Coastal Farmhouse Charm

Words & Photos Cristina Govender

House Mooney embodies a unique blend of sustainability and style, where the simplicity of a modern farmhouse creates a space thoughtfully designed to flow with nature.

Within Elaleni Coastal Forest Estate, stands House Mooney radiant as the sun shines on the white bag-washed walls and the lush garden surrounding the property. You are greeted by a friendly, light atmosphere characterised by the pebble garden and light wood entrance. The garage door, built into the front façade gives a seamless connection between the two parts of the home.Â

The site was well-suited for the house they wanted to build. Flat and north-facing, they were able to get all of the main living spaces to be facing north, which reduces the harmful effects of western light and creates a barrier of privacy between the house and the road. With decades of experience on the North Coast, Wendy Bouwer fromBridgewater Spencer Architects collaborated with Pat O’Reilly fromOrizon Projects, who offer a complete management solution in residential and commercial projects, to shape a home that seamlessly harmonises with the land, embodying the client’s vision for both elegance and sustainability.Â

Just under 350m², the home has three bedrooms, one main and two smaller rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. No room or bathroom are the same, making them unique with subtle changes, but still within the overall aesthetic of the house. Built with longevity in mind, the house features many eco-friendly elements which are also durable and reflects the Estate’s commitment to sustainability. The house is fitted with solar panels, and only works off 50% of energy from the grid. There is also a water harvesting system installed into the house to utilise rainwater. The roof, done bySeacon Roofing, is aluminium made for our seaside climate, insulated to keep the interior cool during summer and warm during winter, lessens the noise during rainfall, and forms a lip over the windows to shelter them from damage. A standout feature of House Mooney, the industrial aluminium windows and doors which is made to the same ratio throughout the house, was designed and fitted byAnRon Glass and Aluminium. In fact, the walls had to be adjusted to accommodate the windows and doors having to all be the same ratio. The resulting effect is a sense of symmetry that adds to the simple charm of the house.

The home is designed to have a contemporary farm house feel, combining elements like a double-pitched roof with exposed beams, ambient lighting, and exposed brick walls in the living spaces to create a timeless sanctuary. Walking through the house, there is a continuity of light wood and neutral colours. The flooring, done byInovar Flooring, used the Authentic Herringbone laminate flooring in the Sun Bleached Oak shade from Finfloor. The colour gives the home a warm and inviting feel throughout, blending in with the light-coloured finishes.Â

The living area is an open-plan space, consisting of the lounge, dining area, and kitchen. The heart of the home – the kitchen – is highly personalised, featuring an island, low-hanging lights, built-in cupboards with sliding glass doors, and a scullery area.Kingston Kitchens created a space that connects and fits into the rest of the house, being the centre. Even the extractor over the stove is clad in the same light wood on the island, creating a sense of uniformity, but still letting each part shine in their uniqueness, contrasting with the dark rimming around the cupboards.Â

The kitchen opens up to an inner courtyard, this is a special feature of the house, giving light to the entrance hall and creating a space for relaxation that’s outdoors, but not quite outside of the house. Moving through the open-plan living area, stacking industrial doors open onto the outside area, with an overflow pool, lounging area, fire pit, and braai facilities.Â

Back inside the house, walking further down, you pass the two smaller bedrooms and the main bedroom is at the end. The bedroom also features the exposed beams, adding a dimension of height, with French doors which open out to the pool area. The main bathroom is a wet room, with an open shower area and a standalone bathtub, it is fully waterproofed with slanting tiles to allow for drainage. The cabinetry in the bathroom features a dual sink with backlighting, casting an ambient glow on the bathroom. This bathroom also opens onto an outdoor shower area, in a tranquil setting under the open sky.Â

With an eye for aesthetics, sustainability, and longevity, the team has crafted a home designed to thrive beautifully for years, standing as a timeless retreat in the coastal landscape.