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Top Billing Features The Architectural Wonders Of Louis Phillips
Ryle De Morny discovers a dream home nestled in the mountains.
The architectural works of Louis Phillips are not just renowned around the Paarl area where he hails from but is known around the world.
For his most recent development, Louis & his firm “Louis Phillips Architects & Associates, the brief was simple “Make use of the views”.
The project took what was once an uneventful piece of land and transformed it into an equestrian estate which recently merged with the golf estate next door. When the home-owners bought this estate, they sold off their previous house with all the furniture thus it was up to Louis to complete the build, design and decoration from scratch.
Ryle visits Louis at this prime of example of a what the best of the good life represents where the architect reveals the fact that this is indeed the third project he has tackled on behalf of the home-owners leaving him with an undisputed knowledge of what the family likes. The u-shaped courtyard was designed with the idea of allowing natural light to spill into the glass-walled rooms of the home, as well as the picturesque views of the outlying golf course around them.
The lady of the house has always shared a fond interest in interior design. Having completed a correspondence course years ago she would put her knowledge to use on their old beach house but her husband never really knew what was in store for him when he’d return home. The interiors of the Paarl estate clearly indicate that she’s come into her own as a designer as she blended whites, creams, natural wood motifs along with anthracite accent walls and many an art-piece to lend colour to the space.
The coffee tables are all custom-designed and the use of dark wallpaper behind the television frames the room in an otherwise open space.
The home features an enormous amount of flow, with white ceilings and the use of timber creating a warm feeling. The views outside are pristine featuring the Simonsberg mountains and a stunning lake.
Due to the house having a large footprint on the property it was decided that the pool should be integrated into the patio design and the area is shielded from the south easterly wind. In winter the patio doors can be locked turning the room into a closed off sun-room.
The white kitchen, which was designed by Anneline Gassner stands out, highlighted by the offset of darker colours. All the furniture was custom built and designed by Anneline’s firm with the conversation piece in the kitchen being the counter which was created using a solid piece of French-oak. This piece is echoed in the family’s bar area and creates a warm feeling due to the use of the timber.
In order to add more warmth to the double volume space of the home, the wooden flooring was wrapped up to the walls & ceilings to further enhance the feeling of warmth found in the home.
Moving upstairs Ryle is greeted by the many original, local artworks which lends character and leads to the master bedroom which features a scale that is on par with vast, mountainscape just outside the windows. The gargantuan bathroom is blessed with the spillage of light thanks to the northern sun and is in the lap of luxury with all its bells & whistles.
The family has two sons who are both currently at University. The two have their very own wing sporting bean bags at the centre of their media room with bedrooms leading off it via Japanese “Shoji” doors and understated masculine tones, textures and elegant, tree-themed wallpaper.
But that’s not all. One can not live in a home that is surrounded by its very own golf course. After eighteen holes, however, the best part of a morning round is surely being able to return to your very own home which sits amongst the beauty and tranquillity of the countryside around it.
