-
The genius of this house is the way in which, a decade later, the clean-lined architecture is grounded by the dramatic scenery that surrounds it and the vegetation that has grown to claim it. -
Owner Dané Erwee’s talent for combining disparate objects is shown to spectacular effect in the entrance hall. -
The genius of this house is the way in which, a decade later, the clean-lined architecture is grounded by the dramatic scenery that surrounds it and the vegetation that has grown to claim it. -
The genius of this house is the way in which, a decade later, the clean-lined architecture is grounded by the dramatic scenery that surrounds it and the vegetation that has grown to claim it. -
The genius of this house is the way in which, a decade later, the clean-lined architecture is grounded by the dramatic scenery that surrounds it and the vegetation that has grown to claim it. -
The genius of this house is the way in which, a decade later, the clean-lined architecture is grounded by the dramatic scenery that surrounds it and the vegetation that has grown to claim it. -
The genius of this house is the way in which, a decade later, the clean-lined architecture is grounded by the dramatic scenery that surrounds it and the vegetation that has grown to claim it. -
The genius of this house is the way in which, a decade later, the clean-lined architecture is grounded by the dramatic scenery that surrounds it and the vegetation that has grown to claim it. -
From the main entrance, a staircase leads up to two en suite bedrooms. -
On the upper level, a glass ceiling is screened by slats that act as a light filter throughout the day, and create a feeling of warmth. -
The volume and scale of the house is cleverly grounded by a wooden structure. -
The wooden structure at the entrance doubles as firewood storage. -
An outdoor bathroom features a pink wall inspired by the work of Luis Barragán, which Dané painted during lockdown. -
The fireplace in the open-plan living and dining area that leads out onto the terrace has been repurposed as a gallery for art and books. Almost all furniture here showcases Dané’s talent for giving previously loved pieces a new lease of life. -
“It doesn’t matter to me whether something is old or new, I just like it,” says Dané. Creating unique spaces by using gently worn pieces that have been passed down is never more evident than on the terrace. -
A Gregor Jenkin table in the dining area is paired with reclaimed chairs that Dané bought at auction and reupholstered. The armoire, elevated on a plinth, is a focal point. -
A back kitchen leading off to the side garden is where the washing up and major storage happens. “We’ve really just made use of what we have,” says Dané. -
A downstairs guest bedroom, featuring antique beds and walls clad in pine panels, displays a playful twist with chairs upholstered in tapestries and old globes reconfigured into lights. -
Emphasising the length of the galley bathroom, a glass shower wall provides a surface against which the vanity unit can be located. The heated towel rail in a ladder configuration is from Jeeves. -
Another aspect of the upstairs terrace, where groaning bookshelves and a comfy sofa spell relaxation. -
An upstairs terrace offers a connection to the outdoors, and views for both bedrooms. -
One of the en suite bathrooms features steel doors that open out into the greenery. -
On the upper level, two en suite bedrooms are located on either side of the central gallery space. -
A brass wall in one of the bedrooms creates a cocoon of glamour, while a colourful floral kelim acts as a reminder that this is a flower farm.
WORDS Kerryn Fischer PHOTOS Elsa Young/Frank Features
First featured in VISI several years back, this modern farmhouse has settled into its own skin, with a decor style that has gradually built layers of houding, melding the owner’s style with the architect’s timeless aesthetic.
Smitten by its location in the picturesque village of Pniel at the foot of the Simonsberg mountain in Stellenbosch, Dané Erwee and Chris Willemse bought this 2.5-hectare piece of land 10 years ago. The idea was to start a flower farm that could supply their floral retail business, Okasie. “There was nothing here then besides a few gardenia bushes and plum trees,” recalls Chris, a horticulturist. “Our first mission was to build a road that would allow the builders to access the land.”
Architect Henri Comrie was entrusted to design the house. “We chose Henri for his strong ideas, and because we knew he’d give us something timeless,” says Dané, a master florist and landscape designer. “In fact, his answer to our brief for a re-imagined farmhouse was so spot on that, from the moment we received the proposed plans for this house, we honestly didn’t change a thing.”
READ MORE: Klein Karoo Farmhouse
Set between two peaks, the 400m2 house strikes an iconic pose against its backdrop of majestic mountains. “It’s like a temple that locks the peaks into its power forever,” explains Henri. “The idea was that, by establishing itself as a central place in this huge landscape, the house is able to command a potency far exceeding its size.”
The general organisation of the building hangs on to this connection too, from the house itself to the entrance, a cut cylinder tank fed by a great spout, a “tongue” of tended grass that stretches out from the building, a long pool and even the broad, werf-like wall at the entrance. Best described as a cube divided into a series of smaller, flexible spaces, the home features aperture openings at the front and back that give it a “tunnel vision”, ensuring spectacular views of the mountains that flank it. With few windows and openings on the sides of the building, all additional light comes from above, thanks to transparent roof structures and glass sections on the upper walkway.
The living areas on the ground floor are located at the front of the cube, while two guest bedrooms are located to the rear, parallel to the entrance. Upstairs, two en suite bedrooms lead out to an enclosed terrace that doubles as an outdoor lounge, which is echoed on the lower level.
The interiors are quirky and playful, blending Dané and Chris’s love of beautiful things in a mix of wood, linen, pattern, colour, texture and botanicals. “I definitely get a kick out of combining incongruous things that tell a story,” says Dané.
READ MORE: Montagu Country House
“It’s a philosophy that works – the house feels like it’s been around far longer than 10 years, particularly now that the landscape has claimed it as its own. It’s a brilliant design, but it seems entirely disproportionate to the joy it has given and continues to give us. To experience the seasons and the rhythm of the surrounding farming activities in the coolth of its spaces is heightened by its connection to the mountains, and the myriad ways in which light reflects off the peaks.”
It’s an inspiring place, too – for Dané and Chris, and for all who get to experience it. “It has sometimes felt like a challenge, and decorating it has, on occasion, felt like more of a responsibility,” says Dané.
“But then that inspires me further. It’s a constantly evolving relationship – with the house and the environment.” Which is exactly as it should be.
Looking for more architectural inspiration? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, here.
