Blackwood House is an enchanting suburban getaway, where the treetops encase an avant-garde glasshouse, overlooking the valley of Hout Bay, teetering on the slopes of Constantia Nek.
There are a plethora of words that come to mind when arriving at the breathtakingly beautiful house in Hout Bay, that goes by the name of Blackwood House. Yes, black pops up. Because of its industrial steel frames, its façade, its refined cabinetry and countertops. Slickly painted and polished in black. Verdant catches the mind’s eye thanks to the trees that envelope the home, the invigorating gardens that are tranquil and pacifying, and the lush valley that unravels as far as your gaze wanders off. Style, space, inspiration, finesse, fun, curiosity and awe. The list goes on as your days unfold at this whimsical hideaway, discovering all of the pockets of intrigue and delightful provocation. From the contemporary Italian lighting and furnishings, the owner’s collection of art and antiques, the literature and subtle statements made by all of the sculptural features that bind this beautiful home together. In its voluminous glory. Spending time at Blackwood House will be a bit like venturing on an artist’s retreat, surrounded by your favourite artisans, all cooking up a creative storm in the Constantia forests.
With its generous reclining suites bordering the home and staggering themselves over mezzanine levels, the helm of the home – where all of the magic will be happening – sits open-plan. Surrendering to the natural light, the greenery of the outdoors and the mountain’s invigorating air that floods through the doors and windows. Fireplaces warm up the kitchen and divide the living spaces from cosy gathering areas to decadent dining and fabulous entertaining spaces. Allowing for the whole clan to have their holiday needs met. A gorgeous spacious deck with plenty of outdoor seating implores you to sit still for hours on end, taking in the views, like the birds do, perched on the branches of the trees. There’s nothing like doing nothing on any given day, succumbing to nature’s slow tick of the clock. Dipping in and out the swimming pool; again – mimicking the birds that sweep down from their nests and into the natural pond. Meandering around the garden barefoot. Feasting outdoors around the tables, sitting back beside the fire pit as you take in the night’s sky. Sinking into those heavenly bathtubs as you flip through the pages of a book, take the occasional sip of your chosen tipple, intermittently gazing out into the garden. Utterly sublime comes to mind.
Escape to a mountainside eyrie
Blackwood House harbours all that you and your holiday clan will desire from a city getaway. A sanctuary that’s immersed in nature, also lends its neighbouring pathways to the mountain trails. The roads lead to the Constantia vineyards and nearby beaches. Although it might be tempting to spend most of your time at the hideaway, during your stay in Cape Town, there is so much on the doorstep. All of the finest wine farms with their award-winning restaurants are up the winding road. There’s forest foraging and adrenaline thrilling mountain sports across the way. The great peninsula drive and quaint little seaside hamlets around the curvaceous bends of Chapman’s Peak. Whatever’s on the cards, you’ll be eager to return to the next round of inspiration that awaits at Blackwood House. For that ongoing list of words to relentlessly pop up like an inner jack-in-the-box idea, surfacing to remind you how beautiful life is. Especially when holidaying in such an utterly sublime home, with the people that decorate the days with just the right amount of fun!
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie