Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2015 i Home

In the middle of winter when the mountains are topped with snow, my breath makes little puffs of ‘smoke’ while I sit and watch TV on the couch. The other day, I grumpily thought to myself: “My hell is now and, ironically, it’s cold”. In summer, of course, it’s pure bliss. With its high ceilings and thick walls, my house is lovely and cool, but come winter... I know what the problem is: the louvre windows, a design element in the house, are ancient and haven’t been able to close properly for a long time. The result? There’s always a draught. The doors in my 100-year-old house also don’t close properly and there’s such a large gap under the front door that the postman can shove a parcel through it.…

The 20th annual World of Dogs & Cats and Pet Exhibition (WODAC) 17–19 July: Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng Come and make new furry, feathered and slippery friends; meet all the different breeds of animals; and learn about the rewards of responsible pet ownership. There will be hundreds of exhibits as well as shows and competitions for the whole family, and you can take advantage of special show pricing and promotions to buy products and services your pet needs. Get your tickets at the door or Computicket and visit dogscats.co.za. Fancy a run in the Cape Winelands? Join Dirtopia at Warwick Wine Estate for the Wine Adventure Trail Run on 5 July and at Delheim Wine Estate for the Gluhwein Trail Run on 19 July. Go to dirtopia.co.za. July…

Purple passion Luca desk lamp R250, The Lighting Warehouse On the shelf Slide a book cover into this floating shelf and stack other books on top (R399 for set of three, spree.co.za/tuishome). Fired up! Morsø 1412 Squirrel closed combustion fireplace R12 975, various suppliers Laid-back luxury Leo chair with ottoman in mushroom R6 995, Weylandts In a bundle Get your books at takealot.com – it’s so simple and they’ll deliver to your door! Ribbon R18/m, Cape Arts and Crafts Cup of joe Ceramic coffee mug R49, @home Switched on Wooden lamp set (available in black or white) R650, Woolworths Soft landing Medium Fatsak beanbag (140cm diameter) R3 700, Merge Designs A step ahead Wall leaning bookshelf R1 499, @home Spectacular Hipster glasses scatter R250, Weylandts Everything is rosy Josephine cushion…

When Lizette Hendry crossed the threshold at Moolmanshof in Swellendam for the first time, she fell in love instantly. What was meant to be a brief stop for tea ended up being the moment she bought the home of her dreams. “I walked in and knew that I had to have it,” she recalls. And as luck would have it, Moolmanshof happened to be for sale. By the time Lizette left that same afternoon, an offer to purchase had been signed. Lizette had undertaken the construction of several houses before buying Moolmanshof and had always tried to attain the look of an old farmhouse, but without the hassles that come with an old building. “Standing in awe in the front passage of Moolmanshof, I realised that this is what I’d…

Q: Where can I buy 100% linen duvet and pillow covers? Woolworths used to stock them but the range is no longer available. – Theresa Welgemoed A: You can try the following stores: Helen Melon (021 447 9748, helenmelon.co.za), Loads of Living (021 552 0297, loadsofliving.co.za) or Weylandts (0860 103 400, weylandts.co.za). Q: I have a grandchild on the way and I’d like to paint my kids’ old cane crib, headboards and pedestals in white; any advice? – Marilyn de Vries, Stellenbosch A: The experts at Dulux suggest that you prepare the cane with Dulux Supergrip, let it dry and then apply two coats of Dulux Pearlglo Waterbased enamel. You can mix the latter with any Dulux colour; Pearlglo is also available in Brilliant White and Pebble Black. Visit dulux.co.za…

In Japanese style Estelle Murphy of Cape Town writes My mom inherited this vase from my grandmother; can you tell me anything about its history and value? Shona Robie of Stephan Welz and Co’s ceramic department replies The vase is Japanese and falls under a style known as Kutani, which means Nine Valleys and is the name of an area and village where this style of porcelain was first established in 1655. Kutani ware has changed over the years. The majority of Kutani export wares form part of the Shoza style produced during the Meiji period – this was defined by not only a combination of previous Kutani styles but also its characteristic western influence. Shoza style, which is the main style of Kutani production, is characterised by the use…

Jane Earl of Centurion writes My cat has started having ‘accidents’ and missing the litter tray; what’s the problem and what can we do about it? Dr Guy Fyvie, veterinary advisor for Hill’s Pet Nutrition, replies This unpleasant problem is an all too common reason for cats being abandoned in shelters or euthanised, yet research indicates that inappropriate toilet habits are behavioural in only seven percent of cases. For the majority, it’s caused by a health problem – in particular, Feline Urinary Tract Disorder (FLUTD) which is the most common cat ailment reported by vets. FLUTD is a general term for various infections, inflammatory diseases and other conditions affecting a pet’s urinary tract. The most common type of FLUTD is Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), a kind of sterile inflammation of…

Vermicompost (worm fertiliser) is easy to make. Talitha Cherry, horticulturist at Western Cape wine estate Babylonstoren, and Franz and Sue Mentz of Wurmbosch Wormery and Organics outside Stellenbosch explain how it works: 1 What is vermicompost? Vermicompost is compost made by earthworms from kitchen waste and scrap paper. It’s a popular method of recycling and a simple way to get rid of kitchen scraps. A by-product of the process is worm tea, a liquid fertiliser that is just as good for your garden. Both the compost and the tea are full of nutrients, which is why gardeners commonly refer to vermicompost as “black gold”. 2 What do I need? All you’ll need is a worm farm (see point 3), kitchen waste (see point 7) and earthworms! 3 Your worm farm…

How to grow Rosemary grows best in full sun and light, well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and disease-free and makes a good companion plant for carrots. Its flowers will attract bees to the garden. Different types The blue-flowered rosemaries are ‘McConnell’s Blue’, a spreading shrub; ‘Tuscany Blue’ with long, upright straight stems; creeping rosemary, with prostrate spreading growth; and ‘Irene’, an unusual trailing variety with masses of flowers. There’s also ‘Heinz White’, a bushy plant with silvery-green foliage and ‘Pink’, a small, extremely hardy shrub that is a good companion plant for sage. Tip of the month Plant a rosemary hedge around the vegetable or herb garden as a natural pest barrier. Did you know? Rosemary is a natural antiseptic – use it to wash wounds, cuts and scratches. Infuse…

Spicy pork meatballs These meatballs make a delicious party snack as they’re easy to prepare beforehand and can be re-heated in the glaze just before serving. Makes 35 meatballs Preparation time: 45 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes Oven temperature: 180°C • 500ml pork mince• 1 extra-large egg• 125ml dry breadcrumbs• 5ml fish sauce• 2 spring onions, finely chopped• 15ml chopped chives• 1 knob fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped• 1 red chilli, seeded and finely chopped GLAZE • 5ml oil• 3 spring onions, finely chopped• 1 red chilli, seeded and finely chopped• 15ml sesame seeds• about 120ml teriyaki sauce TO SERVE • jasmine rice• stir-fried vegetables 1 Mix all the ingredients for the meatballs together and roll about 35 small balls. Arrange on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 25 minutes. Allow to cool…

The blare of the fish horn announces the fishermen with their Cortina bakkie draped in damp burlap containing line-caught snoek straight from the boats. These fishermen, usually with a reed-thin boy in tow, are still a feature of many Cape Town neighbourhoods. Once you hear the horn, you know you’ll succumb to this convenient supper brought right to your doorstep fresh from the sea! This has been the way for decades. Housewives appear, ready to examine the silvery cool bodies. Are they fresh? Did they really come in just a few hours ago? How much for one? They quietly consider: “What to do with it? Curry? Smoorsnoek with mash? Fried with chips? With a still bright fish eye regarding her, the deal is struck and the fish is vlekked right…

Winter has always been the season of poets, dreamers and lovers. It’s as if the cold forces you into a time of self-reflection, towards more intimate, passionate emotions. Is this why the finest literature I know takes on the hues of winter’s jewel colours? I’m also convinced that the most beautiful love stories are set in winter. Summer is often the backdrop for wicked flirtations and transient holiday romances. The tinier the bikinis and dresses, the happier the story – and the sooner it’s forgotten. Winter, however, sets the stage for romance and intense, adult relationships, the joining of souls that lasts a lifetime – even longer. Think of Anna Karenina in a snowy landscape, her smouldering eyes passionately gazing out from above the fur collar of her coat; think…

Kitchen & dining Piggy blackboard (large) from The Treasury Lighting Le Fleur floral table lamp (white) from Eurolux Gifts Multi-coloured pendant from The Pendant Warehouse Outdoor & garden Owl Milk medium planter from The Treasury Look out for the red shopping bag alongside products in this issue – they’re all available at spree.co.za/tuishome. It’s so easy! Find our online shop at spree.co.za/tuishome. Just like your favourite shop in a mall, our online shop is located within spree.co.za. With a simple click of the mouse, you can buy whatever your heart desires! IMPORTANT Deliver is free anywhere in South Africa and you have 30 days to return any item if you're not happy with your purchase…

Watch this space! BUSINESS Isobel Sippel Designs WHO Isobel Sippel WHERE Cape Town HER WORK Isobel lives by the famous words of graphic designer and filmmaker Saul Bass: “I want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares.” “That’s so me,” says Isobel. “Since I was a little girl, I’ve always been besotted with fabric. I made my first dress when I was 12 – it was a purple floral affair. My mother encouraged my obsession by taking me to Minty’s, our local fabric store, every Friday after school. Afterwards, we’d go for coffee and cake. To this day, I still tell people that I buy dreams at the fabric shop.” Although Isobel is more of a dreamer than a businesswoman by her own admission, her oversized floral and vegetable…

“Guests always have the same response when they walk through our front door for the first time,” says German de la Melena as he welcomes us into his apartment in Green Point, Cape Town. “First off, they gasp at the stunning view of the ocean – and then they gasp some more because they’ve had to traipse up all these stairs!” When we visited, we experienced this first-hand: the view of the vast Atlantic really is breathtaking; and yes, we were a little out of breath after our ‘ascent’! German, originally from Peru in South America, and his partner AD Barratt believe that if you move to Cape Town, you should live by the sea. This was the first apartment they viewed six years ago and they were so captivated…

Form and function A lounge serves many functions: it’s where we relax with family, watch TV, and entertain guests – so it can quickly become cluttered! A simple yet impactful colour palette is the best way to draw all the elements together. Here, the homeowners chose Plascon Cashmere for its unique superior plush matt finish which maintains its absolute matt finish even with regular wiping. Plascon Cashmere comes with a Plascon guarantee which lasts up to 15 years. With the help of Plascon’s Inspired Colour tinting system, choosing the right colours was a cinch. Plascon Cashmere Tribecca Corner on the chimney breast creates a dramatic focal point while a faux chair rail was created on the wall behind the sofa with Plascon Cashmere Dried Leaf above and He Loves Me…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 3/10 Skill level 3/10 Time required ± 2 hours Finished size ± 1 800 (H) x 365 x 500mm (base) Do it yourself for under R300: wood R170, wood stain R70, plug and light socket R30, hardware R20 (lampshade and cord excluded) Shopping list • 22 x 69mm pine, cut to: two lengths of 375mm (base) two lengths of 1 600mm (stand)• 32 x 69mm pine, cut to: one length of 500mm (base) one length of 300mm (base) one length of 150mm (stand)• 32 x 44mm pine, cut to: one length of 900mm (arm)• one 8mm x 100mm bolt and wing nut• light socket• Wonda Seal• three-point plug• wood glue• 120-grit sandpaper• 6mm x 40mm chipboard screws• 6mm x 50mm chipboard screws Tools • cordless drill and 3mm drill bit• pencil• jigsaw• tape measure• 10mm spade bit• brush• tri-square Project notes • Make…

Best for cement Telana Mynhardt of Namibia writes I have built-in cement cupboards just like the ones on page 29 of your February 2014 issue. The previous owners used a durable and hard-wearing paint to treat them but it’s no longer available; what kind of paint can I use? Tony Chasen of Plascon replies If the existing coating is going to be over-coated, it’s important to first degrease the surface with Polycell sugar soap. This must then be sanded down to create the necessary surface for the new top coat. For the final top coat we highly recommend Plascon Velvaglo Non-Drip Waterbased Satin Sheen. It comes with a 15-year guarantee, is perfect for hard-wearing surfaces, has excellent stain, steam and chip resistance and is easy to clean. It can also…

Like wild fire... Sandra Taljaard of Betty’s Bay writes Our garden recently suffered major damage from a veld fire. Will it ever recover and how can we assist nature in this process? JJ replies As tragic as it is to see the devastation, it all happens for a reason. Much of our indigenous fynbos grows back very quickly after a fire; others need the heat and gases to germinate seeds. The best you can do is water your garden. Remember too that many of the fires spread so quickly that they only affect the leaves and buds, not the stems. Keep your fingers crossed that this is the case in your garden. Good and bad news Rine Boshoff writes My twin-flowered agave (Agave geminiflora) is flowering for the first time…

Keep track Herb markers R29 each, starkeayresgc.co.za On the fence Picket fence R70, mrphome.com Gloves to love Garden gloves R100, builders.co.za The hang of it Wooden hanging planter R141, starkeayresgc.co.za Pot it up Ceramic pot R85, builders.co.za To keep you company Herberts Home Garden Companions R250 per set, bigblue.co.za Fight the fungi The 300ml Wonder Fungi Gun (R83, builders.co.za) controls powdery mildew, rust and blackspot on indoor plants and smaller garden plants. For the birds A-frame bird nesting box R149, starkeayresgc.co.za Boot up Men’s Wellie rain boots R600, crocssa.co.za Grow tall Wonder Shake ’n Grow special fertiliser (200g) R52, builders.co.za…

Creamy chicken curry Under R100 • Serves 4 Preparation time: 30 minutes • Cooking time: 30 minutes • 4 large chicken breasts, cubed• 10–20ml chicken masala or tandoori spice• 2 cloves garlic, chopped• 1 knob ginger, grated and chopped• 15ml tomato purée• 250ml cubed butternut• 30ml oil• 5ml fennel or celery seeds• 10ml each butter and oil• 250ml cream• basmati rice to serve• fresh coriander to garnish 1 Mix the chicken with the spices, garlic, ginger and tomato purée and leave to marinate for about 20 minutes. 2 Drizzle the oil and fennel seeds over the butternut and roast for about 20 minutes under the grill until fragrant and cooked. Stir if necessary. 3 Heat the oil and butter and brown the chicken on both sides. Add the cream and simmer for a few minutes. Add the butternut, garnish with the coriander…

WINNING LETTER It runs in the family Carmen Wheeler of Durban writes “Are you painting? I can hear a whoosh-whoosh sound,” my husband asks as he walks into our room. I have 15 minutes before a party and I know I can quickly paint a few burglar bars with my duck-egg blue chalk paint! He always says I was born with a paintbrush in my hand. Sometimes I can’t stop and I actually stalk the house for something, anything to paint. My three beautiful children have the same artistic desire growing in them… They’ve turned the laundry into their own creative space. I love it! I know they’re happy in that room; we’re all happy with a paintbrush in our hands! Here are some pictures of my children’s bedroom cupboards.…

Happy feet Make a quirky ‘speech bubble’ bookshelf by attaching a triangular piece of wood to the bottom of a Bashew’s box and then lining it with pretty wrapping paper or a printout of your favourite Pinterest picture. Uninterrupted pleasure We love the continuous line of this wooden bookshelf in Jan Schenk’s home in the Bo-Kaap. End of the line A bright orange G-clamp works wonders as a striking bookend in Luiz and Lynne Correia’s Stellenbosch home. Cover to cover This plaster cast of a stack of books by artist Michael Chandler makes an interesting bookend; you can try something similar by glueing together a pile of old hardcover books and painting them white. A bestseller! Marlize Boonzaaier of Flowerheart in Durbanville tied three upright books together with a pretty…

Go for gas The simple yet striking gas fireplace at Baleia Wines in Riversdale fits in perfectly with its slick modern surroundings. More ecofriendly than a wood fire, the gas fireplace echoes the green design elements throughout the space. The fireplace was covered with Midas Masonry Primer, Midas Ultra-Fine Aggregate Primer, and Midas Clear Frost paint to create the desired industrial effect. “It works so well for us because there’s no smoke – and you don’t have to clean up afterwards!” laughs Lindi Joubert, co-owner of Baleia Wines. “It’s also relatively cheap to install and very cosy in winter, especially with a glass of Baleia Red in hand!” Bright idea #1 Most gas fireplaces don’t require a flue – so much easier to install! Burn, baby, burn For a cosy…

Marco and Mary-Ann Scheepers bought a compact one-bedroom house in Zonnebloem close to Cape Town’s city centre in 2011, unaware that twins would be a part of their household within three years. Fortunately, the couple are both architectural technologists at DWS Architects so they were able to come up with a quick solution. By the time Hannes and Stephan (now 18 months) were born early in 2014, they’d already converted the original kitchen into a bedroom and designed a new kitchen in the open-plan living area. The previous kitchen was an impractical elongated area of 12m2 . It was too cramped for a double bed and two single beds also wouldn’t fit. And no matter how hard Marco tried, there was simply no space for a cupboard. Finally, he turned…

1 Cut the fabric 3cm longer than the height of the lampshade at the top and bottom. 2 Press a 1cm hem on both long sides of the fabric. 3 Stick double-sided tape around the drum of the lampshade on both edges. 4 Pull the backing of the double-sided tape off and stick the drum of the lampshade to the centre of the fabric. 5 Cut any excess fabric off at the end. Fold a hem and stick it down with double-sided tape. 6 Cut small incisions so the fabric can fold around the crossbars of the lampshade. 7 Fold the fabric over the sides of the drum and secure with the hot glue on both edges. QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 1/10 Skill level 3/10 Time needed ± 30…

1 Gold leaf QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 1/10 Skill level 3/10 Time needed ±30 minutes Cost R100 TOOLS • brush to apply adhesive• clean soft-bristle brush• soft cloth SHOPPING LIST • old frame with bevel detail• gilding size• gold leaf (available at craft stores such as The Deckle Edge)• Annie Sloan Dark Wax 1 Paint a thin coat of gilding size on the entire surface of the frame, and set aside for 15 minutes until tacky. 2 Place a sheet of gold leaf on the frame and smooth it out with the soft-bristle brush; repeat until the entire frame has been covered. Set aside for an hour. 3 Use the cloth to apply the wax over the gold leaf to create an antique look. 2 Gold spray-painted QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 1/10 Skill level 1/10…

The challenge Amanda Jooste of Durbanville writes I’d like to convert the disused staff quarters at the back of my property so I can rent the space out to a student or singleton, but it’s tiny at only 9m2 – half the size of a single garage! It has a bathroom with a toilet, shower and basin but prospective tenants have enquired about a kitchenette and study area and I don’t know how to incorporate all of these elements into such a small space. Please help! The solution Germarie and Margaux reply When floor space is limited, the way forward is to go up! Clever storage solutions and multi-functional furniture will also go a long way in transforming this into a hard-working space that really packs a punch. To start,…

Plant guide Common name Flowering quince Botanical name Chaenomeles speciosa Full sun Average water needs Frost resistant Grows ± 2.5m high and 2m wide Deciduous Flowering quince For much-needed colour in the late winter months, there’s little to beat flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa). It bears brightly coloured blooms in shades of pink, red, orange-red and even white in tight clusters around the bare stems and is at its best in July and August. Not only will its single, double or semi-double flowers brighten up the grey winter months in your garden, but it’s also an excellent cut flower – arrange long stems in a vase or pot to make a bold statement. This shrub grows well in most regions but thrives in summer rainfall areas. In winter rainfall areas, keep…

Tasks for July By Kay Montgomery 1 Fruit trees July is the month to prune deciduous fruit trees to ensure a plentiful supply of fruit in summer. The method of pruning fruit trees in their first couple of years is basically the same for all deciduous fruit trees. The general rule is to aim for a vase shape – this allows sunlight and air to penetrate the branches. Mature fruit trees may only need a light trimming to maintain their shape. In dry winter areas, citrus trees need watering every second week in winter and early spring when they’re flowering and setting fruit. To improve the health of citrus trees, water thoroughly then spread a slow-release fertiliser along the outer drip line of the branches. After applying fertiliser, water well.…

Q: I have a lot of ‘My Granny’ roses; how do I prune them? Trim the sprawling sideways growth of spreading rose varieties such as ‘My Granny’ and the other ‘Granny’ roses, ‘Flower Carpet’ and ‘Deloitte and Touche’ back to about 30cm from the centre – or 60cm in diameter. This can be done with a hedge clipper as one expects lots of blooms and isn’t too concerned with the individual quality of the flowers produced. Any fiddly small growth may be cut out as well but if this is too tedious, it may be left. It will dry out soon enough since it usually doesn’t receive enough light beneath the dense growth. It’s important, however, to ensure that there is sufficient space for sideways development in mixed beds. If…

What are potstickers? A potsticker is an Asian dumpling filled with a savoury filling and served with a tasty dipping sauce. Sometimes they’re steamed and then fried until cooked; I sauté them first and then steam them to ensure that the filling is cooked. Potstickers Makes about 60 dumplings Preparation time: 1 hour Cooking time: 10 minutes • 500g minced pork• 250ml cabbage, finely chopped• 100g shiitake mushrooms, finely chopped• 2 cloves garlic, crushed• 2 spring onions, finely chopped• 15ml hoisin sauce• 1 knob fresh ginger, finely chopped or grated• 10ml sesame oil• 1 red chilli, chopped• 60 ready-made wonton wrappers (circles, not squares)• 30ml sunflower oil DIPPING SAUCE • 5ml chilli sauce• 60ml soy sauce• 10ml sesame oil• 2.5ml sugar• 2.5ml rice wine vinegar 1 Put the mince in a mixing bowl. Add the mushrooms, garlic, spring onions, hoisin sauce, ginger, sesame oil and chilli…

Cheese, please We spotted these lovely Créations de Fusée cheeseboards and domes at the Saturday market at The Palms in Woodstock, Cape Town; prices start at R195 and the colours and styles vary. For more information, call Marianne on 082 927 5033 or Marie on 082 876 4260. Also go to palms.co.za. Sharing is caring New restaurant Jenda Food & Wine at Montecasino in Johannesburg includes several unique spaces: couches and low tables in a screened-off outside area for relaxing; a restaurant section for à la carte sit-down meals; a flaring bar and an upstairs wine-tasting bar. We love the snack menu – it’s perfect for sharing! Contact Jenda on 011 510 7471, or visit montecasino.co.za. Cooking with love Food for your Brood (R275, Struik Lifestyle) by Sam Gates is…

Who hasn’t pinched a slice of avo from the top of the salad or hunted for a morsel hidden under the lettuce leaves? Well, no more guilty feelings. Avos are good for you and incorporating them into a meal is a great way to boost your daily intake of mono-unsaturated fats and essential nutrients such as potassium, folic acid and vitamin C. And that’s not all! Rich and creamy avos are also heart-healthy and effective fighters against ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol. It’s no wonder the experts agree that you can happily eat avos – in fact, your body will thank you for it! Testing for ripeness The fruit should yield to a gentle squeeze in the palm of your hand. Alternatively, give the stalk a gentle nudge with your thumb; if…