A young family re-locating to the Western Cape was looking to change from city living to a more relaxed country lifestyle in which to bring up their young family. They settled for the exclusive Pearl Valley Golf Estate near Paarl, just 30 minutes away from bustling Cape Town.

According to the architects: “The initial architectural footprint for the contemporary South African house was designed by Gauteng based architect, Gardiol Bergenthuin. The owners approached the Antoni Associates to create an interior that was modern but with an emphasis on ‘barefoot luxury’ and the use of natural materials.

“The luxury Cape Town property 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.”