Singita Boulders Lodge in Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Singita Boulders Lodge overlooks South Africa’s shallow Sand River in the middle of a 33,000 acre territory that boasts the highest concentration of wildlife in all of Kruger National Park. The luxury lodge offers twelve sumptuous, authentic and refined suites offer stunning views of the banks of the river Sand. Each boasts its own pool and private terrace, guaranteeing you total harmony with nature. You will quickly find that midday hours are best reserved for relaxing by the pool to beat the heat.

The Singita Sabi Sand Game Reserve is home to high concentrations of lions, rhino, buffalo, elephant, and leopard. You’ll get the chance to track them with knowledgeable guides in the mornings and evenings, when they’re most active. When you get back from your safari, you will find a delicious African inspired gourmet meal waiting for you to enjoy in the shade of centuries-old trees. The lodge also boasts Africa’s finest bush cellar where you can enjoy an exclusive wine tasting. The lodge even offers a fully equipped gym (with a full view of the savanna) and a diverse menu of spa treatments, including traditional African treatments and hot stone massages.

Nightly rates for this exclusive luxury lodge starting from USD $2,867, from here.

Sumptuous Morukuru Lodge in Madikwe reserve

Morukuru Lodge tucked away in the heart of the Madikwe reserve and, one of the largest reserves in South Africa, is named after the lofty trees which lend it their shade. Enfolding guests in peace and comfort, three superb villas accommodates families and groups of friends who wish to spend some special time together, far from everything, on an exclusive-use basis. The stone and timber villas are meticulously decorated, and open out onto immaculately preserved luxuriant nature: the perfect place if you want to observe wildlife and the numerous “Big Five” animals on the reserve. Airy bedrooms feature a fireplace for chilly nights and large, insect-screened sliding doors opening on to tree-shaded private balconies.

Spacious bathrooms have deep baths with a view of the bush, and both inside and outside, monkey’s eye-view private showers for an unforgettable bush experience. An additional four junior guests can be comfortably accommodated in the kid’s room, where they have access to recreational facilities. The superbly appointed living area offers fine dining for a complete party of ten, with cuisine prepared to your taste and requirements by your personal chef. Guests can also have breakfast in the morning sunshine to the accompaniment of cackling Wood Hoopoes, lunch ‘al fresco’ in the shaded garden, or dinner by starlight and candles on the broad pool deck overlooking the fast-flowing Marico River.

To stay at this spectacular lodge, prices range from $1,908 – $2,857.81 per night for four guests and $5,618.57 per night with a four night minimum for peak season for six adults and four children, from here.

The heated infinity pool is surrounded by comfortable loungers for relaxing, bush-view siestas after a dip in the cool water. A wooden veranda surrounds the lodge perimeter, providing quiet nooks for the private bush showers, leading to a romantic riverside raised walkway. On moonlit nights, dine around a crackling bonfire in the boma and on chilly nights or lazy days, savor the welcoming peace of the luxurious indoor lounge area, with its deep, comfortable couches, night-time crackling fire and panoramic daytime view of the bush and passing wildlife.

Modern multi-level cliffside property in South Africa

Sitting up high above Clifton, in Cape Town, South Africa, Nettleton 198 house connects a hillside garden on the East through the generous living space to the expansive Atlantic Ocean to the West. Designed by SAOTA Architects, the clients, a British couple living in Cape Town, requested a six-bedroom, seven-level home that makes the most of the site, the views and the mountain. The lower levels of the existing structure were totally remodeled while the upper level was demolished to allow for two new levels.

“Inspiration was drawn from the mountain and dark colors were used on the facade, allowing the building to visually recede into the mountain instead of being an obtrusive construction,” says Greg Truen, Project Partner. The site enjoys spectacular views, both of the sea and Lions Head and these views and the impact of the sun were key informants contributing to the overall design.

The sun being both a defining and also harsh influence on the property inspired the choice of screens, shutters and louvres that give the lower levels its distinctive gravitas. The living room can open up onto the west and the east completely, giving it the feeling of an open pavilion.

The finishes and detailing have been very carefully considered to achieve an integrated and visually effortless whole. The exterior of the building is clad in powder-coated aluminum which resulted in a very robust and precise surface finish. Internally, a much warmer look was achieved by using walnut timber. Black marble & glass were integrated into the design as accents.

The home is peppered with unusual design ‘delights’. The circular entrance area, clad in walnut timber, is one of the main features of the house. The space is amplified by a fascinating lighting installation of backlit slumped glass, that renders an “other-worldly” effect. An elegant floating timber staircase employs hanging stainless steel rods for a refreshing take on a balustrade. Others include the walnut-clad kitchen box, the granite-clad rim-flow pool and the sculptural cantilevered carbon fibre bar.

The clients wished to keep the interior as lean and focused as possible and the selection of furniture and lighting is both graphic and strong.

Photos: Courtesy of SAOTA Architects

Contemporary De Wet 34 Residence in Cape Town

De Wet 34 is a breathtaking contemporary residence on the slopes of Lions Head, overlooking the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town, South Africa designed by SAOTA Architects. Natural finishes combine with bold simple forms to create a contemporary interpretation of Cape vernacular. The interiors of this spectacular home have been designed by Antoni Associates and OKHA Interiors.

Photos: Courtesy of SAOTA Architects

Captivating St Leon 10 Residence in Cape Town

St Leon 10 has been designed by Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects and Antoni Associates, situated in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. This home was designed for a family with two young sons who wanted a house which simultaneously created spaces for casual intimate family occasions or large get-togethers. The site allows for unprecedented views towards the 12 Apostle Mountains, Clifton Beaches and Robben Island. The building is cut into the slope with approximately 50% of its rear face below the natural ground level. The upper level floats over the essentially glazed South West facing first floor and this exaggerates the height of the building relative to the adjacent ground level.

The house is organized in a linear manner with all rooms facing the sea view. The rear of the house offers privacy with no openings other than the glazed double volume entrance space. This space is screened with a steel framed timber screen and access off the street is through heavy timber gates.

The double volume entrance space leads onto the main living wing of the house including two lounges, dining room and kitchen.

A sculptural stair leads up a triple volume space from the entrance up to the second floor and bedroom levels.

The ground floor is accessed through the same stairwell and accommodates a generous pool entertainment room with a feature sunken lounge, back-lit onyx bar and wine cellar. A gym and second guest room are also accommodated on this lowest level.

ANTONI ASSOCIATES were appointed as the interior decorators. On the entrance living level the interiors are kept to a neutral palette with a subtle play on texture in materials and fabric selected. Soft cream leathers and weathered timber finishes layer the interior with luxurious elements. The overall feel is warm and inviting.

Photos: Courtesy of SAOTA

Open house with amazing wraparound views in South Africa

This is a redesign and renovation of 1950′s house on a hill overlooking Johannesburg by Nico van der Meulen Architects. This stunning home is situated in Bedfordview, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa, with interior design by M Square Lifestyle Design. Most of the furniture was supplied by M Square Lifestyle Necessities. Little was added to the footprint of the existing house (except for the new garages), but almost all of the internal walls were removed to create the open plan layout and maximize the views. The 270 degree view can be enjoyed from just about every room in the house.

Frameless sliding/folding doors were used around the living area, enabling the area to function like a veranda during the mild days experienced almost year round. The pool infinity edge is cantilevered out nearly six meters, supported on a column and protrudes into the house when the doors are open, acting as a temperature stabilizer. The original cellar was retained as a wine cellar and a home theatre with views into the pool. A story was added containing the main suite, pajama lounge, kid’s study area and kid’s bedrooms. The original two kid’s bedrooms became a study, and the original main suite a guest suite. Extra garages were needed and the housekeeper’s cottage was built on this.

The original balcony is still visible in the next photograph, the new lanai and pool were built where the small lawn used to be.

The original house was north-facing, but on an extremely limited level platform: The site has a five story fall from the south-east to the north- west corner.

Werner van der Meulen designed the infinity edge pool to extend over the steep fall, placing it on a single 3m diameter column, cantilevering nearly six meters.  He created a massive rock clad wall which bisects the building on a north-south axis, then transforms into a huge red-painted beam which helps to support the lanai roof.

The ground floor living space was gutted, and a large open plan, partially double volume living space housing the family room, dining room, kitchen and ancillary spaces created.

A new 6×13 meters lanai next to the pool was added on the only piece of usable land on the north side, growing out of the mountain, with spectacular views to the north and west.

Photos: David Ross, Barry Goldman and Nico van der Meulen

Impressive two-story apartment in Cape Town: Clifton View 7

Clifton View 7 is a spectacular contemporary property designed by Antoni Associates in Cape Town, South Africa. The scope of the project was to do a gut renovation to the two-story apartment and re-configure the interior layout to further accommodate more spaces in the program, including four bedrooms, en-suite, gym, entertainment cocktail bar, cinema room and wine cellar. The site is perched over dramatic boulders and the Atlantic Ocean and experiences sweeping views of the Clifton beaches as well as the Twelve Apostles mountain range.

Here is a description of the project from the architects, “Access is gained to the apartment on the upper level. The dining room, living room and kitchen are open plan and have direct access to the extensive terrace. The open plan dining area acts as a pivotal focal point between the spiral staircase and the main entertainment space. The success of the space is a culmination of bespoke detailing, unexpected stylistic juxtapositions and dramatic artworks.”

The pool bar leads onto the swimming pool and spa terrace with uninterrupted views of the seascape. The infinity pool allows the eye to flow from the pool to the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.

Moving through the apartment is a journey of styles and ideas that all fuse together to make the apartment a tailored and personally nuanced space. This tailored look was achieved by avoiding over use of recognizable brand names; the clients instead were keen to create one off signature pieces through the OKHA Design Studio.

A feature spiral stair was introduced to link the two levels of the apartment. Feature timber screens extend from the upper level through the upper volume to contain this circulation space.

Lighting design is an important feature in any project. Bold and discreet lighting was specified in conjunction to create a powerful ‘wow’ factor and layering of lighting was used to set various moods throughout.

Photos: Adam Letch

Contemporary Aupiais House in South Africa

The Aupiais House was designed by Cape Town-based studio Greg Wright Architects, situated in Camps Bay, South Africa. Site Interior Design was approached by a couple to skin the shell of their newly purchased, though technically incomplete, Camps Bay home. The house was a contemporary shell but needed a “layer” to make it a home. From the outset, the clients were open-minded and came with an exciting frame of reference and good aesthetic sensibilities. Contrary to the default bleached ‘Beach House’ aesthetic so prevalent in the area, a rich palette was realized with natural materials bringing warmth and highlights to the often dramatic rooms that resulted. Via

Furnishing the spaces was done with a balanced combination of well-known local and international furnishing brands in combination with a substantial number of custom-designed and manufactured feature pieces. The intention is a diverse series of striking environs, each unique but having a recognizable design DNA connecting them as a family of patently related spaces.

The strong joinery concept that defines the main living areas and study are evidence of the continuity of materials throughout the house. They set the base palette but are designed to be interactive and intended to be “curated” by the owners, encouraging them to accumulate art pieces and exhibit them in various often-changing configurations. The incorporation of sustainably sourced timber, paired with luxurious linens and worn leather upholstery, tempers the otherwise warm, dark interiors.

The cavernous basement space is transformed into the ideal entertainer’s retreat affectionately termed the ‘Legend Room’ by the owners. Reflective surfaces contrast against matte walls and the unusual ‘wetsuit’ fabric  of  the  custom-designed sofa especially shaped to fit the unusual wall configuration of the existing structure.

Bedrooms have been finished in varying neutral tones, always having natural timber as a consistent accent. Furniture was selected or designed specially to live alongside bespoke headboards and bed bases and natural, woven designer rugs and throws, quirky object and iconic lamps come together to add a sense of individuality to each of the rooms.

Each element of the house is viewed as an opportunity to build upon the theme of neutrals and naturals set off against contrasting materials and colours. All work together to create a striking visual impact; the final result is a bold, livable interior with clear identity.

Photos: Del Fante Photography

Glass and steel collide in stunning South African property

House Ber, the latest masterpiece by Nico van der Meulen Architects and M Square Lifestyle Design is an indication of what happens when granite, steel, light and water come together. Situated in Midrand, South Africa, the residence presents itself as a sequence of irregular steel bars randomly placed creating patterned facades which initially were conceived to represent security but now have become the very feature which distinguishes this house from its surrounding.

The house simply rectangular in form is structured around the living room as the center of this home. Unimposing and nearly invisible, the frameless glass doors seamlessly separate the interior from the exterior. Thresholds’ being kept to a minimum leaves one wondering whether you have just stepped inside or outside.

Stairs disguised as Granite slabs punched with steel inserts, one cannot help but glide down the entrance hall into the living spaces. M Square Lifestyle Design’s final product presents black steel inlays that are seen throughout the house in various forms. Ensuring that each room captured a feeling of transparency, M Square Lifestyle Design demonstrated their ability to work with materials in their purest forms, making use of natural products like marble floors and Caesarstone kitchen counter tops. The illuminated ceilings highlight the contrasts between different textures and forms, leaving you in a state of anticipation as you move through this house. In keeping with the theme of randomly placed steel bars, the interior designers conceptualized a line drawn across the house linking all elements and spaces together. In doing so, they managed to create a feeling of connection that can be felt throughout the house.

M Square Lifestyle Necessities provided the final touch in furnishing this house with European furniture pieces and lighting to compliment the design, while Regardt van der Meulen’s sculpture livens up the space in its tri-dimensionality.

Photos: Barend Roberts, David Ross, Victoria Pilcher

Contemporary beach house with uninterrupted ocean views

Plett 6541+2 House was designed as a family home by SAOTA Architects in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. The clients required the residence to be designed with an understated elegance and quite grandeur, with six bedrooms and indoor/outdoor living spaces with uninterrupted views, with a ”lived-in beach-house” feel. The interiors of this fabulous home were carried out by Daniela Priebatsch and Emi Cavalieri.

Here is a description from the architects, “The beach-front site falls within a pristine and unique environment, nestled at the foot of the Robberg. With direct access to a strip of idyllic beach, it is characterized by its rolling dunes and the dense indigenous vegetation of extraordinary variety, including a well establish Milkwood thicket. The site is subject to hot summers and moderate winters, with a cooling on-shore breeze, from the North East. Taking advantage of the large dune across the majority of the site, the views were maximized by elevating the living levels to above natural ground level, terracing built forms down the dune.”

“The design incorporates large glazed areas and extensive use of outdoor spaces, with each aspect of the house having a terrace or deck. The linear open plan composition of the interior spaces allows views from every room. To take advantage of the sea and distant mountain views, while providing protection from the extremes of climate, the living spaces were designed with South West/North East orientations. Sculptured rectangular forms, linear elements, large areas of horizontal glazing, timber cladding and expansive external terraces are the principal elements of the design. Externally the natural fynbos was brought up to the house achieving a feeling that the house is set in nature and does not disturb the natural beauty.”

“The simple choice of materials complements the sculptural form of the house. The flooring is of large format leather finish Neo Sardo Granite throughout the house, alongside painted walls and ceilings. The principal neutral elements are complemented by the natural timber shutters, screens and pergola. These will mature in time to a silver-grey colour. Each bathroom is characterized by walls clad in granite to match the floors, frameless glass shower enclosures and white Corian vanities. The master bedroom is finished with white oiled Oak flooring with feature granite, tying it back to the rest of the house.”