The
main residence, completed in 2006, was designed by Francoise Theron as
a ‘home in the bush’. Francoise is known for his inspirational bush designs
and is credited with the design of many international lodges from Tanzania
to the Seychelles, including the famed lodges of Shamwari Game Reserve.
The thatched villa is positioned to gain maximum benefit from the arc of the
sun as well as providing uninterrupted views of the veldt, dam, ridges and valleys,
but is also designed to blend with the surrounding landscape. The paved drive
from the road passes the farmstead before cresting the veldt and approaching
the curtilage of the villa (approx. 1.6 hectares). It then passes through an
electric gate flanked by a pair of stone pillars and leads to the front of the
villa and paved parking area. The perimeter of the curtilage is secured by an
inconspicuous electric game fence of welded mesh that keeps game out - and domestic
pets in!
The villa is designed to provide four wings around a central courtyard to provide easy indoor/outdoor living. An outside stoep (decked verandah) extends around the living areas of the house and includes the swimming pool. All the sliding glass doors disappear inside the walls creating a wonderful open environment allowing full appreciation of the landscape and environment.
South Wing
Garages
Two 5.9 x 5.2 mtrs double garages each with additional 3.25 x 1.2 mtrs shelved storage recesses flank the main entrance of the house. Electric wooden roller doors provide external access while internal doors open to the entrance lobby.
Main Entrance
A pair of heavy doors manufactured from assorted African hardwood railway sleepers lead to a lobby with steps down to the central courtyard with lawn, decked stoep and water feature providing an ‘outside room’ and entertainment area protected from any wind. A small room 2 x 1.9 mtrs leads from the courtyard to provide storage for outside furniture, cushions, etc.
East Wing
The east facing wing contains three en-suite bedrooms accessed through the courtyard allowing total privacy.
Bedroom 1 (main guest room)
5.2 x 5 mtrs plus 2 x 1.5 mtrs lobby. Double glass sliding doors lead onto a private sun deck. The en-suite shower room, toilet/bidet room, and bath account for a further 5.2 x 2.5 mtrs. Two handmade washbasin units in Rhodesian Teak compliment the en-suite area. Italian travertine floor with under floor heating and cool/heat air-conditioning.
Bedroom 2 & 3.
Each 5.2 x 4.5 mtrs including en-suite area of shower room and toilet room. Handmade Rhodesian Teak washbasin units. Double glass sliding doors lead onto private sun decks. Italian travertine floor with under floor heating and cool/heat air-conditioning.
The master bedroom, at the north end of the wing, has a dual aspect and is described below.
North Wing
Master Bedroom
Accessed from a passage leading from the sitting room, this is a double aspect (east and north) room with double sliding glass doors from each aspect opening the whole corner of the room to the large stoep and swimming pool. The main bedroom is 5.2 x 5.4 mtrs and is fitted with a built in coal affect Jetmaster fire. The en-suite area extends to 5.2 x 3 mtrs and includes shower room, toilet/bidet room, bath, and a twin vanity unit handmade in Rhodesian Teak. Leading off the bedroom is a dressing room 4 x 2 mtrs with floor safe. Italian travertine floor with under floor heating and cool/heat air-conditioning.
Passage
5.9 x 1.1 mtrs with shelved storage cupboard off. Rhodesian teak floor.
Sitting Room
5.2 x 6.4 mtrs with open Jetmaster wood burning fire and DSTV (satellite television) access point. Sony plasma TV. Eight glass sliding doors (four on each opposite side) open to the stoep and swimming pool on one side and the courtyard on the other. Rhodesian teak floor. Cool/heat air-conditioning.
Passage
5 x 1.1 mtrs. Rhodesian teak floor.
Cloakroom
1.8 x 1.1 mtrs with wash basin leading to toilet 1.9 x 1.1 mtrs. Rhodesian teak floor.
Study/Library
4 x 3.15 mtrs. Wireless satellite internet connection. Sliding glass door to stoep. 25 mtrs library shelves. The shelves and fitted desk tops are made from Rhodesian Teak. Rhodesian teak floor. Cool/heat air-conditioning.
West Wing
Living Room
13.2 x 5.2 mtrs. A real everyday living area with open Jetmaster wood burning fire, eight sliding glass doors (four on each opposite side) open to the courtyard on one side and the braai area under a the covered stoep on the other. An additional two sliding glass doors at the north end open to another covered area of the stoep and swimming pool. The kitchen area has a central island. A Falcon range cooker with gas burners and electric ovens is fitted under a Miele extractor canopy Fitted hand painted cupboards with fully integrated coffee machine, warming draw, microwave, refrigerator and freezer. All are of Miele manufacture. Preparation sink with waste disposal. Granite worktops. Sony LCD TV. Rhodesian teak floor. Cool/heat air-conditioning.
Back Kitchen
2.3 x 5.2 mtrs. Double sink, fitted hand painted cupboards. Integrated Miele washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher. Granite worktops. Rhodesian teak floor. Cool/heat air-conditioning.
Lobby
3.3 x 1.6 mtrs. Door from courtyard. Cemcrete floor. Door to 1.6 x 1.3 mtrs walk in refrigerated cold room with stainless steel shelving.
Boot Room
3.2 x 3.1 mtrs. Built in cupboard and worktop. Provision for ice machine. A rear stable door leads to a decked stoep with clothes drying area and steps down to herb and vegetable garden.
Back Bedroom
5.2 x 3.3 mtrs. Designed as an ‘overflow’ bedroom for guests or for a house-sitter. En-suite. Italian travertine floor with under floor heating and cool/heat air-conditioning.
Stoep
A decked stoep extends around the west and north wings, and wraps around the corner of the Master Bedroom. The north wing stoep has a 10 x 3 mtr swimming pool with infinity edge; the water is heated by black solar panel sheets fitted below the pool at the garden level. The west wing stoep is under a thatched roof and houses a built-in Jetmaster braai. Steps from the west wing lead down to the garden level and:
Staff toilet and shower
3.8 x 1.9 mtrs
Wine Cellar
3.8 x 3.2 mtrs
Store room
5.2 x 4.9 mtrs. Houses all water pumps, pool filtration, 500 ltr hot water geyser, and Telkom internet satellite equipment. Also used as garden store. Double doors.
Water tanks
Housed under the north wing are two water tanks. 1 x 50,000 ltr (approx) rainwater tank fed from the farmstead holding tank, and 1 x 60,000 ltr (approx) dam water tank fed from the header reservoir.
Garden
Areas within the curtilage have been landscaped and laid with lawn. Indigenous
plants have been used in all of the beds. An orchard has been planted with
orange, lime, avocado, olive, peach and plum trees. There are two vegetable
beds and one herb garden. Other areas have been cleared of bush while retaining
the indigenous trees and shrubs; this provides a completely natural look
and the wonderful outcrops of weathered rock has been featured well. An
automatic irrigation system has been installed.
Note
- All measurements are approximate.
- A fire blanket is fitted within the thatch of the roof.