A bold mélange of marble, mirrors and botanical motifs transforms this Constantia home into a glamorous summer retreat
Situated within the verdant contours of Constantia, this Georgian-style villa has been given new life, bursting with exuberance. The vision was to completely reimagine the home by improving the flow, creating spacious guest suites and incorporating luxurious flair.
Helmed by South African interior designer Marie-Louise Koen, in collaboration with Austrian designer Julia Strobl from Just Livin’ in Salzburg, the home became a cross-cultural exchange that ultimately shaped it into something distinctive with great éclat. ‘The home’s Georgian character is still very present,’ Marie-Louise says. ‘Architectural details such as coffered ceilings in the living areas, wainscoting in the upstairs bathrooms and window seats tucked into dormer windows gave us a strong framework to layer in more contemporary elements.’ For her, this balance is essential in any renovation.
Contemporary doesn’t necessarily mean ‘modern’, it means refreshed, more functional and better-suited to the way we live today. Relocating the kitchen to the front, garden-facing side of the house was another key step in achieving this blend, opening the home to an easy, natural flow between living and entertaining areas. ‘One of the other major changes was removing the two spiral staircases that once led to attic-like spaces upstairs. In their place, we introduced a grand central staircase, now a defining architectural feature that makes a powerful first impression from the entrance,’ Marie-Louise adds.
The guiding tones of this project were bold, colourful and elegant. The pool house and dining room are wrapped in striking wallpapers that bring art directly onto the walls, while the consistent use of black accents anchors the design. Dark elements serve as a strong counterpoint, from steel doors and glass partitions to light fixtures and cabinetry, making the surrounding colours stand out.
Cream tones and soft neutrals balance the statement wallpapers to create a harmony between the bold interior and the calm, natural context of the area. Mirrors were another key material in the design. In the master suite, floor-to-ceiling bronzed mirrors clad the front of the closet space, amplifying both light and luxury. Then, of course, the generous yet bold use of marble serves as a statement of drama and luxury. ‘To ground the home, we retained the villa like neutral floor tiles on the main level, while on the second floor we introduced Oggie timber flooring,’ Marie-Louise says. ‘The balance between timeless neutrals and bold, expressive finishes gives the home its layered and glamorous character.’
Having a client unafraid of colour was liberating and allowed vibrant accents to weave into built elements and finishes throughout the home. The pool room is a standout example, with wallpaper inspired by the banana trees growing outside, creating the illusion of the outdoors spilling in. Wrapping both the walls and ceilings in this lush print created a full jungle immersion. ‘It was a playful, daring move, but it turned out to be one of the most exciting spaces in the project.
The wallpaper, the iconic Mah Jong Missoni sofa and a mirrored wall framing the ceiling mounted bar is flawless to me. It perfectly captures the playful yet luxurious spirit of the entire project in a single space,’ Marie-Louise concludes.
Credits
Text by Shai Rama
Images: Inge Prins
This article was originally published in the House & Garden SA November Issue.
