Homeward Bound

A Talented Chef and Intrepid Explorer Has Created a Restful Pad That Reflects Her Fascination With Global Cultures

- Vicki Sleet

CURATED COLLECTIONS

Part cosy apartment and part museum, the South African home of chef Paula is a feast for the eyes, with every corner displaying off beat vintage collectables and artefacts. Sunlight filters through timber plantation shutters (for similar, try Lux Timber), illuminating the room and its wall of picture shelves, crammed with some of Paula’s favourite artworks: a mix of vintage posters and prints, a couple of photos she took herself and an etching by a local artist, Colbert Mashile (opposite, third from the top left). “I like displaying my art casually, on shelves or against walls in groups,” says Paula (pictured opposite). Shelves and cabinets, such as the one in the dining area, house more treasures, ranging from handcrafted ceramics to animal skulls: the homeowner’s bowerbird eye finds beauty in the most unexpected of places.

DINING ROOM

Catching up with friends and family is a major focus for Paula when she returns to her Cape Town home, so a beautiful dining area (above & opposite top right) was a must. Defined by a three-shade light (try Early Settler for similar), the trestle-style dining table is the perfect place for extended lunches and dinners.