VILLA VERTE

When Jim Brett and Ed Gray decided to launch a sister property to their exclusive-use Villa Maison Noir in Hout Bay, Cape Town, it was with the intention of creating yet another sanctuary-like space that was inspired and informed by the natural beauty of the bordering Oudekraal Nature Reserve.

Villa Verte – so called for its densely treed setting – was designed to be a showcase for exciting furniture design, artwork and craft. The duo enlisted architect Thomas Leach to conceive of the structure, which replaced a drab 1970s-style building on the site. Its five peaked roofs symbolise the five elements, and seamlessly combine private and open spaces. Private rooms cantilevered into the trees make the space feel like a beautifully appointed treehouse, exposing its occupants to the panoramic views of the mountains surrounding them and creating expansive interior living spaces.

Further nods to nature include the circular shape of the villa itself. “Curves and circles are used throughout the property, as nothing in nature is square or rectangular, even at its most cellular form,” comments Leach.

This approach extends to the interior design. “The use of curves rather than corners throughout subliminally softens the entire space, which puts people at ease,” states Gray.

Each of the four suites has a unique interior treatment, outlook and layout. Custom wallpaper by Cara Saven creates cocoons of flowers or foliage out of each space. Freestanding bathtubs and showers with a view ensure that even the bathrooms offer a striking experience of the surroundings. The balconies leading out from each of the rooms allow guests to quite literally sit among the trees.

In the open-plan living areas, surface treatments such as timber roof panelling, metallic cladding on the kitchen island and terrazzo floors all engage the senses, while the furniture and objets d’art have been chosen to further stimulate with bold colour, interesting form and engaging textures.

Trevyn McGowan of the Guild Group, who collaborated with the owners on conceptualising the interiors, says that she concentrated on the villa’s context. The Guild Group worked on a collection of custom furniture for the villa, together with Gray and Brett.

A combination of African, botanical and mid-century influences informed the designs of these contemporary furniture pieces. “The shapes and detailing needed to reflect Africa, but also have echoes of where Jim and Ed comes from – their apartment in New York City has a mid-century sensibility, so traces of this also come through,” says McGowan.

In addition to the bespoke furniture, contemporary artwork serves to elevate the experience still further and inspire guests. The artworks include both established artists such as Cameron Platter, Dorothee Kreutzfeldt and John Murray, and up-and-coming artists like Rosie Mudge and Rodan Kane Hart. www.maisonnoir.co.za