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Karoo twilight : Lien Botha captured the spirit of the Karoo in this picture taken in Prince Albert. Photo: Lien Botha. Production: Sumien Brink. -
Free State freedom : One of my all-time favourite houses. Gavin Rooke's bolthole on the Vaal River. Photo: David Ross. Production: Annemarie Meintjes. -
Textured escape : This house designed by Barry Gould reminds me of an old hacienda in Mexico. I love the textures and the little Bruce Arnott sculpture in the pond. Photo: Lien Botha. Words: Sumien Brink. -
Ladybrand laziness : Happiness for me would be sitting under Werner and Phillippa's MUD chandelier every afternoon and eating from their wobbly handmade plates. Photo: David Ross. Production: Annemarie Meintjes. -
Ladybrand laziness : Happiness for me would be sitting under Werner and Phillippa's MUD chandelier every afternoon and eating from their wobbly handmade plates. Photo: David Ross. Production: Annemarie Meintjes. -
Roosting roof : Again Lien Botha captures the simplicity of the Great Karoo, in a corbelled house at Stuurmansfontein. Photo and production: Lien Botha -
Roosting roof : Again Lien Botha captures the simplicity of the Great Karoo, in a corbelled house at Stuurmansfontein. Photo and production: Lien Botha -
Pure and white : One day I'm going to book myself into the Nirox Foundation for a few days of quiet retreat. Photo: David Ross. Production: Annemarie Meintjes. -
Gateway to heaven : Entrance to the communal garden at Monaghan Farm in the Cradle of Humankind designed by architect Philip Briel. Photo: David Ross. Production: Klara van Wyngaarden -
Cool copper : I'll be forever lusting after all the copper pots at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse in a remote valley in the Drakensberg. Photo: Clinton Friedman. Production: Klara van Wyngaarden -
Green and grey : I love this rough kitchen designed by Thomas Gouws for a house in the Pretoria hills. The way the green of the old cupboard jumps agains the grey concrete floor is magic. Photo: David Ross. Production: Annemarie Meintjes
WORDS Sumien Brink
Our winter VISI 67 features 80 pages of divine out-of-town hideaways – the breathtaking views, toasty fireplaces, decadent baths and snuggly beds. Here VISI content director Sumien Brink shows us what escaping to the country means to her.
I was born on a farm in Komatipoort, very near the Mozambique border, and started school in Perdekop in the Standerton district. When I finished school in White River, Mpumalanga, I was more than ready to escape my rural roots.
A few weeks ago my daughter, born and educated in Cape Town, left to make a new life on a farm in Namibia. The night before she set off, we watched Sydney Pollack’s Out of Africa, featuring a very young Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. Yes, I know it’s super-cheesy, but we cried when Meryl said: “I had a farm in Africa…” The next morning, living in the country was a new reality for her, and a very distant memory for me.
For this Collector’s Edition, we photographed three very different country homes and compiled the definitive style guide to make it easy for you to introduce the country into your home. If you’re not quite ready to trade the city lights for wide-open country spaces, don’t worry, you don’t have to go all out! You can simply bring the outdoors into your home – by covering a feature wall with your favourite country picture – like we did on the cover.
With winter keeping us home, turn those extra hours spent indoors into a festive feast by trying out VISI’s selection of winter dishes. Download your own winter warmer recipe book here. With this small gem in hand, you are sure to chase away the chills – even without an Aga!
I hope you enjoy this country-inspired issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together, and do enter our competitions to win some fabulous books, designer watches, or a two-night stay at the magnificent Babylonstoren.
Fill your belly with our winter warmers and your mind with the new VISI 67. Look out for the print version at selected retail outlets or buy the digital version right now.
While you’re at it, complete the readers survey and you could win one of 21 stylish watches, including a R21k Raymond Weil must-have and 20 Obaku ones (10 for ladies + 10 for men). Entry is only possible with the magazine in hand.
The hottest read the chill has blown your way, expect 6 celebrated authors going wild, 80 pages of divine out-of-town hideaways, 30 reasons to chill out and nest, and over 30 prizes to be won, including a R9 000 weekend at Babylonstoren.
