Visiting a beautiful home in Constantia

CONSTANTIA COLONIAL

The suburb of Constantia in Cape Town is where some of Cape Town's most beautiful homes can be found.  One of these belongs to a very good friend.  The family have lived there for 15 years in this eclectic and welcoming space and are now considering down-sizing.    The rambling house, sitting on two acres,  creates an impression of  stately elegance while being both unassuming and inviting.  The house is built in the African Colonial style, with interiors that reflect the owner's unique take on this heritage.

Dominating the view from the home are the magnificent Constantiaberg mountains.  My friend tells me that Cape storms pass over these mountains towards the house in the winter, creating a dramatic backdrop.  The sweet odor of the thatched roof seems to capture the very essence of Africa, particularly in the Africa Room as well as in the upstairs bedrooms. 

The natural chemical free oval swimming ponds in the garden were designed and purpose-built by the owner,  using the latest eco design where water is circulated between the pools and filtered through a reed bed.  These beautiful swimming ponds attract birdlife and frogs and a heron has taken up residence here.   Horses are stabled on the property and there are usually at least 5 dogs to be seen, all of which have been rescued.

This lovely and textured house celebrates all that is Africa.    
There is a constant flow of people and animals through this happy home and below are photos I took a couple of weeks ago!

Welcoming entrance!

Living room through to the Africa room

Large windows of the Africa room overlooking the garden and mountains beyond.

The Africa Room

Delightful country kitchen

Manuel Canovas wallpaper and fabric in this guest room

The walls are adorned with an impressive eclectic art collection.  Below is an oil by celebrated South African artist - Irma Stern

An upstairs bedroom

Magnificent views from upstairs

The tranquil swimming pond on the left and surrounding natural moat.

The owner with one of her beloved pooches!