African project
Mhondoro Game Lodge – South Africa
A
statement in intimate architecture and interior design, Mhondoro
welcomes guests with a unique sense of comfort in rugged territory.
Designed to give guests a seamless experience of luxury interiors and
bushveld landscapes, it stands alone in its inspired use of leading
African and European design.
“With a mixture of local and European design, our interiors match
organic architecture to create a feeling of home away from home in the
South African bush,” says Myriam Vogel, a Dutch interior designer who
co-owns the lodge in Welgevonden Game Reserve with her husband
Frank. Raw materials, earth tones and natural textures create a comforting interior that
compliments the landscape. The style has a tactile effect that makes you want to reach
out and touch the luxury wallpaper from France’s Élitis and Belgium’s Arte, or stroke
the bespoke wooden table from Cape Town’s Pierre Cronje, produced in South Africa by
skilled craftsmen.
“In Africa it’s all about texture, whether from the plants, animals or earth,” says Vogel.
“From the wallpapers to the natural wood accents, the interiors instil a feeling of the
environment so that you want to reach out and experience the space you are in.”
Other striking pieces include the iconic kudu and buffalo sculptural lights by Cape
Town’s Anthea and Michael Methven that hang over the fireplace, and statement
lampshades from Amsterdam-based design firm Graypants, which employs local
craftsmen from disadvantaged backgrounds. The lampshades, made from recycled
34
africandesignmagazine.com