House Fresnaye

Words: Carla Gailey | Photos: Jan Ras Photography

Black. Art Deco. Luxe. The brief was clear for local company, Olala Interiors, when they were briefed to do this ultra-mod and chic Fresnaye Home in Bantry Bay in Cape Town. Yes, The Estate Magazine has spread its wings to the rest of our stunning country!

“I always have and always will love black, and velvet, its soft and tactile opulence is totally indulgent”, says Schané Anderson, designer and co-owner of Olala Interiors. Her client, who too adores black and velvet, who travels extensively, does business internationally and lives in gracious homes, it was a match made in heaven! He was searching for an investment property and fell in love with this masterpiece home nestled in Fresnaye, aptly painted black! With spectacular and uninterrupted views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the black exterior with subtle Art Deco Architectural influences, welcomes you into a modern, sleek version reminding us of the glamorous black and white colour palette of the silver screens in the 1920’s. This one-of-a-king triple storey home boasts four garages, five sumptuous suites and staff quarters, all with sea views overlooking the entire Seaboard.

The flat roof, smooth walls and rounded corners epitomise elegant influences of Art Deco Architecture. “The owner acquired this magnificent home as an investment opportunity, and wanted it furnished to attract high-end international residential rental clientele”, adds Schané.

She further explains, “To furnish the entertainment area, we specified fully outdoor comfortable seating and dining area for the covered area. The patio was finished with exclusive Quartz carpet, giving it a superior, seamless and sophisticated aesthetic appeal whilst having a delightful tactile sensation underfoot.” Fully automated and retractable awnings provides gorgeous shade for the hot, sunny Cape Town summer afternoons, which allow for easy and ultimate lounging. At the pool area, sun loungers over look the Riviera-like coastline. But the most extravagant and extraordinary piece is the Baha umbrella designed by Paola Lenti. The umbrella’s adjustable height is formed by two independent semi-circles, which can be inclined and orientated differently. It’s sophisticated and has a completely underrated elegance to it. “This functional piece of art is the ultimate sunshade! It is my all-time ultimate outdoor piece”, Schané firmly says.

Every single item in this fabulous home was carefully curated, designed, planned, manufactured and installed, even down to the art canvasses, which were commissioned specifically with inspiration images and colour tones to meet the client’s tastes and expectations.

The lounge, dining and kitchen area, was black on black on black. “Never enough black!” laughs Schané. A gorgeous black textured wallpaper designed by Daniel Hechter was used through-out the lounge, kitchen and dining area, providing a dramatic back-drop to the art and textured linen sheer curtains. Basking in an inspired Agnes light stands an Odessa Dining Table by Mauro Lipparini partnered with eight Long Island Dining Chairs by Nasrallah & Horner, placed on a hand-crafted Nguni stitched rug.

A cosy steel cladded fireplace in the lounge makes for a warm and inviting place to relax. The lounge leads into a tongue-in-cheek decadent man-cave, completely wrapped in a leopard print wallpaper, on a leopard motif custom designed and tufted rug. Moving onto the master suite, which is fit for a Sheik. The room boasts a window love seat, with out-of-this-world views. Flanked by Lover’s chairs (by Olala Interiors) to enjoy the dramatic Cape Town sunsets. “We upholstered the seats in a smooth and decadent velvet”, Schané explains. These seats sit pretty on an Orca inspired hand-knotted rug, and a centre table, a Piani by Andreas Kowalewski, made from American Walnut and black stained ash. On each side of the bed are smaller Piani’s used as bedside tables with over scaled reading lamps, delectable throws over the bed and exclusive Zinc Scatter cushions. Luxe!

“To pay some homage to the Art Deco Architecture, I decided to go totally over-the-top in the one guest suite, using popular design elements, specifically the chevron. I wrapped the room in zigzag wallpaper and then repeated it in the custom woven larger scaled version on the rug”, Schané explains. In the other two guest suites, a monochromatic theme was implemented complete with geometric patterns and soft panelled headboards. “One room always has to have a bit of rebellion and pink in it! The Chanel inspired dusty pink with black trim velvet trimmed headboard is gorgeous! It’s set against the marvellous Black Edition large scaled diffused floral design wallpaper. For the study, Schané used a replica Womb Chair which was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948, a true mid-century classic!
With the team being based in Ballito, and the home being in Cape Town, it proved to be the biggest challenge in itself. The team at Olala Interiors started on a Monday and by Friday afternoon they handed over to the client. By the time the client had reached the lounge, he turned and smiled to Olala Interiors team and said, “You just never disappoint!”

NEIGHBOURHOOD
Bantry Bay, Cape Town
STATS AND INFO
House size: Approx 650m2
Specs: This triple storey home boasts 5 sumptuous guest suites, 4 garages, staff quarters, swimming pool and a decadent entertainment area all with spectacular views overlooking the entire Seaboard.