Melinda BAM

Well-known South African personality Melinda Bam designed her home in the lush surrounds of a game reserve where views are unobstructed and natural light and a sense of gratitude are in abundance, writes Nia Magoulianiti-McGregor

- By Nia Magoulianiti-McGregor

Who I am is a TV presenter, former Miss South Africa, entrepreneur, artist and nature lover, who is detail-oriented and a creative at heart. I live with my husband Adriaan and our two French bulldog pups, Rover and Ruby.

The style of the home we designed is modern contemporary with a nod to African contemporary. It showcases our love for the outdoors. We constantly tweaked the design and interior details to make sure we captured the essence of our home and created an open feel that is also warm and inviting. We also played to the lush green surroundings of the reserve around us, ensuring views were unobstructed.

The thing I like about our style is that most of the aesthetics and design components were compiled over time, drawing inspiration from our travels both locally and internationally. It’s about the way those spaces lived and felt that created an emotional connection to us, and which we tried to incorporate throughout. We adore how unrestricted the spaces feel while still having complete privacy with the thoughtful placement of louvres, trees and the general orientation of the house.

Our home is important to us because it’s a place we dreamt up from our shared experiences. It’s an extension of who we are, with space for the people we love, and the ability to enjoy nature.