Situated at the end of the street, a position that means it has jaw-dropping vistas in almost every direction, the plot had a small existing house on it. However, it “didn’t take full advantage of the views that made the property so special,” say the owners. “We were attracted to the location and views that the site offered,” and so, after a lengthy process of planning and approvals, the old structure was demolished to make way for something new. And the resulting house most definitely does showcase those superlative views – while also giving them a bit of healthy competition in terms of the visual appeal of its architecture and interiors. On arrival at street level, one’s eye is immediately caught by the home’s intriguing facade. A boldly “patchworked” raised stone pathway leads to the front door, which is handle-free and almost invisibly punctures a wall clad in smooth, warm-toned cedar wood. Above this rises a semi-transparent, intricately patterned brise soleil, created using thousands of slimline terracotta tiles.

Once inside the door, the sense that one has arrived somewhere special is continued in the entrance hall, which combines dramatic, triple-height proportions with a sculptural staircase. And before there is even time to take in the stairway and intriguing, poetic artwork applied directly to the wall alongside it, one’s attention is diverted by a sensational feather-clad polar bear sculpture, by Italian artist Paola Pivi. With additional lightbox artworks catching the eye under the stairs and a multi-strand pendant light fitting, this is a playful, impactful and gallery-like space. Take the long staircase up into the house, and the sense of boldness and an almost theatrical atmosphere continues. At the top is an expansive, open-plan living area – but the element that immediately draws the eye here is the spectacular 180-degree view of ocean and sky that unfolds all along one side of it. Once again, the space is filled with dramatic appeal, but as much of this is derived from the breathtaking view as it is from the considered mix of contemporary furniture and art that fills it.

In the entrance hall, the oak-clad staircase is illuminated by a multi-part ceiling light fitting by Bocci (bocci.com), while the light artworks placed under the stairs – “Alabasta” and “Lifesystem” – are by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa (jaumeplensa.com). The artwork applied directly to the wall on the left is by Singaporean artist Heman Chong (instagram.com/hemanchong).

Another curvaceous, oak-clad staircase connects the main open-plan living area with the floor above. The “Dreams” server is by Cristian Zuzunaga for Barcelona Design (bdbarcelona.com).

In the main open-plan living area, the Antonio Citterio sofas and square Diesis coffee table, by Paulo Nava, are all from B&B Italia (bebitalia.com), as are the sheepskin-clad lounge chairs. The suspended circular light fitting is by Delta Light (deltalight.com).

What the owners have achieved – both here and on the higher floors of the house – are interiors that both complement and enhance the clean lines and view- framing simplicity of the architecture. In the living area, for example, sleek Antonio Citterio sofas provide comfortable seating, but are also an ideal design selection because they don’t visually interrupt the vista to the horizon. Also notable for their beauty here are the interior finishes and fixtures, which range from sandstone and marble to wood paneling. Throughout, the palette of natural materials chosen to complete the interiors adds a feeling of ease and luxury to the spaces, while the furnishings include a plethora of prominent names in both contemporary and classic modernist design. Among the many highlights are modern classic pieces by Alvar Aalto and Le Corbusier; sculptural contemporary chairs by Tom Dixon; elegant outdoor furniture by Patricia Urquiola; and patterned rugs from Moooi. Adding unique touches are items such as the custom-made drinks cabinet by Ceramic Matters and a “pixelated” server by Cristian Zuzunaga for Barcelona Design. And the final layer takes the form of artworks that are bound to be perennial conversation starters, including an ornate bust by South African contemporary art star Athi-Patra Ruga.

Another oak-clad staircase connects the main open-plan living area with the bedroom floor above. The white vessels are from B&B Italia (bebitalia.com).

There is much to divert the eye and attention from a design point of view throughout this multilevel home, but the flow of the spaces is also organised to seemingly intuitively pull you through them – and inevitably, towards the panoramic views of the ocean at its front. Of course, the pristine and picturesque mountainside above and alongside the house is suitably celebrated too. The kitchen-dining space, for example, is perfectly situated for enjoying an alfresco breakfast, where one is positioned seemingly in the middle of nature rather than being mere minutes from the urban bustle of nearby Camps Bay and Sea Point.

The breakfast terrace is positioned to make it the perfect spot from which to enjoy the view of Lion’s Head, and is furnished with an outdoor dining table and chairs from the Gio range at B&B Italia (bebitalia.com). It’s the perfect spot for some quiet time spent enjoying breakfast alfresco and reading the newspapers, according to the homeowners.

The kitchen-dining looks out onto a light-filled internal courtyard. The Pedestal table, by Eero Saarinen, is a classic piece from Knoll (knoll.com) that is beautifully set off by Patricia Urquiola’s more contemporary Crinoline dining chairs for B&B Italia (bebitalia.com).

This service island is situated adjacent to a small outdoor dining terrace, which includes a table and chairs, and with its tranquility-inducing view of Lion’s Head, is ideally placed for enjoying morning coffee or breakfast alfresco. It’s also the perfect spot for some quiet time spent reading the newspapers, according to the homeowners.

The owners spend their southern hemisphere summers at the house, and throughout that time, invite multiple sets of visitors to stay with them. Their spacious, open-plan home lends itself perfectly to entertaining, and sunset cocktails as well as alfresco meals are regularly taken in the outdoor patio area adjacent to the top-floor “skybar” – as the owners say with characteristic understatement, from this vantage point, “the sunsets over the ocean are quite spectacular”.

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