START WITH THE ART

A Living Gallery At The Robertson Small Hotel

There’s nothing quite like a mid-year road trip to the Little Karoo. A welcome stop along Route 62, one of the longest wine routes in the world, is the charming country town of Robertson. Blissfully tucked between the banks of the Breede River and mountains, in a leafy part of town, a delightful Victorian grande dame awaits: The Robertson Small Hotel. A place to pause, ease into the new season, and gather some inspiration along the way, the luxurious yet homely interior was reimagined by Sophie Ashby of Studio Ashby — and it’s a gem!

With 10 distinct rooms, a restaurant headed by legendary chef Chris Erasmus, a bar and wine room, two pool areas, a wellness room, and a wrought-iron-edged veranda overlooking ample gardens, what Robertson’s only five-star hotel lacks in size, it makes up for in selections. Every single piece in the quaint national monument was sourced locally from South Africa, with masterpieces by artists Kylie Wentzel, Mia Chaplin, Bella Knemeyer, Lebogang Mogul Mabusela, Nico Krijno, Claire Johnson, Jeanne Gaigher, Cathy Abraham, Sue Pam-Grant, and Dale Lawrence to be found throughout. Using her relationships with artisans and craftsmen, extensive resources, and continual foraging, Sophie Ashby inserts humour and a love of objects with an explicit narrative to create a carefully balanced body of work.

Thoughtful curation is how you would describe the space. From the exquisite room key chains crafted by jewellery brand Pichulik to the custom playlist by Cape Town-based Roastin' Records and a signature hotel scent expertly blended by House of Gozdawa, every detail is a testament to artistic finesse and discerning taste.

‘I have used 12 different colour tones throughout the hotel and each room varies slightly in combination. I was inspired by the local terrain, flora, and fauna, so there are elements of clay, ochre, aloes, the mountains — colours you could be surrounded by whatever the weather, wherever you are. I wanted there to be a strong link between outside and in.’

The project is certainly on-brand with Studio Ashby’s motto to 'Start with the Art'. Sophie Ashby explains, ‘Art plays a central role in our inspiration and process, and I believe art has a vital place in every interior and no space feels complete without it. It’s through art that the spaces become highly personalised and unique’. The acclaimed designer used her love of colour, contemporary ‘world art’, and photography to bring an eclectic richness to every room.

Once the London maestro hung up her boots in a satisfactory conclusion, Art Gazette, in partnership with Abigail Rands, filled the space with their splendid collection.

‘Magic lies in that liminal space that exists between collaborators,’ Art Gazette muses, ‘and our initiative with The Robertson Small Hotel proves this rule.’ The Small is one of the very few places where art buyers can connect with Art Gazette’s portfolio in situ, with the added intrigue of allowing guests the opportunity to take selected works home.

The hotel’s Rotational Gallery is an ever-evolving, living gallery, which is displayed across the boutique accommodation’s picturesque grounds, award-winning restaurant, and spellbinding hallways. Art Gazette assisted with the advisory and selection of 90 local artworks for the collection, which was carefully curated by Morné Visagie, a talented South African artist who is also the co-founder and chief curator of Art Gazette.

Then there is the Permanent Collection — a collaborative vision between Morné Visagie and proprietor Abigail Rands that has found its perpetual home in Robertson. The duo’s mission was to select works that, together, create a strong and diverse collection of contemporary South African art that would holistically form part of The Small’s identity, the design, the people, and the overall guest experience. The result is nothing short of spectacular, giving the Valley of Wine and Roses an air of artistic allure, attracting aficionados the globe over.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Sophie Ashby

Studio Ashby

ART CURATION

Art Gazette

Morné Visagie

Abigail Rands

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mickey Hoyle

Paris Brummer

The stunning custom blue and white porcelain bar, designed by artist Michael Chandler, pays homage to the parlour’s former resident, the mysterious ‘Tannie Em’, who is said to have enjoyed a drink before bed. The traditional Victorian style heroes Robertson and its beautiful proteas, prickly pears, aloes, ericas, and succulents.