High on the mountainside overlooking Plettenberg Bay lagoon, Indigo House commands a wide, spectacular view. The framework of the interior is white and wood with signature indigo blue in soft furnishings. The house may have the familiar touch of a Caribbean or Miami beach house but the source of the fabric is North African: think wooden dhows, sun-bleached sails and a time when days stretched naturally from dawn to dusk without the constructed rigor of modern times. Elements of bamboo, wood, shell and glassware are all balanced perfectly and symmetrically by the creative owner/ interior designer Yvonne O’Brien. Living room, bar area and TV room all inter lead and there is a wonderful, easy flow to the space. Every bedroom has a sea view while reed-covered verandas are cleverly designed to create reading, sleeping and conversation areas. If the wind picks up, the back verandas are sheltered and perfect for dining ‘out’. Six to eight adults can easily holiday here but dining tables can generously accommodate 14 to 16 people. Entertain in – and raid the local deli for informal dining ingredients. At night, lighting can be dimmed and clusters of fat candles cast a warm light over the tables and large buckets of chilling wine. This is a barefoot kind of space, a holiday where your eye begins to adjust its focus from pressing things at hand to a distant horizon.

What we love
• Indigo House has its very own houseman who ensures that fires are lit, cushions arranged and everything is in its place. A full maid service is extra and can be arranged for you. This could be a chore-free holiday.
• If you love the décor, The Private House Company in Plettenberg Bay (and in Johannesburg) is a great source of take-home Indigo elements.
• There are no TV sets in the bedrooms. Two areas in the house have TV sets so that no-one need argue over which takes precedent – sport or fabulous old movies.
• Despite the white décor, Yvonne says that the fabric is easily washable and child friendly!
• If you love diving, swimming, sailing, surfing or swimming, Indigo House is a heavenly choice for an active holiday.

What you need to know
• Children are welcome but the pool is not netted so keep a sharp eye out.
• The house is set high on the mountain side for best views so you will need to hop into a car to get to the beaches below.

Reviewed by Les Aupiais