HOME TOURS - A Stylish South African villa
WELCOME TO THE BLOG
Hi, I’m Sandra.
If you're in awe of stunning interiors and crazy about home decor, you’re in the right place. As an interior writer with a background in styling and photography for leading magazines around the globe, as well as an avid home renovator, I am here to help you style and decorate your home with ease and confidence, like a pro.
On this blog, I’ll be sharing insightful articles packed with advice, tips, and ideas for home styling and decoration, along with inspiring tours of beautifully styled spaces. Having styled countless homes with very different interiors, I know it’s the final touches and thoughtful curating that make a space magazine-worthy, regardless of whether it’s an architectural masterpiece or filled with high-end furniture. And, rather than focus on one particular interior look or style, I aim to open your eyes to a wide variety so you feel inspired, not limited. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level. Check out today’s post, where I take you on a tour of Ubuntu Luxury Villa, situated on the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate in South Africa, which was built from the ground up by a Dutch couple, photographer Anouk, and her husband Dennis. Every element of the styling was done by Anouk and Dennis, and in this article, you will get to see some of those special stylish touches found in every corner of the villa.
WELCOME TO UBUNTU LUXURY VILLA
All photography by Anouk at Dean Productions
I was introduced to Anouk and Dennis by an interior stylist friend of mine who had stayed at Ubuntu and had been super enthusiastic about the villa and the decor. The couple first met in 1999 while working in tourism. Ten years later, during their first trip around South Africa, they fell in love with the country. But it was in 2017, while on a photography assignment in Hoedspruit for their company, Dean Productions, that the idea for something permanent started to take shape. Captivated by the charm of the town and its surroundings, they said to each other that if they could ever build a villa here, it would be incredible. In 2018, they returned to explore possibilities, with an agent showing them several plots situated in the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate. None were quite right at first, so they went back to the Netherlands. Just one week later, their agent sent photos and videos of a promising new plot. Based on these, they took a leap of faith and placed a bid. Within weeks, the plot was theirs. Between assignments, they juggled meetings, design decisions, and progress updates. The couple returned, staying for the final seven weeks of the build, which was when Ubuntu truly came to life, reflecting their love of nature and natural living with their travel experience in hospitality and photography. Ubuntu villa opened its doors in May 2019. As you will see from the images, it was a true labour of love to build such a stunning villa with no detail overlooked. In this article, I will give you a tour of most of the rooms, as well as close-ups of Anouk’s styled vignettes, to give you ideas for wherever you are in the world, to bring meaningful pieces that connect to you personally, where you live, and your travels, into your styling. Some of us, including myself, Anouk and Dennis, have turned our dreams into reality by building a house. Anouk has this advice for other self-build dreamers: “Live your dreams, don’t dream your life. We take these words seriously and have invested in making our dream come true by building Ubuntu villa.”
THE LIVING ROOM
Anouk has such an eye for detail, and it really shows here. What hits you most is the three vast woven-wire pendant lights that, hanging from the high vaulted ceiling, making a dramatic statement. Then there are the beautiful locally crafted clay pots on the console, set against the hand-laid stone wall which adds a natural texture and connects you to the landscape outside. With their sleek metal frames, the modern armchairs, are softened by cushions in African-inspired geometric patterns, blending modern comfort with a true sense of place.
GALLERY WALL
In the image here, you can see the space between the living area and the kitchen, and it shows how Anouk pays attention to detail in every corner of the villa. She has styled this area with a woven pot, a tall woven table with a candle-lit lantern on it, together with a gold leopard ornament. As well as working with her husband, Dennis, as a commercial photographer, Anouk is a keen wildlife photographer, and the wall is a gallery of her own close-up shots of lions, giraffes, antelope, and other animals. I love how her photographs not only celebrate the wildlife of South Africa, but also make the space feel so connected to their life here close to the Kruger National Park.
LIVING ROOM STYLISH DETAILS
Along the low-level table that runs across the stone wall, Anouk has styled all sorts of interesting pieces, including a pair of elegant, hand-carved wooden giraffes, which she has placed alongside a bold, black and white patterned African shield. What I really admire about Anouk’s approach is how every piece she chooses tells a story. Just like with almost every item in the villa, these are all locally made, supporting artisans.
THE KITCHEN
Two large rattan pendant lights add texture and make a statement over the stone kitchen island. All the woodwork, including the kitchen cabinetry pictured here, was made locally in Hoedspruit, making this kitchen not only look beautiful but a showcase of local craftsmanship. I love how Anouk has kept the design clean and contemporary while still letting the natural grain of the wood shine through. It brings such an organic feel that ties in perfectly with her styling and the earthy tones of the wall-hung woven baskets. The central island is both practical and stylish, designed with the hob placed right in the middle so cooking can also be a sociable experience.
KITCHEN STYLISH DETAILS
On the open wood shelving in the kitchen, Anouk has created a vignette with a detailed black cast-iron teapot, which is displayed alongside a white ceramic cactus and a framed map of South Africa. I like the way she has mixed practical kitchen items with decorative pieces, so the kitchen feels lived-in yet still curated.
THE TERRACE
The terrace brings the interior design from inside to the outside. This is a place to truly relax, take in the surroundings, and the beauty of the wilderness. Anouk has styled the seating area with a sofa dressed in deep mustard and soft taupe cushions, plus a leopard-print pillow that ties in perfectly. In the centre, a sleek concrete table adds a modern edge, topped with a woven tray holding small decorative items and a potted plant. To give it that textured, rustic finish that feels completely at home in the bush, the ceiling is clad in locally sourced sticks.
TERRACE STYLISH DETAILS
Even on the terrace, Anouk has styled vignettes, blending the modern design of the furniture with African artefacts. The table shown here has a contemporary shape in a smooth bronze-toned finish and a fashionably shaped base, adding a touch of modern sophistication to the outdoor space. On top, Anouk has displayed a beautifully woven African basket, a hand-carved wooden animal full of charm, and a candle to bring warmth in the evenings.
INGWE BEDROOM
Native touches, like the leopard-print throw and the wooden map of Africa, bring distinctive character to the Ingwe bedroom, which means "leopard" in Zulu. The couple have designed the bedroom in soft, neutral tones, making the space feel instantly restful. One of Anouk’s photographs of a leopard is displayed above the bed. There’s a modern rustic feel here, from the upholstered headboard to the wooden bench at the foot of the bed. And just through the sliding barn-style door, you’ve got your own en-suite bathroom, so it feels like a private retreat within the villa. It’s understated, comfortable, and quietly full of personality.
INGWE BEDROOM DETAILS
Anouk and Dennis have created the Ingwe bedroom, which has been designed to be more than just a place to sleep. They've created a cosy little seating area in the corner with a mustard velvet armchair and a bold, patterned cushion. There’s also a sleek wooden desk paired with a leather chair, giving guests the option to work or write while surrounded by views of the bush outside. The vast leopard canvas above ties beautifully into the room’s theme, while small details like the woven wall hanging, modern floor lamp and textured side table add depth and warmth to the room.
MEANINGFUL CLOSE UPS
On the desk in the Ingwe bedroom, there’s a patterned wooden frame which holds a print explaining the meaning of the name of the villa. Ubuntu, which means humanity to others, is summed up perfectly in the phrase “I am, because we are,” and a reminder that this villa is also about community and connection. Anouk has grouped the frame with an amber glass reed diffuser and a string of golden glass beads on a stand to add interest.
MANGWA BEDROOM
Anouk has woven into the Mangwa bedroom more South African-inspired touches that run throughout the villa. A striking woven piece of wall decor, crafted from natural and black straw, hangs above the bed, along with her own photograph on canvas of two zebras, reminding you that you’re close to the Kruger National Park. Like the Ingwa bedroom, Anouk has dressed the bed in white linen with a deep blue throw and matching chevron-patterned cushions, giving it a stylish, calm and inviting look.
STYLISH DETAILS
In the Mangwa bedroom, there’s another one of Anouk’s little vignettes that perfectly blends modern style with a nod to the local wildlife. A concrete planter with a soft gold accent, containing a small succulent, sits on a sleek black wire side table next to a beaded zebra sculpture, which is handcrafted and unmistakably African.
EN SUITE BATHROOM
With its soft, neutral palette, this en-suite bathroom is such a beautiful mix of modern fixtures and natural textures. With its pebble-tiled floor for that spa-like feel, the walk-in shower is framed by sleek glass panels. The basin consoles are crafted from locally made wood, bringing warmth and a subtle, rustic touch to the otherwise clean, contemporary lines. Above each basin hangs a round mirror suspended from leather straps, while an attractive woven basket is practical for towels but also perfectly in keeping with the villa’s natural materials.
BATHROOM DETAILS
In the Mangwa en suite, Anouk shows how small details can completely elevate a space and how you can turn everyday bathroom items into design features. Here you’ll find decorative circular brass towel hooks and a contemporary round mirror with a rope strap, paired with a handwoven wall hanging, which brings an artisanal touch to the bathroom.
OUTDOOR SHOWER
There’s something magical about showering in the fresh air, and Ubuntu villa has not one, but two outdoor showers, each accessed directly from a bathroom. Surrounded by a natural wooden screen, you feel completely private, yet you are still outdoors and immersed in the landscape. The water cascades from a modern shower head, while locally sourced products in attractive white bottles are neatly mounted on the wall, giving an outdoor shower the luxuries of inside.
MEET ANOUK
Meet Anouk, the creative eye behind much of what you’ve seen in the article, including the stunning photographs of wild animals that adorn the walls. Not only is she a talented commercial photographer for Dean Productions, which she runs along with her husband, Dennis, but she is also a passionate wildlife photographer. Here, she is in action, capturing a magnificent male lion out in the wild.
