Transforming Tradition: The Conservatory's Lush Redesign at Cellars-Hohenort

When thinking of the Cellars-Hohenort, nestled in a forested pocket of Constantia, Cape Town, one easily pictures its perfectly manicured grounds and classic Cape style leading its guests to the iconic Conservatory restaurant.

But few can picture what it means to bring the lush greenery – including the second-oldest grove of Camphor trees in the Cape (they’ve been there for 250 years) – from outside into the restaurant space by means of beautiful design, a meticulous eye for detail, and a sincere appreciation of storytelling. Thanks to a three-month restoration – the blink of an eye, in the world of interior design timelines – the Conservatory and adjacent bar and lounge have become an elegant biosphere where a hand-painted ceiling oak mural, wild Ardmore fabrics and leafy brass light fixtures dazzle its guests.

Brought to life by interior designers Dawn Dickerson and Carmel Naudé of Hot Cocoa Interiors, the Conservatory is a masterclass in extracting inspiration from one’s surroundings to create a space that is richly layered, but laid-back. ‘I love gardens, and landscaping is a big part of what we do,’ says Dawn. ‘We had to have the garden coming in, and wanted to open the spaces to allow that – yet create intimate spaces. You feel, with the trees, that you've got a little cocoon of space.’

Despite its large windows and extremely close proximity to the property’s abundant garden, previously there was a stark disconnect between the Conservatory, its terrace, and the grounds. ‘The entrance of the Cellars-Hohenort has a lovely, classic Cape feeling. And yet you came in here, and there was no personality. So we tried to bring the romance back into it,’ says Carmel.

Today, in what’s been coined ‘the glass room’, tables look onto the chef’s vegetable garden, and interior walls have been torn down to make way for tall indoor plants and a 360-degree view of a 300-year-old oak tree stump (the tree fell down in 2021).

The leafy wall and ceiling mural by Tiziana Giardini pays homage to this storied tree, harking back to the golden thread of bringing the outside in. ‘I think adding the trees was important to create these intimate spaces that also feel open,’ says Dawn. ‘To impart the idea of a garden; that really starts with the old oak tree, which was key to the mural.’

Throughout the Conservatory, patterns mix and match without clashing, thanks to clever zoning achieved through contrasting tiling: the veranda features intricate, mosaic-like tiles, whereas the bar entrance has large green circles, making you feel as if you’re floating into the Conservatory. The team at Hot Cocoa credit laying the groundwork in any interior through flooring as the most important thing, explains Dawn; this is the basis for everything else.

The Conservatory at the Cellars-Hohenort might be a tasteful kaleidoscope of green, pink and natural materials, but it also echoes its storied history: the hotel’s legendary owner Liz McGrath, known for her love of roses, is referenced in the Conservatory’s mural, where a Liz McGrath rose (which one can buy at Ludwig’s Roses) is placed subtly at the entrance. Currently there are more than 2 500 roses in the garden, including the Liz McGrath rose, which was hybridised in 2003. On the large fireplace mantel sit two ornate Ardmore vases, which were also once part of Liz McGrath’s personal collection.

Refreshing the restaurant with new pieces while reviving old furniture with new fabrics, the Conservatory at Cellars- Hohenort is a place for connection, and for indulging in lingering a little longer. Visit for afternoon tea, but stay a little later for a cocktail; and perhaps even later for dinner, when the trees are illuminated.

Text by Kimberley Schoeman