PHI | Highgrove House Brochure

Farmhouse in the city!

Interior designer Greg Mellor lives by the mantra that a well-designed space should have ‘personality, layers of interest, be appropriate and contain an element of surprise’. This home is no exception. Nodding foxgloves and beds of white lacecap hydrangeas greet guests as they step inside the gates of Highgrove House – a tongue-in-cheek reference to its street address, but wholly appropriate as the secret garden behind these walls is a delight with an abundance of rare, shade-loving species. Delicate Japanese anemones, two mature camellias, masses of unfurling ferns, lilac plectranthus, creeping violets and stately hellebores all thrive in this two-year-old garden beneath mature trees, some of which have been here since 1910 when this grande dame was originally built. Planted to bloom year-round, this hidden gem has been nothing short of a labour of love for its owners, one of whom is a passionate gardener. Today the sound of tinkling water fountains around the newly installed eco-pool, with water as caressingly soft and clear as a mountain stream, makes this a serene and tranquil haven… so whether you’re reading a book on the wraparound stoep or enjoying a balmy evening in the outdoor garden room that’s reminiscent of a farmhouse in the Karoo, you’d never guess you were in the heart of Claremont.

Yet inside the subtle nutmeg-pink walls, this turn-of-the-century homestead exudes a vibrant personality. This was a home that once raised six children so had bold proportions and plenty of promise despite its completely illogical historical layout. A massive restoration followed so that two bedrooms could comfortably take four-poster beds, one of which would gain an en-suite bathroom and dressing room with hand-painted, kilim-inspired walls by Tess Metcalf. A skylight was installed above the elegant hallway where a second architrave was added, as well as an arched window beyond to bring in late-afternoon light. Patrick Walsh restored all the chimneys and fireplaces that crackle on cosy winter evenings, and perfect pressed ceilings were bought to life with new lighting throughout. A glorious palette of paint colours and wallpapers offset a collection of books and art, and the country farmhouse kitchen – with a covetable stone basin – is a joy to cook in. In short, this house has soul. In spades.

•

•

•

•

•

•

HIGHGROVE HOUSE

Claremont, Cape Town

Nodding foxgloves and beds of white lacecap hydrangeas greet guests as they step inside the gates of Highgrove House – a tongue-in-cheek reference to its street address, but wholly appropriate as the secret garden behind these walls is a delight with an abundance of rare, shade-loving species. Planted to bloom year-round, this hidden gem has been nothing short of a labour of love for its current owners, one of whom is a passionate gardener.

•

•

•

•

•

•

with

entrance

gates,

additional outside toilet

cameras, electric fence, beams

www.perfecthideawaysforsale.co.za

helenhoekstra@perfecthideaways.co.za

Call Helen Hoekstra +27 73 337 6122