How Magnum Villa’s Bold Design Transforms Short-Term Rentals into Instagram-Worthy Experiences
Art is a portal to the imagination. It has the power to transport us to different ideas and emotions. A homeowner’s art collection often serves as a window into their soul, offering clues about who they are and what inspires them. While location and market trends determine a property’s value, interior design and decor create a strong sense of identity and uniqueness in what can be a “copy paste” rental market.
As competition for short-term rentals intensifies globally, hosts are seeking ways to differentiate their properties and attract guests. One often overlooked strategy is thoughtful interior design that incorporates art.
Nox Cape Town co-founder Richard Marshall says, “Introducing art in unexpected places within a home adds an element of surprise and sparks conversation. With younger, high-net-worth individuals fuelling the luxury short-term rental market, there’s a shift toward a more digitally savvy approach to booking accommodations, with social media playing a critical role in research and marketing. Interior design, therefore, can help to create memorable Instagram moments. Our guests want that ‘wow’ factor when they step into a home. While that’s easy to achieve along the Atlantic Seaboard, thanks to the incredible scenery, premium properties must offer something truly special to stand out in such a competitive market.”
Perched at the top of Camps Bay, under Table Mountain along Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, is “Magnum Villa.” This four-bedroom home, with its stunning mountain and ocean views draws inspiration from the iconic TV series Magnum PI. Memorabilia found in the home along with oversized photographic prints taken by Frida Fuchs of the Berlin Collective that hang on the walls, resonates with the homeowner’s own rebellious and adventurous personality. Scenes depicting California glamour symbolises opulence and a rule-defying attitude while Berlin’s vibrant nightlife attempts to pay homage to the wild, sweaty nights spent dancing in gritty clubs, celebrating youth and freedom, along with the artworks entitled “In the Mood for Love, inspired by Wong Kar-Wai’s film with the same name.
Magnum Villa is the ultimate bachelor pad, embodying 80s retro style with 2024 sophistication. With the home’s long and winding driveaway lined with lush palm trees, it’s easy to imagine Magnum PI pulling up in his red Ferrai 308 GTS. To further enhance the home’s theme bold colour palettes, neon accents, and exotic materials used by local Cape Town street and contemporary artist, Ashleigh Ferreira have been incorporated. The artwork featured in the home is part of a collection entitled “Seven Deadly Sins” and portrays a nude portrait of a woman, wearing a bear mask sitting next to an arcade machine. The image represents the deadly sin of lust.
Better known on Instagram as @thats_ash, Ferreira describes his art as “anything but ordinary.” His signature “Bare Bear” sculptures and imagery embody childlike happiness, joy, and freedom of expression—qualities that resonate deeply with homeowner André Kanya, a German entrepreneur who fell in love with Cape Town, and especially Camps Bay, 13 years ago.
“Camps Bay reminds me of my favourite TV shows growing up—Magnum, P.I. and Miami Vice—with its white, palm-fringed beaches and big neon lights. As someone who works abroad most of the year, my Cape Town home is where I can truly relax and have fun. Surrounding myself with artwork that reflects my personality is important to me. Cape Town is a colourful and exciting place, and I want my home to reflect that. When friends visit, I want them to feel like they’ve stepped onto a movie set where they can be whoever they want as long as they’re having fun,” Kanya explains.
On the deck overlooking the pool stands a giant, rotating white “Big Bear” sculpture that lights up in every neon colour. This statement piece embodies what Kanya aims to inspire at Magnum Villa: an invitation to be oneself, let go of inhibitions, and have fun.
“There’s no shortage of Instagram moments at Magnum Villa,” says Marshall. “André has carefully considered every angle and colour palette. Since renovating the home it has become incredibly popular, especially amongst wealthy Gen Z and Millennial travellers looking for unique experiences. With social media now more integrated into our lives, art installations are shared online, creating alternative platforms to promote properties. Art enhances the value and marketability of a property, whether it’s for sale or a holiday rental. It also shows that the homeowner cares and values their investment.”
While artwork gives a home character, it also provides a novel exhibition space to artists enabling them to reach a new audience. Ashleigh’s “Big Bear” standing tall at 2.2 meters is the biggest sculpture he’s ever created and is one-of-a-kind. It is hard to miss and will have heads turning whether they’re pulling up the driveaway or scrolling through social media.