FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

Surrounded by sun-dappled orchards, this idyllic farmhouse celebrates nature both indoors and out

- MARTIN JACOBS

Life on Margot and James Gilfillan’s farm could not be more idyllic. Whether they are relaxing on sofas before a crackling fire, gathering around the huge marble-topped table in the family kitchen or strolling through sun-dappled orchards, there seems little to separate the inside and out. Daily living for the couple and their three daughters weaves through the home’s many French doors, framing domestic scenes set against a backdrop of floral patterns that welcome the outdoors in, while the abundant greenery beckons the family out. There hasn’t always been such a relaxed flow: disconnected rooms, low ceilings, a dark kitchen and small windows once defined the original homestead. It is testimony to the couple’s renovations and Margot’s thoughtful decorating that life on the farm now embraces its surroundings so comfortably.

The family settled in the Elgin Valley – South Africa’s ‘apple country’ – in 2014, and renovating the house began in earnest. Margot’s vision was to prioritise comfort and practicality. Plans included generous spaces that flowed seamlessly onto a veranda. ‘I wanted to make the most of the views, bringing lots of light in,’ she says. Comfort was necessary, so six open fireplaces were built and underfloor heating installed to provide warmth in the winter. A new wing was designed to house a main suite, three en-suite bedrooms for the girls, a television room, and his and hers home offices, all connected to the original structure with a wide, high-ceilinged passageway, complete with skylights.