Brian and Cecile Paul call many places home, but their Cape Town apartment with its spectacular views of Table Mountain has a special place in their hearts.

There is a hat stand as you enter the apartment, and from it hangs a collection of elegant and cheeky vintage hats covered in classic Royal Stewart tartan – a marker that Brian, an architect of Scottish descent, and Cecile, a Namibian-born vintage obsessed fashion designer, are in residence.

In the years that they have been married they have lived in Scotland, Italy and now South Africa. For Brian, their Mother City home was love at first sight. “We used to live in the city centre in Edinburgh in an apartment overlooking Edinburgh Castle so we wanted to do the same here in Cape Town. And now, instead of having a view of an ancient castle, we have an uninterrupted one of Table Mountain.”

When asked about the energy or the mood of the apartment, both Brian and Cecile are firm about the desirability of their location. “Sometimes it can feel as if the city is bursting in – you hear the recycling trucks loading up the bottles of the drinking establishments that surround us – but at other times it’s just hours and hours of tranquillity. And you look at the mountain and everything is bathed in sunshine. It’s ever-changing, and that’s probably why I like it. There is always something different.”

“I love how the light bounces off the surrounding buildings,” Brian enthuses. “And on a Saturday night you know all about it,” Cecile chips in, but you get the feeling that not only does it not bother her, but she rather likes it; she likes this a lot, this gritty proximity to Long Street and its eccentric, eclectic frequenters. The space was originally built and used as offices, a fact which did not deter this creative couple. They spent five months completely stripping and cleaning it and painting it all white. They also replaced the windows and added a kitchen and bathrooms. As the architect, Brian created the bare bones that he wanted and Cecile, coming from a creative background and with her love of fashion, was responsible for the interiors. When asked if they share the same aesthetic, they both laugh.

“Pretty much. Brian is a little bit more conservative, but I usually get my own way,” Cecile says, smiling. “Sometimes I have to walk through and declutter, as it all gets a bit busy…” admits Brian.

According to Cecile there is no need to buy new things when you still love the things you have, so they shipped many of their much loved pieces of furniture from Scotland to South Africa. They wanted to bring their old antiques into this contemporary space. All the pieces are well travelled. “We have a farm in Barga, Italy; it’s close to Lucca, where there is an amazing vintage market, and we’ve bought some amazing pieces there. Whenever we’re at the farm I go scouting for the boxes of old crystal chandeliers.”

Their taste is delightfully personal and often quite quirky. Brian is attached to a particular late-19th-century Gothic church chair that he bought as a student at an auction in Scotland; the worn upholstery remained until the move to Cape Town, when he decided to upholster it with Springbok hide. Cecile loves the row of Tretchikoff pillows that line an old leather sofa. “I know they are so kitsch, but they are also so South African that I couldn’t not use them.”

There are Venetian masks and a staghorn chair. There are copper crowns and a fun fat-lady statue that once broke into a thousand shards and that Brian painstakingly pieced together because it had sentimental value to them. And Cecile’s collection of vintage hatboxes is beautifully displayed and her velvet top hats are artfully arranged in various corners of the apartment. Because, wherever you lay your hat, that’s your home.

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The buy-to-rent market in Cape Town is booming. And when the buyer is one of South Africa’s most accomplished interior design and decor personalities, the tenant is in for a treat.

Kim Smith is a very busy woman. In 2017 this director of Weylandts travelled to China, Germany, Italy, Singapore, India and Indonesia. In June she renovated the Chefs Warehouse restaurant at Maison Estate in Franschhoek, and in November Weylandts launched its first standalone Homestore (“70% home ware, 30% furniture”) in Sandton City.

“So most of this was done via WhatsApp,” she jokes as we enter her newly renovated penthouse apartment in Manhattan Place on the corner of Bree and Dorp streets, overlooking the Cape Town nightlife district. It’s the middle of the day but the apartment is dark.

Exposed black piping and steel girders cut industrial lines across grey walls and ceilings. Black honed-granite countertops complement the glossy black Smeg appliances in the kitchen. A ceiling fan makes the strands of a black shaggy rug on the couch stand on end.

“It used to be all white,” says Kim, “but I wanted something moodier and edgier. It is, after all, a nightlife spot. But it also creates a cocoon high up above the city. I love the fact that you can hear the muezzins from the mosques nearby. And the challenge was to make it look lived in – or at least not unlived in.”

It’s a challenge cleverly met. The books on the shelves – decor, travel, photography – are not all brand-new. The framed blueprint of an engine’s parts was found in a desk drawer at an old factory in Johannesburg. And there are just enough ornaments and flourishes to make you feel like you’re crashing in the pad of a guitarist for some Afro-grunge band that, 10 years from now, will take the world by storm.

Of course, every item is from Weylandts, from the skulls on the wall to the sand papered leather Marconi sofa with exposed seams. But the apartment is a deliberate and diametric opposite to Kim’s family home in Franschhoek, which is an airy, minimal white space that evokes the impression of an art gallery in a farmhouse.

“It’s a creative release,” says Kim. “I’m addicted to putting my spin on places. I treat every project as if I’m going to occupy the space. The knives are sharp, the pans are good quality, the bed is comfortable. I always focus on a monochromatic palette, and celebrate textures and materiality.” Particularly striking are the light fittings, each cluster a variation on the same industrial theme. They extend the lines drawn by the water sprinkler and electrical piping, and the old-fashioned filaments are as fascinating as they are functional.

“Because I travel so much, I know how important it is to have a beautiful place to return to. After all, we are shaped by our environments,” says Kim – in an environment so beautifully shaped by her.

Kim’s apartment is available to rent on airbnb.com.

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Local interior design studio Inhouse brought paint, purpose and refined elegance to the renovation of this double-volume penthouse at The Fairmont in Cape Town’s Sea Point.

This three-bedroom abode overlooks the burly Atlantic, ideally situated to offer arresting daybreak and nightfall vistas from a multitude of viewpoints at any given time.

Inhouse was tasked with making the initially grey concrete box as alluring as its surroundings. Opting for flow with an air of masculinity, the design sees an open-plan layout coupled with a dark colour palette. Entertainment spaces feature prominently darker hues while private spaces, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, offer a softer, more subdued palette.

Natural elements like glass, steel, marble and mirrors make for timelessly elegant yet contemporary style. Walls and floors covered in various marbles whisper opulence beneath the rays of light shed by pendant fixtures and recessed LEDs. Wandering through the marble passageways will bring you to a whiskey room encased in glass and a statement spiral staircase. Upon traversing the staircase, you are lead to a rooftop bordered by unending panoramic seaboard views.

Check out other projects by Inhouse here.

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The Estate on St Johns between Fresnaye and Sea Point is a luxurious new flagship development by the Berman Brothers Group (BBG).

Created from the ground up, The Estate has two blocks linked by a reception area, designed with seven-star hotel amenities. The building has two top-floor penthouses including 16 two- and three-bedroom apartments, ranging between 118 m² and 261 m².

A contemporary lobby boasts a dramatic staircase leading to an entertainment area, infinity pool and an outdoor bar, complemented by panoramic sea views.

Central to the design of The Estate is convenience and comfort, which is why high-speed Wi-Fi, covered storage, parking and home automation technology, as well as Lutron technology, have been integrated into the building. Lutron technology is an intelligent lighting control system installed in each apartment that allows you to control the lighting while at home or on holiday, through the use of in-wall keypads and your smartphone.

Prices for apartments at The Estate on St Johns start at R11 495 000.

For more information about this exclusive development, visit bermanbrothers.co.za.

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The penthouse in the new TwelveonV apartment building in Bantry Bay, a new Blok development, offers the ultimate in modern city living.

Ask a local what they love about Cape Town and chances are that mountain and sea are near the top of the list. No matter the season, these are the constants of living and working in the Mother City, poles of nature in an urban compass. First prize, of course, is a dwelling with views of both.

Two years ago, property developers Blok took on a new development in Victoria Road, Bantry Bay. Designed by WAUW, the building has a shimmery metal facade inspired by the sea, and an abundance of glass to take full advantage of the views. “We are incredibly proud of how the building emerges from the street edge,” says Blok Managing Director Jacques van Embden, “with its dramatic facade contrasted against the soft curves and dappled light penetrating through the aluminium screen.”

As attractive as the building is its location in sought-after Bantry Bay: near the beachfront promenade and Regent Road, and only a short drive from the CBD. TwelveonV is a dream address in the city. The developers are especially proud of the penthouse, which is split over three levels: for sleeping, living and entertaining. An open staircase connects the floors. Jacques says the penthouse was designed with an emphasis on the interior having a relationship with the exterior and to blur the lines between inside and outside. As a result, the sea, sky and mountain seem like extensions of the apartment’s two glass-enclosed floors and the open entertainment level, which is accessed through a sliding skylight at the top of the stairs.

The apartment features a private lift, pool, smart home functionality, fibre optics and gym in the building, not to mention floor-to-ceiling windows that afford views in all directions. When it came to the interior design, the materials, colours and textures had to be care fully considered to not compete with the sea and mountain views. The Blok aesthetic is characterised by minimalism and thoughtful design, so partnering with Weylandts, which is known for celebrating the integrity of objects, was a natural fit.

The penthouse was fully furnished, including cutlery, crockery and glassware, by Weylandts Spaces, the interior design division of Weylandts that is headed up by Chris Weylandt. He and his team curated and created bespoke pieces in line with the trend of downsizing from larger homes to more compact urban units. Black, grey and white dominate the palette. The modern kitchen, for example, features white marble, matte black taps, tinted glass and steel cabinetry. Blok’s interior architect Holly Hamlyn poetically describes it as a thread of dark, moody colours running through the interiors, with more focus in certain areas.

From working remotely to entertaining under the stars, each aspect of the design was duly considered with the modern urban resident in mind.

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Hollywood’s golden era meets Spanish style in a glamorous seaside penthouse on Spain’s holiday destination island Mallorca.

Mallorca-based creative lifestyle company Bconnected, headed by Monica Cernich and Marie-Luise Leja, have transformed a family’s holiday flat from a bland three-bedroom apartment into a colourful and stylish holiday home trimmed with pineapples, flamingos and island-inspired wallpaper. Originally inspired by the golden era of Hollywood and its timeless gold finishes, the holiday home’s stylish interior exudes a sense of glamour.

Pink neon lights bring a playful element to the bold Pierre Frey palm tree wallpaper that accents the kitchen while show-stopping DelightFULL light pieces and a Knoll marble dining table add an air of glitz to the colourful Miami-like seaside decor.

Bespoke rugs and cute ornamentals bring a fun twist to the otherwise fancy finishes that adorn the space. Golden taps are magically contrasted with the blue hues of bathroom tiling and are reminiscent of the never-ending horizon that can be viewed from a multiplicity of terraces that lead off bedrooms and living areas.

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THE SPACE

Soaring above SoHo, this three-storey penthouse has four bedrooms, a private elevator, two entrances, a 103-bottle wine refrigerator, plus three terraces totalling 185m2 of outdoor space.

THE LOCATION

The rooftop level is an entertainment space extraordinaire with a 130m2 terrace, woodburning fireplace, outdoor shower and sunken Jacuzzi, as well as its own catering kitchen and living area with sliding window walls. The oversized windows throughout take the panoramic cityscape to the max: the living room has views south to the Freedom Tower. The master suite overlooks downtown Manhattan, and you can enjoy East Soho panoramas while soaking in the tub of the master bathroom.

THE EXTRAS

The second floor of the building is devoted exclusively to residents, with a landscaped outdoor terrace, residents’ lounge, fitness centre and fitness studio.

THE SIZE

491m2

THE PRICE

$28 million

Contact Tom Scott at theprivateoffice@pamgolding.co.za for more information.

This article was originally featured in IMAGINE. Visit pamgolding.co.za for more luxury listings.

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THE SPACE

At the top of an elegant residence dating back to the 1930s, this apartment offers a dining room, two reception rooms, a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and dressing room, as well as a separate guest studio.

THE LOCATION

The view is magnificent: admire the grand Dôme des Invalides from your balcony – built between 1677 and 1706, this royal chapel is home to Napoleon’s tomb.

THE EXTRAS

The interiors were decorated by François Catroux, whose clientele includes fashion titan Diane von Furstenberg and Prince Faisal of Saudia Arabia.

Since the 17th century, the 7th arrondissement of Paris has been associated with French nobility and the upper class. An affluent area on the Left Bank in the heart of the city, it boasts beautiful historical architecture and famous museums, and is a stone’s throw away from the Eiffel Tower.

THE SIZE

137m²

THE PRICE

From €4.14 million

Contact Tom Scott at theprivateoffice@pamgolding.co.za for more information.

This article was originally featured in IMAGINE. Visit pamgolding.co.za for more luxury listings.

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THE SPACE

Live the city high life without compromising on space or luxury. Set on three stories, this Morningside penthouse boasts four palatial bedrooms with marble-fitted en-suite bathrooms, three entertainment rooms, a library and staff accommodation.

THE LOCATION

It rivals luxury-apartment living around the world: designer interiors, all the mod cons you could dream of, and grand, spacious entertainment areas. But what is a penthouse without a killer view? With its prime corner position, this property offers uninterrupted 270-degree panoramas of the city skyline and beyond; take them all in from the numerous balconies or from the heated rooftop pool.

One of the most prestigious apartment blocks in Sandton. Enjoy convenience on your doorstep with a restaurant, health spa and gym, indoor and outdoor pools, and meeting rooms for residents.

THE EXTRAS

Here’s an apartment that will appeal to those who enjoy the finer things in life, such as a state-of-the-art home cinema, walk-in wine room, steam room, and seven parking bays. Security has met presidential standards and includes fingerprint access. Plus there’s a concierge available around the clock.

THE SIZE

585m²

THE PRICE

R39.5 million

Contact Wayne Venter at wayne.venter@pamgolding.co.za for more information.

This article was originally featured in IMAGINE. Visit pamgolding.co.za for more luxury listings.

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British architect Ian Simpson lives in a breathtaking penthouse at the top of a 160m high skyscraper in Manchester, a building which he designed himself.

“As soon as I started designing the building, I started thinking about the opportunity of creating a home for myself here,” he says.

The apartment, which has over 200 seating spaces, a garden and a swimming pool, was designed with natural light and the luxury of space as key features.

This clip is directed by Emile Rafael. Missed his short on Kulapat Yantrasast’s concrete Los Angeles home? Watch it here.

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