About this listing

BRAGANZA HOUSE

OVERVIEW

Braganza House is an imaginatively designed home, set amongst almost two acres
of tropical walled gardens with far-reaching views over the local countryside. With
the house, verandahs, and pool area spanning over 6,000 square feet, it is the
perfect holiday home for families or groups of friends to relax and unwind amongst
the wonderful nature. It is just a few minutes away from the best beaches of Sri
Lanka and a mere 20 minutes from the historical Galle Fort. The house has four uniquely
designed guest suites and can comfortably accommodate up to 8 guests. It is fully
staffed, including an excellent chef.

Taking inspiration initially from a traditional Sri Lankan bungalow and combining it
with a mix of Mediterranean and Moroccan influences, Braganza House has been
meticulously designed by the British owner Chlöe Elkerton, who by profession is an
Interior Designer based in Singapore. She wanted to create an island retreat, a
home away from home, where family and friends could gather and create special
memories and lasting experiences. Inspired by the nature of Sri Lanka – the ocean,
the beach, the hills, and the jungle, she wanted to incorporate as many outside
elements but with intriguing design details and finishes. Baraganza house has a strong sense
of openness infused with beauty and magic. She has created a grown-up, yet
relaxed ‘beach-house’ vibe but with the calm and peacefulness of the surrounding
countryside.

Perhaps what makes Braganza House most intriguing is the way Chloe masterfully
weaves together various visual elements to create spaces that are full of personality.
The architecture features handmade encaustic patterned and Moroccan bejmet
tiles, refurbished Dutch antique doors and windows, fretworks inspired by Sri Lankan
houses, and a range of organically shaped built-in concrete furniture. Within the
house, the interior is populated with locally made bespoke furniture dressed in
stunning artisanal fabrics from around the world, as well as a carefully curated
selection of antiques and precious objects. Inspired by her passion for nature and a
love for incorporating tactile elements, Chloe sought out artworks and decorations
with fresh palettes inspired by the beaches, ocean, flora, and fauna of Sri Lanka;
together, these decorations help the tropical rooms flow seamlessly from one space
to the next. This understated luxurious yet bohemian and tropical chic interior
creates a fresh ambiance entirely of its own, setting it apart from other properties in
Sri Lanka.

ENTRANCE AND SITTING ROOM OF BARAGANZA HOUSE

Upon entering Braganza through a unique antique carved ‘flower’ door into an
open, courtyard paved with Moroccan bejmet tiles, one walks through a barrel
hallway to the main spacious sunken sitting room. This beautiful and calm space is
flooded with natural light and features a stunning high vaulted ceiling full of
suspended rattan lanterns, creating a magical effect. The open-plan living room
features social seating arrangements and a playful bar area while overlooking the
lush gardens beyond, making it a wonderful space to gather with friends. Built-in
polished cement seating with a unique scalloped back is combined with bespoke
rattan and upholstered furnishings to create an impressive yet inviting sitting area.

Cushions and upholstery use a wonderful mix of patterns, textures, and colors, all
inspired by nearby beaches and the ocean.
The open plan and sociable seating and more playful bar area overlook the lush
garden, with sweeping views of greenery and the pool beyond, is framed by three
arched French doors with scalloped transoms leading onto the pretty verandahs
that wrap around the property.

MAIN KITCHEN OF BARAGANZA HOUSE
Adjacent to the sitting room and through arched French doors, is the main kitchen,
which guests are welcome to use and is separate from the chef’s kitchen. The bright
and airy kitchen features scallop pink tiles, louver cabinetry, and polished cement. It
is also fully equipped with a range oven, Nespresso machine, and double
fridge/freezer. Encaustic patterned floors and a terrazzo island with deep pink
bobbin high-chairs make this the perfect place to have a coffee or cooking class
with our in-house chef.

VERANDAHS OF BARAGANZA HOUSE
The breezy verandah is where breakfast is served and looks out onto the pool and
local countryside. Floors tiled in Moorish patterned large porcelain tiles means it flows
seamlessly from the interior spaces. The veranda is also dotted with numerous
seating areas and pretty rattan furnishing, allowing you to enjoy the surrounding
from different vantage points.

THE SHELL ROOM OF BARAGANZA HOUSE
This small and atmospheric room adjacent to the Palm Suite can also be entered
from the main verandah. It features wrap-around seating with an array of beautiful
cushions. The green cement scallop floor tiles contrast with deep red walls in a tribal
effect painterly wallpaper; layered on top is a collection of precious artworks and a
whimsical porthole window with a view of the gardens beyond. Whether you’re
looking to have an early evening drink, board games on a rainy afternoon, or just a
quiet place for the little ones to relax in, the Shell Room is a wonderful and
unexpected gathering place.

GARDEN, POOL, AMBALAMA, AND LIONEL’S BAR
The lush tropical garden and lawn which surrounds the house is perfect for a game
of croquet or yoga on the pool deck. Or simply just read a book amongst the
canopy of beautiful trees. Home to peacocks, exotic birds, monkeys, and a wide
variety of fruit trees and flowers, the garden with its sweeping views is a wonderful
place to relax and appreciate the surrounding wildlife – there are endless spaces for
idling and daydreaming!

An organic-shaped terrazzo pool sits elevated within the lush gardens. This uniquely
designed pool features a natural beach-like deck, bringing a slice of the beach
inland. On the opposite side, an infinity-edge creates a stunning view of the
countryside beyond. Adjacent to the pool is the rustic-chic al-fresco dining area
perfect for long casual lunches. It has been designed with a roof made with
cinnamon sticks covering which provides some welcomed shade. Lionel’s bar is set
up with fun rattan stools and a pretty pink tiled bar perfect for cocktails. The
elevated abalama provides a wonderful ‘look out’ across the countryside. Designed
with a local cadjan roof and concrete fretwork inspired by Galle Fort it is the perfect
spot to watch the sun go down.

THE SUITES OF BARAGANZA HOUSE

PALM SUITE
The palm suite is situated slightly away from the other three bedrooms, south facing and
overlooking the countryside beyond and the pool. It is connected to the main sitting
room by a semi-open hallway with fret screens leading into the suite through
beautiful white carved antique Dutch doors. With a huge circular window framing
the stunning view, the suite features a four-poster rattan bed, a seating area, and a
large walk-in wardrobe. French doors open out to a spacious verandah with built-in
seating. Natural cane and rattan finish combined with beautiful botanical textiles
in neutrals, greens, and a touch of deep raspberry, give the room a stunning tropical
chic look.
The bright en-suite open-concept bathroom features striking Moroccan bejmat floor
tiles, titanium white built-in concrete with curved finishes, double brass basins, brass
fittings, and rattan lighting. It is completed by a generously sized cast-in-place bathtub, which overlooks the garden.

PEARL SUITE
Pearl suite is our second largest suite and approaches from the beautiful arched
entrance hallway through antique Dutch doors. This refreshing suite features rattan
and wicker furnishings, detailed fretwork, and an array of beautiful textiles in dusky
pinks, seafoam, and sandy tones inspired by the sand and shells of the south coast. A
wave-shaped upholstered headboard with rattan seating, fretwork carpentry, and
arched bookcases create a calming space, and French doors lead onto a spacious
terrace, where built-in seating provides lovely views of the garden and pool beyond.
There is a connecting doorway from Pearl to the Peacock suite, making the
adjoining suites perfect for families. The en-suite bathroom has curved titanium white
finishes, double sinks, brass fittings, and encaustic patterned floor tiles a swell as a
spacious walk-in shower and a small courtyard with plenty of natural light.

PEACOCK SUITE
Peacock is our iconic twin-bedded suite situated at the front of the house and
entered through a Moroccan-inspired open courtyard. This room is perfect for little
ones as it has an interconnecting door through to the Pearl Suite. Children and
adults alike will be delighted by the green barley twist four-poster beds, which mirror
two antique windows and accentuate the lofty space. The bright ensuite bathroom
continues the peacock green theme, featuring intricately patterned green Moorish
encaustic tiles, curved white titanium finishes, brass fittings, a walk-in shower, and a
small outdoor courtyard. It also has a spacious verandah balcony with built-in
seating.

POL SUITE
Pol means “coconut” in Sinhala. Sitting under coconut trees at the front of the
house, this room is also approached from the open Moroccan-inspired courtyard
through antique Dutch doors. The room features a unique built-in titanium white bed
that also doubles as a console desk with bedside lamps. Blue and white furnishings
give the space a fresh coastal appeal, lending it a calm and relaxing atmosphere.
Hand-painted stencils around the archway, a collection of Peruvian mirrors, and
striking artwork give this room a magical touch. Pol has the only bathroom in the
house that features an outdoor shower (the rest of the bathroom can be closed off
to the elements), allowing you to shower under the stars. The room also features a
private verandah with built-in seating with garden views.

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