Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2018 i Home

Where is your favourite place on earth? I’m still agonising over mine because there are so many to choose from, and so many memories... Let me explain why I’m asking. The other day I read about a project in Bali where the residents of a small town are making braided cord bracelets with a ‘tag’ carved from the horns of water buffalo. (There was no cruelty involved, they assured me on the website; there is an abundance of water buffalo and when they die, their horns are used for something with lasting value.) The tag is engraved with the GPS co-ordinates of the buyer’s choice. It works like this: you go online and enter an address or location somewhere around the world, then your computer spits out the co-ordinates. Voila:…

ON THE BOX Scott McGillivray takes his passion for real estate to a whole new level in Buyers Bootcamp (Season 1 starts 25 December on the Home Channel, 176 on DStv). With years of real estate and home renovation experience, Scott knows a thing or two about flipping properties for profit and now he is showing rookie investors how it’s done. Two amateur investors pitch their properties and Scott picks the one he thinks presents the best opportunity. He then puts up his own cash to pay for the renovation and teaches them both everything he knows about how to renovate to maximise value. If they succeed, they split the profits and if they fail, they fail together. Check it out! JAKARANDA CHILDREN’S HOME LIGGIEFEES 1–31 December: Pretoria Visit the…

STOCKISTS @home 0860 576 576, home.co.za Eurolux 011 608 2970, eurolux.co.za H&M Home 086 0690 707, hm.com/za Le Creuset 086 177 3321, lecreuset.co.za Lucky Fitsch 083 775 7344, lucky-fitsch.com MRP Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Poetry 0860 555 529, poetrystores.co.za Sheet Street 0800 212 535, sheetstreet.com Skinny laMinx 021 424 6290, skinnylaminx.com The Crazy Store 0861 111 281, crazystore.co.za Woolworths 0860 022 002, woolworths.co.za…

WHO LIVES HERE? Kathy and Eric McDonald WHERE Kuils River, Western Cape One of the first things Kathy and Eric McDonald did when they moved into their newly built home 18 years ago was buy two large AMC pots from a door-to-door saleswoman. “I remember it as if it was yesterday,” Kathy reminisces. “We looked at the smaller pots, looked at each other and said: what use would we have for those? And this was before we really had any furniture!” Since then, there are few things the McDonalds love more than throwing open their front door to family and friends – old and new – making sure everyone leaves their home happy and, most importantly, well fed. “We love having a full house. We expect everyone to visit all…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 4/10 Skill level 4/10 Time needed 1–2 hours Do it yourself for less than R1 100: wood and screws R1 050, sandpaper and wood filler R30 (not including paint) You will need SHOPPING LIST • 44 x 44mm planed pine, cut to: two lengths of 470mm two lengths of 425mm two lengths of 382mm two lengths of 338mm and two lengths of 260mm (rungs) four lengths of 1 800mm (legs)• 22 x 220mm planed pine, cut to: two lengths of 850mm (shelves)• 22 x 44mm planed pine, cut to: two lengths of 1 100mm (crosspieces)• one packet 6mm x 50mm screws• one curtain rod (30mm thick)• wood filler• sandpaper• masking tape• Tjhoko Paint in the colours Pebble Blue, Nade, Jane’s Jade and Comfort’s Blue TOOLS…

Treat it right Maryna Olivier of Joubertina writes My husband and I want to build our kitchen cupboard countertops from genuine blackwood; how must we treat the wood to ensure that it is heat- and water-resistant? Frikkie Greeff, managing director of Woodoc, replies We suggest you use clear Woodoc Water-Borne Floor sealer. It is available in a matte and gloss finish. Because it’s a floor sealer, Woodoc Water-Borne Floor is highly scratch-resistant so your countertops will be able to withstand moderate heat (as long as it’s not so hot that it will scorch the wood), water and alcohol, among others. It’s vital that you prepare the wood properly for the best results. Make sure the wood is completely dry, with no dust or oil on the surface, then sand…

Pick me, pick me! Santa’s little helpers are ready for action. – Liesl Swanepoel, Lephalale Wining ’n dining Mischa and Cody kick off the festivities. – Natasha van Rheede, George The perfect gift Grande dame 12-year-old Roxanne Chloë has claimed the Christmas drinks crate for herself. – Jayne Hewison, Sandton A real cool cat Ragdoll Alexander is all kitted out for a formal affair. – Elisha le Roux, Witbank Havin’ a ball! Rex loves his Christmas gifts – all at the same time! – Gina Serfontein, Cape Town Subtle nod to silly season Grayson is willing to wear a single red bell. – Tanya Steyn, Kempton Park…

Q: I have installed an archway between two sections of the garden and would like to train a climbing rose over it. Which varieties would you recommend? I always advise choosing varieties that flower repeatedly in great profusion and, most importantly, have a vigour that compares with the height and width of the arch. Midinettes or miniature climbers are ideal for a 2m-tall and 2m-wide arch, as are large flowering types such as ‘Blossom Time’, ‘Edgar Degas’, ‘Royal Gold’, and ‘Don Juan’. For a much taller and wider arch, choose ‘Compassion’, ‘Crème Caramel’, ‘Pink Cloud’, ‘Iceberg’, ‘Cherry Garland’, ‘Nahema’ and ‘Gülilah’. Q: I mulched around my newly-planted ‘Free and Loyal’ roses but the stems seem to have burnt. This is not the result I expected; what went wrong? If mulch…

Butternut and grain salad Under R125 • Serves 4 as a main course Preparation time: 25 minutes • Oven temperature: 220°C Cooking time: 25 minutes • 1 medium butternut, peeled • 1 small red onion, sliced into rings • 30ml sun-dried tomato pesto • 30ml olive oil • 125ml pumpkin seeds, toasted • 3 feta rounds, crumbled • 80g wild rocket • 60ml grated Parmesan • 60ml pomegranate rubies • 250g cooked grains (brown and wild rice, bulgur, spelt, rye, lentils and quinoa are all delicious) 1 Preheat the oven. Using a sharp knife, thinly slice the butternut. For a festive touch, cut a star shape out of each slice with a cookie cutter. Mix the sliced onion, pesto and oil and spread out on a baking tray. Roast for about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it and turn the…

Let me entertain you! Set a Table (R380, Jacana Media) is restauranteur Karen Dudley’s third offering, following in the footsteps of her much-loved A Week in the Kitchen cookbooks. Hosting a dinner party – whether for strangers, acquaintances, family or friends – is a big deal and, according to Karen, when we set the table, we reveal ourselves in an intimate way. With this collection of mouthwatering tried-and-tested recipes, Karen explores the ritual of entertaining and creating memorable experiences. IN FULL BLOOM Van Loveren Family Vineyards in Robertson has dedicated its first Perléstyled Pinot Grigio Rosé to the late Retief matriarch Jean, who was well-known for her love of gardening and the lush garden she and her husband Hennie established at the estate in 1939. This passion is reflected in…

CREATE, INNOVATE! BUSINESS This & That Ceramics WHO Anita Steenkamp WHERE Krugersdorp, Gauteng HER WORK Anita creates beautiful ceramic pieces from a little makeshift studio in her garage. “I put my heart and soul into making each piece by hand, sometimes working right through the night. But I love it!” she says. Anita used to be a stay-at-home mom but when her daughter started school at the beginning of the year, she found that she was able to put more energy into fulfilling her dream of becoming a ceramic artist. After posting photographs of her first pieces on Facebook, orders came flooding in and she soon launched her website, thisandthatceramics.co.za. “I’m inspired to create pieces that I’d like to have in my own kitchen. When I serve something, I want…

WHO LIVES HERE? Serina and Eugene Chambers WHERE Onrusrivier, Western Cape Serina and Eugene Chambers don’t believe in retiring, but rather in ‘recalculating’. Their newly-built house in Onrusrivier on the Overberg Whale Coast is anything but a retirement home – and they don’t plan to take it easy anytime soon. “Nowhere in the Bible does it say you should retire,” says Serina over a cup of scented tea, tastefully served in a vintage bone china cup. We got to know Serina as the woman behind the Nerf-Af stores, and her furniture and enamelware have often been featured in Home. When Eugene ‘retired’ last year after 40 years of service at a financial institution, the Chambers were ready for a change. “No one can survive on just a pension these days and…

[1] Wicker Wicker is great for adding texture to an outdoor space. Traditionally, natural wicker is made of rattan, cane, reed or bamboo. Nowadays, artificial wicker made of polyethylene is specifically manufactured for outdoor use and has become popular because it is durable and requires little maintenance. “Unfortunately, not all artificial wicker is the same,” explains Mia Delport of Patio Warehouse. “Cheaper brands will sometimes crack, break or fade, so it’s very important to buy a good quality product.” ADVANTAGES Wicker is lightweight and suitable for both indoors and outdoors. It is also recyclable, UV-resistant and low-maintenance. Different styles suit different décor tastes. DRAWBACKS Artificial wicker can be rather expensive as it is designed for maximum durability and because it is hand-woven. If you buy natural wicker, make sure it’s…

Q: What is the wall colour on page 72 of your August 2018 issue? – Linda Lubbe, Gariep Dam A: The homeowners painted their kitchen with Plascon Double Velvet in the colour Artist Canvas. Q: I love the wall-mounted rabbit above the doorway on page 30 of your February 2018 issue! Where can I buy one? – Erica Mouton, Johannesburg A: You can order it from the homeowner’s business; check out rufflesandrust.co.za. Q: Where can I buy the embellishments on page 81 of your August 2018 issue? – Marinda van Wyk, Johannesburg A: The embellishments are from Tjhoko Paint; go to tjhokopaint.co.za to order, or for a list of stockists in your area. Q: What kind of epoxy was used on the floor on…

Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a Medium Cosy Cup for cats or a Deluxe Car Seat Hammock for dogs from Wagworld (wagworld.co.za). Available from leading vet and pet shops, the Car Seat Hammock features hard-wearing, waterproof canvas on top with rubberised, waterproof fabric at the bottom to prevent sliding. In-between is a layer of padding for comfort and seat protection. The Deluxe version also has zip-up sides to protect your door panels. The comfy Cosy Cup comes in two sizes, perfect for cats and smaller dog breeds. Send your pics (at least 2MB each) and contact details to pets@homemag.co.za – you could be a winner too! See competition rules on page 129. Proudly South African!…

African summer This month we celebrate all that is bright and beautiful in summer in the countryside and in our gardens. The wealth of colour can be seen in the curly pink-spotted maroon petals of the Cape chestnut (Calodendrum capense) and in the starry pink flower clusters of the pompon tree (Dais cotinifolia); in cone bushes (Leucadendron), pincushions, pelargoniums and in groundcovering daisies like Ursinia that grow on hillsides. Grasslands are dotted with river crinum (Crinum macowanii), Orchid species, mauve fairy bells (Dierama) and Watsonia spires, the white pendant bells of the summer hyacinth (Ornithogalum candicans), Eucomis autumnalis with their curious pineapple ‘topknots’ and blue agapanthus. Scarlet river lily (Hesperanthe coccinea), orange and yellow red-hot poker (Kniphofia) and the wild tibouchina (Dissotis canescens) with magenta flowers can be found on…

Oak-leaved hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) provide double the joy in your garden – in summer they bear lovely showy blooms and in autumn the foliage boasts the most beautiful hues. This shrub’s blooms are just like the well-known mophead hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), with a cluster of small flowers forming one large bloom. This species, however, carries its flowers in a conical creamy-white cluster. In autumn the leaves turn a gorgeous shade of bronze. Plant a few of these shrubs together for added impact. Oak-leaved hydrangeas like moist but well-drained, fertile soil. Prepare the planting hole well by adding plenty of compost, a handful of bonemeal and fertiliser such as Atlantic Fertilisers Bio Ganic All Purpose. This shrub also makes a good hedge plant and does equally well in sun and semi-shade,…

BREAD WREATH WITH HAM, BACON AND MUSTARD Makes one 30cm wreath Preparation time: 20 minutes for rolling and folding, plus resting time Baking time: 30 minutes Oven temperature: 180°C • 250g streaky bacon, chopped • about 1kg risen bread dough (homemade or store-bought) • about 45ml Dijonnaise or your favourite mustard • about 12 slices smoked ham • 12 slices mozzarella 1 Fry the bacon in a pan until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crispy. Cool. 2 Add the crispy bacon (and fat, if desired) to the dough and fold it in, using your hands; this step also knocks down the dough. It may be a bit difficult to knead in the bacon, so use a folding action to spread the bacon and to form flavoursome layers in the dough. 3 Using…

A man with two life-sized cement flamingos in his trolley was standing ahead of me in the queue at our local garden centre. There was also a cement frog sporting an umbrella and a roguish garden gnome with excessively large nostrils. The man saw the look on my face. I tried to look away, but the dwarf’s nostrils had hypnotised me. “Ja-nee,” he said, “this is what happens when the whole damn country’s copper wire is all gone.” Excuse me? “Cable theft. There’s nothing left to steal, so the thieves are switching to this kind of stuff.” He pointed with his chin to the cement creations in his trolley. “You cannot bloody believe it.” “Eish,” was all I could offer. But I knew exactly what he meant. People steal for…

The writer of the winning letter gets a Summer Wonderbag hamper worth R700! With the revolutionary Wonderbag, slaving over a hot stove for hours during the holidays is a thing of the past. All you need are your ingredients and a festive recipe: put everything in a pot and bring it to the boil then pop it in your Wonderbag and it will continue cooking for 12 hours – no extra power needed! This Christmas there are loads of special deals and hampers on offer; for details, go to wonderbagworld.com.…

X marks the spot Christmas is the perfect time to showcase your creative talents! Whether you sew, embroider or paint your decorations, why not display your handiwork on a large branch suspended above the table? These stunning DIY cross-stitch ornaments from Just Love Stitch are hand-stitched on a hardboard template. The kits come with a base, how-to template and just the right amount of thread. It’s the ideal gift for someone special who enjoys crafting! The Midas touch All you need to make this beautiful leafy wreath is a wheel-shaped cardboard cut-out for the base, a selection of hardy leaves and sprigs (such as magnolia, lemon, bay, broad-leaved pepper, cyprus or pine), some metallic craft paint or spray paint and a glue gun. Look around the garden for leaves with…

What are some of the biggest lessons you learnt during this renovation? It’s extremely challenging to project manage a renovation yourself without previous experience, especially with two kids under the age of three! What’s your top cost-cutting tip? Combine a couple of high-impact pieces with more affordable ones for a good overall look. Is there anything you’d do differently next time? We’d vet contractors more thoroughly and trust our gut feeling.…

Whether wood or metal, most outdoor furniture will be more comfortable with a few cushions. With an ever-growing demand for outdoor fabrics, fully upholstered outdoor furniture takes ‘fresh air living’ to the next level. “From outdoor velvets, faux leathers and chenilles to jacquards and prints in a huge variety of designs from traditional to contemporary, there are plenty of options available,” says June da Silva of Hertex. ADVANTAGES Fabric creates a luxurious look and feel and some outdoor fabrics offer a stain-resistant finish, making it ideal for full sun exposure. It is also water-repellent with best colour fastness. International brand Sunbrella Fabrics is your best bet, as this is what is used on boats – but it is costly! DRAWBACKS Even though the fabric is designed for outdoor use, cushions…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE  Hard labour 1/10 Skill level 1/10 Time needed 2 hours, excluding time to make the pompoms Do it yourself for R725 (wooden legs R525; spray paint R100; yarn R100) You will need SHOPPING LIST • second-hand tyre (we used a small Vespa tyre, but you could use a bigger one for a bigger stool)• offcut timber• six 4 x 35mm cut screws• Rust-Oleum Chalked spray paint in the colour Serenity Blue• three mid-century oak legs (20cm)• yarn in different colours (we used ballet pink, charcoal, turquoise, and duck egg) TOOLS • steel ruler• compass• G-clamps• jigsaw• drill/screwdriver• scissors• measuring tape• pencil• glue gun GET STARTED 1 Measure the diameter of the inside of your tyre at the highest point. Use the compass to draw a circle with…

Bench beauty Leana Kleynhans of eMalahleni writes We’ve had this riempie bench in our family for decades. Can you give me any information on its origins and value? Sophie-Louise Fröhlich of Stephan Welz & Co. replies This is an example of a Regency-style bench. It’s from the Eastern Cape. The Cape Regency period spans the years 1820–1900; style and elegance were the hallmarks of this era. Often, dark and light woods were combined; this style of bench features stinkwood throughout. Some Regency pieces included inlays or reeding. CIRCA mid-19th century VALUE R8 000 – R10 000 at auction CONTACT ct@stephanwelzandco.co.za Email stashit@homemag.co.za…

Louise Fick of Bellville writes We’re going away for three weeks in December and I don’t want to send my dogs to kennels; they’re indoor pets and used to one-on-one attention. We’re considering hiring a pet-sitter, but I’m concerned about finding the right person as I’ve heard some awful stories. Any advice? Leigh de Wet of Pet Sitters Cape Town replies On-site pet-sitting has become a popular alternative to kennel care and offers many advantages for both pets and their humans: • Pets are happier and experience less stress at home in a familiar environment. • Diet and exercise routines are uninterrupted. • Travel trauma is eliminated. • Pet’s exposure to illness is minimised. In addition to caring for your animals, a pet-sitter is likely to deter burglars who…

Marshmallow fudge We made this easy fudge in the microwave – and whether it contains marshmallows or not, it always hits the sweet spot! If you don’t like using a microwave, you can also make the fudge on the stove; remember to stir continuously so it doesn’t burn. Enough for one 18 x 18cm pan Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 12–14 minutes • 125g butter • 1 tin (385g) condensed milk • 60ml milk • 250ml Huletts Icing Sugar • 250ml Huletts SunSweet Brown Sugar • 5ml vanilla essence • a pinch of salt • a large handful of mini marshmallows 1 Melt the butter, condensed milk, milk, icing sugar and brown sugar in a deep microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for 2–3 minutes on high. (The fudge will bubble up, so if the bowl is too…