* This article first appeared here in the Sunday Times

Travel journalist Jared Ruttenberg is the first to explore two newly renovated villas in the Cape, both exemplary models of tasteful and intuitive updates to the classic seaside home.

BY THE SEA

When patriarch Mills passed away, his family faced a choice: either maintain his Kalk Bay home as a familial escape or transform it for selective rentals. Thankfully for us, they chose the former.

Leaving the cobbled streets and Bohemian vibrancy and passing through the quaint, colorful Harbour, the home comes into view. This residence avoids any clichéd seaside décor, allowing the adjacent sea to narrate that story. By the sea, it’s a 100-year intersection of land and sea—a natural conversation where the sea continually reminds one of its presence; if not through sound and scent, it reflects through the many glass windows.

The newly renovated By The Sea is a respectful nod to the region’s heritage and architecture. The home features a blend of Cape Revival, Victorian, and other architectural styles, somewhat reminiscent of the work of Sir Herbert Baker. The naturally rendered walls are capped with red-tiled roofs, and unpainted Tuscan columns run along the courtyards and covered loggias below.

The house, along with two apartments, is perfect for extended family or friends to connect while still enjoying their own space. Each apartment has its own kitchen, lounge, and two bedrooms, along with an additional three bedrooms in the main house.

Stepping outside, the verandas and courtyards provide ample outdoor space. To top it off, a small gate opens onto a tidal pool resting directly in front of the home. This shallow water offers a spot to cool down—thankfully warmer than the surrounding icy Atlantic waters.

You’ll find it hard to leave this spacious property; if you crave a meal out, you’re spoiled for choice. In the mornings, Olympia Café offers the city’s best baked treats: first visit the café for a meal, then grab your takeaway croissants from the bakery’s hole-in-the-wall at the back. In the Harbour itself, Kalkies serves fuss-free fish and chips, while Harbour House offers exquisitely plated seafood in a crisp white setting overlooking the ocean.

Returning to the villa, you’ll likely find the devoted housekeeper, Harris Kamwendo, has discreetly whipped the home back into shape and lit a fire in the conservatory-styled lounge. All that’s left for you is to simply soak it all in. bythesea.co.za

VILLA DEL FARO

Sticking with the coastal theme, we move to a home that similarly exemplifies the extraordinary, combining the ‘champagne air’ of the Overstrand. Perched on the enviable Hermanus coastline, an impressive new villa overlooks the living landscape before it, where whales glide through the ocean below and sunsets paint the sky daily.

Villa Del Faro, meaning “The Lighthouse” in Spanish, takes its name from the direct view of Danger Point Lighthouse in the distance. Owners Drico and Melanie Holscher have poured love, attention, and considerable work into the villa. Drico humorously remarks, “The architect whimsically named it the “Polyfilla Villa.’ When renovations started in 2023, it soon became evident that the original house had major structural issues, necessitating a complete demolition.” The lengthy renovations concluded in June 2024—a journey from Polyfilla to pristine!

Walking into the villa feels akin to floating on the ocean – it’s that close. Stone cladding and glass stacking doors unveil the wild, allowing the breeze to flow through and creating an ethereal spa-like atmosphere alongside the continuous sound of the ocean crashing on the rocks below.

Villa Del Faro is palatial without being ostentatious; the clever design allows all four en-suite bedrooms to overlook the ocean from their balconies, while the large outdoor deck and pool enhance the opportunity to soak in the views. Visiting with friends, the two lounges, dining spaces, indoor braai, and spacious kitchen serve as the hub for our indoor social times. The villa undeniably focuses on connection, providing ample space for gathering.

The villa also functions as a semi-gallery; as you walk through, you encounter pieces by Grégoire Boonzaier, Frans Claerhout, Amos Langdown, Christian Nice, and other celebrated local and international artists.

Knowing that my friends needed some R&R, double beds were set up on the top balcony, and a line of weary bodies returned downstairs rejuvenated. And naturally, while the therapists began to knead out the knots, no soothing spa tunes were necessary; the ocean provided a calming ambient soundtrack.

Being close to the famed Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, I wanted some of its premium wine to be part of the celebration, and Louis from Creation Wines came to the rescue. As the sun slowly descended, we tasted our way through a selection of the estate’s exquisite wines, setting the perfect scene to unwind with the sunset and enjoy the Sauvignon Blanc.

Both experiences, among many, were effortlessly arranged by Kirsten Nienaber, the villa’s helpful host. It’s a luxurious respite where your only reality is your sophisticated villa, complemented by a luxurious natural experience. villadelfaro.co.za