Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2015 i Home

I have a philosophy: hoarding is never a good idea. Stuff gathering dust in your cupboards can be used by someone else. If you’re not making use of it, give it away or sell it! I have one set of plates, only the necessary pots, as many mugs as my dinner table can accommodate people – and one duvet set for each bed, with a spare in the closet. In my house, everything is put to use. Nothing lies forgotten behind glass doors or in the depths of my corner cupboards because it’s an heirloom, expensive Arzberg or silver forks that my parents received as a wedding gift. The result? Somewhat empty cupboards – and it works for me. This philosophy was actually born out of necessity. If, like me,…

Decorex Durban 2015 19–22 March, Durban Exhibition Centre Check out the latest décor and design trends at KwaZulu-Natal’s premier décor, design and lifestyle exhibition from 10:00 to 20:00. Tickets cost R70 for adults; R60 for traders, pensioners and students; and R15 for under-12s. Go to decorex.co.za. Randfontein Show 4–8 March, Greenhills Sport Stadium, Randfontein The Food and Music Festival at this show features exhibitors, food stalls and live entertainment, from The Parlotones and Elvis Blue to Robbie Wessels and Karlien van Jaarsveld. Brave the Castle of Horrors, enjoy the beer garden and don’t miss the Boerboel Show. Visit randfonteininfo.co.za. March flashes 17–20: Join the fun at Markgoed for Easter in the Forest at Forest 44 on the R44 between Somerset West and Stellenbosch; call 072 376 4935. 18-22: The Knysna…

STOCKISTS @home 021 938 1911, home.co.za Block & Chisel 021 712 5193, blockandchisel.co.za Biggie Best 021 534 8662, biggiebestwebshop.co.za Builders 0860 284 533, builders.co.za Coricraft 021 508 5200, coricraft.co.za Eclipse 086 132 5477, eclipsegroup.co.za In Good Company 011 447 1628, ingoodcompany.co.za Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Trade Secret 021 447 1186, trade-secret.co.za Ucan DIY (in all Game stores) 086 022 2829, ucandoit.co.za Weylandts 0860 103 400, weylandts.co.za…

When Waldimar bought his 52m2 one-bedroom apartment in the leafy suburb of Craighall in 2009, he had no intention of renovating. But he had always dreamt of living in a modern industrial city loft, and the itch was yet to be scratched. Last year he considered selling, but changed his mind while browsing through images on the interiors website Houzz. “I realised I was living in a space that could become all I wished it to be,” he says. Bright idea # 1 Radical restructure One of the first things Waldimar, architect Debby Searle and project manager Maggie Kitshoff agreed on was to remove most of the brick wall that divided the apartment into two separate spaces: one half formed the bedroom and the other a very cramped open-plan living…

Whether you’re already in the throes of a makeover or still muddling through the planning stages, it’s time to get ready for our ever popular home renovations extravaganza. With product vouchers to the value of R30 000 for the winner and R3 500 each for the runners-up, there’s plenty of motivation to inspire you to submit your entry and send us your before and after pics. Come on, excite us – and the almost 500 000 people that read our magazine every month. Should you be selected as one of our Top 10 entries, you’re guaranteed R2 500 in product vouchers. TO ENTER Visit fixit.dailyfix.co.za or submit your entry to competition@homemag.co.za with the word FIXIT in the subject line. If you have trouble entering, contact Dale Niehaus on 021 408…

Smooth operator Loretta Jordaan writes We’ve replaced our wooden floors with cement, but the surface is very rough. How do we get it smooth? Shaun Bendall, technical director at Cemcrete, replies This can be a tricky exercise, so I advise you to get help from an expert. A smooth finish can be achieved by applying a specifically designed thin floor coating. Bear in mind that preparation is the key to success. It is essential to check the whole floor for friability (crumbles easily) as well as cracks. If the floor is crumbly, remove the existing screed and re-screed. If it is merely dusty, clean the floor properly to prevent the new coating from delaminating. All cracks need to be properly accessed and repaired appropriately before applying any cementitious coating. If…

You will need • new tap with flexible pipes• water pump pliers and/or shifting spanner• screwdriver• small washers• tightening mechanism (long screw, plate and washer)• plumbing tape Get started 1 Close the small stopcocks (usually under the basin). This will shut off the water supply to the tap. Turn on the tap so that the last bit of water in the pipes runs out. Check beforehand which way the mixer tap turns for hot and cold water, so that you connect the right pipe to the right tap. Remember If there isn’t an individual stopcock under the basin, you must turn off the main water supply to your house or flat. If the stopcock doesn’t have a tap handle, close the valve with a shifting spanner. 2 Use the water pump pliers to loosen the bolt…

Linda Strydom of Centurion writes How do I know if my dog and cat are a healthy weight and how important is it anyway? Dr Guy Fyvie, veterinary advisor to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, replies Obesity is the most commonly diagnosed nutritional disease in pets and puts them at higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, skin conditions and joint disease. Research has shown that dogs at their optimum weight live longer (by at least two years) and are also happier; one study found that obese dogs exhibit more vitality, less ‘emotional disturbance’ and pain once they lost weight. You may find it difficult to be objective about your own pet’s weight. Weight gain is generally gradual, so you may have become used to the extra kilos. Look out for the…

COURSES AND TALKS 4 and 18: CAPE TOWN Talks at Kirstenbosch 4: Research Project Manager at SANBI, Carol Poole, talks about pollination and honey bees. 18: Mark Thomas of Mark Thomas Architects presents “Behind the Boomslang”. Venue: Sanlam Hall, Gate 2, Kirstenbosch. Time: 10:30. Cost: Entrance to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden (R45 for adults) applies, but the talk is free. Contact Cathy Abbott on 021 465 6440. 8, 15 & 22: SANDOWN Grow your own organic vegetables Sought After Seedlings offers courses from R590 per person, including workshop and training materials, a light lunch, tea and coffee. An intermediary course will be held on the 8th and 15th and an advanced course on the 22nd . Venue: Inner City Farm, Sandown, Sandton. Time: 11:00–16:30. Call 082 651 4276 or go to…

Visit ludwigsroses.co.za and send queries to gardens@homemag.co.za. Q: I have three potted roses in my garden (pictured below). The first was hit by red spider and now this! I think it’s a gonner. Do you know what could have caused it? It looks like the rose bush was severely pruned or cut back so that the number of leaves was dramatically reduced. This disturbed the flow of sap as there weren’t enough leaves to draw the sap upwards and shade the stems. Because the pots were in the sun, the sap in the stems overheated and this caused severe sunburn. It’s not a sickness that caused the death of this rose – it was killed off! Q: How can I encourage a love of roses in my granddaughter? When my…

Chicken biryani Chicken biryani is a much-loved Indian and Malay dish traditionally served on holidays and special occasions. The dish consists of layers of lentils, rice, meat (chicken or lamb – even fish) and onions slowly stewed in a suitable pot until cooked and bursting with flavour. Although traditional biryani is made with bone-in chicken portions (drumsticks or thighs), I prefer boneless chicken; de-boned thighs are the juiciest. And because biryani can sometimes be dry, I like to serve it with raita. Makes: 6-8 generous portions Preparation time: 1 hour Cooking time: 1 hour • 500ml uncooked basmati rice• 10ml turmeric• 500ml uncooked lentils• 60ml butter• 4 onions, finely chopped• 2 bay leaves• 10 cardamom pods, crushed and seeds removed• 2 cinnamon sticks• 2ml cayenne pepper• 4 large garlic cloves, grated• 2 knobs fresh ginger, grated• 60ml mild curry powder• oil• 24 de-boned chicken…

How to get it: With Media24’s digital platform MySubs, you can read all your favourite magazines on your tablet, smartphone or desktop. Get your copy of Home Recipes there, as well as other bonus issues such as Home Yard and Home Renovations. You’ll find Home there, too. Simply follow these easy steps: 1 Go to mysubs.co.za and sign up. 2 Type the word “Home” in the search bar and all issues of Home will appear on your screen – including Home Recipes. Buy it for only R30; you can pay by credit card. 3 Download the MySubs app in the App store or on Google Play – it’s free! 4 Open the app and download the issue – it’s time to get cooking with Home Recipes! Any problems? Call us…

I am part of a family that’s exceptionally fond of animals. My childhood was filled with wonderful friendships, with the unique company and love that an animal shows to a human. Dogs and cats and horses, chickens and goggas and birds – my life has been enriched and my horizons broadened by all creatures, great and small, that have crossed my path. But as passionate as we were about the animals in our household and backyard, there was also a golden rule: they belonged outside. And together with this ‘outside rule’ was something else: you had to wash your hands after touching an animal and you were never allowed to let them lick you. Furthermore, no kissing the cat or dog! Never. My grandmother would warn us: if you kiss…

CREATE THE LOOK WITH DECORLAND The kitchen has become the most social part of the home so it’s important to create a space that combines your cooking needs with finishes to compliment those needs. A seamless and social kitchen is one where the functional items, i.e. the fridge, freezer and sink, blend in with the hard-top units you’ve chosen to create an open, inviting area. Your choice of window treatment is crucial – Decorland’s custom-made aluminium Venetian blinds available in exquisite colours. The bold red highlights this window as a focal point and transforms this kitchen into an exciting, modern space. This is enhanced by the use of the complimentary green, used in the shelving and accessories. WINDOW MEASURING TIPS A. Wall face mounting - measure the total area you…

On the side Claim your side of the bed with fun 100% cotton Scrabble scatters – they’ll make the perfect wedding gift, too! Scatters (35 x 35cm) R120 each, Luvlee Stuff Guiding light Take your table setting to the next level with Scrabble candles. Spell out a word as a centrepiece, or make ‘place cards’ using the first letter of each guest’s name. Candles R80 each, Okasie From the heart Leave a love letter for that special someone with Scrabble blocks on a headboard, bedside table or an open shelf. Blocks R30 each, Messagesquare Café Perfect cuppa Ever accidentally sipped your better half’s bitter brew early in the morning? Use a funky mug with the first letter of your name and never make the same mistake again. Mug R30, Typo…

1 Build a platform A room that’s required to serve the dual purpose of a children’s bedroom and playroom for two will benefit from having the sleeping area on a mezzanine level, say Jan Lloyd-Cowley and Adam Cowley of Observatory, Cape Town. Ben (5) now has a play area, Izzy (7) loves her drawing area and both love their beds ‘on high’ all in one room! 2 Behind closed doors An impractical wall niche houses an entire home office in creative editor Marian van Wyk’s Cape Town flat. Unsightly filing is hidden behind closed doors and the white palette and glossy finish of the top cupboard doors reflect light which helps to make this corner look bigger. 3 Make a note A notice board saves on a small desk and…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 5/10 Skill level 6/10 Time needed ± 3-4 hours Finished size 800 (L) x 500 (W) x ± 500mm (H) Make it yourself for ± R600 (excluding fabric): wood R200, batting R40, sponge R50, castors R200, screws and other R100 Shopping list • 16mm chipboard, cut to: two 800 x 400mm (long sides) two 468 x 400mm (short sides) one 768 x 50mm (strut for hinges) one 800 x 500mm (base) one 850 x 550mm (lid frame)• Twenty-six 6mm x 40mm chipboard screws• Twenty-two 8mm x 16mm chipboard screws• ± 1 000 heavy-duty staples• 1m batting (2m-wide)• ± 900 x 600mm medium sponge (50mm thick)• two 75mm plate hinges• ± 150 upholstery studs Tools • cordless drill and 3mm drill bit• pencil• staple gun• long ruler• broom handle• claw hammer Project notes • Take the width and pattern of your…

Q: Where can I buy the hanging chairs on page 54 of your November 2014 issue? – Karen Hancke, Lamberts Bay A: The chairs are from Weylandts (0860 103 400, weylandts.co.za). Q: Where can I buy layered and gathered night frills and duvet covers in white cotton? – Annie Boehler A: Try Mr Price Home (0800 212 535, mrphome.com) for 100% cotton ball pillow inners as well as frilly duvet covers. Other stores offering ruffled designs include @home (0850 576 576, home.co.za) and Woolworths (0860 022 002, woolworths.co.za). Q: I love the tapestry featured above the bed on page 77 of your December 2014 issue; where can I get one? – Bernie van Huyssteen, Cape Town A: The homeowner bought it many years ago in an antique shop in Fort…

Cycad from seed Johan van Heerden writes My cycads have been setting seed for quite a while, but they’re dry to the touch and very loose. Can I plant the seed and, if so, how? Do I need a separate permit for the seed? JJ replies I wouldn’t get a permit until the seedlings start to grow. Clean the seed and immerse it in a bucket of water for about three days. Allow it to dry and then place it in water again; see if it floats or sinks. If the seed sinks, it should be fertile; if it floats, it won’t germinate. Plant the seed in a warm spot in dappled shade and wait for it to germinate before acquiring a permit. Defoliated wisteria David Green writes I have…

River bell The lovely red trumpet-like flowers of fast-growing river bells will attract butterflies, bees and sunbirds to your garden. These plants grow up to 1m high and occur naturally in summer rainfall areas. River bells flower from November to May. Even though they prefer semi-shade, they will also grow in full sun if given enough water. Provide well-drained, compost-rich soil. Prune almost to ground level in late winter to achieve a more bushy appearance and to ensure abundant flowers the following season. River bells can be grown from cuttings. There are also varieties available in other colours. Plant guide Common name River bell, wild fuchsia Botanical name Phygelius aequalis Semi-shade Frost resistant Indigenous High water needs Perennial Stonecrop The small, almost star-like flowers of stonecrop make their appearance right…

Spur flower (Plectranthus spp.) You’d be hard-pressed to find a better shade plant than our indigenous Plectranthus species. Spur flowers are at their best in March and are available in a wide variety of sizes and colours. Look out for the groundcover Plectranthus strigosus, the medium-growing Plectranthus fruticosus and Plectranthus ecklonii with its white, purple or pink flowers for the back of a border. Remember to cut back Plectranthus by at least two-thirds once they’ve finished flowering; take cuttings at the same time to increase your stock of these lovely plants. Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida) The graceful poppy-like blooms of Japanese anemone make this plant a winner in any border. It prefers shade, but with enough water in summer it can be grown in a sunny spot; take care…

Pickled jalapeño chillies Wear plastic gloves when you cut chillies – if the juice comes into contact with your skin and you accidentally touch your face, you’ll be reduced to tears. Makes: 2 small jars Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes • 250ml vinegar• 125ml castor sugar• 5ml pickling spices• 5ml salt• 12 jalapeño peppers, washed and sliced Mix the vinegar, sugar, spices and salt in a small saucepan and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil and add the chillies. Cook for a minute. Remove the peppers with a slotted spoon and place in sterilised jars; top up with the hot pickling brine. Seal while hot and allow to cool. Refrigerate until needed. Tip Any chillies or a combination of chillies can be pickled. Jalapeños are usually milder than…

When I saw my then soon-to-be mother-in-law’s roast potatoes for the first time at a Christmas lunch, I knew that this was a lunch I wanted to be a part of – every year! I quickly understood: those potatoes were a family tradition, as intricately part of Christmas lunch with the Mallinsons as pelicans on Zeekoevlei in the view beyond the table. My mother-in-law Joan and her sister Barbara made them together. The potatoes were par-boiled and fork-scraped, then lightly floured before being patiently fried, a few at a time, in an electric frying pan. They emerged with crispy, deep golden edges – each one perfection! Gammon, turkey, stuffing – it all paled beside these half globes. A little Maldon sea salt, a little gravy – heaven! To my horror,…

WINNING LETTER Stretch those pennies Lynne Crabtree of Durban North writes Every time I buy Home, I suck in my breath with excitement as it always has pages and pages of innovative ideas with vintage, not-so-new and the latest fabric trends, giving me stacks of ideas that are attainable! I believe that fabric makes a home – from cushion covers, curtains and blinds to recovering an old couch, finishing an old piece of fabric that belonged to your granny with trendy trim or piping and turning it into a beautiful tablecloth, throw, or canopy to keep out the sun. Recently, I made three doggy cushions out of my 14-year-old son’s old nursery curtains – a 100% cotton, olive green check fabric from Biggie Best. They look so earthy and well-worn…

Watch this space! BUSINESS Bokke & Blomme WHO Janet Ormond WHERE Cape Town HER WORK After studying art and also developing a keen eye for décor, Janet saw a gap to combine these two passions by selling artistic typography and home décor. She has made it her mission to promote the sentiment that ‘local is lekker’ with vibrant colours and words such as “howzit”, “ja nee”, “eish”, “lekker” and “Ubuntu”. Four successful years later, the range has been extended to include flowers and animals as well as wooden patchwork art pieces. Take a look at bokkeandblomme.co.za. Fabric New from Constantia Fabrics is the quirky polka dot range (R329/m) in three different colour schemes – guaranteed to add a little fun to any interior! Check out constantiafabrics.co.za. Shop alert Arabesque Interiors,…

Sue de Witt’s beautiful wooden art blocks are colourful and quirky – much like her little home in Pinetown. She moved to this KwaZulu-Natal town with her husband Pierre and their two children, Sally and David, in April 1979 and although they’ve extended the house over the years, it’s still on the small side at only 137m². “When the kids were growing up, the lack of space bothered me a bit, but now it’s fine – although we could do with a bigger kitchen!” Clever use of space A couple of years ago, the walls between the living room, passage and kitchen were demolished to give the house a more spacious feel. Although it is more open now, Sue and her family still have to be clever with the space…

She describes herself as a “dabbler” and this is evident the minute you enter her home. Veronika Olivier and her husband Willem started renovating their almost 100-year-old home in Heidelberg, Gauteng with ingenuity, tackling and overcoming problems as they arose. The Oliviers entered only their kitchen in our annual Fix it with Flair competition – a room that Veronika describes as “our best yet.” Work began in December 2013. “It was largely because Willem bought me a new gas stove,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. “I couldn’t wait to get rid of the old eye-level oven!” Damp-filled walls Apart from a very tight budget, the Oliviers’ biggest challenge was damp-proofing the walls. The house is old and the walls were crumbling, and because they live close to…

The problem Malu Lambert, a Cape Town-based food and wine writer, says: ‘I’d been working at my dining room table for years when I bought a new house in Noordhoek and saw the opportunity to turn an old Wendy house in the garden into my new home office. The space was ideal as it already had electricity and was close enough to the main house to connect to the Wi-Fi. The solution To convert the Wendy house into a working space, various issues had to be addressed. First of all, the gardener’s workbench and shelves had to be removed so the shed could be cleaned from top to bottom to get rid of any insects and spiders – of which there were masses! And, of course, the typical Wendy house…

The challenge Cynthia Bergh of Kroonstad writes I have a long, narrow kitchen and I’d like to inject some colour into this space without making it look even smaller. Although I don’t want to replace the cupboards, I’d like to change the colour – should I stick to white and which shade should I use for the countertops? Should I paint the chairs and perhaps the back door to unify the room? Please help! The solution Germarie and Margaux reply Updating a small space is always a challenge. A good rule of thumb is to keep all your vertical surfaces, such as doors and walls, light and uncluttered. Painting the existing cabinet doors and back door frame in a light colour will change the look of the room significantly and…

In the twinkling of an eye After being rescued from a drain, Mzunga now rules the roost. – Carine Brand, Paarl All in a day’s work Scruffy takes charge on the tractor. – Coral-Lee Nortje, Willowmore Howdy partner Charger comes face to face with a horse for the first time. – Paula Cramer, KZN Midlands And stretch… Thai and Ari enjoy an early morning yoga session. – Herlina Burger, Durbanville It’s a dog’s life Tiekie loves taking a hike in the baby’s carry bag! – Ingrid Lombaard, Wolmaransstad Where’s the picnic? Dolcé, a Birman kitty, is ready to hit the road in style! – Leanne Kay, Port Elizabeth Let’s go shopping! Style bandits Dress your pet in a cool Dog’s Life bandana in cerise or navy (R89, spree.co.za/tuishome). Party poopers…

Green gardening March 17 is St Patrick’s Day and it’s fitting that our thoughts turn to all things green. Green gardening is ecofriendly, using compatible plants to suit the climate and local conditions. Grow plants that need moisture on the south and east side of buildings, and drought-tolerant plants in north- and west-facing areas. Group plants that need the most water near the house and in containers on the patio for easy access. No chemicals or harmful sprays are used in a green garden, ensuring a safe habitat for wildlife. Introduce flowers to attract butterflies, bees, insects and birds as pollinators. Tasks for March 1 Oh so sweet In 1699, the sweet fragrance of tiny maroon-purple sweet peas captured the attention of Sicilian monk Brother Cupani, who then sent seed…

The 2nd edition of Creative Gardening with Indigenous Plants – A South African Guide by Pitta Joffe and Tinus Oberholzer (R295, Briza) aims to popularise the use of indigenous plants in gardens, parks and on roadsides. Covering more than 300 plants, the book includes a description of each, its usages and advice on cultivation. Topics such as propagation, gardening in different climates and using indigenous plants to attract birds and insects to your garden are also covered. WIN Two lucky readers can each win a copy of this handy book. Simply SMS the word INDIGENOUS and your name, surname, phone number, postal and email address to 44284 before 31 March 2015. Each SMS costs R1.50; see competition rules on page 129.…

Spinach pasta Cost: under R95 • Serves: 4 • Preparation time: 25 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes • 300g spinach, well washed• 60ml olive oil• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped• 10 peppadews, chopped• 90ml fennel leaves, chopped• 250ml cream cheese• 100g feta cheese, crumbled• 100ml grated Parmesan cheese• 300g farfalle, cooked al dente 1 Remove the thick stems of the spinach and chop finely. Fry these with the garlic in the oil until glossy. Chop the spinach leaves finely. Stir in the spinach, peppadews, fennel and cream cheese with the rest of the ingredients in the pan and heat until the cheese has melted and the spinach has wilted. 2 Add the feta cheese, followed by the cooked pasta. Serve immediately with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese and freshly ground pepper. Chutney chicken kebabs Cost: under R100 • Serves:…

Welcome! Alicia Gilliomee is the new executive chef ready to tempt your taste buds at The Rhebok Restaurant at Rhebokskloof Wine Estate (rhebokskloof.co.za) in Paarl. And why not treat yourself to a delicious Pearlstone picnic spread on the lush green lawns under the oaks at the estate? Au naturel This new full fat yoghurt from Fairview in Paarl, made from the milk of grass-fed Jersey cows and traditional yoghurt cultures, is free of starch, stabilisers, sugar, flavourants and preservatives. A process of straining it through muslin cloth gives the cheese a higher milk content, which means more than double the amount of protein. It’s available in 150g tubs at Spar, Checkers and Pick n Pay stores in the Western Cape. Cut corners Scooter pizza-cutter R79.99, Mr Price Home Fine wine…