Heart Veld
Condé Nast House & Garden|March 2020
In the small town of Prince Albert, one woman’s passion for the Karoo landscape, and its unique vegetation, is in full bloom
Heart Veld

Prince Albert is famous for its olive oil, its artists and the Swartberg Pass. About a year ago I was asked to consult on a garden being built on the site of the old donkey pound on the outskirts of town. The garden was to be a magical desert garden, in tune with the Karoo landscape, installed slowly, season by season and using predominantly local plants. I was enthralled. The property already had an appropriately sleek yoga studio and the low slung main house was being sensitively planned. At the heart of the space was the former donkey pound, its old stone walls lovingly restored, now enclosing a deck from which to welcome the sunrise.

The design essence of the garden fell almost immediately into place. A small natural lake was planned for the house to look over – it would be fringed with reeds and giant rocks and surrounded by undulating grasslands. Beyond that, we envisioned shady groves of trees underplanted with fine-textured, local Karoo bossies to blend into the greater landscape.

This story is from the March 2020 edition of Condé Nast House & Garden.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2020 edition of Condé Nast House & Garden.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CONDÉ NAST HOUSE & GARDENView All
Family First
Condé Nast House & Garden

Family First

Surrounded by mountainous terrain and a coniferous forest, Studio PLOW ensured this family home embraces its habitat, while offering a cosy and inviting family refuge

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2023
Close to home
Condé Nast House & Garden

Close to home

While the sparrows flock to Europe in search of warmth in the winter, locals know that hiding in plain sight are hideaways ranging from safari stays to country cabins - that highlight the best parts of the cooler, quieter months of the year.

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2023
Simply STYLISH
Condé Nast House & Garden

Simply STYLISH

A stylish update on decorating your home or redesigning your architectural space this winter

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2023
Night at the MUSEUM
Condé Nast House & Garden

Night at the MUSEUM

In a collaboration between Investec Cape Town Art Fair and the Mount Nelson Hotel, Anelisa Mangeu has curated her second exhibition titled An Endless Night' celebrating the synergy between these landmark spaces

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2023
NATURAL HABITAT
Condé Nast House & Garden

NATURAL HABITAT

Surefire tips to wow and whimsy with Dulux Colour of the Year 2023 Wild Wonder™

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2023
Earth BOUND
Condé Nast House & Garden

Earth BOUND

Adam Court, director and designer at OKHA reveals the innermost workings of his creative mind and design process

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2023
DOUBLE TAKE
Condé Nast House & Garden

DOUBLE TAKE

Part getaway, part meeting space, this Chelsea apartment by Hubert Zanberg Interiors hits every note for an out-of-town client

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2023
VIEW FROM THE TOP
Condé Nast House & Garden

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Situated at the top of the iconic One&Only Cape Town resort, this penthouse boasts some of the best views of the Mother City

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2023
CALL TO NATURE
Condé Nast House & Garden

CALL TO NATURE

The gardens and ephemeral planting palettes at Sterrekopje healing farm in Franschhoek are as much a reawakening of the senses as they are a connection to nature

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2023
the SOFT LIFE
Condé Nast House & Garden

the SOFT LIFE

From lush gardens to sumptuous interiors, this beautiful home designed by Simone Katherine Interiors is all about comfort and a big focus on family

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2023