Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2022 i Home

This issue is put together at the end of December, and the final Monday of last year got off to a bad start. My cellphone disappeared. It was definitely lying next to my bed when my alarm clock went off early that morning, but by eight o’clock it was nowhere to be found. And I had yet to set foot out of the house. As always, the phone’s sound was off because I’d had enough of the constant ping-ping-pinging. I searched high and low, but to no avail. I even looked in the fridge, and checked the shelf in the shower. Maybe I was still half asleep and had the phone in my hand when I turned on the tap? Early that morning, I’d put on a load of washing…

CREATE, INNOVATE! WHO Henriette Fröhlich WHERE Centurion, Gauteng BUSINESS HF Design HER WORK HF Design creates simple, flexible, locally manufactured children’s workspace products for the next generation of home-schoolers and online learners. The modular systems can adapt to the needs of children as they grow. “Our Enzokuhle children’s desk (R1 950) and bench (R890) can be adjusted to three different heights, starting at pre-school level up to high school,” explains Henriette. The Enzokuhle workspace collection is also modular, so it evolves to suit your circumstances, while protecting the environment and your pocket. Transparent storage boxes (15L) with clip-closing lids fit perfectly under the desk and can be removed and replaced as needed. Clever! Visit hfdesign.co.za and follow them on Instagram and Facebook @hfdesign.workspace. BE BOLD Spoil your sofa with a…

1 The Coetzees first removed the old rafters and corrugated iron sheets, as they weren’t worth recycling. “This also gave us the opportunity to properly inspect the structure of the walls and remove and rebuild sections that needed strengthening.” 2 The walls were built higher right around the house before the new roof beams were installed 800mm apart. The beams are old telephone poles made of sturdy, treated wood that they had on the farm. 3 Since it’s aflat roof, the Coetzees had to put a lot of effort into ensuring that their house remained relatively cool in summer and cosy in winter. “We made the crossbeams thicker so that we could insert the thickest Knauf fibreglass insulating wool (135mm) with the highest R-value (insulating capacity) between the beams. Then…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 6/10 Skill level 6/10 Time needed 2 to 3 hours Do it yourself for ± R4 100: wood R3 350, screws R60, glue R40, sandpaper R20, castors R300, drawer runners R330 You will need SHOPPING LIST • 18mm plywood, cut to: eight 350 x 500mm (sides, lower compartments) three 264 x 350mm (bottoms, 300mm compartments) twelve 264 x 70mm (spacers, 300mm compartments) two 564 x 350mm (bottoms, 600mm compartments) eight 564 x 70mm (spacers, 600mm compartments) two 350 x 940mm (sides, tall 600mm compartment) four 202 x 400mm (front and back, 300mm compartment drawers) two 202 x 264mm (bottoms, 300mm compartment drawers) eight 300 x 400mm (sides, all deep drawers) four 502 x 400mm (front and back, 600mm compartment deep drawers) four 502 x 264mm…

1 MOST BEAUTIFUL WINNER WHO Derick and Renette Opperman WHERE Napier WHAT Entire home Their dream to buy and restore a home in the Western Cape became a reality four years ago when Derick and Renette found the perfect house in Napier in the Overberg. However, the building was nothing more than an empty shell with very few internal walls and only one tap with running water. The couple converted it into a cosy double-volume space by slowly but surely plastering walls, fitting a kitchen, and adding a library on a mezzanine level. Derick and Renettte did most of the work themselves, with limited help from contractors. “With each completed task, our lovely home’s identity took shape,” says Renette with a satisfied smile. • See the Oppermans’ complete project in…

Dynamite comes in small packages! Sunny side up! Oliver views life from a different perspective. – Donay Wessels, Stilbaai You’ve got mail! Tiny is thrilled about his new home. – Freda van den Heever, Somerset West Special delivery “We like to joke that rescue kitten Zura arrived just in time for the holidays.” – Jenny Uys, Kimberley Let’s play… Little Chai makes life better – just like a good chai latte! – Celine Garstman, Knysna Blue blood bros Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Jordy and Rory look regal after their bath. – Laura Alberts, Midrand Scottie siblings Walter and McKenzie have found just the right spot in Granny’s house. – Louanne Mostert, Stellenbosch Hot product! Spoil your furry friends with freshly baked treats – try Fresh Pet Biscuit Mix (150g; R24.99)…

Pesky little mites Carina Strydom of Bloemfontein writes I fell in love with the ‘My Darling’ rose but it is suffering in the heat. The leaves are becoming speckled and yellow, and some are drying out. What can I do? Ludwig replies It sounds as if there is an infestation of red spider mite. This happens in very hot, dry conditions when there is not enough water available to the rose’s roots. The sap in the leaves becomes concentrated which provides the right kind of food for spider mites to breed. Drench the underside of the leaves (where the mites breed) with Ludwig’s Insect Spray and repeat five days later. There are also biological pesticides (Spical and Spidex) that control red spider mites; these can be applied separately or as…

Easy trifle Cut the leftover bits of cake into cubes and place in pretty glasses with ready-made custard and chopped nuts. Carrot cake truffles Crumble the cake and mix with enough cream cheese icing to form a soft dough. Roll into balls and dip in melted white chocolate. Let the chocolate harden before indulging. Store in the fridge. Bread pudding Bake the leftover cake in an egg custard made from eggs, milk and a little sugar. Frozen dessert Mix the cake with vanilla ice cream, place in a loaf pan and freeze. Serve in slices with a sprinkling of nuts.…

WINNING LETTER Your home is your muse Thabitha Maphalle of Roodepoort writes I’m a first-time homeowner and the idea of having to decorate and make my apartment my own was daunting until I found your magazine on the shelf at my local supermarket. This is a gratitude letter; thank you for your continuous excellence in striving to ensure that individuals such as myself are inspired by different homes, décor and designs. This has made my journey so much easier. It’s amazing to see all the information put together in such a great way. We’re living in a new era, given the pandemic and protocols. The magazine has ensured that while adapting to new times, one can still afford to spoil oneself and dream. The magazine is value for money, given…

HOMEOWNERS Pierre Antoine and Francois Nel WHERE Riebeek-Kasteel, Swartland SIZE 200m² When visiting Riebeek-Kasteel a few years ago, Pierre Antoine, who lives in Cape Town, came across what he calls “an ugly duckling”. “We’d been looking for a place in the country for many years,” recalls Pierre. “But the problem with a lot of country towns in the Cape is that they’ve either become too touristy or far too upmarket. Riebeek-Kasteel is the exception. It’s also close to Cape Town and the airport, it has great food, excellent wines and olive oils and the valley is spectacular.” Originally the stables and barn of the neighbouring wine farm, the house had been given a cosmetic update. “Initially, we rented it out, but it was vandalised while it was unoccupied. Last year,…

WHO LIVES HERE? Roxy and Nick Filmalter with Archie the rescue pup WHERE Woodstock, Cape Town SIZE 134m2 After many years of living a nomadic lifestyle while working on yachts, Roxy Filmalter, achief stewardess, and Nick Filmalter, an expedition diver and underwater videographer and photographer, decided to put down roots in Cape Town. “We were looking at buying a home in Woodstock because of the rich history and culture in the area,” says Roxy. When a friend let her know about a spacious ground-floor apartment in a small block of flats (the block only has four units), she was immediately interested. Roxy made an appointment to view the property, but by then there was already a lot of interest in the apartment – and several pending offers! This, however, did…

DINING ROOM Florence’s husband Rupert is a botanist – they’re both passionate about indigenous plants. But it was in 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal that she fell in love with tropical motifs. “That country is tile heaven, with the most beautiful azulejos! But something about the wallpaper in a restaurant called Amelia, which happens to be my daughter’s name, got my heart racing,” says Florence. “It had an abundance of leaves, monkeys and birds in the most beautiful green, navy-blue and mauve. The wallpaper was bold and dramatic and the entire space felt luxurious. I was obsessed.” I’d always dreamt of transforming an everyday space like a dining room into something ‘dégagé’, uninhibited yet elegant. Something light-hearted that shows how much we love laughing around this table. – Florence The wallpaper…

Small changes, big impact Morris Lennard of Durban writes We bought an old home in an old suburb and plan to undertake major renovations in the next five wears. For now, we onlw have budget for small alterations. Where in our home would our monew be best spent? Shafeeqah Isaacs, head of financial education at DirectAxis, and Rob Knowles, owner of Q-Gardens replw Smaller cosmetic changes will definitely add value and appeal to your home. In summer, you’re likely to spend more time outdoors, so the garden is a good place to start. In most cases, this requires an investment in elbow grease rather than cash: • Remove sticks, piles of leaves and other debris that may have accumulated during winter. Piles of garden refuse look untidy and can also…

WHO LIVES HERE? Milan and Maryke de Wet with Scottish Terrier Tula WHERE Melville, Johannesburg We’ve always loved the old-school charm of Melville homes: the timber floors, pressed ceilings and cottage pane windows,” says Maryke de Wet. “Our new home had it all, but the kitchen and backyard were a little too outdated. My husband Milan prefers a more contemporary look, so when we planned our renovation, we decided to combine our styles by adding some modern elements to complement the old house.” Plenty of light The small living area was enlarged by extending the space onto the back stoep. Although it was a minor alteration, the transformation was massive – and greatly enhanced by the addition of striking steel-framed cottage panes. “First, we had to lay new foundations, build…

Fun times! Dalene Brown of Durban writes I’m a first-time puppw owner and I’d like some advice on the best, and safest, tows for dogs. Can wou help? Amber Jordan, head of Canine&Co, replies Every dog is different and so are their preferences when it comes to playtime. Here are a few things to consider when deciding on the best toy for your pooch: Do you have a puppy? There are plenty of toys specifically designed for teething pups. The Petstages Cool Teething Stick can be frozen and will help relieve tender gums. Nylabone offers great chew toys for teething puppies of all sizes – try Nylabone Puppy Teething Keys or the Nylabone Puppy Teething Bone. Another good option is the Kong Puppy Rubber Treat Toy, which can be filled…

Rising to the top Elly Grossman of Cannon Rocks, Eastern Cape writes From time to time the earthworms in my compost bin crawl up out of the composting material to just under the lid and remain there for a day or two, before descending into the mix to continue with their good work. This migration seems to have nothing to do with the temperature, rain or shine, what I add or don’t add to the container, or whether I have watered the contents. Please can you shed some light on the phenomenon? JJ replies Earthworms will often move from wet areas into drier areas, from cooler to warmer and vice versa. Gardeners often mistakenly place their composters in a sunny spot thinking that earthworms would prefer the heat, but this…

Trees and shrubs • Lemon trees • Olive trees • Hibiscus • Camellia • Azalea • Gardenia • River bells • Bougainvillea (the compact shrub type) • Roses: ‘My Granny’ and ‘Granny’s Delight’ are good groundcovers, while standard ‘Iceberg’ roses add height. Perennials • Cymbidium orchid • Fuchsia • Pelargonium • Salvia • Perennial petunia • Lemon verbena • Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’ Tip For hanging baskets, choose a variety of air plants and trailing pelargoniums that hang over the edge of the basket. Annuals • Pansy • Lobelia • Bedding begonia • Viola • Petunia • Sweet alyssum • Million bells (Calibrachoa) If you spend lots of time in your garden, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your plants’ well-being . You’ll soon notice if one of them…

Stuffed concertina brinjals with crumbs and herbs When I see shiny purple brinjals, I immediately think of an Italian food market! Makes 4 generous servings • Preparation: 40 minutes • Cooking time: 1 hour, 15 minutes • Oven temperature: 180°C • 4 medium-sized brinjals • 30ml salt • 500g mince • 1 small onion, grated • 125ml dry breadcrumbs • 80ml Parmesan • 15ml chopped flat-leaf parsley • 5ml dried basil • 3 anchovies, chopped • 1 egg • 2 bay leaves, chopped • 500ml pomodoro sauce • 500ml white sauce (homemade or store-bought) • 125ml breadcrumbs • 125ml extra Parmesan • a handful fresh basil, to garnish 1 Create the concertina effect by making incisions 1cm apart in each brinjal without cutting right through. Season all over with ground…

Because royal icing dries shiny and hard, it is perfect for detail work such as the carrots on these cakes. • Whisk a small egg white until frothy. Then add about 1 cup of sifted icing sugar gradually until the icing is glossy, with the texture of thick syrup. The mixture should be runny enough that you can ‘draw’ with it in a piping bag, but stiff enough that your design keeps its shape. Use your judgment when mixing the icing sugar. • Divide the icing into two bowls and tint one part with green and the other part with orange food colouring – choose powder or gel colouring. • Scoop the coloured icing into two disposable piping bags. Cut off the tip of the orange icing piping bag and…

Five-minute gnocchi Under R120 • Makes 2 generous servings Preparation: 10 minutes • Cooking time: 8 minutes • 500g ready-made gnocchi • alarge knob of butter • 125ml sun-dried tomato pesto • 2ripe medium-sized plum tomatoes, diced • 30ml cream or sour cream • 80ml coarsely shredded fresh basil • 60ml grated Parmesan 1 Bring a pot of salted water to the boil and add the gnocchi. While it is boiling, heat a small pan and melt the butter. Add the pesto and tomato and fry. 2 Using a slotted spoon, scoop out the gnocchi as it starts to float on top of the water and place in the pan with the pesto. Repeat until all the gnocchi is in the pan. 3 Add the cream to the pan mixture,…

Picture this: late night, deep in the wilderness of the Botswana swamps. My bladder is bursting, but the tent bathroom is occupied. Inside I hear water running, which doesn’t particularly help containing my waterworks. I rap on the tent door. No reaction. Slam with an open hand, harder. Still no reaction. “Ansie!” My tentmate has a ‘slight’ hearing problem. And she’s been inside for hours. “Ansie! Are you in the shower?” “What? I can’t hear you, I’m in the shower!” “Are you going to be long?” “Whaat?” “ARE YOU… Oh, never mind.” I peer through the tent flap. It’s pitch-black outside. Our camp isn’t fenced and my fear of arupturing bladder is rapidly overcoming my fear of lions. I weigh up my options. Just then, the bathroom door flies open.…

Architect Bertie Schreuder shares the following tips for small spaces: • Keep the colours and finishes simple and to a minimum; too many can create visual clutter. • Ensure that each room has only one focal point and keep the layout simple. • Lighting is essential to create atmosphere and interest in small spaces. Make use of different sources such as table lamps, spotlights and pendants. • Open rooms to the outside with glazed doors or tall windows with low sill heights where possible. CONTACT 082 898 8074, bertie@schreudersquared.co.za…

If your only previous do-it-yourself experience involved hanging pictures, you’re probably optimistic by nature if you seriously consider taking on the renovation of a dilapidated labourer’s cottage on a remote farm. Chandré and Stéffan Coetzee were also under the false impression that it was cheaper to repair an existing structure than to build from scratch. Nonetheless, they don’t regret taking this huge leap of faith. In August 2020, the pair decided to move to the family farm in the Tankwa Karoo. The property is located about 80km from Calvinia on the R355, the longest dirt road between two inhabited places in SA. They arrived with all their earthly possessions and huge expectations: they planned to use their nest egg to build their own cottage on the farm. “It had always…

You will need TOOLS • spirit level • measuring tape • pencil • craft knife • scissors • steel ruler • bank card or squeegee SHOPPING LIST • wallpaper Create an impressive focal feature! Before you start Prepare your walls before you start: get rid of dust and dirt, fill any cracks or holes, and sand smooth when the filler is dry. Also remove plug covers beforehand. Get started... 1 Measure intervals of 50cm across the wall. Use a spirit level to draw guidelines all the way to the floor. (The width might differ, depending on the wallpaper; the wallpaper we used has a 2mm bleed to allow for easy line-up with no wall gaps.) 2 Since our wallpaper is a mural design, the drops come pre-cut and numbered. Start…

On trend with steel windows Sumari Stone of Go-To Door & Window in Pretoria shares her tips for choosing between steel or aluminium frames: • Currently, the New York loft and industrial styles are the most popular trends; both traditional and more modern designs suit double doors, sliding doors and stacker doors in these styles. • The choice between aluminium and steel is mostly influenced by the design and style of the building. Aluminium is considered more refined, while steel has more character. Steel is also the stronger, and hence safer, of the two. Aluminium has a broad profile and can be quite pronounced, whereas steel has more narrow visual lines. • It’s important to remember that the quality of steel and aluminium can differ vastly from supplier to supplier,…

Up, up and away There’s still plenty of gardening to be done in compact spaces, whether it be on the patio, in a small courtyard or on a balcony. Trellis stars Creepers and climbers will go to town on any wall, pillar, or arch where trellis support is possible. Consider these indigenous showstoppers that are low maintenance, love growing in a sunny spot and are naturally adapted to our climate. • Pink trumpet vine (Podranea ricasoliana) boasts an abundance of fragrant lilac-pink flowers from November to March. • Flame creeper (Combretum microphyllum) is truly spectacular with flaming crimson blooms from August to November. • Cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis) bears tubular blooms in red, orange, yellow, and salmon at various times of the year. • Black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata) boasts orange…

New in nurseries! Speckled petunia Petunia ‘Magenta Mambo’ bears vibrant purplish-red blooms with multicoloured specks and a light fragrance. The plants grow into a neat mound, perfect for containers or hanging baskets, as well as in the garden. Find a sunny spot for them in soil that drains well. The colours don’t fade in the heat and the flowers attract bees, butterflies and nectar-loving birds. CONTACT ballstraathof.co.za STOCKISTS Eurolux 021 528 8400, eurolux.co.za Gardena 10 015 5750, gardena.com MON Exteriors 060 641 9905, monexteriors.com Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Patio Warehouse 012 657 9400, patiowarehouse.co.za PEPhome 0860 737 000, pepstores.com…

My mom, Hymne, bakes this cake in her rectangular Pyrex dish and serves it in squares straight from the source. Ouma Jonni, on the other hand, used to bake two impressive cakes 25cm in diameter and stack them on top of each other, with a luxurious cream cheese icing on top and in-between, naturally. These mini individual cakes are my playful interpretation of a family favourite. Makes 1 rectangwlar cake (25 x 30cm) or 8 small rownd cakes • Preparation: 40 minwtes Baking time: 30 minwtes • Oven temperatwre: 180°C • 4 eggs • 500ml swgar • 250ml cooking oil • 5ml bicarbonate of soda (mixed with a little water) • 5ml grownd cinnamon • 625ml self-raising flowr • 1ml salt • 750ml grated carrot • chopped nwts, edible flowers…

SOMETHING SPECIAL Stellenbosch Hills recently released the 2020 Sense of Place Anna Christina MCC (R205, cellar door) made entirely from Stellenbosch Chardonnay. It’s only the second time that this top-tier wine has been available and with aromas of fresh apples, citrus blossoms and nutty yeastiness that envelop the palate, it makes a stunning gift. Visit stellenbosch-hills.co.za. Mom knows best Mother’s Love natural products are tough on dirt yet gentle on the environment. The range includes cleaning products such as Glass Cleaner with Grapefruit Essential Oils (from R68) and Dishwashing Gel with Citrus Essential Oils (from R69). Go to mothersloveproducts.com for more. A HEALTHY APPROACH The Ultimate Salad Book by Chantal Lascaris (R400, Penguin Random House) features more than 100 tried-and-tested recipes for any event, using simple yet nourishing ingredients –…