Rural Retreat
Winter 2024
a LOOKBOOK Studio production Words by Hannerie Visser Photography by La Dichosa Art direction by Charl Francois Edwards Design and Styling by Hannes Maritz
As if sunken into the orange Boland earth, in a small valley at the foot of Bainskloof Pass, lies the quiet haven that is Kruijd (the Dutch word for herb or spice). A location of considered and quiet luxury, masterfully designed and curated by owners Hannes and Tina Maritz. Their considered, mindful ethos lies at the heart of their organic and off-the-grid retreat and lifestyle experiences. ‘Our approach on the farm is inspired by the natural, organic resources provided by the land and surrounding communities,’ explains Hannes.
On arrival, an understated ceremonial cleansing of hands with bespoke Kruijd soap, aptly named Onskuld (innocence), washes away any city-born stresses or worries and sets the tone for a barefoot luxury experience like no other. The original farmstead, preserved and restored to its former glory, stands tall with nine ever-changing seasonal sculptures guarding the front entrance. Windowpanes trace the outlines of the original windows, framing the majestic mountain views like Impressionist paintings. Indoors, in the open-plan space, exposed wooden beams support the pointed roof and an open spiral staircase leads to the mezzanine bedroom.
At the centre of it all sits Tina’s sanctuary – a generous kitchen where she cooks honest, simple food from her kitchen garden, dictated by what the rhythm of the seasons bring.
‘The open-plan kitchen design is intrinsic to what we do and allows me to connect with people in a very different, intimate way. Often, one of our boys will come and sit next to me while I cook, playing on the clay floor. It’s important to Hannes and me that the kids are part of what we do on the farm and in the kitchen, part of making our family’s memories. It also creates the opportunity for guests to be a part of my process, to lift a lid and peep, smell, taste and stir,’ says Tina.
The highlight of the interiors, though, is the perfectly imperfect cracked orange mud floor that is a metaphor for the experience that lies ahead, skilfully designed to allow guests to become as bored as possible – preferably modderkoekie (mud pies) bored. The kind of boredom Hannes and his sister experienced as children on their farm in Namibia – while their parents took Sunday afternoon naps, they baked dozens of modderkoekies to keep their boredom at bay. It is this heightened state of creativity, fostered in modderkoekie baking, that led Hannes and Tina to their orange-earthed sanctuary near the humble town of Wellington.
A hidden footpath snaking up a hill through a wild forest of olive trees leads towards their collection of huisies (small houses) that you only notice once you reach the top – each unit the result of Hannes’s vision. Sleeping pods are sunk into the ground, designed so that guests have a perfect view of the mountain – but only when lying down on their beds. There’s a constant subconscious guiding and gentle nudging of visitors to exhale and slow down, to be present.
Every detail of the huisies, from the enormous glass windows to the rounded ceiling corners, are so considered and so unique that they were questioned or deemed impossible by contractors and builders. But where there’s a will, there’s a way. And Hannes had the will and found the way. During the design process, he constantly challenged convention and pushed creative boundaries. So much so that his architect gave up on drawing the units. ‘Call me when they are built and I will draw them afterwards,’ he said. Design touchpoints are a thoughtful homage to the surroundings and a cue towards a state of creative boredom. From the basins carved out of found rocks on the farm, the salt block bedside tables, the terracotta finish on the walls mixed with soil and clay from the area, to the unique gutter designs.
Clay-stained huisies with larger-than-life windows allow guests to open themselves up to the breathtaking views and tranquil surroundings, while the modderkoekie hut provides space for quiet reflection.
The effortless retreat experience starts by guests completing a questionnaire before arrival, guiding the hosts to design a bespoke programme for each person. From custom meals to private treatments, no two guest experiences are ever the same. Once you’ve decided to make your reservation, you won’t have to think about making one more decision until you leave Kruijd behind, over the small bridge spanning the fresh Boland mountain stream.
‘We encourage guests to spend some time in our modderkoekie hut where they can wind down and build mud pies, be on their own and in the moment while reflecting and creating,’ says Hannes.
Carefree days at Kruijd are filled with cloud-gazing, cold plunges, waterfall dips, curated meals, digestive tea rituals, yoga sessions, herb-picking, massages in nature, mountain hikes, afternoon naps, foot-washing rituals, moerkoffie, sundowners, baths and ultimately, being bored. Boredom being a means to achieve a state of creativity or just plain not wanting to be disturbed, or ‘kruidjie-roer-my-nie’, as they call it there.
