Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2019 i Home

Danger pay. That’s what I should get. Because when one is exposed to other people’s beautiful homes and brilliant ideas each and every day, it requires great restraint not to get stuck into makeovers in your own home. On the whole, I get it right because you know... the economy. But one can only withstand so much. And our annual Fix it with Flair competition is such a temptation. The more you see and read about what others have done, the longer the list of things the builder must do in your own home becomes. At the end of last year, it was all too much. Both of my neighbours were in the midst of extensive renovation projects. Apart from the time when the builder to my right started demolishing…

CREATE, INNOVATE! WHO Lize Beekman WHERE Cape Town HER WORK How gorgeous is Lize Beekman’s mandala artwork that comes free with this issue? In addition to being a full-time artist and singer-songwriter, Lize has also released paper and fabric range Kalm, featuring hand-drawn mandala designs – her intricate and unique interpretations of the 12th century art form. The collection includes scatter covers (from R400; you can also buy the fabric per metre), 20-pack paper placemats (from R200), bookmarks (from R15) and two adult colouring-in books (from R198) in which each mandala is signed with “Drawing by Lize Beekman”; next to it is “Coloured by” with a space for your name. So lovely! See more and purchase online at lizebeekman.co.za. BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL A new collection of colours, Brights, will soon…

WHO LIVES HERE? Cathy Marriott and Basil Stilwell and twins Emma and Francis Marriot (18) WHERE Stanford, Western Cape SIZE 410m² (including stoeps) The world is full of remarkable women and Cathy Marriott of Stanford in the Overberg is undoubtedly one of them. Having nurtured a dream of one day building a straw-bale house, she is now living her best life. Situated at the end of a dirt road lined with lavender and guarded by a flock of geese and ducks, Cathy’s home is a testament to her drive and creativity. Cathy and her life partner Basil have been living on their smallholding, Sondagskloof, about 20km outside Stanford in the Overberg for just over eight years. Before, she was a clothes designer but these days she calls herself a “Google…

Pierre had a gate installed in their fence so that the trailer could stand behind it when Janene worked alone. On the day of the Home photo shoot, Waentoe was stuck behind the fence because by then it was much bigger than the original trailer. True to form, Janene didn’t let a fence stand in her way. She and her brother-in-law Theo Ehlers immediately broke it down so that her mini home could be towed to Hardekraaltjie for the photos. Last year, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of our Fix it with Flair competition, BUCO gave the winner vouchers worth R100 000. “I’ll use some of them to repair the fence,” says Janene. “And our braai room needs a new roof.”…

Trailer 38 000 Building materials (timber, laminated wood, pallets) 13 250 Isotherm, polystyrene and aluminium sheeting 2 050 PVC ceilings and shower panels 2 890 Hardware 6 500 Roof sheeting 6 500 Basins and taps 3 750 Toilet 850 Interior and exterior lights 2 700 Paint, varnish, sealants and fillers 7 000 Cupboard accessories (baskets, pull-out brackets, chicken wire) 2 250 Roof contractor 4 500 Door and window contractor 4 500 Plumber and gas installation 4 500 Electrician 3 500…

• Function followed form for this seating area after the couple got a large curved iron frame from one of Mike’s previous construction projects. A backrest of 38mm steel pipes was finished off with balau offcuts fastened onto the pipes. • The frame was topped with a reinforced concrete base to create sturdy seating and foam-inner backrest cushions, scatters and 1m-deep seat cushions were all upholstered with outdoor fabric by Jeannie and Kirk’s mothers over many cups of tea! • The inventive fire drum was designed and made by Mike, using circular steel tubing welded into shape. It doubles up as a tabletop with the addition of an old cable drum, which has a removable socket in the centre into which an umbrella can be inserted. • The floor around…

It’s often said that knowing how to hang a picture is an art in itself, a fact the professionals can attest to whether working with masterpieces, family portraits or heirlooms. If your wall décor is positioned too high or there’s a lack of cohesion between the items, an entire room can feel disjointed. Luckily, there are a few simple guidelines you can follow to create the perfect gallery wall or focal point. You don’t need loads of money or special skills to decorate your walls. We show you how… [1] What is art?  “Art is an original work that has been executed with a purpose, creativity and skill,” says artist, curator and gallery owner Alex Hamilton. “It is authentic and communicates a message, but it isn’t necessarily a painting.” Not…

Ornate frames still have a place in the home; it depends entirely on the artwork, says Brett. “I consider an ornate, gilded frame as an artwork itself. They’re often used for original textured oil paintings that demand a bold framing approach.” Large mirrors with gilded frames also create a striking feature. If you’re still unsure of which frame to use, take your décor style into consideration, advises interior designer Anien Bell: • For a French look, consider silver frames, reclaimed oak or lime-washed frames. • For a contemporary look, opt for black or white box frames. • For a shabby chic look, frames made from old floorboards remain timeless.…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 4/10 Skill level 4/10 Time needed 1 to 2 hours Do it yourself for less than R950: wood and screws R900, sandpaper and wood filler R37 (paint excluded) You will need SHOPPING LIST • 22 x 44 x 3 000mm planed pine, cut to: four lengths of 600mm (legs) eight lengths of 560mm (crosses)• 22 x 69 x 3 000mm planed pine, cut to: four lengths of 600mm (legs) eight lengths of 410mm (horizontal planks) TOOLS • cordless drill, 3mm drill bit and 12mm spade bit• pencil• tape measure• jigsaw• paintbrush Project notes • Remember to drill pilot holes.• Sand your wood beforehand.• If you’d like to paint your planter box, choose a good quality water-resistant product. • 18mm plywood, cut to: four lengths of…

Q: Where can I buy the pouffes on page 59 of your November 2017 issue? – Duane Titus, Port Elizabeth A: Those are from @home (home.co.za). You can find similar ones at a variety of stores, such as MRP Home (mrphome.com), Weylandts (weylandts.co.za) and even Takealot (takealot.com). Q: I love the side table with the face on page 48 of the October 2016 issue. Where did the homeowner find it? – Cynthia Macaulay, Durban A: The homeowner bought it at Montebello Design Centre (montebello.co.za). Q: I’d love an extendable mirror like the one on page 74 of the March 2018 issue; where can I buy it? – Carla Grobler via Facebook A: You can find this type of mirror at Gelmar (gelmar.co.za), CTM (ctm.co.za)…

Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a medium K9 Castle for dogs or a Kitty Castle for cats from Wagworld (wagworld.co.za). Available from leading vet and pet shops, the K9 Castle is truly fit for kings and queens with its durable waterproof canvas on the outside and recycled poly-cotton filling on the inside, offering great support and insulation against the cold. The Kitty Castle is a comfy hideaway for your favourite feline. It’s made from ilala grass with removable pillows inside and on top. Send your pics (at least 2MB each) and contact details to pets@homemag.co.za – you could be a winner too! See our competition rules on page 129. Proudly South African!…

• Wait until the danger of frost has passed before planting annuals. Severe cold will be detrimental to their progress. • A bed of annuals looks much better if they are not planted in a straight line, but rather in a less-structured manner. • Protect your plants against snails; they relish young, green leaves! • Remove the blooms and the first flower buds of newly-planted annuals so that the plant initially uses all its energy for growth, rather than for flowers. • Deadhead regularly to ensure that the plants look good for longer. Once they start to set seed, they will flower less.…

SHRUBS Foxgloves do well in shade and are very stately flowers. Hydrangeas are one of the most beautiful flowering shrubs you can plant in a shady garden. Fuchsia flowers resemble ballerinas and come in gorgeous bold colours. Delphiniums are excellent background plants for sunny spots. Pelargoniums are always a winner in pots in full sun. FERNS Microlepia spp. Pteris cretica ‘Albolineata’ Rumohra adiantiformis Phlebodium Dicksonia antarctica ROSES ‘Garden Queen’ ‘Garden Princess’ ‘Rosafrica’ ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ – a climbing rose with royal blue-purple blooms…

Green veggie curry with rice Under R100 • Serves 4 Preparation time: 25 minutes • Cooking time: 20 minutes • 30ml oil • 1 brinjal, diced • 1 small white onion, chopped • 1 small broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces • 200g green beans, sliced • about 45ml green curry paste • 125ml coconut cream • 30ml coconut shavings, toasted • 30ml fresh chopped coriander • lime or lemon juice • 250g basmati or jasmine rice, steamed • 60ml toasted almond flakes 1 Heat the oil in a pan and fry the brinjal until browned on all sides. Remove from the pan and sauté the onion until glossy. Add the broccoli and beans, and fry for a few minutes. The vegetables should still be nice and crunchy. 2 Stir in the curry paste and cooked veggies and fry together for a minute. Stir…

WINNING LETTER Hard at work Jenny-Lee Panayiotou of Midrand writes I work from home and my partner Sean had the clever idea to transform the stoep off our lounge into an office for me. The challenge was to turn this underutilised 3.5m² space into an area that could accommodate two desks and other office goodies. We have a facebrick house, so the stoep had to be plastered and Sean replaced the French doors with an aluminium-framed sliding door. Then he started building the desks and shelving. I love floating shelves and Sean designed interesting configurations that would service the needs of an office and also look good. Then it was time to paint: we used Granny B’s chalk paint in Strawberry Cupcake for accents and Mushroom for the shelving. The…

“To make this space feel even bigger, I used an oversized standing mirror that reflects the beautiful wallpaper on the opposite wall and went with exposed trusses which create a light and airy vibe,” says Tammy. Planning for the future Designing a multifunctional, open-plan space can be daunting, but Jo’burg interior decorator Tammy Holmes has managed to integrate a work and living space seamlessly by opting for a neutral palette that doesn’t skimp on the details. White walls and a white ceiling as well as plenty of natural and wooden elements create a calm environment. “As a designer, I’m usually all about colour, so this room was a challenge for me. But I like that it’s different to my usual style and it acts as the perfect backdrop when brainstorming…

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Janene covered the base of the trailer with aluminium sheeting and then built a wooden frame for the floor. The opening in the frame was filled with Styrofoam panels on which the 22mm plywood floor rests. Each wall has a wooden framework that was attached to the trailer’s steel sides and floor with self-tapping screws and L-brackets respectively; Janene left openings for the door and windows. The steel sides of the trailer are only 1.7m high, so she raised the roof with wooden beams, creating a ‘loft area’ that can accommodate a single bed. Using a staple gun, Janene insulated the roof with Sisalation sheets. The window openings were cut out to match the gaps in the framework. In June 2017, a major storm struck the Cape and Janene had…

Trailer Supreme Trailers (021 949 4967, supremetrailers.co.za) Timber BUCO (021 980 5800, buco.co.za); Somerset Timbers (021 845 8731, somtim.co.za); Citywood (021 930 5923, citywood.co.za) Hardware BUCO (021 980 5800, buco.co.za); Brights Hardware (0861 333 777, brights.co.za); Builders (0860 284 533, builders.co.za) Roof installation HRS Roofing (081 323 1112, hrsroofing.co.za) Roof sheeting and side panels Corrugated S-Rib in the colour Sea Spray from Safintra (021 981 3130, safintra.co.za) Windows and door Anderson Aluminium Windows and Doors (081 409 3397) Kitchen sink and wallpaper Builders (0860 284 533, builders.co.za) Taps and bathroom basin Brights Hardware (0861 333 777, brights.co.za) Shower panels and ceiling PVC Ceilings and PVC Wall Panels from Camfly (056 213 4799, camfly.co.za) Toilet 25L Porta Potti from Tygerberg Caravans (021 982 4670, tygerbergcaravans.co.za) Pallets Pallet Cycle (021 534 0744,…

Any cost-cutting tips? Ask friends and family who are good at DIY for help – never underestimate how much friends will do for a braai and a beer. Any general renovation advice? You’ll be surprised at the amount of bonding and building of relationships that can come from a project like this. Try your best to enjoy it and avoid stressing about the details. What do you enjoy most about your new space? It’s safe and relaxing for the entire family and we love that it’s so easy to clean up after a party. What’s next? We’d like to convert the study into a fourth bedroom for our next baby who is on the way!…

Architect andbuilding plan 220 000Steel-frame materials 600 000Erection of steel structure 88 000Corrugated-iron roof 150 000Wood cladding 100 000Zinc cladding 80 000Windows and doors 80 000Decking 20 000Electrical materials 65 000Electrician 50 000Plumbing materials 50 000Plumbing 40 000Carpentry 80 000Labour 90 000Paint and hardware 120 000Toilets 5 000Rainwater tanks 25 000Sewage- and grey-water system 40 000Gas geyser 27 000Solar panel system 150 000Gas system installation 12 000…

• Lay the artworks on the floor in front of the wall you plan to hang them on. • Move them around to find the ideal grouping. • If you prefer a neat look and a sense of order, keep the bottom and sides in a straight line with a random arrangement in the centre. • Leave a 5–12cm space between artworks and avoid large expanses, otherwise the overall look will become disjointed. • Hang each artwork from two hooks so they don’t go skew; use Prestik on the corners, if necessary.…

Layer upon layer Can I hang art over wallpaper or exposed bricks? Hanging art on busy wallpaper can present a challenge in terms of creating too much visual conflict or “busyness”, says Brett. “Well-placed handpicked artworks with specific frames that work with the tones, colours and feel of the wallpapered space can add to the effect and create another decorative layer. Less is more, would be my advice.” When it comes to exposed brick walls, the approach is similar. “Large prominent artworks or a collage of artworks can work well as a feature on such a wall,” says Brett. “Choose the artworks carefully so they work with the construction surface but create a contrast that makes the art stand out, rather than being overshadowed or dominated by the bricks. I…

Project notes • Apply at least three coats of Clear Glaze – even more if the surface is exposed to direct sunlight and rain. The glaze makes it UV- and water-resistant. • Allow at least half an hour between the application of each layer and wait about 48 hours before use. You will need • Paint Master’s water-based Primers & Undercoat (or any good quality primer)• Tjhoko Paint in these colours: Sherif’s Stone Vinia Stone Silver Moon• Stencil of Paris• Tjhoko stencil – we used a round one in the exact same size as our cement ‘stumps’• Tjhoko Paint Clear Glaze• 2 x 50mm paintbrushes• 50mm paint scraper• mutton cloth Get started… 1 Paint the raw cement surface with Paint Master’s water-based Primers & Undercoat and leave for about 2 hours. 2…

Get rid of onion weed Beulah Snyman of Vanderbijlpark writes I need advice on how to eradicate onion weed in both my flowerbeds and lawn, please. JJ replies You can use Super Lawn Weeder, a herbicide for the control of a wide range of tough broadleaf weeds. Apply the herbicide with a brush rather than spraying it on, so that it won’t affect other plants in the flowerbeds. Branching out Sonja Barker of Port Elizabeth writes This palm tree is more than 10 years old and it’s bearing fruit for the first time – a huge one on each branch! What type of palm is it? JJ replies This is a screw palm (Pandanus); what you are seeing is the seeds. They only develop when the plant is mature. Listen…

Love nests Trees plays an important role in the garden for birds to build their nests – either in the fork of the tree or in a cavity in the trunk. Provided they are not endangering people or properties, fallen trees or dead branches also make ideal nesting holes. Alternatively, sisal nesting logs or nesting boxes can be attached high up in trees; make sure you position the boxes so that the entrance is protected from rain. A thicket of shrubs in a secluded part of the garden serves as protection from predators and inclement weather and as a place to build nests. Shrubs such as Bauhinia galpinii, Mackaya bella and plumbago offer shelter to shy birds like coucals and thrushes. Grasses, palms, leaves and twigs will provide the ideal…

Garden paths made with sandstone-coloured tiles and hand-hewn sandstone blocks from Clarens lead you on a journey of discovery through the garden. There are five separate rooms, each with its own unique ambience and views of the valley. “Our idea was to create secluded areas not visible to each other – each one a place to relax,” says Jan. Several surprise elements include statues, arches, hanging chairs in trees and even a bamboo forest. An additional benefit of the various garden rooms is that you can’t see the entire garden at a glance, making it look and feel considerably bigger than it really is.…

Sriracha chicken winglets with blue cheese sauce Sriracha might be a Thai chilli sauce, but the Americans have claimed it as their own. Serves 4 as a starter Preparation time: 25 minutes, plus marinating time Cooking time: about 25 minutes Oven temperature: 200°C • 8 chicken wings • 250ml buttermilk • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped • 15ml lemon juice • a generous pinch of salt • 30ml sriracha chilli sauce • 30ml oil • about 500ml panko breadcrumbs • 3 sprigs thyme, leaves stripped • 5ml paprika SAUCE • 1 piece of creamy blue cheese, crumbled • 125ml sour cream • 60ml mayonnaise • 15ml apple cider vinegar • 15ml lemon juice • a knife-tip of fresh garlic • 1 bunch chives, chopped 1 Trim off the tips of the wings (use them for stock) and then cut each wing in half at the joint. Place…

Confidence boost Help! There’s a Guest at My Table by Annabel Frere (R220; Penguin Random House) contains 150 mouth-watering recipes with exciting variations that will increase your repertoire of simple yet tasty dishes for every occasion. To take the stress out of entertaining, Annabel has provided a mine of useful information that will give you all the confidence you need to plan the perfect gathering. MAKE A MEAL OF IT @home has partnered with Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen and now proudly displays the Michelin-star chef’s second edition of his book Jan the Journal Volume 2 (R320; home.co.za). Celebrate the food, flavours and folk of South Africa as well as Jan’s favourite places in Europe with a combination of beautiful recipes, stories and photographs. NERO RISES The Bosman Nero 2016…

Come February each year and I’ve already broken all my New Year’s resolutions. And I’m not even talking about my new New Year’s resolutions. I’m talking about the old ones, those musty old nags I’ve been dragging from the dungeons of my mind for years now; dusty and moth-eaten they emerge every year at midnight on New Year’s Eve. I polish them up a bit with a delusionary daydream or two. But before you can say ‘Jack Robinson’, they’re back in the catacombs where they’ll hide for another year. I’m referring to those golden oldies like more exercise, less bread and sugar, no more swearing or foul language. The longest they’ve ever lasted was one morning – between wake-up and breakfast, to be precise. Maybe you know the feeling: you’re…

ON THE BOX Wondering what it takes to earn the title of Renovator of the Year? In Home’s dynamic new TV show 1,2,3, Fix It (starts 28 February on VIA, channel 147 on DStv, with English subtitles), go a competition a lucky s – room by room. Each team is also presented with mini DIY challenges along the way – with a time limit of just three hours, these projects will test their mettle and creativity. And that’s not all: Home editor Wicus Pretorius has the final say as the main judge. Tune in every Thursday at 17:30 as presenter Lynelle Kenned navigates the construction site as well as all the drama. Don’t miss it! RANDFONTEIN SHOW 28 February – 3 March: Greenhills Stadium, Randfontein The West Rand’s biggest social…

• “I trust people too easily,” says Janene. “If I had done a Google search, I would have found out that one of the guys who robbed me is a scoundrel who has already spent time in jail. In future, I won’t trust people so blindly; I will ask for references and check them.” • “Whenever I was unsure about something, I would watch YouTube videos. I educated myself on many things, including working with fibreglass. Now I know I can do anything I set my mind to – nothing can make me feel insecure about my abilities.” • If she could do it all again, Janene says she would rather pay more for a trailer with a wider axel; this way, her mini home wouldn’t have been so tall.…

1 Once the overgrown garden had been cleared, the angle of the slope had to be determined using the family’s trusty old dumpy level. 2 After the steel structure had been welded and erected, the concrete base was cast using mesh and a steel frame as the ‘shutter’. PVC piping in the concrete base accommodates electrical and water points. 3 When pouring the concrete base, six steel structural base plates were put in position and steel square tube uprights were welded onto them. 4 IBR roof sheeting was fitted onto the steel structure. 5 A concrete countertop was cast using a shutterboard mould. It was removed from the cast after a month and sealed with a standard floor polish before being heated and smoothed. They then poured beeswax over it,…

What do you love most about your home? The ambience we’ve created, the views and the fact that it was made using so many items with history. Your favourite stores? We find it hard to resist any second-hand or charity shop and we always keep an eye on local Facebook second-hand pages. I’ve also benefited from Mungo sales over the years – I buy kilos of linen and towels at a time. Is there anything you’d do differently next time? I wouldn’t change a thing, even though it was a bigger challenge than we anticipated. We survived it and we really feel we’ve ‘earned’ the house. Your best tip going into a similar project? Good tools make all the difference!…

Every year, we eagerly await the announcement of the winners of our annual Fix it with Flair competition, and this year’s prize-giving in Paarl was filled with fascinating stories, laughter – and tears of joy. When Janene Ehlers was named the winner of the 2018 competition, the rousing applause from the crowd was a sure sign that she was a popular choice. Her Tiny House was by far the reader favourite during online voting, garnering more than double the votes that her nearest competitor received. As one of the judges, Henk Louwrens of BUCO, put it to Janene: “You’ve got guts.” Do you think you have what it takes to enter the 2019 Fix it with Flair competition? Check out our March issue for details.…

Bored with the look of weathered frames? There’s no need to throw them all out; simply follow these steps outlined by Nadine Vosloo of Tjhoko Paint for a fresh new style: 1 If you want to get rid of the deep indents of weathered paint or wood, use a product such as Stencil of Paris: use it to fill all the grooves and create a smoother look and feel. 2 Once you have a smooth surface to work with, apply a stencil with a combination of paints such as Tjhoko Paint’s Antique Brown Glaze and Charm’s Silver. 3 You could also apply an embellishment, a Tjhoko Scratchie Transfer or Tjhoko Waterslide Transfer – these are great for detail and pattern. “It’s so easy to completely change the look of a…

Get ready for the Johannesburg HOMEMAKERS Expo – we’re pulling out all the stops! Expect food demonstrations, paint-technique masterclasses, pop-up shops, and never-to-be-repeated subscription offers. Be sure to come early to secure your seat – you don’t want to miss out on any of the action! And as always, our presentations are informative, hands-on and highly entertaining. Best of all? With plenty of giveaways, prizes and home-baked treats on offer, fun is guaranteed. Specials at the Expo • Subscribe to Tuis|Home and get a massive 50% discount! Remember: this is a once-off offer and only valid for print subscriptions paid for at the Johannesburg HOMEMAKERS Expo. You pay just R282 for 12 issues, starting with the April 2019 edition. • Hot off the press, the March issue will also be…

Time to insulate Elize Ingels of Centurion writes We have a wooden house in the Bushveld that gets incredibly hot in summer and cold in winter. Even the air conditioner doesn’t make a difference! The corrugated-iron roof was treated with three layers of a special paint, but that also didn’t help; there is no ceiling in the living area, just exposed beams. Can IsoBoard be installed underneath the roof and can we use it for the walls which also haven’t been insulated properly? Mark Russell, head of marketing and technical support at IsoBoard, replies Wooden houses have features that make temperature control difficult; the most significant of these is a lack of thermal mass. This refers to the absence of dense materials, usually brick or concrete, which absorb and…

River dance Happy Forza has found a stick. – Anneline Fairall, Cape Town Don’t judge! Mika the Doberman loves relaxing in the farm tub. – Leani Loots, Adelaide Cool at the pool Daisy also wants to swim! – Natelie Verster, Ballito In touch with nature This picture of Ziva smelling the flowers was taken by professional photographer Kate Davies. – Andrea Ankers, Cape Town It’s all too much Kleintjie is ready to nap in the sunshine. – Mia von Wielligh, Swellendam Soaking up some rays Milo finds the sunny spot. – Nicky O’Connell, Pretoria Hot product The Catit Cat Scratcher (R485, shingavet.co.za) with added catnip is funky and functional! It will keep your kitty from damaging your furniture – and she’ll have tons of fun. It features a corrugated cardboard…

Q: Some of the tips and edges of the leaves of my ‘Burgundy Iceberg’ rose are brown. Is this a virus? During very hot periods, typically in February when there is high evaporation, the rose is not able to transport water from the roots to the leaves fast enough to make up for the water lost through evaporation. This could also be exacerbated by not watering enough. In addition to deep watering at least twice a week, irrigating for 10 minutes during the heat of the day may help, as this cools down the plant and the surrounding area. A layer of mulch is also a good idea. Q: My ‘Blue Bayou’ rose seems to be infected by red spider mite; how can I tell if I’m correct? The first…

• Plan your garden carefully by identifying different areas: front garden, entrance and entertainment areas; focal points such as statues, pots, fountains and ponds; and a veggie garden and utility area. Make sure these sections are functional. Sketch your ideas on paper and get going with your layout. • Construct all hard landscaping elements such as terraces, pathways and paved areas first. • Install your irrigation system before you start planting and remember to lay pipes deep enough so that they won’t get damaged by a garden fork. • Good soil preparation is vital – make sure you work in plenty of compost and fertiliser. • Start with structural plants such as trees and shrubs and then add annuals and perennials.…

Bake a cake yourself or buy an ordinary one with plain icing and get out that piping bag that’s been lying unused in the drawer for so long! It may take a bit of practise – luckily, you can put any flops back into the piping bag and try again... 1 Make the icing BASIC BUTTER ICING 100g softened butter • 500ml (250g) icing sugar, sifted 10ml vanilla essence • about 25ml milk • food colouring (optional) Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. An electric beater or mixer makes the task much easier than doing it by hand. Add the vanilla and just enough milk to make the mixture light and creamy. Now you can divide the icing into different bowls and carefully add a few drops of food…