Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2017 i Home

She’s been wanting to do so for a long time but first had to save a bit of cash because she doesn’t want to stay in backpacker accommodation. She’d much rather stay in a hotel, even if it’s only a bed with and her own bathroom. Someone else told me the story of an adventurous granny who on the other hand, prefers to travel alone – and she does like staying in backpackers because “in hotels you don’t get to know people and then what’s the point of travelling?”. I quite like a hotel holiday too, but I do have pictures to prove that I’m not afraid of a camping trip either. In fact, those holidays were among my favourites. As long as there’s a little bit of luxury. When…

The writer of the winning letter gets a Montagu voucher worth R1 500! Montagu Dried Fruit and Nuts is rapidly becoming the ‘go to’ brand for dried fruit, nuts and seeds for recipes, healthy snacks and gift packs. With almost 150 stores nationwide and more than 380 different packs to choose from, Montagu is your one-stop speciality shop for treats from Mother Nature. • Visit mdfn.co.za to find your nearest Montagu store and follow their blog – it’s full of health tips and delicious recipes!…

The dark side Cool and quirky, turquoise is seldom teamed with black. But Katie Farringer isn’t afraid of unusual colour combinations. The matte black backdrop for the blue kitchen cupboards in her Sky View Manor guesthouse outside Stellenbosch not only makes the turquoise pop, but also makes the kitchen look bigger as it creates the illusion that the wall is receding. Yellow table legs and flower decals on the wall add a bit of fun. Black wall painted in Plascon Dark Onyx; cupboards painted in Dulux Crystal Surprise 4; table legs painted in Plascon Lemon Rind; jugs from Volpes A touch of drama A four-poster bed belongs in a classic interior, right? No, says Katie. Instead, she’s painted a focal wall in a deep blue and added a glossy pink…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 5/10 Skill level 6/10 Time needed 1 to 2 hours Do it yourself for less than R900: wood, screws and hinges (legs and paint/ varnish excluded) You will need SHOPPING LIST • 18mm plywood cut to: four 500 x 400mm (box sides) two 364 x 400mm (bottom and shelf, small box) two 764 x 400mm (bottom and shelf, large box) four 364 x 70mm (struts, small box) four 764 x 70mm (struts, large box) one 500 x 1200mm (back) two 500 x 440mm (sides, outer frame) two 1 240 x 440mm (top and bottom, outer frame) three 492 x 392mm (doors) • one packet 6mm x 50mm chipboard screws • one packet 8mm x 30mm chipboard screws • one packet 6mm x 16mm chipboard screws…

Post-op pet care Louise Mason of Johannesburg writes My dog is going in for surgery and will spend a night at the vet. I’m concerned about providing him with the right care when he comes home; any advice? Lorren Barham, owner and animal hydrotherapist at Pet Wellness Worx, replies These simple steps will support your pet’s recovery: • Use a hammock or safety harness attached to the seatbelt on the backseat to ensure that your pet doesn’t slip or fall into the well of the seat. • Bigger dogs need a ramp or steps to get into the car; get your pooch used to the device prior to surgery to avoid any unnecessary stress. • If you have tiles or laminate flooring at home, the possibility of slipping is a…

Tough as nails Cast-iron plant Aspidistra elatior The cast-iron plant is hardy and copes with neglect – hence its common name. This plant thrives in low light and varying temperatures and humidity is not an issue. Once it is well established, it also copes with irregular watering. The cast-iron plant likes well-drained soil, which prevents it from getting root rot. Plant it in the shade, away from direct sunlight. It also makes an excellent indoor plant. Feel free to pick the attractive leaves; they last well in a vase. Three or five stems (an odd number always looks better) in a glass bowl makes a striking green arrangement. Cast-iron plants do bloom, but the flower is at ground level and not something that is seen regularly – the plant is…

Wild tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows up to 6m high with blue-green leathery leaves, sometimes with purplish tints. Yellow tubular flowers appear in terminal, drooping clusters all year round. It bears brown fruit capsules which contain tiny seeds that help to spread the plant. Invasive status It’s a Category 1b invasive plant, which means that it must be removed from your property to avoid prosecution. Why is it a problem? It competes with indigenous species and can form dense stands along watercourses after flooding; this is of particular concern in conservation areas such as the Kruger National Park. The entire plant is poisonous to domestic and wild animals. CONTACT invasives.org.za Patio plant of the month Fuchsia If you are looking for a patio…

Fish and chips Fish with a crispy batter and tasty side dishes is my favourite way to entertain guests – at any time of year. Best of all? Both young and old love it. Serves 6 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes • zest of 1 lemon • 3ml each Italian herbs and mustard powder • a pinch each of cayenne pepper and white pepper • 300ml self-raising flour • 6 hake fillets, skin on* • 250ml buttermilk • oil for shallow-frying 1 Mix the lemon zest, herbs, pepper and flour and season well with salt. Place in a shallow bowl. Pat each piece of fish dry with a cloth (paper towels tend to stick) and ‘draw’ them through the buttermilk. Dip the fish in the flour mixture…

My travelling companion and I were driving through the Southern Cape platteland. My husband grew up there, he knows the area well. As we went along, he would read out the fascinating names of the farms, the turn-offs, the stations, the villages. Ouvloer, Botteliersfontein, Aasvoëlkop, Die Boord, Herbertsdale, Karringmelksfontein, Cooper’s Siding, Vadersgawe... He had a story to tell about each one of them: about the people, their lives, the fun and games, the trials and tribulations. My husband’s stories were so enthralling that the journey passed by in a flash. Before long, we were approaching Riversdale’s Sleeping Beauty; that fair lass who has been slumbering so peacefully for centuries, her lashes resting on her cheeks. Because my husband’s parents were sometimes away for long periods of time, as a child…

WINNING LETTER Take a look Belinda Huse of Hamburg writes I love this quote from the editor’s note in the May issue of Home: “We visit genuinely creative people – readers who inspire us and whose homes are so gorgeous, you’ll want to try on their style.” I’ve often wondered how you find these homes; do you go looking for them or do readers send you photos which then inspire you to take a look? Well, I’m taking the bull by the horns and sending you photos of our little place in a village called Hamburg in the Eastern Cape. My partner and I have been living above the Keiskamma River in Hamburg for the past 10 or so years. We’re intrepid scroungers, hoarders and collectors, and our greatest passion…

ON THE BOX When families have fallen out of love with their homes, they call on property experts Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer of Love it or List it UK (starts August 14 on the Home Channel, 176 on DStv) to help them decide if they should stay and renovate or sell. Check it out! 100% Design South Africa 9–13 August: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Gauteng Taking place alongside Decorex Joburg, this exhibition celebrates contemporary design, including textiles, architecture, furniture and products. Check out local fabrics and wallpaper by 16 leading fabric houses in the new Fabric and Wallpaper Gallery. • Tickets are available from ticketpros.co.za at R120 for adults and R20 for under-12s; visit 100percentdesign.co.za for more information. Decorex Joburg 9–13 August: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Gauteng A vibrant…

Who lives here? Jean and Teresa Groenewald and their son Jacques (24) WHERE Patrysvlei, Stellenbosch As you pull up to this charming ‘farmstead’ outside Stellenbosch, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’ve arrived in France. The U-shape of the house and the garden with its cobblestone pathways, perfectly manicured hedges and lollipop trees give it a distinct French country feel. But once you take a closer look, it’s unmistakably South African: the Cape Dutch gable on the main house is a sure sign that you’re in the Boland; as are the yellowwood and wild fig trees behind the house. This is Jean and Teresa Groenewald’s dream home. After many years in Johannesburg, the couple decided to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind them and make Stellenbosch their…

The debate around which cement finish is the best flooring solution is a hot topic of conversation in our Home office. Durable, hygienic and easy to clean, floors with a cement finish are not only aesthetically pleasing, but practical too! Our readers have lots of questions: Will the cement crack? Is a particular finish available in different colours? Can I do it myself? We decided to check in with the experts to give you a comprehensive overview of what’s available and what works best where. Option 1 Paintsmiths Pigmented Floors (formerly known as Earthcote) Although originally manufactured by Earthcote, this is not a paint but a decorative cementitious overlay. In this home in Bishopscourt, Cape Town, the Paintsmiths Pigmented Floors finish in the colour Bleached Rope is luxurious, yet earthy.…

Carpets and allergies Amanda Cupido of Milnerton in Cape Town writes My husband and I both suffer from allergies and we’ve just bought a home with carpets in all the bedrooms. They’re relatively new and in good condition, so we don’t want to get rid of them but having not had carpets before, we’re worried that they’re going to cause our allergies to flare up. How do we prevent this? Johan Humphries of Sebo Carpet Care Systems replies If you suffer from allergies and you have carpets in your house, you need a vacuum cleaner with a vibrating brush and good filtration system that can remove all the dust particles and any animal hair. I recommend the Sebo Automatic X4 (Anti Allergy; R8 000); Sebo offers free home demonstrations across…

Who lives here? Peter and Gillian Rimell, their kids, Cassia (19) and Brody (16), and their three pooches, Brolly, Twiggy and Phoebe WHERE Somerset West SIZE 1 600m² Peter Rimell says his garden is a work in progress; after 13 years he’s still making changes. Peter, a freelance photographer, shares the story of his garden with these photographs. The Rimells’ house is over 200 years old, as evident by the clay bricks in the original heart of the house. Over the years, many additions have been made to the house but it still has a wonderful old-world feel and Peter has tried to stay true to this in the garden as well. “We were fortunate that there were a few large established trees when we moved in,” he says. “I…

1 Pots We all remember the potted plants of days gone by, says Nancy Gardiner in her book Easy Gardening: straight rows of plants in clay pots and tin cans arranged on the veranda. Today, there are so many more options available: pots, urns, hanging baskets and window boxes in all kinds of materials that can be used to create any style or mood. In his own garden in Pretoria, landscaper André Kruger of Garden Bleu has separated the entrance to the garden with a row of potted lemon trees, each on its own low pillar. “I believe the repetition of certain elements adds rhythm, and rhythm creates tranquillity – hence the duplication of the same pots on identical pillars.” He says it’s easy to achieve a similar effect but…

How to grow Oregano ‘Hot and Spicy’ is an evergreen, frost-hardy groundcover herb with a contained spread of 20cm, which makes it suitable for containers. It has oval, grey-green, slightly hairy leaves and produces clusters of small white flowers in summer. Plant it in full sun in well-drained, composted soil. Different types Other unusual oregano varieties are ‘Country Cream’, a groundcover with cream and green oval leaves and tiny pink flowers; ‘Golden Upright’, which is ideal for container gardening or as a contrast plant; and low-growing ‘Golden Oregano’, which also has yellow leaves, making it a decorative groundcover among other herbs. Tip of the month Cut back in spring and enrich the soil with compost to encourage bushy new growth. Did you know? ‘Hot and Spicy’ oregano is a good…

Spinach and cheese calzone with ham Under R160 • Serves 4 • Preparation time: 25 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes • 750g store-bought bread dough • 350g frozen spinach and feta*, cooked • 300g mozzarella, grated • 200g smoked ham, roughly chopped • oven-roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, to serve 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C. Divide the dough into four and roll each piece very thinly on a lightly floured surface. The shape of the dough doesn’t matter (circles or rectangles work well), but keep the size of your baking tray in mind. 2 Divide the cooked spinach and feta mix, mozzarella and ham between the four pieces and arrange the filling on one half of each piece of dough. Fold the other half over the filling and…

You could probably get through life without knowing how to roast a chicken but the question is, would you want to? – Nigella Lawson Savoury buns This is our interpretation of an easy-to-make snack recipe we discovered on thewoksoflife.com. Makes 8 Preparation time: 45 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes • 30ml sesame seeds • 15ml sesame oil DOUGH • 500ml (280g) cake flour • a generous pinch of sea salt and white pepper • 3 spring onions, white parts chopped very finely • 30ml oil (we used sesame cooking oil) • about 200ml boiled water, cooled slightly FILLING • 1 large carrot, peeled and grated or julienned • 12 mushrooms, finely chopped • 300ml finely chopped cabbage • 15ml oil • 1 red chilli, chopped (optional) • garlic to…

I really enjoyed your May 2017 edition – I haven’t read your magazine before and it makes a pleasant change to see styles and ideas for ‘normal’ people without pots of money. I particularly liked the makeover of a dated Sea Point flat that was transformed into a light and airy apartment on page 48. I’d like to transform a studio flat (47m2 with a 49m2 garden) and this article gave me some ideas.  – Veronica Baxter, Cape Town Because of the severe drought here in Cape Town, I installed an outdoor shower with a tin bath underneath it to catch water so I can re-use it in my garden. I bought the tin bath at Agrimark – the staff reckon the baths have become one of the most popular buys…

WATCH THIS SPACE! BUSINESS Pinda Furniture and Interior Design WHO Siyanda Mbele WHERE Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal HIS WORK Despite a childhood dream to design cars, Siyanda Mbele went on to study interior design at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and exhibited his first furniture piece at Design Indaba in 2013. Siyanda, who now owns Pinda and also teaches interior design at DUT, says: “I realised I wanted to do something less technical and more artistic. I tried graphic design and that didn’t work out but it led me to interior design which I love!” His striking, eclectic pieces are inspired by Ndebele, Venda and Zulu patterns. For details, check out facebook.com/pindabysiyandambele. FINE FABRICS Inspired by goddesses, vintage botanical drawings, unusual flowers, nostalgic colours and underwater plants, these ink-dyed cotton canvas…

“My home tells a story, like a picture book,” says Carla. “When I was a child, I had already started collecting pictures of homes.” Who lives here? Carla and Braam van der Merwe and their daughter Jana (20) WHERE Oranjezicht, Cape Town SIZE Approximately 350m2 And so it was hardly surprising that she and her husband Braam looked at more than 100 homes on their return to South Africa from Canada in 2011. Braam, a doctor who has been shuttling between Canada and Cape Town since they bought their home in Oranjezicht, and Carla, a former fitness instructor who runs an informal vintage clothing store, Hoity Toity, from home, immediately knew the white house with its imposing front stoep was the one for them. Their daughter Jana is a first-year student at…

Who lives here? Lynette and Colin van Zyl WHERE Observatory, Cape Town You need to have plenty of resolve when you buy an old house that’s been stripped of its character. Cape interior designer Lynette van Zyl of Ressource Décor quickly realised this fact when she and her husband Colin bought their home in Observatory in July last year. The renovation of their ugly duckling began in September 2016 and despite many challenges was completed within a month, when they were able to move in. “Colin works in the insurance industry but he studied architecture and is an enthusiastic DIYer,” says Lynette. “His spatial expertise and woodworking skills helped immensely. It was also a huge bonus that the wooden floors were still in excellent condition.  “During the renovation, Colin camped out in the…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 1/10 Skill level 1/10 Time needed 2 hours Do it yourself for ±R350 (3m vinyl ±R116/m) You will need TOOLS • steel ruler • craft knife or scissors • cutting mat • pencil • tape measure • spirit level SHOPPING LIST • vinyl in three colours of your choice (available at Maizey Plastics) • whiteboard markers • hexagon template Project notes • You can create the same effect with blackboard vinyl (also available from Maizey Plastics) or you could even paint the hexagons on the wall with blackboard paint. • Alternatively, you can use acrylic wall paint in the colour of your choice and cover it with a clear blackboard coating (available from The Deckle Edge). GET STARTED 1 Download, print and cut out the…

Hold your horses! Sky loves to make new friends. – Kaitlyn Cummings, Bushmans River Mouth Spots ’n stripes French Bulldog Luna and Dalmation Zara prefer the great indoors. – Nicola Sfetsios, Johannesburg Gimme some skin Keeping snug on the rug… – Fransisca Delport, Van Zylsrus, Northern Cape Awesome threesome Dexter, Katinka and Figaro wait patiently for Mom to get home from work. – Marinda van Aswegen, Somerset West Gone rural Giant Schnauzers – and city pooches – Butler and Kenzie love the KZN Midlands. – Diana Martens, Pretoria Fluffy, but furious Garfield and Odie can’t wait to get back inside. – Lee Ellis, Vredenburg Too cute! Treat yourself to a custom-made pendant boasting your fur baby’s silhouette (from R325, ebonymoon.co.za). You can upload or email a picture of your pet…

When planning a garden bed, your first consideration is usually the colour of the flowers you’d like to plant. But, says Helia Smit, horticulturist at Joostenbergvlakte’s Cape Garden, don’t forget about foliage plants. They offer more benefits than you think! “A combination of different types of foliage adds interest to a garden. Green has a calming effect and a bed filled with leafy plants with various textures, shapes and shades of green is most impressive!” Helia says green plays another valuable role in your garden: “Evergreen foliage plants and shrubs make your garden look good the whole year round, unlike flowering plants which only add colour for a specific period of time. Foliage plants also add depth to your garden if you combine them in varying heights, they provide essential…

Tasks for August 1 The garden awakes Signs of new growth on shrubs and trees are an indication that the garden is emerging from its winter sleep. It is also a sign for pests to emerge. Keep a lookout for snails and slugs nibbling juicy new growth, and aphids and bugs damaging buds. Prune any roses that were not pruned last month (see Ludwig’s rose corner). Plants that appear to be dead may still be alive. When there’s no longer a possibility of frost, cut back withered leaves on shrubs and perennials and give a side-dressing of compost and a general fertiliser such as 2:3:2. Water thoroughly to encourage new growth. Rake, or remove with a stiff broom, dry grass (thatch) on lawns to allow air, water and fertiliser to…

Q: Juvenile vervet monkeys are demolishing my beautiful ‘Old Glory’ miniature roses that are planted in pots. How can I discourage them without causing any harm? We’ve had the same query about dassies and buck. Hang up little pieces of hard soap sprayed with raw egg dissolved in water, or a few chillies – this will keep them away for a week or so and then they get used to it. You simply need to put a cage over each rose or fence-in the entire rose bed or garden. Q: My garden has fine sandy soil that becomes very hard, so when my ‘Belle Époque’ rose died, I dug it up and discovered that the roots were growing upwards and not downwards. How do I prevent this? Depending on how…

In association with Huletts 1 Orange syrup trifle • 1 loaf Madeira cake, sliced into squares • 100g dark chocolate, melted • 2 oranges, peeled and sliced • 30ml Huletts Caramel Sugar • whipped cream or ice cream SPICED SYRUP • 125ml Huletts Caramel Sugar • 125ml boiling water • 1 cinnamon stick • 1 strip of orange peel 1 Make the syrup Dissolve the caramel sugar in the water, add the cinnamon stick and orange peel and bring to the boil. Simmer for a couple of minutes until it has thickened slightly. Allow to cool to room temperature. 2 Drizzle the spiced syrup over the cake squares until soaked and decorate with the dark chocolate. Put in the fridge to set. 3 To serve, sprinkle the orange slices with…

MR MEAT Self-taught butcher and owner of Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants Andy Fenner has now released Meat Manifesto (R550, Quivertree) – a practical guide on how to select meat and cook it with passion and consideration. Andy firmly believes that eating meat is a luxury and quality ingredients that are ethically sourced are non-negotiable. Smoke, grill or roast your choice of beef, pork, lamb, venison, poultry and even goat with scrumptious recipes that range from basic (Pork Rib Chops with Marmite) to exotic (Beef Cheek Bobotie). Yum! For love of yoghurt  With no preservatives, 16% more fruit in the double-cream, low-fat and fat-free fruited variants as well as considerably less sugar compared to their 2016 recipes, the new Woolworths yoghurts are the bomb! Boasting exclusive cultures to keep your digestive…

There’s nothing like the silky smooth sensation of NIVEA Care Shower Creme Oil Pearls against your skin – a revolutionary formula combining the best of NIVEA’s luxurious oil and creme into one with two intoxicating new scents: Cherry Blossom and Lotus. Infused with velvety Oil Pearls and enriching argan oil, this deluxe combination will leave your skin feeling deeply moisturised, while the tantalising aromas will delight your senses and leave you feeling blissful and relaxed. Each NIVEA shower hamper consists of: • 2 x NIVEA Care Shower Creme Oil Pearls Cherry Blossom (250ml) • 2 x NIVEA Care Shower Creme Oil Pearls Lotus (250ml) • 1 x Pampering Shower Oil (200ml) PLUS • 1 x satin robe • 2 x Yankee candles • 1 x fine luxury silk scarf  For…