Exotic Agrarian Country House in the Paarl Valley

exotic fireplace room and dining room furniture design

The owner of this exotic country house was determined to build it after succumbing to the beauty of the Cape province during a holiday. Two friends, both New York-based architects, came up with a design that echoed an agricultural vernacular, though was far removed from the familiar white-gabled Cape Dutch homesteads of earlier generations.

Set above the Paarl valley. The views across numerous vineyards and the farm’s olive groves are magnificent. The farmhouse suits the climate perfectly, has expansive entertaining areas, separate guest accommodation and barn-like office and garage space.

The dun-coloured render on the walls of the house was inspired by a watercolour painting and was mixed on site. The enormous central living-room is cool and shaded, the waxed grey and ochre concrete floor is divided by strips of dark Balau wood, and the walls are coloured a soft muddy green.

Most of the furniture and lighting was bought in Cape Town, although artworks are largely by family and friends. The two-dimensional work above the white sofa is by Lucien Rees-Roberts and the large work in the living-room by Francisco Bustamante Gubbins, Ethnic, antique and contemporary influences combine with local materials, such as the South African slate lining the master bathroom and the khaki twill fabric used for curtains.

classic style sofa and chair furniture design