memories and collectibles

ForJodiLawrence,co-ownerofhomewarebusiness 8DegreesSouth,andherhusbandAllan, adated houseon adoublestandinKommetjiejustoutside Cape Townprovedirresistible.Thecouplewereabletosee pasttheyellowfacebrickexterior,old timberwindowsand doorsweatheredbyseaair,andtheold-fashionedkitchen andbathrooms –andfellinlovewiththehome’spotential. “Thefactthatit’sa shortwalkfromthebeachwasalsoa drawcard,”Jodinotes.

SheandherbusinesspartnerLolaCaseysetabout transformingthehouse,guidedbythenaturallaid-backstyle theyfavourat 8DegreesSouthanddécoritemshandmade inBali,Lombok,MalawiandCape Town.

“Theinspirationfor 8DegreesSouthandthishomeisa traditionalBalinesestylewithlotsofhandcrafteditems, naturaltexturesandneutralcolours,”explainsLola.“Theaim wastocreate ahousethatcentresaroundtheswimmingpool andenhancestheeasyindoor-outdoorflowthatissointegral toBalinesevilladesign.”Althoughtheydidn’tneedtochange thefootprintofthehome,raisingthepooltothesamelevelas thehousewasnecessarytoachievethisflow.

Theyremovedtheexistingfibreglasspoolandbuilt adeck aroundthehouse;theypositionedthenewpoolaccordingly andbuilt aguestflatletunderthegazebo,whereaddingthe deckleft avoid. Acoveredstoepflanksthepoolandcreates anoutdoorlivingspaceprotectedfromtheelements.>>

reader home

The house is filled with plants that add to the indoor-outdoor connection. Open shelving

(below) allows practical items to double as

décor in the kitchen and rattan pendants, part of the extensive range imported by 8 Degrees South, provide task lighting above

the island (right).

A natural flow “We wanted the indoor-outdoor feel to extend to the bedrooms and bathrooms; the bedrooms all have sliding doors that open onto the pool, while the bathrooms have both indoor and outdoor areas,” says Jodi.

The guest bathroom has a door to the garden, which allows for sand and sea to be rinsed off before the couple, their four children and two dogs enter the house – one of the practical, family-friendly elements of the design evident throughout the home. “It creates the Balinese washhouse feel we love,” says Lola.

The bathrooms were all gutted and refitted. Crisp white fixtures and minimalist subway tiles on the walls contrast beautifully with textured floor tiles and plenty of natural elements, including timber cabinetry.

The andesite stone tiles in the living areas have been laid in a herringbone design. “They were originally 400 x 600mm and were cut up to create this effect,” explains Lola. The textured grey tiles are adjacent to a warm timber floor that provides contrast between the kitchen and dining room and the lounge.

When redesigning the kitchen, the goal was to create a social space where the family can come together to prepare and enjoy meals. A stainless-steel island with a built-in hob ensures that the cook is part of the action in the living area and stone countertops echo the look of the floor.

The décor enhances the home’s ‘inside-out’ aesthetic with a palette of natural hues and muted tones. Interest is created with the use of detailed textural pieces, many of which are available through 8 Degrees South. “We love the fact that all our items are made one piece at a time, using natural materials – no two products will ever be exactly alike,” say Jodi and Lola, who have used items such as rattan mirrors and grass wall hangings as artworks.

Most of these items are bought on their trips to Indonesia to commission furniture and homeware, pack containers and simply soak up the inspiration; other pieces are sourced in South Africa and Malawi from artisans practicing age-old traditional handcraft.

“We’ve built personal relationships with our suppliers and we enjoy collaborating with them on custom items,” says Lola.

The guest bathroom (below) has a glass ceiling, so it feels

Rattan pendant lights highlight areas such as the dining room table and entrance hall and hang over the bathtubs, while woven jute rugs demarcate zones in the open-plan living space and soften inside and outdoors catch the eye, while touches of black contrast with the softer shades.

In the bedrooms, more colour is evident with pink in Meg-Rose’s

Similar furnishings outdoors enhance the flow and zones dedicated to lounging and dining make the pool area ideal for entertaining. A pair of cane hanging chairs and a hammock perch at the water’s edge and loungers shaded by Balinese ceremonial umbrellas offer the perfect spot for relaxing before moving to the

The pool area incorporates another staple of Balinese design with lava stone wall tiles behind the pool and Sukabumi tiles in the pool. The balau decking was chosen, as were most features outdoors, to withstand the harsh elements that come with such close proximity to the sea. “The house is perfectly orientated to make the most of the magnificent sunsets and watching the day slip away is a family tradition,” says Jodi. >>

two-seater couch turns a corner intricately carved mirror creates a focal point. as if you’re bathing in the open air – even on the coldest

Tex ture and layering bathroom floors. Wicker, rattan and teak furniture pieces both

room and a rich emerald hue in the main bedroom.

10-seater dining table to enjoy a meal.

In the guest bedroom, a rattan into a reading nook and an winter evening.

In Meg-Rose’s bedroom, touches of pink create a feminine feel, which works well with the delicate rattan mirrors that feature on the wall above her desk. Hanging pendant lights rather than table lamps are a clever space-saving element.