Wild Tales

With endless views of South Africa's Klein Karoo, this contemporary cabin on a remote farm was conceived to combine simple luxury with sustainable design

- LORI COHEN

A contemporary, off-grid cabin built on an expanse of semi-desert on the edge of a nature reserve in South Africa's Klein Karoo has become a favourite retreat for Capetonians David and Tracey Petzer. David and Tracey first discovered the country getaway through their friends Cobus Van Wyk and Ruan Van Der Venter. After 16 years in the United Kingdom, Cobus and Ruan recently returned to South Africa and fell in love with the 110-hectare farm consisting of pristine wilderness. They bought the homestead with the vision of building a cabin where they could devote themselves entirely to hiking and stargazing. The cabin, named 'Suidster' (which means 'Star of the South' in Afrikaans), offers both.

Refined Comfort - The living area is defined using a lighter tone brick floor, rug and wall tiles in complementary shades. The wooden structure behind the sofa serves as a headboard for the sleeping bed that flanks it and creates a low barrier element to define two distinct spaces. Sofa, custom design by Hendre Bloem Furniture: Side table, Cast Concrete by Sevens; Rug, Hertex; Table next to sofa, Leggs Tables by Hendre Bloem Furniture; Indoor fireplace, Calore; Ceiling fan, Solent; Bathroom and lounge tiles, Styles; Curtains, custom made by RBL; Clothing shelving unit, Custom design by Hendre Bloem Furniture; Bath, Aston Matthews; Bath and shower fittings; Burlington

"The fynbos that grows here reminded us of Scotland, and we dreamed of creating a beautiful structure where we could just enjoy nature,' says Cobus. Working with interior designer and consultant Hendre Bloem, they built an open, steel-clad bungalow that now hugs the hillside and features a cool, contemporary styling, with windows and doors primed to capture views. With the bed centred in the room, the layout was intentionally kept simple and open for a modern and relaxed feel.