< PreviousTHE HEEREN HUIJS IN HERMANUS BETWEEN THE SEA AND THE SKY Spectacular coastlines, rugged rocks and the deep blue sea: the South African coastal town of Hermanus is known for its stunning nature and one of the world’s top land-based whale watching spots. Amidst this spectacular backdrop, in a sheltered bay overlooking the ocean, lies the “Heeren Huijs” – a sanctuary whose design is entirely dedicated to the beauty of its surroundings. 58 | VON POLL IMMOBILIENVON POLL REAL ESTATE | 59 At home – in South Africa The coastline at Hermanus is unspoilt nature at its best. The architec- ture of the building blends harmoniously into its sur- roundings. A box seat with a panoramic view over the endless expanse of the sea – a backdrop that’s hard to beat. here are places that inspire respect – not because of their spectacular architecture, but because of their unadulterated charm. The Heeren Huijs (from “Heer- enhuis”, Dutch for manor house or vil- la), a hidden gem in Hermanus on the South African coast, is just such a place. Nestled in a sheltered bay, where cor- morants glide through the salty breeze and Southern Right whales pass by from June to November, nature and architec- ture merge here in a striking way. Inspired by the past, built for the future Architect Karen Newman had a clear vi- sion: to create a home that harmonises with nature and doesn’t compete with it. “I hesitated to build here at first, as it was one of the last undeveloped sites in the area.” But the challenge of designing a house that respects its surroundings – one that blends harmoniously into the landscape rather than dominating it – appealed to her more than anything else. “It had to be a home that felt like it had al- ways been here.” She was inspired by the T simple, whitewashed fishermen’s houses dotted along the Cape coast. The result is an ensemble of interconnected, flat- roofed cottages built from local granite, weathered wood and light-coloured lime plaster. Gently curved walls and roof lines lend the ensemble an organic, almost sculptural effect. A home with a soul The Heeren Huijs is the personal sanctu- ary of a young family looking for a place where they could escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and be inspired by the rugged beauty of the Overberg re- gion. “We weren’t looking for a modern beach house, but a home with history and character,” its owner says.60 | VON POLL IMMOBILIEN At home – in South Africa View over the pool to the rear of the house, which is sheltered from the wind and designed to make the most of the northern sun. “We weren’t looking for a modern beach house, but a home with history and character.”VON POLL REAL ESTATE | 61 From the start, she felt that involving local craftsmen, artists and master builders in the project was crucial. Many items of furniture were made especially for the house, and materials such as poplar wood and aged floorboards lend the rooms a warm, lively atmosphere. Historical elements, such as the old foundations of a former lighthouse, have also been incorporated into the design and tell the story of this special place. Space, light and nature in perfect harmony With six bedrooms – four on the ground floor and two under the roof – the Heeren Huijs offers plenty of space for family and guests. The open-plan living concept allows the indoor and outdoor areas to merge seamlessly into one another: the large sliding glass doors of the living ar- eas disappear completely into the walls, transforming the space into an airy ve- randa with clear views of the sea. The interior design follows a well thought-out concept: the house opens up almost completely to the lake side to bring the spectacular natural surround- ings inside. On the north side, a land- scaped terrace protects against the wind, creating a quiet, sun-drenched oasis of calm. Timeless elegance with a local touch When it came to the interior, Karen Newman and her partner Tamsyn Bow- ren went for a mixture of modern un- derstatement and local craftsmanship. Antique pieces from the region – from Cape copperware to rustic country fur- niture – were paired with customised designs. Hand-woven textiles, bleached woods, textured surfaces and light natu- ral tones all combine to create an atmos- phere that is both elegant and cosy. Thanks to floor- to-ceiling glass fronts, the sea feels like part of the living room. In the master bedroom, the bed, headboard, bedside tables, stool and armchairs were all custom-made by Newman Interiors. All the fabrics are from Romo, the bedside lamps from Flos. The interior is rustic-modern with a great deal of attention to detail.62 | VON POLL IMMOBILIEN “We only used a few high-quality materi- als to focus on the essentials: nature on the outside and the feeling of cosiness inside,” says Karen. Haptics play a piv- otal role here: from rustic poplar ceiling beams and weathered wood for door frames to deliberately imperfect, hand- crafted floors, every surface tells its own story. A place to come home to – and stay The Heeren Huijs is not just a house, but more a way of life. It’s a place that invites you to relax to the rhythm of the seasons and grows with its inhabitants. Once you’ve been here, you not only take the salty breeze and the soft light of the sea with you, but also the feeling of having finally returned home. Elegant mini- malism reigns in the bright main bathroom, with a metal bathtub from Victorian Bath- rooms. Stool by Cecile & Boyd Interiors; marble table by Infinity Stone. The desk in the corner overlooking the sea is part of the lobby to the master bedroom. “We used only a few, but high-quality materials.” At home – in South AfricaVON POLL REAL ESTATE | 63 Relax to the rhythm of the seasons At home – in South Africa64 | VON POLL IMMOBILIEN 1 Boho drop earrings light orange from cajoy.com, approx. €110 2 Scented candle 35 cm Cuir de Russie by Baobab via raumconceptstore.com, approx. €470 3 Orchard Orange drinks box from fieldbar.com, approx. €199 4 Nessino table lamp by Artemide via connox.de, approx. €170 5 Solo Ella perfume 100 ml by Loewe, via mytheresa.com, approx. €124 6 Sunglasses CH0030S by CHLOÉ via fielmann.de, approx. €330 7 Aalto Finlandia vase by Artemide via connox.de, approx. €180 EXQUISITE GIFTS FOR LADIES Gift ideas 5 2 3 1 4 6 7VON POLL REAL ESTATE | 65 Gift ideas VON POLL REAL ESTATE | 65 1 Phone case skiin MACARON from wiiuka.de, approx. €50 2 Baseball cap made from cotton gabardine by Moncler via mytheresa.com, approx. €240 3 Leather belt by Canali via mytheresa.com, approx. €275 4 Suede Monta loafers by Frescobol Carioca via mytheresa.com, approx. €285 5 Sculpture Tabou made of suede by GioBagnara via raumconceptstore.com, approx. €2,110 6 Burberry coffee table book published by Assouline via raumconceptstore. com, approx. €195 7 L’Homme perfume 100 ml by Yves Saint Laurent from mytheresa.com, approx. €63 STYLISH IDEAS FOR GENTS 5 2 3 1 4 6 766 | VON POLL IMMOBILIEN66 | VON POLL IMMOBILIEN Gift ideas 1 RJ9052S sunglasses by RAY-BAN via fielmann.de, approx. €90 2 Sitting ball Der Sportliche by Mokebo via xxxlutz.de, approx. €100 3 Prouvé Standard SP Chair by Vitra via connox.de, approx. €575 4 Beosound A1 2nd Gen Bluetooth speaker by bang-olufsen.com, approx. €299 5 The Aerolight Transit Mug by Stanley via globetrotter.de, approx. €39 6 USM Haller sideboard by USM via cor-berlin.com, approx. €2,309 7 Adidas Gazelle sneakers by ADIDAS ORIGINAL KIDS via mytheresa.com, approx. €65 TRENDS & IDEAS FOR BOYS 1 2 3 4 6 7 5VON POLL REAL ESTATE | 67VON POLL REAL ESTATE | 67 Gift ideas 1 LOUMA mirror from maisonsdumonde.com, approx. €149 2 Flora by Gucci Orchi perfume 100 ml by Gucci via flacon.de, approx. €101 3 Eames Elephant from vitra.com, approx. €285 4 Beosound A1 2nd Gen Bluetooth speaker by bang-olufsen.com, approx. €299 5 Branching by Moe Made Itposter by the poster club via connox.de, approx. €79 6 Children’s sofa by Livetastic via xxxlutz.de, approx. €299 7 Circus pouf small by Normann Copenhagen via connox.de, approx. €579 HIGHLIGHTS FOR GIRLS 1 2 3 5 7 4 6Next >