Heatherfield Manor
Cape Town, South Africa
The Victorians were known as great collectors, so it feels fitting that the owners of this late Victorian architectural gem by Sir Herbert Baker channel that connoisseur spirit, albeit with contemporary South African art as their focus. From the moment you walk into each of the high-ceilinged rooms it’s a voyage of discovery – established artists on the international scene, emerging artists, anonymous prints fallen in love with in the back rooms of auction houses, commissioned works, Ardmore ceramics and family collectables. People and portraits are a recurring theme in a wide spectrum of styles – Marie Stander, Mia Chaplin, Johann Louw, Georgina Gratix, Kate Gottgens and Colbert Mashile are just a few of the artists you’ll encounter as you settle into this historic urban retreat.
Tucked between two churches on a hill, and once a parsonage, the substantial home is a sanctuary away from the city buzz, but still connected to it. It’s within walking distance of Kloof Street’s vibrant restaurant scene but opens on to secluded gardens, complete with a protected courtyard with Table Mountain views (gloriously scented with wisteria each spring). The only room where you are aware of the sounds of the city is in the gloriously old-school conservatory, with its huge arched windows, exotic plants and orchids. It’s truly timeless. ‘I wanted a room where I could drift off into another world,’ says the owner. ‘When guests arrive they tend to stop here and don’t want to move further. It’s a wonderful space to have tea, read your book or newspaper and play board games.’
This Victorian sensibility interpreted with contemporary quirkiness continues in the cosy study with its deep armchairs, fireplace, stuffed peacock and dark green walls chockful of large paintings. A Kate Gottgens called ‘At the Airport’, always reminds the owner of his travel experiences. The green shades are lighter and brighter in the kitchen, matching a fresh bamboo-patterned wallpaper in the adjoining breakfast room, and fade to light sage in the formal living room where ceramic parrots and tigers survey the scene, then a warm grey-green in the dining room, one wallpapered with a pine tree landscape blown up from a Dutch artwork.
Up the stately wooden staircase, presided over by a huge bolt of colour and always a talking point – a striking Matthew Hindley canvas – and another by Johann Louw, and Edith Bullen’s ‘The Protector’ as you walk towards the upstairs landing. Stained glass windows and a skylight open up this informal gallery space that adjoins three bedroom suites, each with access to balconies with striking views of Lion’s Head or Table Mountain.
The owners are animal lovers as well as art lovers, so you’ll be welcomed by resident cat, Duchess, and taken care of by full-time house manager, Joshua Chunga, both of whom make sure that Heatherfield Manor feels like a home-from-home. Two private garage parkings with direct access are the final luxury in this buzzy Cape Town location.
If you’re coming to Cape Town, you couldn’t find a more authentic gem than Heatherfield Manor. We thought we’d give you some insight into the owner’s collection and recommend you stay a while.
At Cape Town’s Heatherfield Manor, heritage architecture blends seamlessly with the owner’s contemporary art.
When did you start collecting art?
In about 2005 (by accident, actually). When I visited a friend I saw that there was an art auction advertised in the foyer of a hotel in Bantry Bay. I saw a particular work by the artist Adriaan Boshoff (French Bistro Scene), which I really liked. I attended the auction hoping to buy it – I didn’t know anything about auctions at the time. I left with nine paintings: I could not stop! I spent my entire ‘first company bonus’ that morning. I still have all of the works I bought that day. I have also met wonderful friends over the years, who are or were avid collectors who guided me and from whom I have learned. I'm a good student.
Which is your favourite piece?
There are many favourites. I bought one many years ago at a gallery in Franschhoek by the wonderful artist Marié Stander called ‘Marietjie Gaan Skool Toe’. It hangs in one of the bedrooms. I always wondered what was going through Marietjie’s mind at that moment and where she would be today. I tracked Marié down after buying this work and commissioned a complementary piece, which she did of Marietjie’s mother. Both works hang in the same room. I also love the work at the top of the landing of the staircase at home called ‘The Protector’ by the artist Edith Bullen. Maybe because of where it hangs and also because of its name. Then the very large work by Johann Louw on the staircase. The large artwork in my study is by Diane Victor. A very special and early work by Lionel Smit in the dining room of the face of the young boy. A work by Walter Meyer reminding me of the Karoo. I am a big fan of the work of Jake Aikman. The paintings in the one bedroom by the popular and talented Georgina Gratrix! The very large work in one of the dressing rooms by Peter Eastman. The David Brown sculptures. The large work in the study is by Colbert Mashile.
Tell me more about the large painting in the entrance.
Mmmm, initially, it was not my first choice. A very good friend, collector and art expert, Johann C Porer, saw it at the Investec Art Fair in Cape Town and recommended that I buy it. It grew on me, and is an excellent conversation piece as it hangs in the absolute right spot – guests always stop at this work to discuss it. The artist is the very talented Alexa Karakashian.
And more about Matthew Hindley’s piece opposite the staircase?
I’ve always loved his work. I was looking for something colourful that could fill the entire wall and create conversation, which I do think this work succeeds in doing. Every time you walk past the work you notice something new in it.
Tell us about the painting above the fireplace in the study.
It is by Kate Gottgens and is called ‘At the Airport’. It reminded me a lot of my own experiences. Because I travel a lot for work, I often sit at the airport wondering about the people I see there. I wanted the study painted dark and moody. It is also my clutter and memory room, with lots of things inherited, collected over the years or bought at auctions. I am an avid auction attendee and love walking to find shops with long-lost treasures! I also have a leather bag standing on an ottoman that my great grandfather made by hand in 1880, which has been passed down the generations. I have another Kate Gottgens in the dining room, which is a wonderful work I found at the SMAC Gallery in Stellenbosch – it reminded me so much of our childhood in the Karoo and Free State.
And what about the Ardmore?
I bought the Ardmore works many years ago at an exhibition at Groote Schuur. The process and the way they made it as explained to me at the time attracted me more than the name Ardmore, with which I was not familiar at the time. I was a very young man then. Since then I have become an avid follower of Ardmore and everything they do. The print of the young boy and dog behind it was found in a back room at an auction house. It was from previous auctions but did not sell. I was so excited with my find at that moment… it is not worth much, but still. I am known to walk into the back rooms of shops and auction houses that are not normally open to the public or on display.
Who was the painting of your mother done by?
Mia Chaplin: a young and very talented artist! I discovered her before she got signed up by the galleries. There is a bright future ahead of her. We sent her two separate photos of my mother and the dogs, because in the original photo my mother was actually holding a friend’s dogs. Mia brilliantly combined the photo of my mother and my dogs into one. Animals are another big love in our lives!
And the bamboo wallpaper and the paintings in the breakfast room?
Those happened by accident, but it works. The breakfast room was a bit dull and I was looking for something to fill the room and make it a bit warmer. We looked through various wallpaper books but could not find anything we liked. We were about to give up when I saw this at the back of one book. In this room there is also a favourite work by the talented young Chris Denovan of a lady who worked close to his office in Woodstock; he followed a very clever technique, as well. Chris is a great friend of mine and another artist with a bright feature.
We love the conservatory makeover and the colours – what inspired you?
I wanted a room where I could drift off into another world! When guests arrive they tend to stop in this room and don’t want to move further. It's a wonderful space to have tea, read your book or newspaper and play board games. I also love orchids and absolutely everything grows in this room. The idea was to have a cluttered room filled with cane furnishings, colour, worn carpets, lots of books and plants. You can also hear the street noises from here, which adds to the pleasures of city living. Seeing that I was painting everything green at the time, this room had to be green as well.
Can you tell me about the paintings on the landing upstairs?
There is a work by Christiaan Diedericks; I like its name: ‘Mother – I cannot sleep at night’; another work by Marié Stander, the wonderful and soulful artist living in Jamestown, Stellenbosch; and the clock is a work I bought a long time ago by Stephen Inggs.
You seem to have a passion for historic homes – what do you love the most about this one?
The memories, the history, maybe? I like anything old with history and soul. I also like to look after and nurture things. You may also notice a lot of portraits with facial expressions all over the house, which is another favourite. Saying this, I still want to build a very modern home one day because I also enjoy and appreciate modern architecture and structure.
And your favourite restaurants, within walking distance?
There are many and we always try to explore and experience them as they pop up in Kloof Street. Mana for breakfast! Liquorice and Lime for their cakes. Maharajah for their Indian food.
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