London and Cape Town-based firm Studio Ashby has envisioned Tamodi Estate & Polo Reserve, a contemporary countryside retreat in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa.
Set against the green slopes of the Tsitsikamma mountain range between the Robberg Peninsula and nearby natural reserves, the project embraces a bucolic elegance in which comfort is defined by stillness, generosity of space and attention to the everyday.
Weaving together material culture, craftsmanship and a contemporary approach to living, interiors are defined by organic texture and bespoke furniture crafted by skilled artisans.
The hotel is organised around a central building conceived for shared living, echoing the atmosphere of a private club. A library and reading room, serene terraces and a swimming pool form a sequence of spaces designed for unhurried connection. Across 811m2 dedicated to shared interiors, the design strengthens the relationship between indoors and out through generous openings, decks and transitional spaces that soften the boundary between shelter and landscape. A palette of natural tones and organic textures runs throughout, in dialogue with the architecture and local materials such as stone, wood and clay, shaping interiors that feel authentic and deeply rooted in their surroundings. Painted walls and joinery, along with new stucco finishes for fireplaces, reinforce a sober, cohesive and timeless aesthetic.
Original layouts were preserved within the lodges, allowing the intervention to focus on furniture selection, equipment and a renewed colour palette. Generous proportions already ensured ease of movement; the design effort therefore concentrated on refining performance and elevating comfort through carefully curated layers of textiles, accessories and finishes. The aim was to establish a distinct identity aligned with the climate and rhythm of the place. The result rests on precise decisions – well-scaled furniture, inviting seating and discreet storage solutions. Large handwoven rugs crafted in Cape Town add depth and warmth. The colour story draws directly from the surrounding landscape: soft lavenders, olive greens, golden yellows, warm terracottas, sky blues and deep browns.
Completing the scheme are bespoke furniture pieces for both guestrooms and shared spaces – chairs and sofas, hand-carved tables, throws and artisanal ceramics – alongside South African antiques, including furniture made using the riempie technique, where strips of leather are interwoven to create durable surfaces.
Art curation, developed by Studio Ashby in collaboration with Heinrich Groenewald and Shona van der Merwe of Reservoir Projects, brings together contemporary works by emerging and established South African artists. These pieces engage with the tactile and chromatic schemes of the interiors, adding vitality and character without disrupting the overall sense of calm. In the same spirit, a previously underused side area was transformed into the Library Bar: a games table, a library featuring titles on South Africa, fashion, travel, food and music, and an honesty bar designed to encourage lingering.
Privacy defines the 10 suites, each exceeding 100m2 and featuring a fireplace, a soaking tub and open views. An equestrian heritage is subtly referenced throughout, alongside a constant emphasis on indoor–outdoor living. Comfort is enhanced through Bang & Olufsen audio and video systems, LED lighting and movable decorative lamps.
From a sustainability standpoint, durable textiles and hard-wearing rugs were prioritised; nearly 80% of the furnishings are locally sourced, complemented by South African and European vintage pieces. The broader plan includes new amenities and environmental rehabilitation efforts aimed at restoring endemic flora, including fynbos, as part of the project’s ecological commitment.
