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Green Scene: Contemporary green Bishopscourt home
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From the lush fynbos, amidst the silence of the mountains and the whispers of tall Ironwood trees, one would expect a fragile duiker to make its shy entrance across the sun-kissed terraced lawns. The sublime atmosphere and quality of the build is thanks to an ergonomic use of style, tastefully unostentatious, with hues of nature reflected in generous glass panels with soaring elevations and cleverly defined roof pitches.
Reminiscent of a game lodge with artisanal stonework in tones of beige and soft grey alongside textured gravel and grey paving stone, the property moves forward into the new age with architectural features that reflect a love of all things green and woody. Views are panoramic and span across the Constantia valley towards the mountains and the blue sea of False Bay. The property is practical and solid on its flat stretches of ground with an expansive L-shaped oxygenated swimming pool that hugs the house with beautiful turquoise water, ideal for sweltering summer days. A luxurious covered patio, with enough space for the entire swim team, extends to a large deck with a judicious use of wood. The space is shared with mature trees which provide gentle shade.
Inside, the enormous double volume reception rooms, surrounded by glass panelled sides invite lazy, informal living, keeping an edge of sophistication through the use of neutral colours and visually appealing focal points. An interesting theme in the house runs along the lines of grey panels of wall space, offering a backdrop for spectacular works of art. Grey loves colour and invites the eye to linger longer. The living room allows gallery style viewing of a portrait from a distance, with low slung leisure seating, fitting carefully to the scale of the house’s larger dimensions. The brighter colours in the artwork are highlighted by the sweet, juicy colours in the lounge cushions and add visual excitement and variety.
Double glazed glass panels, glass balcony and floating staircase all conspire to bring a seamless, breezy interior that is in harmony with its outdoor elements. A delightful absence of interior walls and of curtaining in the living areas works hard to bring clean, bright light into the home, but not without the cosy intimacy of warmth necessary for Cape winters. Italcotto closed wood burning fireplaces feature in the television and living areas and in the master bedroom too.
A techno smart, home-automation system operates the lights, the pool pump, the security and irrigation system, as well as interior blinds and roller shutters throughout the house. It’s also worth mentioning that the property’s eco-friendly 10KW photovoltaic/solar heating system is heat pump driven – so the property runs off solar power by day and is powered by wind turbine during the night.
The economy and beauty of modern contemporary design translates into space for furnishings such as beds, pedestals and bathroom units where items are hung above floor level. Bathrooms include wall hung vanity units in clean white for functional storage and style. Dimensions are elegant with a focus on the horizontal, adding to the streamlined effect of the wooden cladding detail on the walls. Showers are extra- large, the bath floats above the floor and down lighting is elegant and intimate – the whole effect is that of a five-star resort spa.
An Azarelli designed kitchen is crammed with modern conveniences: a SMEG oven, gas hob and extractor, plus microwave and convection oven. The three-dimensional quality of items is concealed from view within the wall space. It’s a ‘lifestyle’ kitchen in the true sense of the word, with a suspended ceiling, kitchen island and wraparound countertop that forms a platform from which to entertain. The design is inclusive, meaning guests and the head chef alike are invited to collaborate in a new era of creative cooking, combining culinary showmanship and entertainment. So, you can play celebrity chef all you like. At the very least, this is a kitchen space to enjoy with the whole family. More formal dining is catered for with an elongated ten-seater dining-table where you and your guests can enjoy a bottle of wine and stargaze with uninhibited views of the night sky.
All the bedrooms are big on space and enjoy private entrances to balconies and lawns that supersede the bedrooms by extending the view further out towards endless horizons. The master suite and its adjacent Galliano style dressing room are a beauty – the dressing room provides storage designed for superfluous excess and exciting hedonism. Décor is kept simple for a good reason. Simplicity is key because uninterrupted views are what this home is all about. Luxurious, thick pile carpeting in neutrals does add warmth and absorb sound, and concealed built-in cupboards slide open, for super practicality.
Quirky details add character to the house. A suspended home office hangs elegantly within triple volume glass, amongst the trees, with a transparent glass balcony and a neat set of workspaces that ensures a great workflow and inspired views. This special addition works by adding a thrilling sense of space and beats the feeling of being boxed into an office by miles. There’s also a private wine cellar for that special, rare collection and garage space for three cars as well as extended parking for an ephemeral gathering of guests.
This is truly open plan living at its best that rounds up the indoors with sprawling spaces that enable sociability, convenience and the type of modern living that home owners want more of. The space is tempered with clever solutions to conceal and store everyday items for tidy, easier living. Different open plan zones are easily accessible and shareable and at the same time there’s space for privacy. Here, every door leads to the garden, giving access to beautiful countryside imaginings and an absolute freedom of movement in the true spirit of living.
Author: Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty
