Coastal cool

A chic and inviting family haven echoes the natural beauty of Knysna

- LYNETTE BOTHA

Designed originally as a holiday home for her family of four, Sue Bond's transformation of a home on Thesen Island captures the essence of coastal living while creating a personal sanctuary crafted for making memories. With two young children in tow at the time, Sue and her husband sought out the comfort of waterside living in their 'home away from home' while they resided in Johannesburg, Hong Kong and then Cape Town. Upon every visit over two decades, they excitedly embraced the town's natural beauty and the slower pace it inspires.

The serene property, buffered equally between bush and beach, woods and water, exemplifies the perfect blend of relaxed seaside aesthetics with an elevated, luxury touch. From the outset, Sue approached the home with a design vision that honoured the breathtaking surroundings of the island. 'My designs are always rooted in the location of the home,' she explains. Here, with views of the canal on one side and lush greenery on the other, the aim was to bring the outdoors in with a relaxed yet sophisticated beach house feel.'

Steering away from traditional nautical motifs, Sue chose a palette of whites and greens, accented by soft taupes and silvers drawn from the natural stone and weathered decking outside. These tones, which echo the garden's greenery and the gentle hues of the nearby Knysna heads, create a harmony with the surrounding landscape, inviting a sense of calm that permeates every corner of the home.

The connection to nature continues through her considered choice of materials, many of which were locally sourced and sustainably crafted. From natural-fibre grasscloth wall coverings to jute rugs over seamless earth-toned floors, the house offers a tactile experience at every turn.