BestWood: The Reclaimed Antique Oak Collection At De Mond Guest House

De Mond guest house is located in the picturesque sea-side town of Hermanus:

After an exhaustive search, renowned architectural firm, Wynand Wilsenach Architects, selected Reclaimed Antique Oak crafted by Dutch artisans, Hakwood, to floor the public and private spaces of this heritage property.

Hakwood’s Reclaimed Antique Oak is characterised by antique French Oak that has been salvaged from 150 year old structural beams and subsequently transformed by patient craftsmanship into the most authentic hardwood flooring.

The visual and tactile effect is world-class and the team at BESTWOOD is proud to have been associated with yet another prestigious project in the premium hospitality sector.

From the Architects:

“We were commissioned to rejuvenate a historic property known as De Mond. It consisted of a double garage with a cottage above, a guest cottage and two linked historic thatched barns. The existing buildings were to provide for the homeowner’s modern lifestyle, while maintaining the charm and historic Cape Dutch character of the original.”

Working closely with the client, the team took special care in selecting the appropriate materials and craftsmen to repair the years of wear and tear and neglect to the property.

Dating back to the early 19th century this pair of barns, known as “De Mond”, were possibly one of the first buildings built in the now much sought-after picturesque suburb of Voëlklip of Hermanus in the Western Cape Walker Bay area.

Historical significance:

The barns became a holiday home, around 1790, by Hendrik Cloete, who had farming concerns such as Groot Constantia and other farms in the Cape. The barns are located close to the ‘lagoon’ (Klein River Estuary) and they have seen Hermanus grow to become one of South Africa’s much sought after holiday towns.

Over the years the barns have evolved from functional structures to the current welcoming home and, along with these significant changes to the character of the barns, the surrounding landscape has grown from natural fynbos to rural farmland and a suburban neighbourhood.

“We believe that we have paid tribute to the character of the buildings and been faithful to the style, while providing for a comfortable modern lifestyle.”