Lodges

It is with the beauty of its environment, the privilege of its position, the very careful consideration of the elements of its makeup and the true commitment to the guest experience that the design is born. Mindfulness and consciousness is the heart of Silvan and at the heart of its design in every way.

The collaboration of talent, minds, experience, imagination and a little craziness with the proper commitment to creating that unconditional experience is Silvan.
From the energy and beauty of Gregg Brill’s Bee- Eater Swarm and the gentle rustle of his Wild Willow chandeliers to the Elements of the European bee eater carried through to the artworks in every room- the little Bee eater becomes a hero through the lodge. The tones of copper in its wings, tones of teal and turquoise in its neck and deep blue tipped wings form the colour palette of the lodge.

Because the experience is so unique and so specifically Silvan- every piece throughout the lodge is bespoke, with the handcrafted element paramount. The collaboration with so many talented artists and craftsmen- from Eve at Casamento in the hand embroidered furniture, Gerhard and Anthony from ceramic Matters, Lori from Wiid, Rob Shuttleworth woven carpets, hand-crochet Carpets from Limpopo, Nadia’s metal creations, exceptional artworks throughout…all brings a creative energy to Silvan that is tangible.

The magnificence of the surroundings is paramount- we want to accentuate that beauty- not compete with it. There is a sense of harmony , simplicity and understated elegance throughout with naturally ultimate delicious comfort!

The experience begins with the happening upon a majestic wall of stone- and through a small entrance way – it unfolds.
“Bobo” slipper chairs and ottomans in the entrance area and the decks throughout the lodge make for low-down chill time. The feeling immediately is one of total relaxation.
Porky Hefer’s giant nest swings from the Jackalberry tree.

In the living areas- the copper clad bar sets the tone- with oversized daybeds for lazing, an embroidered Jackalberry couch brings the outside in. The dining rooms is set for a Modjadji feast….. with glamorous tones and splendid chandelier.

The meaning of the word “Silvan” is “Spirit of the trees” and this inspires the interior of each suite, bringing the outside in. Knobthorn, Cassia, Kierie Kalpper, Blue Ghwarrie, Tree Wisteria and Leadwood are all inspirations drawn from each consciously placed suite.

The Ansellia spa is inspired by the Ansellia Orchids as the hero and a place of peace and calmness.

www.silvansafari.com

Chitwa Chitwa is a family owned and run luxury lodge in the Sabi Sands. The lodge has been owned by the Brink family for 40 years. The style of the architecture is thatched and fairly traditional- with very high volumes and generous spaces.

The lodge is comprised of a private 2 bedroomed Villa- Chitwa House, another 2 bedroom villa Charlsy Suite and an additional six suites, each with a private deck overlooking the waterhole, with private pool. The living areas are spacious, with a large lounge and bar, sumptuous dining room, outside reception area on the deck and large sundowner area on the front deck.

Charl approached me to do a refurbishment for the lodge. It was an exciting and challenging task. The brief was to make the lodge lighter and brighter with a more contemporary take. My inspiration came from the environment, as it does always. The lodge had always – through its various phases- had an eclectic twist. Interesting artworks, fun lighting, combinations of different styles of European and African furnishings. It was important for me to retain an element of this, to keep the DNA…while bringing in a ease of new life and making the interiors fun and interesting, but restful at the same time.

Each room has its own personality and I drew on this when redoing the interiors. In each space- I retained elements of the previous, brought in new carpets, new lighting, a few punches of colour, recovered classical furniture, introduced more contemporary lines furniture The floors were rescreeded and shutters introduced,

The main living area- with its glorious high ceilings was accentuated by the bespoke Highthorn leather Chandeliers, the floors bedecked with Julia Swanepoel Rugs- each one a limited edition artpiece. Olaf Hajek artworks inspired the bright reception deck style. The rich emeralds, golds and fresh teal brings life and a bit of glamour to the lounge and bar areas.

I was allowed total freedom by Charl. He trusted me to do what was best for the lodge and bring in a new fresh look. It was great fun- as always- particularly challenging with a full camp of guests, logistics and throw in a bit of bushveld heat…. but in such a spectacular environment – it is a real privilege to have the opportunity to work and create.

An existing family owned lodge in the Timbavati, Imagenius Interiors was commissioned to do the Interiors to turn the lodge into a high end Commercially run Safari Lodge.

The lodge was completed within 6 months- on budget and on time- and to the delight of both owners and guests.

The inspiration of the lodge was drawn from the namesake of the lodge- the leopard born under the Rockfig tree close to the lodge. This was used as inspiration throughout the lodge- with the colour palate of the greys of the stone prolific in the area and the greens of the lichen on those rocks. Artwork was commissioned to celebrate the story of the leopard as well as the birds and trees found in the area.

Having been a family lodge – it was necessary to create living spaces for different guest experiences, to create places of privacy and places of excitement, of homeliness and of luxury.

www.rockfigsafarilodge.com

Carefully designed by Architect Bruce Stafford- Tsala is literally set on stone pillars in the canopy of trees overlooking the totally untouched valley.

Inspired by a stone wall ruin a legend was created that informed much of the design of the lodge and the interiors. It is a contemporary glass and wooden building- with its foundations firmly rooted in the stone foundation seen in the rock walls that form the base of the lodge.

The hero is the forest and the glass windows celebrate this. The interiors on the original Lodge have elements that are part of the history of the lodge, wooden carved headboards using antique doors and customised side and dining tables.

The Villas are more recently built family units designed by Paul Oosthuizen that have a more contemporary feel- simple customised furniture with accents that give a sense of place, a sense of Africa and celebrate its place in the splendid canopy of trees.

Zinzi is the restaurant that sits separately from the lodge- looking over a peaceful dam. The language is similar, but with more of a Tribal feel… customised elements that combine the original legend of Tsala with the new contemporary Tribal feel that is quintessentially Zinzi.

Gorah is a family owned and run tented camp in Addo Elephant park.

The original homestead was converted by architect John Rushmere to create the living areas.

The look and feel is Eastern Cape Campaign style. The period antique furniture has been carefully selected and new pieces made to fit with the Campaign style.

It is luxurious and down to earth. There is a sense of place that takes you back in time.

The true hero of the lodge is the game at the Waterhole, with the elephants always stealing the show!