Photographs Greg Cox
Text Lori Cohen
Production Sven Alberding
A cottage for family and friends in South Africa’s Great Karoo finds new life as a pink-hued retreat embracing its raw past with layers of warmth and texture.
When interior designer Cornel Strydom and her husband Neill purchased Zevenfontein, a neighbouring sheep farm, they didn’t expect to find a forgotten cottage hidden in the landscape. The structure had been abandoned, its walls blackened by fire. But Neil saw something in its quiet resilience and sent Cornel a video. “He said, ‘Look at this gem,’ and I knew immediately it was something special,” she recalls. The burnt walls, the simplicity of the structure, the way it sat in the landscape – it all spoke to her.
Rather than viewing the fire-scarred walls as damage to be covered up, Cornel saw them as a defining feature – an imprint of the past that gave the space depth and authenticity. “I wanted to respect what was there and embrace its imperfections,” she explains. “The walls held so much history, and I wanted to create a space where you could still feel that, but in a way that feels inviting and considered.”
At just four rooms – a lounge, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom – the cottage’s small footprint required a thoughtful approach to layout and function. The bathroom was expanded to accommodate a generous walk-in shower and a water chamber. Cornel worked with the compact space of the cottage to create a sense of flow, ensuring each room felt connected yet distinct.
A geometric tile backsplash and simple, well-worn essentials make the space feel personal and unpolished. The single modern touch? A sleek, minimalist ceiling light that subtly contrasts with the cottage’s timeworn charm.
The muted Marrakesh-inspired pink, which washes over the floors, walls, and ceilings, is the element that binds the entire space together. Inspired by a fragment of plaster Cornel had saved for years, it was carefully colour-matched to bring a sense of warmth and calm. “I picked it up in Marrakesh when they were busy working on a wall,” she shares. “I put it in my notebook and had it matched when I returned home.”
Covering every surface, the shade enhances the natural light, softens architectural lines, and provides a quiet contrast to the charred walls, reinforcing the cottage’s layered, lived-in feel. Visitors often comment on its unexpected calm. “People always assume pink will feel overly feminine, but this shade is different – it’s earthy, grounding, and incredibly soothing,” Cornel notes.
The fire-scorched plaster walls anchor the space with their rich texture, while black timber cabinetry with vertical panelling nods to classic farm kitchens. Designer Cornel’s love of gingham comes through in the handmade pink-and-white checkered curtains, softening the room with nostalgia.
This thoughtful approach to colour reflects Cornel’s broader design philosophy. She approached each decision with a personal checklist – something old, something organic, something modern, something textured and something smooth. She sourced materials with intention, often repurposing or selecting elements that carried a story.
The lounge balances raw and refined elements, with fire-scorched walls contrasting against soft textures like the boucle armchair and gingham curtains. The pink woven chair ties into the home’s palette, while mixed-material side tables and a bold plaid rug add depth. Thoughtful contrasts keep the space visually dynamic yet inviting.
Today, the property offers a serene retreat for experiencing the Karoo’s charm – from walks along dusty paths to glimpses of the black eagle families that have nested here for over four decades. “It’s a sanctuary,” Cornel reflects. The couple marked their 20th wedding anniversary here, a quiet moment in a space that is now part of their history. “It was just the two of us, surrounded by the stillness of the Karoo,” she shares. “It was the perfect place to reflect on everything we’ve built together.”
Interior designer Cornel Strydom’s design philosophy balances raw authenticity with warmth, embracing imperfection and simplicity to create timeless and inviting spaces. “I love stories,” says Cornel. “For me, design isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about emotion, memory, and embracing what’s already there.”