MY 2010 HIGHLIGHTS
Before this became a getaway destination for the wealthy and prominent. Babylonstoren was just an ordinary farm between granite dominated mountain of Paarl and the lush bush veld mountains of Franschhoek. I remember the first time I came to this site with Marius 4 years ago, I was in High school then farm workers used to inhabit this area which was surrounded by bush veld then and vineyard. When Marius instructed me to measure and draw what I saw on the site I berly understood the language but i did what had to be done, measuring old pig barns which have not been used for years was not what I expected this architecture to be, I mean I was in high school all I knew was that the profession is glitz and glam. There I was sweating in the heat of Paarl trying to not drag my name through the mud clip board and pen in hand and I did it, what a learning experience I had that day, after my first year i got to know what the name of that exercise was SITE INVESTIGATION.
From those little sketches Marius and I made to THIS I have to say it makes me proud to even say I was there before the rebirth of Babylon. Standing outside Cottage-1 4 years later I see two typical farm houses forming an detached L-shape building with a green doors and shutters punctured into lime washed walls capped with a charcoal pitched roof to resemble the thatch of the surrounding old barns. Entering the building couldn't have came at a perfect time, out of the burning sun, calm badge and white colour pallet dressed the interior furnisher standing on piloties on light brown imported wood flooring. Its surprising how the architect dealt with the space the amount of light filling the living room and the volume of the space makes that over-sized fire place look normal, the theory of high ceiling has come to reality here the building is definitely. The room is dominated by different shades and textures of wood which were chosen by the owner I have to give it to her she definitely knows how to dress a room and enhance the work of an architect.
Plain and simple bedroom, less is definitely more in this case I really loved the colours not much yet they tell you everything that this is a place for calm, relax and refresh.
Taking a break in the lavish Glass box kitchen BBMing about my day...Le Good Life
The GUYS of MR...trying to look all professional and crit what the builders and interior designers have done, well of course me am like 'No, dude I can't be involve'. This is really a spectacular place, country lifestyle has married the cosmopolitan...now people will want to experience the country life. Who are the country pumpkins now?. Lol
Good food, good company, spectacular views framed by big glass panels in what was a Barn, but now one of the trendsetting restaurants in the village...now this is what I call Le Good Life. Seeing what your blood and sweat went into must be the most rewarding feeling ever, I personally respect and take my hat of for everyone who was involve in this project from the architect to the bricklayer, a job well done to these guys.
Freshly picked Beetroot juice and carrot cake prepared by the famous chef of Babylonstoren restaurant. The beetroot juice was totally something new on my taste pallet it was indeed fresh that got from the first sip i took... it sounded weired of course when I read it on their seasonal menu on the southern wall next to the BULL, I would definitely order it again on the next visit to Babylon. The carrot cake garnished with fresh baby carrot is a must have...Devine!..their cup cakes also look edible especially the dark chocolate ones. Make sure when ever you visit the Boland area to make a stop at this requisite destination be it for a romantic picnic in their beautiful fruit and veg garden or a day at the Spa and end it of with a mouth fulling lunch at the restaurant...well thats if you can not stay over for the nite.
