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The dream home
Building a home is never an easy process. In order to make your greatest dreams come true, you first have to knuckle down to it and do things the hard way – one brick at a time
words lizzie staughton photographs barry goldman
Hearn and Tara Jocelyn are one of those rare couples who truly enjoyed the entire process of building their home. ‘It was certainly a learning curve.’ says Hearn. ‘We had fun doing it and that is the main thing. Right from the foundations, we coordinated the project every step of the way – and I was there each morning bright and early. The key to building is finishing each stage before starting the next.’
Every weekend the couple would don overalls and make sure everything was going according to plan. ‘This is how to build,’ Hearn smiles. The couple, who run a successful chain of music stores, have been planning their dream home for the past 11 years. They had a good idea of what they wanted before briefing architect Rudolph van der Meulen, who came up with a design that suited their lifestyle and took full advantage of everything the site had to offer.
ABOVE: One of the many water features bringing the sound of water to the home.
The home’s façade is dominated by a signature Nico van der Meulen beam which also frames the view from the pool area. Water plays a big feature through this house: at the entrance an indoor heated splash pool creates a visual line with the outdoor water feature that, itself, ends in a cascading waterfall in front of the house; the outside koi pond is experienced from both the living area as well as the dining area – from the latter, the pond is seen through the underwater windows, creating a particularly unique focal point.
There is a wonderful flow throughout the house – Tara and Hearn wanted one big living area where they were able to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle. ‘Hearn and I love being together. While I am in the kitchen, Hearn can be in the living area and we can still see each other. That is what is important to us,’ says Tara, to which Hearn adds, ‘Our time together is precious.’
ABOVE: Tranquil water features, present throughout the home, provide a soothing refuge. Waterfalls, ponds and a splash pool carry the water theme from inside to the outdoor areas, blending exterior and interior spaces
The decor is very neutral and complements the use of natural materials such as the travertine floors and the stone cladding set against the double-volume wall. The simple, clean lines of the furniture enhance the architectural linear elements that are seen throughout the living area. Low-lying, streamlined furniture was carefully selected to draw the eye into
this area, while frameless, stacking glass doors blur the edges between interior and exterior spaces, ensuring an abundance of space for entertaining, as well as a magical flow throughout these dynamic, double-volume spaces.
A dual floating staircase leads up to the glass-panelled landing, which allows a magical view onto the living area and across to the garden. There is a serene feeling in the main bedroom, with splashes of green breaking the neutral palette. The low travertine wall, with its built-in gas fireplace, serves to divide the room into two functional areas – without breaking the overall spaciousness of what is effectively another living area for the couple.
LEFT: Hearn’s passion for guitars is evident from the collection of vintage guitars displayed in his music room; MIDDLE: The kitchen area was created with an eye for the contemporary aesthetic as well as with practicality in mind; RIGHT: A pebble gas fireplace and a luxurious throw create a cosy, intimate corner in the living room
‘I love being able to chat with Hearn while I am soaking in the bath,’ says Tara. ‘This is truly a place where we can relax and restore our energy.’
After over a decade, the couple have finally created what is truly their perfect house. ‘We love big spaces, but this house also has such intimate spaces where we can just enjoy each other. It’s a sunshine home full of love and warmth,’ says Hearn.
ABOVE: Steps lead down from the entrance to the double-volume sitting area with travertine and sandstone wall cladding
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