lesley carstens

Luxury and Simplicity at North Island Seychelles

North Island in the Seychelles is an oasis of calm, offering each guest a private villa to call their own.

In 1998, Cape Town architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens first visited North Island and by 2001 they lived on site with their two children; designing and creating the staff and sample villa. Their design celebrates nature with small details like the outdoor showers allowing guests to feel the night air or dining on the beach with feet in the sand. North Island was finished in July 2003. It has hosted many prestigious guest including Prince William and Kate for their honeymoon in 2011.

Materials

The original island buildings, originally a coconut plantation and copra furnace, were renovated to make the library and dive centre. Indigenous Takamaka trees were used to create the villas structure and smaller details such as handrails, showers, screens and root pergolas. Casuarina trees, an invasive species to the Seychelles were removed during construction and used to make furniture. The decks were made from sandblasted pine from South Africa and Banuas a chunky hardwood was used for the upright columns in the bedrooms. Other materials include Rosewood, Teak, Giant Bamboo as well as copper and brass. The materials of North Island’s construction have so much texture and natural synergy, such as the beachrock curtains that create privacy at the outdoor showers, the ylang ylang roofing grass, sandstone in the kitchenettes and the extensive use of Seychelles granite rock.

Villa Design

The essence of luxury is captured in the sheer indulgence of abundant volume - space is life’s big luxury. Each villa is a private domain allowing guests to surround themselves with all the features and experiences that they are acquainted to. Guests enter via a ramp at the rear and are immediately greeted by the panoramic view of the ocean. This outdoor room contains a comfortable couch and dining table as well as sandstone hanging drinks tables. The main bedroom has a small lounge area, dressing room and the a locally hand-crafted bed. The bathroom is more of a bathhouse with a large bath for two, huge vanity area and two large mirrors. We love the sala for relaxing next to the plunge pool and the outdoor shower pours out of a log instead of a shower head.

Interior Design

Understated elegance and authenticity is the hallmark of South African interior design firm LIFE, who texture the interiors of North Island with mindful creativity. Textures are tactile - rock, cork, sandstone, silk, cadiz shell, velvet, cotton and copper. Raw nature appears throughout, such as weathered wood, smoothed rock, granite walls and mother of pearl chandeliers. Tones and hues are subtle; sage, beige, stone, chalk, coral, sand, turquoise and aqua.

North Island is one of the finest private island in our Private Islands Collection. It is available for exclusive use as well as partial rental; a naturally crafted paradise, fully staffed and featuring plenty of luxury facilities and experiences. We look forward to arranging your North Island stay, please do get in touch.

Top 10 Winter Sun Designer Villas

As we settle into our new worldwide villa seasonal collection, we feature a selection of the Top 10 Winter Sun Designer Villas for rental. Located across the globe in Africa, Thailand, Mustique, Seychelles, Mexico, St Barts, Brazil, Turks & Caicos, Bali and Anguilla.

These winter sun luxury designer villas for rental are a taster of our collection. For further details, send us an email on [email protected]

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South Africa Reserve Lodge 309

Sleeps 6 + 3 | 4 Bedrooms | Private Pool
12,000 acre Private Estate | Observatory
Architects Silvio Rech & Lesley Carstens
Guest lodges available for extra guests


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Phuket Residence 801

Sleeps 20 | 3 Villas & a Penthouse
Private Pools | Dedicated kids' hotel | Spa
On-site gourmet restaurant | Private Gym
Private Cinema | Designers' collaboration


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Seychelles Villa 407 | Praslin

Sleeps 10 + 2 | 5 Suites | Private Beach
Back to Nature | Main Villa & 2 Guest Villas
Discreet | Private Pools | Tropical Gardens
Handcrafted artwork | Private Wine Cellar


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Mexico Villa 702 | Punta Mita

Sleeps 18 + ch | 9 Suites | Private Pool
Oceanfront location | Crowns dramatic cliff
Architects: Manolo Mestre, Juan Collignon & Karen Collignon | Mexican arts and crafts


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Brazil Villa 601 | Búzios

Sleeps 10 | 5 Bedrooms | Private Pool
Contemporary design | Stunning Sea Views
Gourmet Kitchen | Floor-to-ceiling windows
Natural Light | Waterfalls & Fountains


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Turks&Caicos 523| Providenciales

Sleeps 12 | 6 Bedrooms | Private Pool
Private Beach Access | 10-acre gardens
European, Asian & African Antiques
Mexican architect, Marco Aldaco


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Bali Villa 803 | Cemagi

Sleeps 10 | 5 Bedrooms | Private Pool
Contemporary Balinese Design | Ocean view
Architect Ernesto Bedmar | Lush Gardens Black sand beach | Authentic Cuisine


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Mustique Villa 525 | South Hilltop

Sleeps 10 | 6 Bedrooms | Private Pool
Panoramic Caribbean views | Contemporary
Italian architect Paolo Piva | Media Room
Additional Guest Cottage available


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St Barts Villa 511

Sleeps 10 + 4 | 6 Bedrooms | Beachfront
White-sand beach | Crystal-clear waters
Stunning ocean views | Private "mirror" pool
Architect Firm Olivier Dain Perspectives

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Anguilla 601 | Black Garden Bay

Sleeps 10 | 4 Suites + 1 Bedr | Private Pool
Panoramic ocean views | Asian elements
Natural Beauty | Architect Frank Hamilton
Interiors by Cecconi Simone | Beachfront


For further details on our collection of chalets and villas around the world, send us an email on [email protected]