Editor’s Picks: 5 Favourite Summer Spaces

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VISI Editor-in-Chief Sumien Brink has rounded up some of her favourite summer features from past issues of VISI. Here, she shares why these will always be her ideal spots for the season.

1. Groot Drakenstein Lifestyle Destination

SUMIEN: “The latest addition at Babylonstoren, The Manor House, is the ultimate summer breakaway, with a beautiful spa for unwinding at the end of the year.”

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The new Farmhouse at Babylonstoren has a spa, heated swimming pool and ozonated vitality pool for Farmhouse guests exclusively. The double-glazed glass unit closes up completely and is perfect for winter breakaways.

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PHOTOS Dook PRODUCTION Annemarie Meintjes

2. Kenya Safari Lodge

SUMIEN: “I am absolutely besotted with the uninterrupted views of the Serengeti and the shots of red introduced by Annemarie Meintjes in this feature.”

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From the baraza (Swahili for a place where public gatherings are held), guests can watch hot-air balloons rising over the Mara before the sun does, and at sunset when the fire is lit they gather to swap stories.

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Architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens understood the theatre demanded by a location like this in remote Africa. The imposing figure of Maasai naturalist John Peenko perched on the roof of the vestibule adds to the drama.

PHOTOS Dook PRODUCTION Annemarie Meintjes

3. Camps Bay Family Home

SUMIEN: “I want to spend all summer on this deck overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with a G&T in hand.”

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The chair on the balcony, the best place to watch a Cape Town sunset, is from marlanteak. The table, chairs and tree trunk stools below are from Weylandts. The bowl on the table is from LIM and the outdoor rug is by Fibre Designs.

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Indoor-outdoor flow was of primary importance in the design of this home. The outdoor furniture is from marlanteak and the modern wood detailing in the ceiling by Wood n Structure.

PHOTOS Micky Hoyle PRODUCTION Sumien Brink

4. Swakopmund Beach House

SUMIEN: “There is nothing between you and the beach at this coastal breakaway. It is so special to be caught between the desert and the cold sea.”

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At the side entrance to the house, Deidré and Martin planted a mature palm tree that they reclaimed from a building site.

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On the deep veranda that runs the length of the house, upcycled Morris chairs and a Weylandts sofa make for a cosy spot. The white cement floor was sealed with a matt sealant and untreated balau wood was used for the decking.

PHOTOS Martin Bosman

5. Strand Penthouse

SUMIEN: “This industrial Strand apartment is right on the beach, which is fabulously unexpected. I like the fact that they painted everything dark grey and black inside and then outside is this magnificent, bright view.”

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The photograph above the bed is by Sierra Leonian artist Mambu Bayoh, and the bedside lamps are from Province Lighting. Next to the bed is a book bag from Cape Town-based Bofred and Composite Design.

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The view from the lounge onto the sea-facing balcony, from where you have a panorama of the False Bay coastline.

PHOTOS Jan Ras PRODUCTION Sumien Brink