Beauty And Creativity

This home by the sea is complemented by a garden that is both practical and gorgeous.

- Izolda Van Der Merwe

What turns a house into a home? It may start with a house and a dream, but so much has to happen before you can call your house a home.

I realised this after visiting the House de Bruyn in Brackenridge, Plettenberg Bay. With nearly 360° vistas, my breath was taken away by the contemporary design of the home and the clever use of space, incorporating the surrounding landscape in every area of the garden.

The garden really begins with the beautifully planted verge, followed by soft perennials that greeted us as we entered the driveway, a mass of pelargonium tumbling over the retaining wall, interplanted with groundcovers and spots of colour.

As an architect with a vision, and who has an expert understanding of space and nature, Stephen Westraadt set about designing this beautiful home. Being an avid collector of botanical stamps, and researching the plants portrayed on each of his stamps, he has an extensive knowledge on flora. It was this understanding that allowed him to appreciate the importance of merging a building with its surrounding habitat, forming a dwelling that will complement the landscape and not seem overly intrusive. Having being involved in the industry for over a decade and designing many homes in the area, Stephen took aspects of estate living into consideration, as well as the climate, and also headed up the build as project manager.