Nooks Pied-à-terre

Sitting on a quiet side street in central Franschhoek, from the outside 'Nooks Pied-a-terre' is a picture of Victorian 'white picket fence' charm. But this is a house with a secret, revealed only as I passed through the shutters into the double-height living room. On the inside 'Nooks' is super-contemporary. On the ground floor the living/dining area is huge, with appropriately titanic sofas. To the left: a large open fireplace and kitchen island, black stone work-tops, wine chillers and stainless steel appliances. This kitchen would keep the pickiest gourmet happy on evenings when the short walk to nearby restaurants seems unappealing. Ahead, a large French window overlooks a splash pool, outdoor shower and a lemon tree. Now decisions, decisions… which of the two spiral staircases should I climb first? I took the left and was rewarded with leather-clad sofas, TV, DVD and games area. Exposed brickwork and wooden beams meet with precision in the adjacent mezzanine, containing book loan and mini-office space. No aspect of this impressive house disappoints: not the master bedroom, its huge en-suite dominated by a free-standing bath in front of French windows that beg to be cast open to the pool beyond; nor the second bedroom with its stately bay windows overlooking the garden and its huge bed, resplendent in fur. Lesley and Kevin have lavished care, love, attention (and I think money) on Nooks, from the modern art on the walls to the under-floor heating. This was their home after all. My advice? Get here before they make plans to return!

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