Bakoven Holiday Home Renovation

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Henrique Wilding

This high-end holiday home in Bakoven has undergone a contemporary facelift that strikes a fine balance between luxury living and laid-back practicality.

Located in the coastal enclave of Bakoven, the upscale home needed an interior renovation that combined aesthetic appeal with a user-friendly, durable design. “My interpretation was to keep the guest experience top of mind by providing a high-end product associated with all the luxuries and modern-day comforts one would expect from a holiday home in Bakoven,” says interior designer Hanno de Swardt of Onnah Design. “Yet, at the same time, ensuring easy long-term maintenance and property management.”  

The project required substantial building work before the interior design phase could begin. To coordinate this, the team followed a carefully structured schedule to ensure the smooth overlap of different trades. “This can often prove to be rather challenging and requires a clear, focused mind, good communication and organisational skills… and plenty of patience. In a nutshell: teamwork and dedication,” says Hanno. Another challenge was the tight timeline; the property needed to be ready for the festive season to maximise its rental potential. “The house was fitted out in a record period of just three days, ready to be photographed.”

The dark exterior walls of the home inspired the double-volume lobby space. A bold choice to “establish visual continuity and to create a strong contrast,” explains Hanno. Decorative pendant lights were introduced in select areas to accentuate surfaces and emphasize volume. Additionally, a few mirrors were added to enhance light reflection.

The living areas were designed to be warm and inviting, featuring neutral tones that are both stylish and laid-back, without being overly formal. “I had to apply some restraint in terms of decor and the amount of furniture pieces to avoid a cluttered look.” A light, ‘crisp’ approach was used for all the bathrooms, featuring a harmonious mix of oak and white tiles and countertops.

The bedrooms were designed around beautiful artwork, which served as the focal point in each room. “I am an avid open water swimmer and was instantly drawn to the art commissioned from Cobus Erasmus for the bedrooms. I love the uniqueness of the lilac and purple bedroom. All the colours and textures are in beautiful harmony and are extremely soft on the eye, creating a cosy, intimate space,” says Hanno. | onnahdesign.co.za

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