IN PICS | This modern farmhouse is an enchanting off-the-map escape

She worked with architect Adrian Morris of Morris & Co on her contemporary interpretation of a farmhouse. "It's essentially three barn-like structures, hugging a central courtyard, with internal, glass-lined passages connecting them," she continues.

Like a traditional farmhouse, the home features open-plan living in the "barns", each with large windows positioned to embrace the outdoors.

Taking the South African context into consideration, Lisa says they explored the use of relevant materials - a way to ensure the house fitted sensitively into the landscape.

A combination of corrugated metal, locally sourced stone and concrete form the multi-textured skin, while inside, it's an assembly of polished concrete floors, wood and injections of interest in the furnishings.

Taking the lead from a traditional farmhouse, the kitchen is the heart of the home, inhabiting a vast space, with exposed distressed poplar beams and striking steel supports.

Tucked to one side is a snug lounge with a fireplace - the ideal spot for a post-lunch nap or after-dinner drink. The lounge has pops of blue and green in the furnishings - a break from the muted tones used elsewhere, and an example of how Lisa enjoys introducing unexpected elements in her design.

"When I design a space, I'll first consider the purpose of the room. Then I start with one piece - in this case, I had a blue vintage rug. The choice of the green chairs grew naturally from there," she says.

Antique stores are regular hunting grounds for Lisa.

"Choosing pieces is quite an organic process. I go with an open mind and then look for items that resonate with me, and I am particularly attracted to pieces that come with a story. When I feel a pull to something, I have to have it in my house; it's a heartfelt process. I'm a big believer in the honesty of your home. It's about expressing a feeling of what the house is about," she says.

Many pieces have been collected on buying trips abroad. Her collections of vases, figurines and curiosities are sourced from travels in India, Morocco and Mexico, as well as pieces from Kenya and South African artisans.

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Her playful touch is evident everywhere. Dried flowers in muted tones are swept together in bunches and strategically placed on ornate brass side tables in a bathroom or emerging from shelves hosting waterfalls of green plants. Rug choices sway from shaggy to shabby - Lisa is not afraid to mix things up.

"I enjoy putting things together that seem like they shouldn't be, including antiques with modern pieces," she explains.

In planning the footprint, she was also led by the surroundings and the light that orientates the house. The Highveld's icy winter mornings, and bright warm afternoons, she says, dictate how and where they live in the home.