Come Dine With Nikki

It’s no great surprise that Nikki Drake was amongst the 32 chosen to participate in the South African version of ‘Come Dine with Me’. Her vivacious personality matches the warmth and seduction of her beautiful rambling home in Ballito.

My first instinct was that this home was the original farm house in the area. It has the grand aura of an old Zululand homestead majestically viewing fields of wavering sugar cane, with more than a glimpse of the ocean in the distance. But I was wrong. Just a stone’s throw from the bustle of Ballito, this house, on two acres of gracious landscaping, was only rebuilt seven years ago.

“I have built and sold a couple of houses in Ballito and when I saw this plot I knew I had to have it,” explained Nikki. It is unbelievable that this relatively new home has not been around for decades watching generations of children grow up. One almost takes a step back in time and it’s easy to slip into a bygone era when home was comfortable, filled with memories and willing to embrace anyone who walked through the door.

“I do a lot of entertaining, I love having people around and really get a buzz out of it,” said Nikki. “I wouldn’t describe this

as a ‘decorated home’, and sometimes I feel I could do more with it, but I really like the comfortable atmosphere we have.” My advice Nikki: it’s perfect just the way it is!

The open beamed ceilings with massive wrought iron chandeliers create a feeling of grandiosity throughout the entertainment areas. A magnificent bar serves the formal lounge as well as the sweeping veranda, large enough to accommodate Nikki’s teenage family and their many friends. The enormous main bedroom also opens onto the veranda with fold back doors, adding extra volume to the room.

Nikki makes the most wonderful mosaic art on pots, wall-hangings and mirrors. “I go through phases but mainly do it for relaxation,” she said as I enviously eyed all her work. Single stem flowers sit pretty in unusual and different shaped bottles. “It just makes it so much easier,” she confessed as we shared our lack of arranging skills!

Vibrant paintings by Henda Moolman, huge canvases by Rene Rutgers, wildlife by Thomas Hacking and floral water-colours by Sally Bekker add to the rich collection of art. The sofas are full and welcoming, furnishings are big and bold and her pot plants are gigantic!

And of course, the kitchen is to die for! No wonder Nikki was one of four in the Durban episode in Come Dine with Me……..anytime Nikki….red wine and delicious food can only taste that much better in this warm home!

 Story by Lois Kuhle