Cape Town - Known for its hot springs and scenic mountains with rock formations that make it one of the country's major rock climbing destinations, Montagu is a small town about two hours’ drive from Cape Town, in the western Little Karoo.
Named after former secretary of the Cape Colony, John Montagu, it was founded on the farm “Uitvlugt” in 1851.
Designer Max Waldron and Peter, his husband of 20 years, moved into their house there four years ago with their French poodles Dolce and Gabbana, after an exhaustive search of some 18 properties.
“Montagu? Who knows from Montagu?” says Max. “Luckily my aunt and uncle have a cottage here, gave us the keys and said ‘try it!’ We fell in love straight away.”
Being surrounded by mountains and vineyards makes it feel as if they are somewhere in Provence or Tuscany, says Max. “Because no one had lived in it as it was built as a ‘spec’ house, I had the opportunity to put my own stamp on it. There was just the house, kind of ‘plonked’ in the middle of a vineyard and an apricot orchard, and weeds. No trees, no garden, not even a fence.”
The first thing that had to be done was to secure the property for the beloved Dolce and Gabbana. Moving the badly-positioned fireplace across the open-plan living area created a “formal” lounge and entrance hall in one neat move. Turning the double garage into a TV lounge/ library and His & His study solved three problems. Enclosing the back verandah gave an extra 40m2 of living space. “We added a carport and fabulous mosaic-tiled swimming pool. Only then could I start gardening,” says Max
“I am an interior designer, but as so often happens I had to pull my friend, business partner and designer extraordinaire Lianne Moorgas in to help. We are so often blindsided by our own homes. As our home is in the Green Karoo, and in the country, I wanted a relaxed farmhouse feel.”
For Max, being a designer has been a delightful, if trying, fatal attraction. On a mission to change the world “one scatter cushion at a time”, he loathes clutter and minimalism in equal measures. The disabling inability to notice everything around him often leads to deep frustration. Beauty can reduce him to tears, and he hopes to never stop marvelling at the wonders of life.
“The day I am happy with a house is the day I move,” he says. Plans for this home include a second storey for a master suite, full His and His dressing rooms and bathrooms (Max doesn’t like sharing a bathroom), extending the back verandah and installing American shutters, and creating a butler’s scullery to include a flower arranging area and dedicated laundry.
“Weirdly I think houses speak to you if you just stop to listen,” says Max. “Décor and style should also ideally nod towards your location; therefore a bit of country if you’re in the country, a bit of city if you’re in the city. I love things that combine both form and function beautifully – a gorgeous umbrella stand, a devastating silver tray or well-proportioned sofa all please me. I only surround myself with things of beauty.
“I would be lying if I said my geo-physicist husband picks the scatter cushions,” smiles Max, “but after 20 years Pete actually has quite a good eye. I’ll make the design choice but then I present to him as if he were a client. And yes, he does sometimes get his own way.”
The easy indoor/outdoor flow of the breathtaking views is the obvious favourite part of the home for Max and Peter. The not-so-obvious one is the fact that their home feels like a home, says Max. “There’s nothing too precious or fussy. After being away for a time my reaction is always the same: ‘Hello beautiful home!’ And nothing says home more than a huge welcome from my smiling husband and happy poodles.”
As he divides his time between Cape Town and Montagu, together/family time is the first priority for Max, and chilling with a glass of wine.
Max firmly believes it’s better to make the space you’re in a dreamy space, rather than dreaming of your dream home. “Does that make sense?” he asks. “That’s not to say I don’t dream of the perfect home, just that I tend to be happy wherever I am – city pad, country home, beach house and Paris pied-a-tierre would possibly do – for now!”
While he nurtures a fantasy about being the South African ambassador to France, based in Paris naturally, Max says every country has its charms, yet none compare to our country. “I can only ever really come home to Africa. I am African!” he says.
l For more information go to http://moorgasandwaldron.co.za/
Bianca Coleman, Weekend Argus