GREEN LIGHT

Tucked away in the hills of Cape Town's Hout Bay are two serene properties that offer the ultimate escape from it all - Villa Maison Noir and its brandnew neighbour, Villa Verte - the luxury destination not to be missed.

“We loved the people we met, the culture, the food and we were awestruck by the beauty of the landscape.” - Brett

he luxurious contemporary villa, built on the mountainside, is like a home away from home for guests and offers slightly different propositions for getaways, T events and extended holidays. The overarching theme, however, is recharging in one of Cape Town’s most picturesque settings. The property is owned by design-and-entrepreneur power duo Jim Brett (of Anthropologie and West Elm fame) and Ed Gray (who previously owned a luxury home furnishings store in Philadelphia). The American couple first began coming to South Africa to export South African craft to the US and fell in love with the country. They put down roots and found the perfect spot in Hout Bay, where a blue gum forest on the back side of Table Mountain had been cleared and where the

expansive property cluster that makes up Villa Maison Noir sits. Now expanding the brand further, they’ve created a new private residence on an adjacent property, which is connected to Villa Maison Noir by expansive gardens and is also a secluded mountain retreat. Villa Verte will extend the combination of luxury amenities and exquisite location. Enveloped by trees, Villa Verte offers the same level of style and soul that Villa Maison Noir does, in a slightly different package. Following the same concept of a ‘village’ of structures as opposed to a single dwelling, Villa Verte has five peaked roofs, reiterating the five elements which are ever present throughout the entire homestead. The circular backbone of the house echoes the circular motif found throughout Villa Maison Noir.

Large sliding doors open out onto the terrace, where a heated swimming pool backs onto the forested hillside. The light streams in from outside, joining Villa Verte’s interior spaces together, as it travels through the high windows and glass doors, across its voluminous ceilings, drawing in plenty of warmth that toasts the abundance of natural timber.

A bright curved gallery with two floating fireplaces connects the generous main suite and guest rooms to the Maison’s social spaces, pool, koi ponds, chef’s kitchen and outdoor dining rooms. Here, Villa Verte demonstrates the same passion for design that Brett and Gray have added to Villa Maison Noir since they took ownership - the eclectic mix of art and design gives it global appeal as well as local relevance.

“We use curves and circles throughout the entire property as nothing in nature is square or rectangular, even at its most cellular form. Even the furnishings have many round shapes and curved edges. We love everything that the circle represents: equality, inclusivity, unity, sustainability and of course the circle of life.” - Gray

Cavernous bathrooms with freestanding, stateof-the-art bathtubs and walk-in showers, are as enticing to escape thanks to the surrounding landscape visible from the large windows.

Set on two expansive living-levels, the supremely spacious home includes two king-sized master suites as well as three luxurious guest suites, each with its own loft bedroom, cloistered open-air shower and direct access to garden areas. Cosy corners are tucked between built-in bookshelves and sturdy wood-burning stoves. With its profoundly tranquil and private atmosphere, Villa Verte is a magical hideaway. Address: 10 Hunters Way, Hout Bay, 7806 - Cape Town (South Africa)

“Your home is your story - and yes - it’s told through the architecture and the interior design; but, most importantly it’s about your soul shining through. There is a shortage of truly authentic luxury experiences at affordable prices. We believe that both our properties - the existing and the new –combined with our amazing people create an experience that is unparalleled in Cape Town.”