The River Cottages at Tongabezi feature high ceilings, giant bespoke wood and glass windows, and doors leading onto expansive sustainable pine decks. “The design inspiration was drawn from African graphic patterns and colorways,” says Abi James of South Africa-based Abi James Interiors, who conceived the cottages along with Ben Parker, co-founder and managing director of Tongabezi.

The five river cottages have open-fronted, covered front rooms with riverfront views and matepe outdoor furniture made by the on-site Tongabezi carpentry team. “The building team is the main thread in the process, and they are all employed locally and trained under the building manager,” says James.

The bedroom is rounded with large windows and double doors, which open to the deck. James and her team collaborated with Zambian artisans such as Jackal & Hide from Lusaka to forge locally made leather-patchwork fabric headboards, cushions, and accessories.

In addition to Zambian artisans, James worked with African suppliers to design other elements, such as handmade clay-beaded and recycled-glass chandeliers from Katundu. She also made bespoke pieces, including recycled-glass vase lamp bases.

In the cottages’ three different spaces—the guestroom, the deck, and the
bathroom—the design team experimented with texture using wood, screed
cement, and tile floorings; cement, thatch, and matepe pole-designed
ceilings; and cement-textured paint, standard paint, and smooth cement
wall finishes. “I love what the
Tongabezi team has achieved as the end product,” says James.

The bathroom features a double vanity, freestanding bath, and Moroccan tiled shower space. Windows above the tub look out on the deck and offer river views. Subtle accents such as the doorway’s dark-tiled lining pop against the room’s neutral palette.

Tucked away on the riverfront far from an urban center, Tongabezi presented its own unique challenges to James and her team, including getting products and supplies to the remote area. “Trying to plan everything down to a vase for the room before the room has even been built [was challenging as well].”