Interior designer John Jacob uses a modern approach with classical inspiration in this Constantia Villa.
Originally a large but soulless house in the heart of leafy Constantia, this generous family villa has been dramatically transformed to represent what interior John Jacob terms a Pan-European aesthetic.
A layered mix of French antiques, collected accessories and custom designed pieces, together with a considered approach to architectural detailing, has resulted in a home that is entirely unique and distinctly global.
‘The clients wanted a house completely understated without compromising on the quality of their living environment,’ says John. ‘To achieve this, we sourced a large portion of the furniture from Europe and called on Pierre Cronje to ensure that the newly made pieces had a sense of depth.’
In conjunction with this, John paid close attention to context and authenticity in the home.
‘The architecture, detailing and decor need to all speak the same language in order for a scheme to make sense.’
Starting with the structure, John reconfigured the home’s footprint to create openness and facilitate flow, while redesigning the finishes for consistency between the areas.
‘In the entrance hall, for example, John explains, ‘we designed a balustrade with the same decorative wrought iron treatment as the front door as well as the decorative servers, so that the separate elements speak the same language and give the space cohesion.’
John explains that the flooring was crucial to the client, who opted to bring in aged floorboards from Belgium, which have been used throughout the downstairs living areas, helping them read as one.
It is this idea of cohesion that John ultimately produces a sense of luxury in a space.
‘Comfort is when the different elements of a space are balanced and harmonious. I would derive comfort from walking through a house where everything is authentic.’
‘If the furniture, the detailing and the structure all relate, there is a seductive atmosphere of calm and serenity.’
The concept of comfort cannot be separated from the ideas of scale and proportion, which John believes are integral to achieving a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere – appropriately scaled pieces that suit a space make for a pleasing aesthetic.
‘Comfort is something that is created, and this is not only achieved with fabrics. Creating a patina or paying attention to scale is what makes an environment feel soft’, he says.
In the living room, that is exactly what John did. “We used two custom-designed mirrors set into the plaster mouldings in a large scale to frame the fireplace and add depth to the room. It would be unlikely that you would find two mirrors with this exact shape in the correct size for this space, so we had these specially made and it makes all the difference. We did the same with the wooden servers, which were made by Pierre Cronje.
Finally, architectural detailing, which John feels is often too easily overlooked, is key to the overall impression that a space exudes, even outside. On the verandah, John installed columns to line the space, focus the eye, and frame the view, while a built-in wrought iron pergola overhead, overgrown with wisteria, softens the walkway.
Similarly, while the grand ceiling treatment in the living room is by no means the first thing you notice in a space, it is instrumental in adding context and warmth to the scheme.
‘It also makes the room feel finished,’ adds John.
While the home makes use of a number of traditional elements, from the continental-style architecture through to the carefully chosen French antiques (the armchairs in the living room were bought from a market in Paris), it embodies a distinct air of modernity. This is no accident. ‘Exaggerating the scale of some of the key elements in the house, like what we did with the mirrors and fireplaces, brings the space up to date. The colour scheme of soft blues and greens, which was inspired by nature, is also very contemporary and works well in bringing all the different elements together.’