Nico van der Meulen Architects received a brief from their clients in Gauteng, South Africa to recreate their 1950s single storey home “House Mosey” into a modern, open plan home that suited their contemporary lifestyle. The client’s also wanted the ability to expand the home upward with a second storey in the future.. The final result is a timeless, modern home that consists of four bedrooms and large entertaining areas, incorporating flat roof sections of different levels, allowing the interior zones to have both single and double volume spaces. The home is divided into social and private zones with an internal water feature and bridge used as a natural division between the two. Frameless and stacking glazed doors open up the complete back facade to the pool, including an atrium area.
The approach to House Mosey is via a cobbled driveway that leads both to the double garage clad in wood and the the main entry wrapped in glazings. The various textures and colour blocking incorporated on this approach softens the overall geometry of the design.
Horizontal wood planking on the garage door combined with the wall of louvers to the right of the glazed entry all contribute to the overall aesthetic of the home, as does the dark profile of the beam structure as it spans from one geometric volume to the next.
While the zone directly to the left of the entry is glassed and the zone to the right is louvered, the overall effect is one of balanced symmetry. The glazed section reveals the home office within with its own exterior entrance.
The office is a large open plan capable of seating several for brainstorming sessions. Wrapped in storage components and outfitted with a Jack and Jill desk, the office is designed to be a social space and the addition of the contemporary Italian furnishings keeps the space fun and creative.
The foyer and office are contained within their own private section of the home and it is not until you pass into the large, open plan social zone that you realize the full connection |House Mosey has with the outdoors. The indoor and outdoor entertaining areas are blurred with seating in both areas.
Large white tiles are used in both the interior and exterior social zones helping to create a continuum between the two spaces.
A covered outdoor lounge is located next to the pool. Filled with comfortable furniture in outdoor fabrics, it s the perfect place to relax after swimming a few laps. Just behind the lounge area is a bar.
the bar, while attached to the outdoor lounge, can also be closed off via an accordioning wall of glass. The bar is a contemporary vision of cool colours and modern lines
A few steps down from the bar is the living room complete with a wall mounted TV. The living room is directly behind the end of the pool and features a colour scheme of beige and purple with the purple showing up in occasional chairs, pillows and glass accessories.
A low media centre in a midtone wood stain wraps the wall below the TV and the fireplace and this same wood hue is visible on the furnishings within the outdoor lounge and the raised dining platform in the foreground.
While pattern is not a prevalent feature within House Mosey, the ottoman tucked in beneath the coffee table features a large graphic botanical print in shades of purple, beige and red, creating an amazing focal point to the conversation area.
Behind the living room is a raised dining area with a large table capable of seating 12. The raised platform leaves the tiles behind in favour of hand scraped wood planks.
The dining zone is an artistic set up with a large canvas on the back wall, glass shelves featuring white ceramics and two large pottery bowls on the table. Even the 3 pendants above the table have a creative water drip profile.
Overlooking the central atrium and next to the dining zone is the kitchen. Here the architects added in a deep shade of brick red as a colour blocking feature.
A hall separates the dining zone from the kitchen and that hall leads to the private zones of the house as well as to the family room. Between the kitchen and the hall is a built in serving peninsula. Made of solid wood, the peninsula is a rustic and organic contrast to the otherwise crisp black and white cabinetry used in the rest of the kitchen.
The kitchen has large expanses of prep and serving counters as well as ample storage in the full height cabinetry while the design aesthetic of red brick colour blocking, rustic wood and sleek cabinetry also make it a creatively inspiring room to work in.
Simply beautiful
A small sitting area in the sheltered atrium is the perfect place for a morning cup of coffee.
The hall between the dining and kitchen zones leads to the private volume of the home with the first door on the left leading to the family room which also opens up to the poolside terrace.
The family room is organized around a double-sided fireplace shared with the dining room.
Opposite the fireplace is a similar void, only this one features the internal water feature.
While the dining room featured art, the family room is the art with its water and fire features. Even the furnishings are as sculptural as they are comfortable.
The Master Suite is just down the hall from the family room. Here, the bold purple and red moments are replaced with a quieter, more relaxing shade of green.
The Master Suite also has a wall of glazings for view enjoyment, albeit these views are more private.
The Master Suite also has a two sided fireplace. This one is shared with the ensuite, you can just see the tub on the other side.
The tub is a contemporary rectangular shape and is located directly in front of a window for a spa like soaking experience. Adding to the spa feel is the pebble area rug that the tub is positioned on.
If a soak in the tub is not on the agenda, the large walk-in shower is ready and waiting, then of course, you could always sit back on the lounger before deciding which it is – shower or bath.
Next to the shower is the toilet room and beside that is the vanity with a large double person vessel sink. The natural wood within the vanity softens up the white scheme of the rest of the space as does the tone on tone pattern used on the vanity wall.
M Square Lifestyle Necessities ensured that an effortless and simplistic interior space was created to complement both the design of the house, as well as the family that lives in it.
Nico van der Meulen Architects
