ELLE.IN 131 JULY
marks the spot
where a giant
Marula tree once
stood before a
fire burnt down
the previous
homestead. The
reflection of the
water creates a
sense of calm as
you enter the house,
and to complement
its circular
form, Debra Fox
and Christopher
Browne of
multidisciplinary
agency Fox
Browne Creative,
who helmed
the renovation
in December
2018, created a still
life installation,
combining
contemporary
hanging
planters made
by South African
designer Joe Paine,
woven Zimbabwean
basket ware, and
traditional
handmade Zulu
clay pots. These
are grouped on a
sleek metal table
crafted by the
design team at ›T
he surrounding
landscape
informs much
of the colour
palette for Phinda
Homestead, a
contemporary Zulu-
inspired bush home
located on a private
reserve. Here, shades
of burnt clay serve as
colour accents, and
basket ware inspired
by traditional Zulu
weaving populate key
spaces. Handmade
clay pots, handblown
glass, nguni cow
skin, beadwork, and
other Zulu flourishes
feature in special and
surprising ways too.
Traditionally, where
clay was scarce,
baskets were made
into vessels, using the
native ilala palm, the
leaves of which are
soaked in a dye made
from dung or natural
pigments. The plant
grows abundantly in
the marshy habitats,
and so, is a renewable
resource that works
well as a design
material.ENTRANCE AND
VERANDAH
A circular reflection
pond at the entranceThe circular reflection pond at the
entrance marks the spot where a
giant Marula tree once stoodThe villa’s pool