Desert Daydreaming

My household is a cultural desert! A while back, I suggested at the family dinner table that we might like to go and see a musical. Well, my suggestion was met with deathly silence accompanied by a complete lack of eye contact from anyone, my husband included! You would think that I had suggested some sort of interactive, avant-guard fringe theatre rather than a harmless musical.

 I have now learned to have less lofty cultural ambitions, but did recently suggest a family movie outing. This sounds a lot simpler than it is. With 4 teenage sons and a husband who all have slightly different movie tastes, it isn't easy to find anything with general appeal. But I pulled maternal rank and decided that we should go and see the movie Lion, partly because I'm just a little bit in love with Dev Patel and it seemed to be a good option for the whole family. The youngest relented only because we decided to go to the Labia Theatre and he never sees anyone he knows at the Labia!

What a beautiful movie. I cried bucket loads of tears. The rest of my family all said that they didn't cry, but when I declared them to be cold and heartless, my eldest confessed that he did shed a tear or two during the reunion scene. Even though he probably said it just to placate me, he is now officially my favourite!

So do yourself a favour and go and see Lion,. Nothing like a box of popcorn and a good cry.

Moving from cultural deserts to real ones.... I grew up in the Karoo which is a semi-desert area of South Africa and I still find those wide open spaces endlessly appealing.

 While trawling the web looking for Karoo scenery, I came upon this place called Klipspringer near Calitzdorp in the Little Karoo. It is set high up in a mountainous area and has panoramic views of  the surrounding landscape. The homestead is off the grid and is built with stone from the area. So all very  green and eco-friendly.

There is something decidedly peaceful about this view of...well....nothing. A good book, a nap, a dip in the pool, maybe a tall drink. Bliss!

Having dinner out here on a balmy Karoo evening followed by some stargazing would be hard to beat. 

The bedrooms have French doors to let the air flow through and their are views all around. 

Stone walls and muted colour schemes blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

And you might spot some wildlife while sipping your G & T. 

The good news is that it is available for rent through Perfect Hideaways.

So are you packing your bags yet?

Till next time

Sharon x

Stoney Cottage

The Karoo is an area of South Africa that still offers that unspoilt magic that is becoming more and more rare in the fast-paced, high tech world we live in today. There are few places where you can really escape and find total tranquillity and this home is one of them.

Absolute privacy guaranteed, not a neighbour in sight, the home sits comfortably in its surroundings. Off the grid, solar power and gas provide all the electricity needs.

 

 Packed slate walls, big comfy sofa's, throws and rugs, wicker and wood, all combine to make a most inviting interior.

In the evenings, light candles and lanterns so as not to detract from the huge star filled Karoo sky.

The colours inside are suitably muted and subtle, perfectly echoing the surroundings.

Big wrap around decks with latte ceilings provide shelter from the hot Karoo sun.

The cottage is situated in a private nature reserve. You might well see buck, zebra and other wildlife whilst sipping your sundowner.

Bedrooms are simple, yet luxurious, perfect for a good night's sleep after a hard day doing....well...nothing!

You have the option of taking a bath here, or you might decide to take a dip in a small rock pool and river running next to the house.

So why don't you take some good food, good wine and good company and get away from the city in this perfect bush hideaway!

 

 

Till next time

 

Sharon x

Source: http://www.perfecthideaways.co.za/karoo/stoney-cottage

Divine in the Desert



 

This beautiful home by Oz Architects is set in the Arizona desert in the United States. There are so many elements that really appeal to me, but the most appealing is that the house looks as though it would be a lovely cool and inviting space in which to take refuge from the hot desert days. It also blends so perfectly into its desert environment ... if the lights weren't on, you would hardly notice it.

 

 

I can relate to this environment as I grew up in a semi-desert area of South Africa called the Karoo. It has a very unique beauty and a home like this would have been perfect. My parents home was very different to this... a Cape Dutch style house full of Persian carpets and dark wood English antique furniture. It was beautiful, but perhaps not the best fit for the environment. The photo below is of the Karoo in South Africa.... very similar to the desert setting above.

 

 

 

..... and this is my childhood home.... see what I mean.

 



But... I digress .... back to the Arizona home...I love the muted colour scheme, the spaciousness, the beautiful rustic ceiling beams, the flagstone floors, I could go on and on.

Stone interior walls feature regularly, the perfect material to keep a home cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The plants look like they are all water-wise choices and there is no lawn to be seen - perfect for a desert setting.

 

 

One of the reasons why I find this home so appealing is because, as much as it suits its Arizona setting, it would look equally at home in the Provincal countryside and I'm a complete sucker for anything French.

 

 

 

 

I wonder how you feel about living in the desert? I think I could if it was in a home like this.

 

 

 Till next time

 

 

Sharon x

 

 

Source:  http://www.ozarchitects.com/2011/12/12/private-residence-at-silverleaf-scottsdale-arizona-2/