It’s no secret that the House & Garden SA team loves travel. No matter the occasion, we search for the best spots around the country – and the world – to bring you the very best spots for leisure (and they just happen to be beautifully designed, too!). This month, we joined forces with the inimitable Julia Freemantle to help us find spots that tick every box on our checklist: we were looking for warmth (it’s winter after all), spaciousness, and spaces that are all about design. Below, discover one of our favourite spots in Julia’s travel feature.
Nautical and nice
Coot Club, Stanford
Needless to say, Coot Club was an easy pick. Set in the breathtaking landscapes of Standford, it’s every bit as striking as it is welcoming. Here, every credit goes to Kritzinger Architects, who brought to life one of the most picturesque getaways in the Western Cape.
“Built around camaraderie and the childlike wonder that being in the outdoors inspires, Coot Club is the perfect place to hit reset,” says Julia in the H&G July 2023 issue. “With a few different accommodation offerings on the property (a magnificent 464-hectare slice of land with 1.5 kilometres of water frontage on the Klein River Lagoon, ranked sixth most important for birdlife in South Africa) its newly added Boathouses are the ideal combination of charming nostalgia and the very best in contemporary comfort.”
Kritzinger Architects designed the buildings in such a way as to be sympathetic to the setting – raised to enjoy the view but painted dark to blend into the fynbos and mountain backdrop. “Nautically inspired (a nod to the aquatic setting), boating references, natural materials and a calming, cheerful palette makes for uplifting but elegant spaces,” adds Julia. “Wood-burning fireplaces and carefully thought-through details (kitted-out kitchens, spaces to work, read and nap) make winter sojourns here extremely cosy.”
Ready to discover the rest?
Like all good stories, we can’t give everything away just yet! We have more incredible destinations in our latest July issue of House & Garden SA, on shelves nationwide. Grab your copy to find the complete travel guide by Julia. You’ll also find restaurants, shopping guides, and as always, features on the finest local and international homes.
