Rondebosch, Cape Town

Escape the Mundane An eclectic mix of Karoo chic and arty depth fills this perfectly private home. Let's start with the living areas: the formal lounge is spacious and comfortably warmed by a glass-fronted fireplace; the dining room, with its indoor braai and built-in bar, opens to a well-equipped kitchen with an 'American-diner' feel to its serving counter; a large, mezzanine-level studio looks out to the mountains; the family TV and reading room is a sun-drenched space flowing to courtyards and water features; and finally, bringing all these areas together, is the covered outdoor lounge at the poolside. Next are the bedrooms, 3 or 4 as required, set away from the living areas, but with their own access to a lush and sunny patio. There's a double garage that will also accommodate your Harley, and - naturally - there are all the required attributes of the thoroughly modern home: underfloor heating, high walls, alarm, electric fencing, inverter, fibre, water tanks, potting shed ... You can toss the mower, just keep some secateurs and the gardening gloves! Finally, for the academically inclined, this is Rondebosch, of course, where the university on the hill presides over every top school in the land. No time to lose. Call the Bluffs, book your visit, and start planning for the new school year.