With its endless mountain views, the Blue Ridge Mountain area, where the house is situated, is one of the most beautiful and tranquil areas in South Africa.
Brett Shuttleworth’s CV reads like a list of dream jobs, from being scouted for an American rugby team to being a familiar face on the global fashion scene and appearing in Hollywood blockbuster, American Pie 2. Who would have thought that building his dream home from scratch on his family’s farm in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, would be the experience he prized above all the others?
‘I was lucky enough to get a good deal on the family land where the house is built,’ Brett explains. ‘I started building it three years ago after sitting with a builder friend of mine around a bonfire late one night. I whipped out a pen and paper and we started bouncing ideas around.’
The surroundings of the house are idyllic, overlooking a dam with the majestic mountain ranges dominating every view, which Brett wanted to capture in the aesthetic and ambience of the house. He settled on a mountain-lodge architectural design,where the natural characteristics of the area would blend in with the home. Comprising one-third rock, one-third glass and one-third alien wood, the house is open plan, with a wraparound deck leading off from every room. But, according to Brett, the best part of this holiday home is the seclusion it offers. ‘I never have to worry about neighbours. It is my own sanctuary where I come to unwind and not be disturbed,’ he says.
Brett believes it was a concurrent progression. ‘Through my various careers and life experiences, as well as being fortunate to live across the globe, I’ve learnt that life-coaching is the key to living a life based on truth and courage. For me, part of that truth is returning to my roots, which are anchored in the land I grew up on. The courage came with going ahead with the house, which was a financial risk, but felt right,’ he says.
When it came to the finishes and interior design of his first house, Brett drew inspiration from a Moroccan aesthetic. ‘Throughout my travels I’ve picked up on many design ideas, and the one that resonates with me the most is Moroccan design, with its natural curves and earthy colours. The house has an overwhelming sense of calm that I wanted to capture in the many chill areas, which are punctuated by Moroccan rugs and throws,’ he says. Brett built the bar and entertainment area out of rocks that were covered and treated in mud and grass.
Reflecting on the whole process of building his first home, from designing the layout to building the entertainment area with his own hands, he finds it was all very rewarding. ‘I poured my soul into the house, and although I currently live in Cape Town, the house in Newcastle is my life’s investment, my retreat and my sanctuary and I can see myself retiring there one day.
Who knows? Maybe I’ll turn it into a retreat for people searching for their own truth and courage.’
