Historic De Waterkant hideaway
‘It’s a romantic little house with a lot of magic,’ remarked Dominic Touwen, interior designer of Vine House, part of the most charming row of houses on Loader Street in Cape Town’s characterful De Waterkant village. It feels both urban and country at the same time. What’s more, its distinctive lilac facade gives way to a cleverly restored interior that was previously a rabbit warren of rooms and part of the original hotel, De Waterkant Lodge.
‘I had zero intention of buying a house in Cape Town,’ mused the owner, ‘but I’ve been coming to De Waterkant for 15 years and was always largely anchored here. So, when a third lockdown loomed in the UK, I jumped on a plane and rented the house opposite. And then one day, the sign went up… and the rest was history! I think people want “pop” not “greige” today so when I discovered – at a lunch with the owners of the Ebony Gallery in Franschhoek – that Dom had worked with a great friend on my favourite house in Constantia, it made for an easy decision.’
The kitchen, now opened up to the Moroccan-style inner courtyard, was to be traditional racing green to contrast with striking black and white floors. ‘I consulted Jaguar’s historian for the exact paint code, while the deep reds of a striking work called Philadelphia by South African photographer Kevin Mackintosh, from Deepest Darkest Gallery down the road, and six graphic Matt Smith prints based on pieces from Oxford’s Pitt-Rivers Museum, that literally “pop” against the living room’s Georgian Blue. Art is my passion. My job involves cultural diplomacy, so I wanted the works in this house to be relevant to the narrative of my peripatetic lifestyle between London, the Middle East and Cape Town,’ explains the owner.
Inner-city sanctuary
Today three en-suite bedrooms each have privacy, two of them leading into the courtyard with its ancient vine providing dappled shade in summer. Each bedroom has its own colourway, the catalyst being the hint of North Africa in the patterned bathroom tiles and a hint of Indian paisley, Ikat and ticking, all of which go beautifully with soft ochres, madder reds, coral pinks and the palest aqua.
But the heart of Vine House is undoubtedly its charming vine-covered courtyard with its remarkable handpainted mosaic on the wall above a generous Cape-Dutch style bench.
Commissioned from a local artist, Sarah-Jane Jordaan, it tells the story of the owner’s life and travels. Settle back in the oversized wicker armchairs, possibly the most peaceful spaces to retreat to in this sensitively restored heritage gem, and let the charm of this inner-city sanctuary wash over you. It is indeed a real find.
What we love:
- That the V&A Waterfront is so close – and dining at Pier is fabulous, as is the new Marble Cape Town restaurant. The Oranjezicht City Farm Market is here too: literally five minutes’ away and open on Wednesdays for a night market in summer, and on Saturday and Sunday all year round till 2pm. Great vibe, quality organic produce from local farmers and delicious food stalls, all with a view of the sea.
- The village lifestyle of De Waterkant. You can literally drift out of the front door, walk down the cobbled lane, and stop off for sushi before doing your shopping. The Cape Quarter centre has everything you could possibly need.
- Owner’s favourites are still Il Leone Mastrantonio in Prestwich Street, or The Duchess of Wisbeach, in Sea Point and Publik Wine Bar in Tamboerskloof with its wines made by artisan South African winemakers.
- There are gyms nearby and the promenade or Green Point Urban Park is a few minutes away by car.
- That the Winelands is a mere 45 minutes away: easy enough to Uber if you’re wine tasting or eating out.
What you need to know…
- There’s parking in the lane behind the house with access via a back gate – like gold in Cape Town!
- De Waterkant can be noisy, but not this section of Loader Street.
- There’s air conditioning in each of the bedrooms, making them wonderfully cool in summer.
- If Vine House isn’t available on your dates, browse our curated collection of hideaways in De Waterkant, the central city or leafy Higgovale or along the Atlantic Seaboard coastline.
- Vine House is available to book as a Shoot Location.
Reviewed by Michelle Snaddon
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