Coasting Seaside

In picturesque Yzerfontein, an outmoded bolthole gets a sunshine-savvy, ground-up renovation fi t for a full house

- Edwain Steenkamp

Wth impossibly long stretches of sandy beaches, and being one of the sleepiest towns on the West Coast, Yzerfontein is the preferred retreat of many a city dweller wanting to escape the grind. Having owned this particular property for over 30 years, the homeowners decided to break down the previous house and rebuild a three storey home for their ever-growing family, which now includes three generations. Sumari Krige, interior designer and owner of La Grange Interiors, was called on to help realise the vision of a modern, luxurious seaside home.

How was the interior conceived?

The property has been in the family for many years, and when they decided to rebuild their home, they didn’t just want a new house. Rather, they wanted a home that looked and felt lived in, that made spacial sense, and of course, had enough room for eating and entertaining. I was called in, along with Stellenbosch-based architect Dirk Bester, to make this vision a reality.

But it was always intended to be more than just a vacation home?

This may be a house on the beach, but it’s more than just a beach house. And the owners didn’t want it only to be used during the holidays. They wanted the house to refl ect daily living, and that is what Dirk and I tried to capture in the architectural and interior design.