The House that Cousin Stephen Built in Graaf Reinet

Hot dog mustard-coloured exteriors, avocado skin-coloured window frames and shutters, rich lime-green grass being freshly mowed, gravel stone and low walls, the backdrop a deep blue sky. This is the house that cousin Stephen F built in Graaff Reinet.

The 3 block homestead sits back giving priority to the stunning garden bursting with purple bougainvillea, cool plunge pools, mirror polished reflecting pools, and gushing fountains that give the desert-like town a lick of liquid. The open shutters allow a cool breeze to circulate through the house, strengthening an indoor/outdoor relationship, reminding me of sunny summer days sat on the bench on the red stoep of my Aunt's Pretoria house. 

One foot inside, one foot outside, the interior floors are Transvaal-house-stoep cool, and the ceilings are laid in bamboo. A cornucopia of items to peruse and ogle. Some utilitarian and others, objets d árt. Picture frames and mirrors and lampshades abound. Watering cans, steel tables and chairs to astound. Dishcloths as fabric and hung as a pair. coral and cushions, and taxidermy, yes, it's real hair. It's a strange kind of wonderment there to enjoy. There's poofs and daybeds and candelabras, skulls and shells and dressers and drawers. There are clay pots and fire places and double swings doors. Mondrian framing, ratte carpets, purple chairs and lipstick red throws. all dazzling as the the flora outside grows,

There are bathrooms, and there are kitchens, there are beds and there are dining areas too. But it's all new and strangely, (not like Dr Seusss) connected by/with/from, through and through. It's busy and it's fresh, its Transvaal and its Karoo. I see you from behind the closet, peekaboo. It's art deco, and it's contemporary, it's desert, and its small town, one would not look out of place with a tea doily and a gown. It's formal, and it's' laissez faire, it's colourful and it's muted, but all the while it's anchored, it's rooted.

It talks in symmetry and it presents organic. It's light, it's airy, it's smooth, it's textured. It's wonderful to keep the eye busy, I don't need to be lectured. You could walk around barefoot all day. or flip flop around all night gazing at the stars. 
Oh It's such a lovely little house in a lovely little town. A town that is everything for every little one.