The sign of a successful home is how it combines varying elements in design, function and aesthetic for an overall elegant tapestry. This house gives you exactly that. Tucked into the residential community of Steyn City lies this gem, designed by Cocoon Lifestyle under the creative direction of founder and interior designer Bilala Mabuza. ‘The owners wanted a modern but practical home where they can live with their growing small family; the house had to cater for entertaining with good flow to the patio area and also showcase their art collection,’ says Bilala.
As first impressions go, there is an immediate sense of balance, with high ceilings and neutral living spaces set in counterbalance to the lush surroundings. Black Afro-modern pendant lights by Weylandts float above the space, leading your eye from the lounge into the dining area, with the dining table’s marble top standing out. For Bilala, the design and stylistic approach was to emphasize light as a key element in the home, achieved through a mix of flowing natural light (the house is blessed with an abundance of this) and large-scale modern lighting fixtures. Art is the home’s central feature, particularly works by Siphiwe Makgoka, which introduce a playful, subtly colourful, illustrative quality to the living spaces. These artworks, grouped with small sculptures and objects, textured throws and carpets, and a glut of printed cushions, create a vibrant yet cohesive space.
There is a particularity in the interplay of materials and texture and how Bilala has used them to achieve her design goals. The exposed brickwork adds an earthy texture and grounds the otherwise minimal, gallery-like interior and natural colour. Similarly in the kitchen, smooth timber (both raw and dark stained) brings nature into the home and adds tactile warmth that contrasts with the steel, tiling and glass. The home’s selection of furniture and finishes displays a striking engagement with nature, not only in the interiors but outside too, with long tables and sofas on the patio suitable for family gatherings, and lunches, allowing for lazy afternoons spent enjoying the garden.
As the home is a sectional title, Bilala could only work within the limitations of its footprint (structural changes were off the cards) - which served as a catalyst for her creativity and forced her to think, often inventively, about how to bring curated, stylish elements into the space while maintaining a uniquely carefree attitude. Bilala has achieved a beautiful home that offers the ideal setting for easy, carefree living for the whole family and anyone else who encounters the space.
