ELLE DECORATION No 128 20TH ANNIVERSARY
www.elledecoration.co.za
T H E WO R L D ’ S B E ST- S E L L I N G H O M E S M A G A Z I N E
THE STYLE & DESIGN ISSUE – BEDROOMS
New Season, Fresh Vision
Designer To Watch
DONALD NXUMALO
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH AFRICA
O CT 2 0 1 8
N°128
R41,00
N$41,00 NAMIBIA
STYLE UPDATE
OCT 2018
BLISSFUL BEDROOMS STATEMENT SOFAS COOL COLOUR TRENDS THE PRETTIEST FABRICS
LODGE DE HOOP this spread ‘We believe sustainability means firstly consideration for the natural environment, then using as much regional product as possible in the creation and maintenance of the building, and also creating employment opportunities for local residents,’ say Ed and Anka Zeeman, the owners of Morukuru Beach Lodge in De Hoop Nature Reserve.
GREEN
P E ACE
With its picturesque natural surrounds, alluring aesthetic and commitment to sustainable living, Morukuru Beach Lodge in the Western Cape is the epitome of a luxurious off-the-grid retreat Text KAREN TENNENT Photographs GREG COX Production JEANNE BOTES
LODGE DE HOOP
this page Interior designer Janine Feikes-Butter has brought the outside in with woven additions, organic textures and wooden details. opposite ‘I’ve always loved this sofa,’ says Feikes-Butter of the Songololo sofa by Haldane Martin in the bar. ‘It’s timeless.’
ituated on the coastline of De Hoop Nature Reserve lies Koppie Alleen, a secluded spot known for its white sand dunes, limestone cliffs, abundant fynbos and prime whale-watching. It’s an idyllic slice of paradise and, with Morukuru Ocean House 1km away, a fitting location for Holland-born owners Ed and Anka Zeeman’s 100% off-the-grid addition to the Morukuru Family. ‘This site has the most magnificent views of the dunes and is very close to the beach. These two factors influenced how we went about getting the project off the ground, and we incorporated as much glass as possible to take advantage of the setting,’ they say. Building Morukuru Beach Lodge with the same principles of sustainability, eco-design and environmental sensitivity as Ocean House was essential for the Zeemans, so they called on architect Nick Plewman and Dutch interior designer Janine Feikes-Butter, with whom they’d worked on the previous property. Known for his sustainable approach, Plewman used local materials throughout the lodge, sourcing stone from Bredasdorp quarry and recycled railway sleepers from Caledon for the structure’s façade. Inside, a two-storey circular wall is the central point around which the building’s five suites – each with its own private balcony, sitting area, fireplace and statement chandelier by Riaan Chambers – revolve. ‘It’s important to create little nooks where people can relax,’ says Feikes-Butter. ‘To achieve this, we used single chairs that can be moved around to form separate areas.’ This clever use of seating is especially apparent in the bar, where a black leather Songololo sofa by Haldane Martin winds around the space, acting as an arresting element while also providing a comfortable place from which to admire the sweeping
sea views. Here, Constance Guisset’s large Vertigo pendant lights create a graphic silhouette on the wood-panelled ceiling, while patterned scatter cushions and armchairs add a monochrome geometric touch and speak of Feikes-Butter’s love of textiles. While the bar’s palette is predominantly black and white, yellow bursts draw the eye and connect the space to the designer’s overarching scheme. ‘I like colour, but it’s important to create harmony between the inside and outside,’ she says. ‘In the bedrooms, I’ve used combinations of yellow, green and blue to reflect the environment and the flora and fauna. In the dining area, I concentrated on marine hues to emphasise the colour of the sea.’ She’s also echoed Beach Lodge’s surrounds through her inclusion of natural textures: from mats on the floors to baskets on the walls, there’s a plethora of organic woven additions that result in a tactile aesthetic with an inherently South African feel. Maximising natural light was of particular importance when designing the lodge, especially considering its off-the-grid status, and Plewman included expansive glass windows that simultaneously flood the interiors with light and frame the vistas beyond. Ambience is achieved with a selection of custom fittings that rely on electricity generated from solar panels on the roof, while fireplaces and pullet burner boilers provide heating. ‘We know that our livelihood is derived from our natural surroundings, so we’re very conscious of how we impact on the environment,’ say the Zeemans. ‘At the lodge, water’s drawn from a natural borehole, our gas cooking comes from a Biorock system and we buy most of our produce from nearby farmers. We believe that investing in green and conscious building is the future and a must for all hospitality operators.’ n morukuru.com
THE STYLE & DESIGN ISSUE ELLEDECORATION.CO.ZA 99
LODGE DE HOOP
this page (clockwise from top left) All of the bedrooms feature swivel chairs by Leon at CCXIX upholstered in fabric by Designers Guild; the Dune View suite includes an outdoor rock bath; ‘The colours enhance the unique setting, but never dominate or overpower,’ says Feikes-Butter. opposite A Riaan Chambers chandelier made from recycled materials takes pride of place in one of the lodge’s suites.
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In the bedrooms, I’ve used combinations of yellow, green and blue to reflect the environment
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LODGE DE HOOP
this spread Wood merges with stone in the en-suite bathrooms, whose water is drawn from a natural borehole and heated by pellet burners. ‘Morukuru Beach Lodge is 100% off the grid, which means we need to be extremely aware of our resources,’ say the Zeemans.
THE ZEEMANS’ QUICK GUIDE TO LIVING SUSTAINABLY Conserve energy in your home ‘We all need to be mindful of the earth’s limitations. Coming from Holland, we’ve been exposed to plenty of information about power conservation and alternative energy sources like solar and wind. Many people still aren’t very good at being thoughtful about simple energy-conserving measures such as switching off lights and preserving heating or cooling by using insulation or shutting doors and windows.’ Invest in an electric car ‘We use electric vehicles to move our staff between the staff village and the two guest lodges, as we know they’re much more environmentally friendly than fuel-driven cars.’ Go biodegradable ‘Our organic amenity range is bought from a South African company called Rain, which is based in nearby Swellendam, and all of our washing and cleaning requirements are serviced by 100% biodegradable soaps.’ Ditch the plastic ‘As a business, we’re concerned about single-use plastic water bottles and are developing re-usable Morukuru Family bottles, which will cut down on this waste. Our rubbish is also sorted along recycling principles, into different categories and collected in special containers.’ Above all else, be conscious ‘The human race has to embrace environmentally conscious building and living, as our planet’s resources are limited. It’s basically a question of survival!’
LODGE DE HOOP this page The lodge is surrounded by coastal fynbos and looks out to the Indian Ocean. opposite Whale chandeliers and sculptures by Wildetecture were specially commissioned for the project and reference the fact that De Hoop Nature Reserve is considered to be the best place in South Africa to see southern right whales.
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This site has the most magnificent views of the dunes and is very close to the beach
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