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Set in the hypnotic balance between the seaand the heavens above, Villa Azura’svertiginous cliff top promontory extends

eastward, slicing boldly through the lazulinewaters, like the prow of some celestial oceanliner. With awe-inspiring panoramas out over theAtlantic Ocean, there is a palpable sense of beingon the cusp of earth and sky: grounded, yet ready,at any moment, to cut ties and float off into thegreat beyond. Seduced by the bold interplay ofelements – the soaring fifty-foot limestone cliffsof Dian Point with its brisk, on-shore tradewinds– lifetime travellers, James and Amanda Neal,heard the spellbinding siren’s song luring themforth. Instinctively they knew that this was theperfect slice of paradise to provide a hiatus fromtheir wanderlust and put down roots.Inspired by acres of untouched arid

topography, including tropical succulents, cactiand aloe, so reminiscent of their time in CostaCareyes, Mexico, the couple engaged theexpertise of architect, Andrew Goodenough,conspiring to create a design, largely driven bythe elements, to deliver a colourful Mexican-Caribbean fusion. Encompassing open-air livingand embracing the circumferential ocean views,Goodenough recalls, “Our idea was to create acluster of buildings to form a small organic‘pueblo’, allowing us to angle the buildings awayfrom the wind, in such a way as to create aseries of sheltered and connected outdoor spacesthat face the ocean.” Cypress poles lend a raw look to the structure,

while the combination of quintessentialCaribbean hipped roofs, Mexican-style flat roofsand kitchen and barbeque chimneys evokes thefeel of a small village. Says Goodenough, “Thehouse appears like a series of buildings thathave grown organically over a period of time.”Seasonal shifts in the sun’s path – its rise andfall – deliver a striking sculptural silhouette aslight plays on its multiple façades. Steps ascend >

Perched high on Antigua’s dramaticLong Bay peninsula, Villa Azurabeckons travellers home.Words by Juliet Austin and Alisa Bowen. Photography by James Neal.

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to a whimsical rooftop terrace with360° vistas, northwest to the NorthSound Islands and south down thecoast towards Half Moon Bay. Atnight, the distant lights of the capital,St. John’s, create an enchantingbackdrop for evenings of moon-bathing and stargazing.Extending the view ever outward,

the sparkling waters of the infinitypool merge with the ocean in adramatic design coup d’état. Tiedtogether by shady walkways and apretty outdoor sitting room, theexpansive poolside terrace forms theheart of the home. Flanked byloungers, it is the ultimate sun-seeker’s dream, but for those in needof a shady respite, the sunken gazebooffers a blissful nook to tuck up one’stoes with a good book. Accentuatingthe easy flow, earth-toned walls with asun-washed patina are rounded andsmooth, creating sensual forms with aprimitive appeal, underscored by

wooden vigas – horizontal roof beamswith a cross-hatching of latillas used tocreate shadow patterns that are straightout of Africa. Punches of vibrancycome, courtesy of cobalt-blue louvredshutters and doors, echoing themagnificent blue yonder and,simultaneously, framing views from theinside out.

Welcoming all to Azura’s blueheaven, French doors yawn openinvitingly to reveal an interiorcharacterised by polished grey pouredconcrete floors and towering cathedralceilings. Ever mindful of theenvironment, the intelligent designutilises American Clay for interior wallswith the adobe-like appearance of sun-dried earth. Natural and non-toxic, the

medium ‘breathes’ with changes intemperature and humidity – perfect forcountering the often-harsh climaticconditions of the region.

Designed by the Neals themselves,rooms abound with customisedfurniture from Bali, which as Amandaexplains, “is mostly whitewashed, orpainted, to keep an element oflightness inside the house.” Avidtravellers, their passions are reflected inan intriguing union of collectibles.Bright swathes of fabric, redolent of thecouple’s wanderlust, contrastdramatically with the natural palette,introducing an intriguing ethnicflavour. Crewelwork from rural SouthAfrica, potato print textiles fromZimbabwe and kitenge fabric cushions >

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from Zanzibar – each part of theHansel and Gretel trail leading deep intoa storied past. Rounding up the eclecticmedley of decorative artefacts adorningthe interior are exotic hardwood doorsand a custom-crafted glass and Balinesewood treasure table, showcasing a thirty-year trove of shells and corals collectedfrom across the globe.Each with their own charming,

shaded pergola, ensuite bedroomsfeature eco- and energy-friendly EveningBreeze air-conditioned canopy bedscleverly designed to create cool zonesover sleeping areas. Topped with brightAfrican kangas, the innovative bedsallows louvres to remain open to theelements, enabling peaceful nights ofslumber accompanied only by rollingwaves and rustling palm fronds. Definedby funky, African-themed, handmadetiles from Pesamuan Ceramics in Bali,bathrooms lead out to private courtyardswhere outdoor rain-showers are framedby tiled accent walls and cocooned bylush tropical foliage.

Landscaped by Carrie Crotty, Azura’srelaxed courtyard is artfully planted withrainbow shower trees, elephant ears,dwarf banana trees, fishtail palms andintricate spider lilies, the epitome ofCaribbean living. Revelling in intensecontrasts of colour and light, bursts ofintense bougainvillea and hibiscusblooms are tempered by the creamy,aromatic splendour of frangipani.Growing in harmony with indigenoustrees like the gumbo limbo, seagrapes,Barbados cherry and the magnificentflamboyants, Crotty planted a sausagetree along with two baobabs, creating ahorticultural allusion to the Neal’s daysspent under African skies.

Enfolded by nature, and effortlesslyblending bold Mexican, African andBalinese motifs, Villa Azura brings theworld to its doorstep, lured by thesiren’s captivating song. Replete with itstrove of treasured memories, the housestands as a unique personal sanctuary,a refuge from the nomadic life – at last,a place to call home.

“The house appears like a series of buildings that have grown organically over a period of time.”