a spiritual sanctuary between the stars
‘Sterrekopje’ is an Afrikaans phrase that loosely translates to ‘the bright star above the little mountain.’ And it couldn’t be a more apt name for the farm that my wife, Fleur Huijskens, and I call home. It’s also a place so magical and mystical that we decided to share it with the world…
Words by Nicole Boekhoorn Styling by Charl Francois Edwards Photography by Emma Jude Jackson a LOOKBOOK Studio production
When Sterrekopje and I found each other three years ago, I instantly knew her purpose and mine were intertwined, destined to unfold side by side. For years I travelled the world, looking for a place where I could build something extraordinary, not just for myself but for others, a place rooted in nature – a place with a soul, where people could come to find rest; to regenerate and reconnect.
I envisioned cottages – like little nests – tucked into overflowing gardens, with long communal tables bearing an abundance of glorious fresh food. I pictured long, leisurely dinners under the stars, echoed by laughter; I imagined a place that would be a return to somewhere that felt instantly familiar, an extension of who we are – a place of belonging.
Well, Sterrekopje is that place. I knew it from the first moment I met her. It was not something specific that I saw – it was a deep feeling, an innate knowing. From the depths of her soil to the top of her mountain. It was as if I had manifested this place into being. Just being among all her beauty – nature in abundance, a feminine energy, a sense of place and purpose – it does something to you… it grounds you; it allows you to surrender and to just be.
The name was given to her centuries ago by the farmers that called her home: ‘the bright star above the little mountain’ – the same then as she is today, always bright and guiding us home. Over the last three years, Fleur and I, together with our Sterrekopje family, have carefully restored the farm’s ancestral lands to be as fruitful and sustainable as they were all those years ago, returning nutrients to her soil, allowing her to flourish once again.
Today, we grow more than 100 varietals of indigenous and heritage plants, using regenerative farming practices that encourage and support self-sustaining eco systems – just as nature intended. It is a simple yet abundantly rich and rewarding way of life – restoring this land has in turn restored us, taught us, and humbled us in ways we could never have imagined.
It was never our intention to create a hotel or a wellness centre; it was always to build a home, a sanctuary, a community and a safe place. From chefs and farmers to practitioners and artists, to our ever-growing family of animals – we all come together to share, teach, serve and connect. I believe that we are all on a journey and mine led me to breathe new life into Sterrekopje. My dream is that everyone who comes here will uncover or rediscover the path of their own journey.
Scattered across the farm are 11 sanctuaries, each one of them a private retreat. Every room is a unique, eclectic yet calming merging of colours and textures that weave together a rich tapestry of cultures and stories – after all – a home is a place where you collect your most precious treasures and cherished memories. We have filled this home with such treasures. Walls are adorned with elaborate murals that have been masterfully painted by local artists; a collection of original art, one-of-a-kind antiques and custom furniture like hand-carved trunks and four-poster beds…
Everything has been carefully curated to foster deep, restorative sleep and inspire contemplation and creativity. Our Sterrekopje journeys are rooted in restorative and transformative rest, because we believe that it is from a place of rest that we discover a true path to growth. Together with our family of holistic practitioners we have developed a range of rituals that come together to restore every aspect of the intricately interconnected ecosystem of body, soul and earth. Intuitive treatments, meditation and movement, and creative workshops are gently woven into the fabric of each day, along with our daily farm rhythms, from sunrise harvest and morning yoga to afternoon pottery classes and evening breathwork sessions.
The past three years have been an incredible journey, as we put our hands and hearts into restoring Sterrekopje. As winter approaches and Sterrekopje closes for the month of July, we will take time to rest, to nurture fresh ideas and sow new seeds of intention for the coming spring. After all, this journey has only just begun, there is so much more to come.
Every room is an eclectic yet calming merging of colours and textures that weave together a rich tapestry of cultures and stories.
