Architects: SAOTA
Project: Restio River Weekend Getaway
Project Team: Philip Olmesdahl, Riaz Ebrahim, Nasreen Larney & Werner Lotz
Collaborators: ARRCC
Location: Pringle Bay, South Africa
Area: 300m²
Perched on the banks of the Buffels River, close to its mouth in Pringle Bay – a small coastal town less than 100km from Cape Town, South Africa – Restio River House has an easy living permanence that shakes off the salty winds and lets in the sun and the natural beauty of the surrounding indigenous vegetation and mountain valley.
The dramatic views and sweeping landscapes informed the design of the interiors. Rather than creating statement interiors, the focus was always going to be the surrounding views. The spaces are therefore restrained with pieces selected for comfort and relaxation.
As it is a weekend getaway, we strived for a relaxed interior that exudes stylish comfort. Textures such as suedes, linens and sheepskin were used to create a sense of calmness and to add to the overall feeling of informal relaxation. We opted for a more quirky and fun style to suit the purpose of the house yet not compromising on style and luxury.
A warm but playful and quirky element to the home was added with punched brass cladding to the lounge fireplace as well as a graphic lighting installation from Flos. The dining room features a custom-made table by James Mudge that is accentuated by the Lindsey Adelman pendant light. The black Magis chairs is softened with sheepskins throws.
The clients had a good eye for all aspects of design and have a great appreciation of South African artists. They decided to use some of their existing pieces which we could easily incorporate into the overall design. The pieces selected feel like they were almost created for these spaces. Artwork include artists such as Deborah Poynton and Albert Coertse.
The success of this project was a strong collaboration between the Clients, the Architect and the Interior Designers. Everyone understood the Clients’ vision of what they wanted to create for their family retreat which made working together so much easier.
