Kumbuk House, Franschhoek: sleeps 2-4
This two-bedroom, light-filled, open plan and architect remodelled home oozes the invitation to unwind in a white, contemporary space with eclectic objects collected over years of exploratory travels. It has an enviable position in the village, on the edge of orchards and vineyards, yet only a few minutes’ walk from watering-holes, fresh grazing and galleries on the historic main street. The home makes an ideal basecamp for exploring Franschhoek and intermittent forays into Stellenbosch, Cape Town and Hermanus.
Kumbuk has a large pool, and private sunny north-facing garden, designed by a well-known local garden designer, with great views of the Franschhoek mountains. The simple and beautifully curated interiors and garden have been so very carefully planned, so much so it is surely to become one of Franschhoek’s sought-after places to stay.
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Bedrooms
Kumbuk has two spacious bedrooms, with sleeping for 4: 1x queen & en-suite; 1x twin, with bathroom in hall.
Bedroom 1 (Main bedroom), with sash windows looking out onto the front garden and an orange tree. It contains a queen-size bed with a wooden headboard and framed Shona baskets neatly arranged above the width of the bed. The ensuite shower room is with a toilet and basin. Decorative touches, such as framed black and white Sri Lankan beach photographs, round sisal matting, and a Sri Lankan burgher chest gives this lovely light room a calming atmosphere. Cooled by a ceiling fan in summer and with underfloor heating in bathroom.
Bedroom 2 (twin room), is opposite the main bedroom, with two large sash windows overlooking the lawned back garden and outside sitting area, to the pool. It contains twin beds (convertible to a king) with a ceiling fan. The bathroom next door, in the hall, houses a toilet, basin, and walk-in shower and underfloor heating.
Living and Dining
This home was beautifully conceived for seamless indoor-outdoor living. The open-plan living, dining and kitchen area’s stable-door and wide window, connect you to the flow of gently sloping garden, flowers and indigenous plants with magnificent mountain views beyond. The lawn is dotted with old fruit trees, retained from an old garden and the size of this airy home is perfectly proportioned against the trees, lawn and pool areas.
The large sitting room has ample seating options from the two designer sofas by the fire, a couple of modern armchairs next to a round coffee-table, to a long sofa in front of the TV and reading snug. With light spilling into the room from three sides the in-built wood-burning stove is ideal for curling up with a book, a glass of wine, or sundowner as the sound of garden birds flow through the house.
The well-equipped, open-plan kitchen contains gas hob and chest-level electric oven, a fridge/freezer unit, appliances and a supply of crockery, cutlery and utensils to prepare eat-in meals (Woolies Food is just 5 mins walk) with a variety of dining options – eat al fresco under the pergola in the back garden, BBQ by the pool, grab a snack at the breakfast island or casual dining around the table (with seating for 4). Franschhoek’s famous restaurants, cafes and bars are only a 5-minute stroll up the road.
Spend your summer days in and out of the rim-flow pool (unheated 7.5 x 3.6m), recline in the light-drenched sitting room, on a blanket laid out on the lawns under a tree, or bed down on a sun lounger in the garden to retreat, unwind with a book. In the cooler months, light-up the wood-burner and snuggle up on a sofa with a glass of wine, while the roast cooks in the oven.
Facilities
• Dining: Fully-equipped kitchen with gas hob & electric oven, fridge/freezer, appliances, French press and Bialetti coffee makers.
A breakfast island, large dining room table (seating for 4), outdoor dining table (for 4) on a bamboo-covered verandah and small Weber BBQ.
• Communal areas: Large double-volume, open-plan sitting/dining room and kitchen, with sleek designer sofas, and in-built Morso-style woodburning stove.
There is also a bamboo-covered verandah with dining table, and the garden is dotted with outdoor dining tables and chairs, a day bed, as well as sun-loungers by the north-facing pool and garden. On the front verandah there is a round table with seating for two, underneath the coral tree.
• Snug: off the open plan living area is a comfy snug room with a large sash window overlooking the lawn and pool, with a collection of books to read and IP connected TV with Netflix and Showmax. No satellite TV.
• Laundry: with washing machine and tumble dryer.
• WiFi is available throughout the house.
• Rim-flow swimming pool and garden: a large sunny, secluded area with cushioned sun-loungers, and a raised-deck seating area for two, underneath an old plum tree.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NO POOL NET OR FENCE AROUND THE POOL
