South African House

Close to
nature

The owners of this Tropical Modernist-inspired home

can enjoy indoor-outdoor living in blissful comfort
thanks to a versatile design that sits in harmony
with both the climate and surrounding landscape
Words J u l iet Be nning P h oto g ra p h s g re g cox

exterior
Rail-mounted wooden shutters not
only temper the design, but also
keep the rooms cool in hot weather.
Architect Charles van Breda created
the lap pool to echo the rear faade.
Architect, Charles van Breda,
charlesvanbredaarchitects.com.

august 2017 | H&G | <#R#>

 kitchen-dining area
Instead of choosing one statement light,
Johanne opted to create an eye-catching
display with an arrangement of smaller
black pendants. To help unite the dining
area with the kitchen, the couple sourced
wood furniture in similar hues to the
cabinets, including a mid-century modern
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sideboard and a dining table, which dates
from the mid 1800s and was once owned
by German missionaries.
The Cones pendants, 2,700 set of three,
MOS, mosproducts.co.za. Leather Steadfast
chairs, R9210.53 each, Melvill & Moon,
melvillandmoon.com.
august 2017 | H&G | <#R#>
 SEATING AREA
An Australian Aboriginal dot painting (this
page) provides a lively focal point, while on
the terrace beyond (right), the camping chairs,
which have travelled all over South Africa
with the family, are a nostalgic touch.
Luxembourg low armchair, from 370, Fermob
at Barbed, barbed.co.uk. Dyed mohair rug,
672sqm, Coral Stephens, coralstephens.com.
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GARDEN
The landscaping (above right) immediately
around the house is neat and orderly to reflect
the buildings modernist look, while towards
the boundaries the mainly native planting
grows in a looser, more naturalistic style.
FAMILY ROOM
The three photographs of the Himalayas
were taken by Ians great-great-grandfather.
Multi Bargello Waves cushions, 135 each,
Jonathan Adler, uk.jonathanadler.com.
GUEST BEDROOM
A small selection of handmade pieces,
collected during holidays in Africa, are all
that Johanne has used to adorn this simply
decorated sanctuary (opposite page).
KTribe T1 table lamp, 452, Flos at Amara,
amara.com.
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T
he closer to nature the better. That was the line of
thinking for Johanne and Ian Balfour as they
worked on the design for their Johannesburg
home, which they have now been living in for
just over a year. The opportunity to purchase a
plot of land from the local country club had presented itself
after their daughter Pia began having riding lessons there and,
as Johanne recalls, It seemed like too good an opportunity to
miss, so we jumped at the chance.
WORKING WITH THE ARCHITECT
The plot in question was within an area of land where 30
private homes were being built, mostly in a modern South
African style of architecture. We were asked to stick to a
couple of guidelines but were otherwise free to choose our
own architect, says Johanne. The man they found to build
their new home was Charles van Breda, who was recommended
to them by a friend. We discovered that Charles shared our
enthusiasm for Tropical Modernism, and it made a great
starting point for our collaboration, says Johanne. The house
that he designed for the couple follows the modernist tradition,
being made of concrete, steel and glass, but its upper storey
is clad with stained wood screening to soften its appearance.
I wanted to add a warming touch, says Johanne.
BLURRING BOUNDARIES
In keeping with modernist principles, the linear good looks
of the building belie its versatile and adaptable design. The
ground-floor glass faade slides open almost entirely to allow
the kitchen and living spaces to merge imperceptibly with the
garden, making the house more like a garden loggia than a
traditional solid box of a home. I love nature and the bush, so
we spend a great deal of time outside, in the garden and around
the swimming pool, says Johanne.
The part of the garden that lies nearer to the house echoes
the strict regular form of the building, with a neatly delineated
concrete pavement sitting alongside manicured lawn and the
cool length of the swimming pool. Further away, planted beds
take on curves and the lawn eventually evolves into swathes of
wild grasses commonly found in the bush. Ninety per cent of
the planting is native to this part of South Africa, says Johanne.
CONTINENTS MEET
Behind the contemporary exterior, the rooms are a testament
to Johannes native home in Orlans, France. Chic furnishings
and walls painted in a tasteful palette of moody colours com-
bine to create an eclectic look more commonly found in the
townhouses of northern France. A tactile mix of leather, mohair
and aged wood acts as a foil for the modernity of the concrete
and glass. I was very keen to source materials and furniture
locally where possible, says Johanne, and many of the pieces,
such as the hand-woven baskets and dark wood side table, bear
witness to their camping holidays across Africa.
European mid-century classics, such as the Tulip side table
by Eero Saarinen and Finn Juhl chair, chime with the modern
surroundings. Lighting is provided by lamps by Tom Dixon
and the Fantasma by Flos. I love the soft glow of lamps and
wall lights, says Johanne. After dark, with the house open to the
night and the smell of burning logs drifting in from the firepit,
the Balfours feel as close to the South African countryside here
at home as they do when camping in the veldt.
MAIN BEDROOM
The bed is positioned to make the most of the
spectacular views of the garden and the city
beyond, and the sliding wood screens mean
that, we can see out but nobody can see in,
says Johanne. I wanted to create a modern
yet timeless style for the bedroom using warm
colours that are linked to nature.
Bespoke bed, Roberto Lazzeroni at Ceccotti
Collezioni, ceccotticollezioni.it.

MAIN BATHROOM
The pattern for the shower tiles (left) was
inspired by the Faience designs used by the
20th-century South African architect Norman
Eaton, whom Johanne admires, while the
simple floating cabinets of blonde oak (far
left), were handmade by a local craftsman.
Atlantis tiles, Douglas Jones, douglasjones.co.za.
Lady Margaret Bath, 3,925, Imperial Bathrooms,
imperial-bathrooms.com. Exposed Bulb CAP
lamps, 115, Makers Of Stuff, mosproducts.co.za.
Small Slat stool, 102.11, Dokter and Misses,
dokterandmisses.com.

AUGUST 2017 | H&G | <#R#>