House on the coast of Kwazulu-Natal in the "South African life style." Pacification and serenity of calm lines, natural paints and materials

Passing the gallery

Text: Valeria Ismiyeva

Materials: - (c) East News/Inside

Magazine: N6 (51) 2001

The measured noise of the sea, the fresh wind flowing with solar heat, the hot touch of the sun-heated terrace tiles on the feet and the cool silence of the spacious house. The imagination of many business people, tired of the benefits of civilization, draws just such an image of a place where they would like to relax. The house that designer Marcus Peters designed for his father, a businessman in the resort of San Lamer, which is on the South African coast of KwaZulu-Natal, became the embodiment of this image. Its space breathes the pacification and serenity of calm lines, natural colors and materials. Free terracotta wall surfaces, changing shades from lilac-gray to thick gold depending on the lighting, tiles of the same color, bluish-colored ceilings, large rectangles of windows, bright niches, no partitions between living rooms and wide terraces - such is the open space that you can use. enjoy without losing comfort. The space around the house is perceived as a continuation of the interior. The decoration perfectly combines the natural beauty of wood, the same color and texture of the walls as inside. Tropical plants in large tubs look especially picturesque against their background. The strict verticals of the window and door openings balance the calm horizontals dominating in the design. The wide-ranging stairs and terraces meet the measured pace of life of Lamer. From them you can watch for hours the smooth cascades of buildings on the hillside. All this makes the house an organic part of the surrounding landscape: the embodiment of the elements of the earth, surrounded by sea and sky. Marcus - a sophisticated professional - studied at St. Martin's Central School in London, studied industrial design at Wits Technikon. Apparently, thanks to the latter circumstance, his design solutions combine extreme simplicity and thoughtful functionality. However, the restraint of the design of the cottage in San Lamer has nothing to do with refined minimalism, its captivating simplicity does not oblige to anything, suggesting complete looseness. Therefore, among the furnishings appropriate and wicker sofas in a cozy colonial style, and renovated chairs of the Art Deco era, and unassuming cabinets with velvety cherry doors, and concise taps and bathroom fittings from Philippe Starck. All this is perfectly combined with each other, without disturbing the general harmony, the elusive intonations of which experts define as "South African life style." Maybe it was in accordance with him that Marcus Peters finally decided to abandon the idea of ​​the usual strict completeness, creating a house in which you can constantly change something, add a new one. For example, cobblestones and pebbles are gradually brought into a cozy patio from the sea shore. This small "oasis", appearing as if an elusive image from sleep, is as organic to the general atmosphere as the seemingly unreal "islands" of upholstered furniture among the bluish shadows and glare of the living room. As well as clearly perceptible deep breathing of the whole surrounding space, inviting to enjoy the free movement at rest.