I’ve always loved the crisp mornings and giant skies of the Karoo. There’s something deeply satisfying about waking to a world expectant and beautiful, yet almost to a place where time stands still. The semi-arid desert, indigenous flora and unique architecture are just some of the things I love about the Karoo, and no less than the simple decor found in just about any farmhouse.
So to start off my new series on Home Styles, I’ve collected some beautiful inspiration right from the heart of our South African Karoo. From interiors to simple spaces and decor pieces, I hope you enjoy The Karoo Life.
Karoo Inspiration – source: Wesley Vorster Photography & Donna McKellar
Inspiration comes in many forms in the Karoo, but one of my favourites is definitely the iconic windmill image. This gorgeous painting (how lifelike!) perfectly encapsulates the open wilderness of this landscape, and many homes that take this inspiration into their interiors enjoy this type of simplicity. Another great part of Karoo Life is the quirky elements, particularly from the Afrikaans culture. Don’t you just love this napkin used at a rustic Karoo wedding?
Pin Cushion Wall Art – source: Etsy
While proteas are South Africa’s national flower, there’s something about them that fit right into a Karoo-themed living room space. They are indigenous flowering plants that bloom mostly in the Western Cape’s Fynbos biome, but have become synonymous with classic South African decor as much as mounted antelope horns and rimpie chairs! I love the wall art tattoos as depicted below – an easy way to change up your room.
The Simple Life – source: My Unfinished Home, Visi, EstiLoyd Deco & Visi
To live in the Karoo is to live a simple life, and not only with what you do, but with how you live it. Minimalism is the order of the day! I love the simple grey and white colours, the relaxed stoep, rustic outdoor shower and simple utility rooms hooks. If you want to bring this style into your home, you need to first reduce the noise and then create the space to relax and unwind. La Dolce Vita!
Modern Karoo – source: EstiLoyd Deco
The modern Karoo-inspired home has all the necessaries, but uses materials that wouldn’t be out of place in a traditional farmhouse. This awesome kitchen has counters made out of screed cement left raw and polished, vintage metal lights and a classic hob stovetop, but still has all the modern appliances you need. Most farmhouse styles these days have been modernised to keep up with current kitchen trends, but still retain the authenticity of the original design.
Floral Karoo Inspiration – source: Karoo Rosie & Miss Mustard Seed
A home is always made better with fresh flowers or plants, so whether you brighten up a room with an aluminium kettle filled with soft blushing brides (great for weddings), or add a cute succulent or two (try desert roses for the grey-green colour), you’ll be bringing a sense of the outdoors, in. The semi-arid Karoo landscape has a number of wonderful desert plants that look great indoors or settled in a big pot on the stoep.
[…] time. Today’s post is number two in my new Home Style series (see the first post dedicated to Karoo Style here) and is all about bringing Scandi-style features into your […]