Elle India – July 2019

collection of woven
Ghanaian baskets is
grouped together
to create striking
pendant lights. 
Finally, woollen 
handloom rugs
from Shuttleworth
Weaving, a women’s
cooperative in
the Midlands
region of Kwa
Zulu Natal, anchor
the space. 

SITTING ROOM
18th-century
archival botanical
prints of the
native fever tree,
a popular image
of the African
bushveld, are hand-
printed on linen
wall hangings,
creating a feeling of
being in the bush,
even when inside. 
The reserve is
well known for its
cheetah population,
so, custom
embroidered
retro armchairs
evoking the animal
were designed in
collaboration with
furniture designers 
Casamento in Cape
Town. To make
them, Casamento
used traditional
techniques to
create handcrafted
furniture in

natural fibres, with

embroidery, cross-

stitching, tapestry

work and painting.

It is the only

upholstery studio

in South Africa

that is dedicated

to a foam-free

environment,

and constantly

explores recycled

and natural fibre

alternatives for

its products.

BEDROOMS

In the suites, a large

woven circular reed

mat acts as a

dramatic headboard

and room divider.

It pays homage to

the Zulu tradition

of weaving, while

also referencing the

reflection pond at

the entrance. 

By the bed,

hanging hand

blown glass

pendant lights,

finished with Zulu

beadwork detail,

were commissioned

from a young South

African artist, and

hand strung reed

curtains made

by the women of

a craft cooperative

frame the bath,

giving the

bathroom a

natural, organic

and tactile feel.

In the suites, a large woven circular reed

mat, an homage to Zulu tradition, acts as a

dramatic headboard as well as a room divider

A custom armchair by

Casamento

In the sitting room, archival
botanical prints of the native fever
tree create a feeling of being in the
bush, even when inside

In the bathroom, hand strung reed

curtains made by the women of a craft

cooperative are used to frame the bath

ELLE.IN 133 JULY