Catch the next wave...

Now...

xxx elle

Off the wall

I've had grand notions at the new improved Windyridge of wallpapering a room or two.

In fact, I left two rooms suitably unclad so that I could dress them in something 'cabbages and roses'- like.

In hopes of avoiding a possible twee-ness, I was leaning towards an Aerin Lauder style of feminine elegance.

Better still, I loved the cheery damask in the hallway above, just perfect for a small seaside hideaway.

Look closer, and you discover the sheer magic behind the patterned illusion.

Children's stickers assembled in a glorious damasked design!

The lovely Payton Turner is the creative force behind this ingenius concept.

'Each wallpaper pattern is made up of thousands of hand - applied stickers, and can be removed and re-applied in any space.'

If only we'd all held on to our sticker collections!

xxx elle

Setting Sail

Now that I have managed to source the perfect outdoor lights for the cottage at Boulders, I am inspired to be adventurous about some of the interior fittings.

I have always loved the gentle loveliness of the sitting room pictured above.

The oversized portrait, pale blue drapes and that enchanting sailing boat light add just the right touch of whimsy.

Jennifer Nicholson, daughter of the more famous Jack, blings it up in her apartment where the sailing boat seems to lose some of its charm.

But I can still see it setting sail over the dining table in 'les grand salon'!

xxx elle

Babylonstoren - the culture of beauty

The road to Babylonstoren beckons like a siren's song, and if you have not yet heard the call then you are deaf to the poetry of the very earth itself.

Babylonstoren is the brainchild of Koos Bekker and Karen Roos, and lucky for us mere mortals that they have chosen, in a gesture of immeasurable generosity to share her with the public.

So that what might have been a hidden gem privy only to a selected few, is a national and sure to be beloved national treasure.

The 8 acre vegetable gardens at Babylonstoren were designed by acclaimed architect Patrice Taravella who is the part owner of The Orsan Garden which is set in the Berry region of central France.

They are inspired by the Company Gardens of the Cape which for centuries acted as a refreshment station for visiting ships stopping off half way between Europe and Asia.

But it is Gundula the fine art graduate (seen here observing the flow of the leiwater with Mr Nielson) who acts as chief gardener.

It is Gundula who (with her purple and green eyeshadow and floral apron ) looks as if she has been plucked from the finest garden bed, and who colludes with visionary owner Koos Bekker to ensure that the gardens continually respond to the dynamics of the South African landscape.

Everywhere there is a meeting of function and form.

Here, cut off wine vats act as washing stations for freshly plucked produce.

And here, an assortment of vintage garden recliners lie about under the trees near the public restrooms.

 In the Apiary a chorus-line of mulberry trees tempt the lucky bees.

Creatures great and small are all welcome at Babelonstoren.

In fact, it is the warmth with which visitors are welcomed by Elmien, Lionel and the rest of team that makes the farm so hard to leave.

9000 clivia's in bloom down by the river make the perfect photo opportunity for Moira and Gundula!

In a moment of serendipity I discover the barn lights needed for the cottage at Boulders!

And am inspired by the way in which even the most utalitarian construction is a thing of beauty.

After a day spent wandering the gardens, we retire to one of the beautiful guesthouse suites for a delicious lunch supplied by Babel the restaurant kitchen.



And then, around a shaded lunch table we plan our next return...

xxx elle

Spring Yard Sale at Talana

It's not a South African tradition to hold a yard sale.

But Noo Noo decided to host one, and donate all proceeds to the 'Help a Rural Child' charity.

And where better to hold one, then in the garden at Talana, where a tree stump proves the perfect place to try on a pair of Steele's sneakers.

Facebook is the advertising method of choice, as friends begin to arrive and head for the bargain rails.

There is sunshine and music, Pimms and lemonade, sundresses and hoolahoops.

And bargains to be found.

When it was over the rails were still full!

Noo Noo knows to market to a wider audience next time, and not to hold it on the weekend of Earthdance!

My favourite sight was a box marked 'Gareth's T-shirts R20, Haven't you always wanted to be more like Gareth'.

xxx elle

Windyridge...the promise of things to come

Mr Nielson and I, can't keep away from the cottage at Boulders for too long.

We make any excuse to go out Simonstown way and assure ourselves of a quick walkabout.

Here, the 'boat' bedroom begins to take shape.

And an enclosed porch promises a lazy afternoon's read, with a view from the foldaway windows to distract from even the juiciest book.

The 'Grand Salon' is already a wondrous space, despite the fact that it still doubles up as a hardware store and carpenter's workroom.

Then we are homeward bound but heed of course, the whales call...

They never disappoint.

xxx elle

Patina

What is it about the passage of time that makes things so beautiful?

As if, in its newness, a thing is still separate from the world.

Inanimate.

The material world needs history, a narrative to give it life.

We breathe spirit into it, as we age and mellow together.

I was at the cottage yesterday watching the men at work, and I realised that we have erased that patina with the new.

The bright, clean rooms await us.

How long does it take to bring the story home again...

xxx elle

I am the chuppah and the broken glass...

Mr Nielson better known as Sid, bought our son Steele a new car.

The car of Steele's dreams.

Steele found it himself on 'gumtree' ( my favourite hunting ground for vintage finds), and went to view it and meet it's owner.

'It's my dream car,' he told Steele, ' I want to do an MBA, and have to sell it to afford the tuition fees.'

I feel so proud of that young man.

He came to our home to finalise the sale. 'What work does Steele do?' I heard him ask Mr Nielson. I wondered how it must feel to hear that Steele was still at school; that the car was a gift for his 18th birthday.

Later, as my son and I sat in the car's plush interior and admired its illuminated dashboard and pristine condition, I couldn't help voicing my sadness.

Just the imbalance of it. 'Be happy for me, mum', my boy asked wistfully. And of course, I am.

But I can't help thinking of the boy who gave up one dream, so that he might forge another.

In Jewish tradition the groom breaks a glass under the wedding canopy, to symbolize the destruction of the temple, our exile and the pain of others even as we celebrate.

I am the chuppah, and the broken glass.

xxx elle

Noo Noo Grows up!

Twinkle, twinkle Erin Starr...

From girl to woman,

It's not too far.

 It seems to happen overnight,

And gives your mother quite a fright!

You're my noo noo, for goodness sake!

And you're beautiful.

xxx mum