In the lounge on the middle level, a warm earthy palette defies all expectations of a beach house interior. “It’s wonderful to come home to a crackling fire. I love how cosy our home is; it’s Annie’s style and you can see that,” says Henry, who commutes between Johannesburg and Plettenberg Bay. Weave Flax wallpaper from Hertex; double-sided wood stove from Infiniti Fires; sofas reupholstered by Bay Decor; leather chairs from Block & Chisel; seagrass rug from Rebtex; blanket from Weylandts. (Greg Cox)
In this family home, Modernist architecture and earthy shades are juxtaposed to create a cosy nest.
WHO LIVES HERE? Annie and Henry Howard; their children Olivia (15), Toby (13) and Imogen (11); and Miniature Schnauzers Biggles, Jackson and Pablo
WHERE Plettenberg Bay
SIZE 1 000m²
Annie Howard. (Greg Cox)
“It was just too much,” says Annie of the day that she and her husband Henry first viewed the home where they settled in 2022, having swapped city life in Johannesburg for Plettenberg Bay.
“We were in a shop to buy a light fitting and leaned across this dining table to get to it… That’s when we noticed how its irregular shape mimics the angles of our home, so we bought it,” says Annie. An oak screen was installed where a wall was demolished to let light into the stairwell. American white oak dining table and chairs from Weylandts; oak screen by Terblanche Built-In Cupboards. (Greg Cox)
“The interior was a labyrinth of awkward staircases and corridors branching off at odd angles and leading to various bedrooms where floral and gingham had a love child at some stage in the eighties.”
Renovation by Dibi Projects. (Greg Cox)
The mammoth renovation that it would require to resolve the lack of spatial harmony between the home’s three levels, not to mention replacing the outdated finishes, was what pushed the couple to put in an offer on another house nearby.
Meant to be...
I don’t have a specific style; I’m always guided by the architecture. The interior should never be at war with it. – Annie (Greg Cox)
Fate, however, intervened and the Howards’ offer expired before their Jo’burg home was sold.
That’s when Henry had a lightbulb moment.
Views of the Poortjies lagoon and the Indian Ocean. (Greg Cox)
“I said to Annie: ‘It’s serendipity; let’s just go get that house with the views of the Poortjies lagoon and the Indian Ocean’. I would have regretted it if we didn’t even try,” he recalls.
Lamp from Glo Lighting. (Greg Cox)
By April 2022, the family found themselves sharing their home with the construction team.
“We tackled the renovation in stages, starting with the top floor and working our way down,” says Annie.
They planned to leave the bottom level until the following year, but fate intervened once again.
In winter, the sunny veranda is a popular spot. The corner sofa is from the Howards’ Johannesburg home. Annie is a fan of upcycling and when it comes to sofas, it’s all about finding the right fabric to have an existing piece reupholstered. Outdoor rug from Hertex Haus; black chairs from Weylandts; occasional tables from Coricraft; lantern from Love of Linen; terracotta kikoi and cushion with broad terracotta stripe from Mungo; cushions on sofa made by Bay Decor with Hertex outdoor fabrics. (Greg Cox)
The builders were still busy on the two upper levels when a water pipe burst on the lower level.
“Everything was in three inches of water, and we had no choice but to proceed with revamping that level too,” Henry says.
“In the end, it was a challenging two and a half years,” admits Annie. “But here we are, happy!”
Annie’s growing collection of terracotta vases and vessels is “from second-hand shops and all over”. The cactus sculpture, which was white in their previous home, is a fun element in the lounge. Artworks above sofa by Guy Thesen; cushions by Bay Decor; sideboard bought from Weylandts many years ago. (Greg Cox)
Henry adds: “The renovation was chaotic; we questioned our sanity at times, but I absolutely love our home and I’m very proud of it. Annie was a genius when it came to reconfiguring the space.”
Warm and earthy
Headboard and ottoman by Bay Decor upholstered in Hertex fabrics; palm cushion from Holiday Resortwear; rectangular cushion made by Bay Decor with fabric from The Mill Fabrics’ Hygge collection in the colour Hennessy. (Greg Cox)
Despite the coastal setting and sea views, Annie was adamant that she didn’t want a typical beach house interior.
A neutral-and-black palette anchors the top level where the main bedroom, a spacious bathroom and a home office are situated. In the main bathroom, an open shower has magnificent sea views. (Greg Cox)
“Top of my list of décor pet hates is predictability. Something can be beautiful, but I always ask myself: how do I make it my beautiful?
Casamance Diola wallpaper in the colour Karabane installed by Bay Decor; Akupanel wall panels (behind the headboard) from WoodUpp; pendant lamps from Glo Lighting; bed from Sofaworx; nightstand from Weylandts. Pared down with a harmonious blend of neutrals, the main bedroom has a tranquil feel that’s enhanced by the textured wallpaper. The bed faces the sea and lagoon views. “It’s the most magical place to wake up in,” Annie says. (Greg Cox)
“I struggle to restrict myself to a specific style… I love little elements of surprise. One should come around a corner and think: wow, that’s cool; I didn’t expect that.
The swimming pool aligns with the orientation of the house on the plot. “We added the rectangular deck to link it to the house, and now this area mirrors the angular interior spaces,” Annie explains. Deck by Grain & Co; floating pool loungers from Hertex Haus; towel from Mungo. (Greg Cox)
“This is not a beach house, it’s our family home. It’s angular eighties, not classic.
“It touches on Modernism and Cubism with its peculiar, sharp angles and this steered me to create a more contemporary and dramatic interior.”
Paint colours: Dulux Forest Black (wall) & Plascon New York Square (cabinet) (Greg Cox)
Annie used black as a departure point for a basic palette, which evolved into earthy tones of terracotta and rust juxtaposed with subtle hints of trendy blush pink and warm beige.
Terrazzo tiles add a light, playful touch to the downstairs guest bathroom. Tiles from Bay Tiles; floor finished with Quartz Carpet in the colour Cauliflower; towel from Mungo. (Greg Cox) Floor finished in Quartz Carpet in the colour Diesel; glass cupboard from Studio Delta; wall tiles from Bay Tiles. (Greg Cox)
“This earthy palette is my reinterpretation of monochrome; I simply cannot stay away from colour.”
“Thankfully, all the bathrooms had white wall tiles. In Imogen’s en suite, we painted two rows of blue mosaic tiles white with Plascon Tile & Melamine Primer and Plascon Velvalgo,” Annie explains. Vanity cupboard and oak screen by Terblanche Built-In Cupboards; Turkish towels from The Cotton Company. (Greg Cox)
Earthy textures such as wood, leather and seagrass soften the harsh architectural lines and add warmth to the expanse of hard finishes.
“I’m very aware that my interiors can get super busy, so when it comes to the more permanent fixtures and finishes, I opt for simplicity and a neutral palette,” says Annie about the kitchen and seamless floors throughout the living areas. “Although built in, the cupboards were designed to have a freestanding look, making the vast kitchen space more homely.” Floors finished with Teracoat in the colour Sandstone; kitchen cupboards and design by Inside Living. (Greg Cox)
