Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2017 i Home

Social media is sometimes too much for me. I see things on Facebook that I would have preferred not to see and get pulled into discussions I’d rather avoid. But it’s also an inexhaustible source of information and entertainment – and the best barometer for the mood of the country and its people. And their ingenuity. And sense of humour. Fresh from my Christmas break earlier this year, I saw the word “Janu-worry” on Facebook for the first time and how almost every single person was counting the days until the next payday. It had become a refrain, like December’s “KeDezemba, Boss”... It was also on Facebook that I first read a remark from someone stating that there was simply “too little pay for too much month”. But the Facebook…

WATCH THIS SPACE BUSINESS Pip WHO Janine Greyling WHERE Cape Town HER WORK We love it when a great product and a good cause come together – like Janine Greyling’s fashion and homeware accessory brand, Pip. Elderly women from the poorer areas in Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel knit and crochet bright and beautiful blankets, cushion covers and pot-holders which Janine then markets and distributes from Cape Town to supplement the women’s government pensions. “Shortly before my grandmother passed away, she told me that she wished she had a reason to get out of bed every day. So the idea with Pip is to help give these elderly women a reason to get up and keep going,” Janine says. Check out their online store at pipit.co.za. TOP SHOPS Capetonian fans of…

Who lives here? Jane and Sean Bergset, their sons Nicholas (14) and Matthew (12), and four pooches WHERE Durban SIZE 300m²  Although Jane Bergset, a travel agent, loves her job and has visited more than 98 countries, it’s here in Durban North that she loves to kick off her well-travelled shoes and take a much-deserved breather. But the influences of the world around her have truly made their mark; her home is a reflection of all that is special to her and it’s filled with many fond memories: a gramophone she lugged all the way back from Amman in Jordan, a traditional wooden figurine from Ghana, antique French linen from the United Kingdom, an old cupboard she bought in India when she and her husband, Sean, were backpacking through the…

Nothing creates a sense of opulence quite like a luxurious, freestanding bath; it’s the ultimate bathroom focal point and simply demands attention. With so many different types to choose from, and considering that it can be positioned wherever you’d like, freestanding baths work equally well in a contemporary space or a bathroom inspired by yesteryear. Take a look at these beauties and be inspired to up the style stakes in your personal sanctuary… # 1 Farmhouse French From the eye-catching porcelain tiles to the wall panels and high wooden ceiling, this gorgeous bathroom in the historic Stellenbosch-based Fleurbaix farmhouse is French perfection. But it’s the freestanding copper bath that really steals the show in this opulent sanctuary created by interior designer Salomé Gunter. Cleverly positioned just off centre, the roll-top…

The homeowners Mandy and Trevor Sayer WHERE St James SIZE 137m2 (including a 6m2 courtyard) “I love property, but older homes have a special place in my heart,” says Mandy Sayer, who recently transformed a dilapidated historic cottage into a charming, contemporary living space. Today, it’s difficult to imagine it as the ugly duckling that nobody wanted. Known as the Matchbox Cottage and dating back to 1886 (see ‘History of the Matchbox Cottage’ overleaf), the property had been on the market for years by the time Mandy and her husband Trevor bought it. “Although it’s just off Main Road in St James, no buyer wanted to touch it as it was marketed as an ‘extra’ sold with the adjacent shop,” says Mandy, a property developer who started Sayer Projects together…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 4/10 Skill level 3/10 Time needed ± 1–2 hours Do it yourself for just over R2 000 (pipes and fittings R1 560, plywood and screws R400, saddles R40, coach screws and wall plugs R25) You will need SHOPPING LIST • 80-grit sandpaper • one sheet of 18mm plywood, cut to: three 650 x 400mm shelves two 960 x 400mm shelves • one packet of 8mm x 16mm chipboard screws • nine 10mm x 50mm coach screws • nine 12mm nylon wall plugs • fifteen 32mm galvanised saddles • the following 25mm galvanised irrigation pipes (use standard, pre-threaded lengths): fifteen 300mm lengths one 900mm length two 1 000mm lengths three 600mm lengths one 450mm length one 150mm length nine flanges seven elbows seven T-pieces one socket…

A pretty pair Hazel Trittner of Roodepoort writes These 23cm-tall Zsolnay vases belonged to my husband’s grandmother, who brought them to Vienna from the Czech Republic in the mid-19th century. Are they valuable? Ian Conn of Ashbey’s Galleries replies Zsolnay is a Hungarian manufacturer of porcelain, tile and stoneware founded in 1800. These vases, decorated in high relief with birds and flowers and with reticulated foot rims and gallery necks, are typical of the latter part of the 17th century and are inspired by the products of the Meissen and Vienna factories, such as Meissen Snowball vases. CIRCA 17th century VALUE R2 000 – R4 000 for both Shine a light Valda Munro of East London writes I inherited this lamp from my grandfather and I think it must be…

SIZE OF GARDEN 420m² WHERE Franschhoek. If you follow the warmer weather like a swallow flying south for the summer, then your garden should preferably be beautiful when you’re there! This is the view of the owners of this garden – a Dutch couple who swop cold Europe for the sunny climes of the Southern Hemisphere every spring. “We fell in love with South Africa and its people after many trips here,” says the couple. “We really enjoy the indigenous vegetation and especially fynbos. Because the country has a shortage of water, we wanted as many indigenous, waterwise plants in the garden as possible. Our favourites are white and blue agapanthus, proteas in all their colours, and needle-leaf pincushions (Leucospermum lineare X cordifolium) which flower so beautifully. And if the…

Tasks for April 1 Keep it neat One of the trends for 2017 is a neat, uncluttered garden. As properties become smaller, it is necessary to scale down and simplify your garden space. Look at your outdoor areas through a camera lens to give a new perspective and allow you to see where there’s room for improvement. If plants have grown into each other, decide which ones you like and are worthwhile, and remove those that have contributed little to the garden. Look for compact new varieties of ornamental plants such as agapanthus and alstroemeria as they will take up less space. Invest in a garden shed to store tools, pots and fertilisers. A tool shed can be transformed from a utilitarian storage space into an attractive feature by painting…

Butternut Swiss roll This sweet side dish is in the same league as pumpkin pie and pumpkin fritters – and rates as one of my Top 10 all-time favourite butternut recipes. Makes 1 Swiss roll • Preparation time: 20 minutes Baking time: 1 hour • Oven temperature: 180°C •  250g (450ml) cake flour• 10ml baking powder• a pinch of salt• 125ml butter• 2 eggs, whisked• 1kg butternut, steamed and mashed• salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg• 15ml apricot jam, melted SYRUP • 375ml boiling water• 2 cinnamon sticks• 25ml butter• 250ml (200g) light brown sugar 1 Make the syrup Stir the boiling water, cinnamon, butter and sugar in a small saucepan over moderate heat until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes. Allow to cool slightly. 2 Preheat the oven. Sift the flour, baking…

Ricotta and sweetcorn muffins Under R80 • Serves 4 • Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes •  8 streaky bacon rashers• 4 eggs• 350g ricotta cheese, crumbled• 250ml cooked sweetcorn kernels•  5 spring onions, chopped• 1 red chilli, finely chopped• 30ml chopped flat-leaf parsley• 45ml grated mozzarella 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C and spray four cavities of a giant muffin pan with non-stick spray. Line each cavity with two rashers of streaky bacon. 2 Mix the eggs, ricotta, sweetcorn, spring onions, chilli and parsley and season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. Spoon into the four prepared cavities and sprinkle the mozzarella on top. Bake for about 25–30 minutes or until cooked and golden brown. Serve with fresh bread and your favourite tomato relish.  This showstopper is just as delicious with…

An apple a day... Crisp, refreshing and dry with a natural, fresh apple flavour, Cluver & Jack cider (from R19, Tops at Spar) is made in the Paul Cluver Winery in Grabouw. Pure and authentic, the foundation variety of this craft cider is a ‘Granny Smith’ apple – the rest are a well-kept secret! Visit cluverjack.com. Grate divide Chicken grater box R249.95, pylones.co.za Happy hunting! Egg art kit with special egg dye and fun accessories R69.99 woolworths.co.za Olé! Imagine delicious signature dishes by chef Martin Senekal, tropical décor and a front-row view of the ocean and you have an inkling of what to expect at La Parada Del Mar on Victoria Road, Camps Bay. The meals are perfect for sharing: seared sesame-crusted tuna, charred octopus, ham croquettes and the most…

There is a sadness in the world that is unique in its awfulness, and that is the grief we feel when a beloved pet dies. Some people don’t understand the huge sadness one feels when you lose a pet – it’s just an animal, they’ll say. These people are not really “people”; they are organisms of a lower order, with whom I do not wish to associate. But there are those who truly understand how your heart aches when one of your furry friends dies. Their compassion and empathy is, in itself, a consolation. Never a truer word has been spoken than this statement: the measure of a society and its progress can be judged by the way in which it treats its elderly and its animals. The interesting and…

To keep you company Cut out a bunny from leftover timber; we decided to use an unusual rectangle shape with ears but you can create a more traditional one if you prefer. Also cut two slots to accommodate feet so your bedside lamp can stand up straight. Drill a 26mm hole and insert a light socket through this. Screw in an oversized bulb for the bunny’s tail. Bedding from Woolworths and MRP Home Watch our step-by-step video on Facebook. A watchful eye We love the four ceramic rabbit heads above the fireplace in this cosy nook. They were bought at a local market in Somerset West and added as a permanent fixture on one of the cement panels on the chimney; the width of the panels decreases as they go…

Q&A with Mandy Having built her first home at the age of 23, and having renovated and built six homes for her own family and given another 13 a new lease on life since she founded Sayer Projects, Mandy is a seasoned property developer who knows how to spot potential, transform a dilapidated property into a welcoming space, and stage it perfectly for potential buyers. We asked her to share her secrets: • Over weekends, I often visit show houses. That way, I keep up to date with what is happening in the market. • Maximising natural light and creating the best possible kitchen and bathrooms are priorities. I don’t compromise on having a scullery and an en suite for the main bedroom. Add windows if the interior is too…

Colour match Alet Laubscher of Windhoek writes I love using Annie Sloan paint for projects around my home but now I want to paint an entire accent wall and I’m looking for a more affordable product. Is there another paint supplier that produces a colour similar to Annie Sloan’s French Linen and Paris Grey? The colour you see in an image in a magazine may vary from the colour of the dry paint on your wall. The level of light in the room will also make a difference. For accurate colour matches, a sample of paint should be applied in different spots in your home, ideally on a white surface. Check the colour at different times of the day to get a good idea of what the overall effect will…

How to replant roses Adri Theron of Cape Town writes My mother needs to relocate roses with sentimental value; what’s the best way to make cuttings so she can move them to their new location? JJ replies One of the easiest ways is to use a stick to make a hole in a potato, add a pinch of cinnamon and push the stems of the cuttings into the hole. At the new location, replant the cuttings – potato and all! The other option is to relocate the rose. Do this in the cooler months of the year and cut the entire plant back by at least 50%. Dig it out without disturbing the roots too much and keep the root ball and soil together. Keep the plant in semi-shade after…

A tree dahlia will add height to your garden and flowers in late summer and autumn. Tree dahlias are dramatic plants that will make a wonderful addition to your garden. Plant them in compost-rich soil in a sunny spot that is protected from the wind – it is best to stake the plants. To encourage tree dahlias to make more side-stems, on which the striking flowers are carried, cut back the plants by a third to half in midsummer. After it has finished flowering, you can cut back the plant completely, it will sprout again next spring. These prunings can be used to make more plants – it is best to use the older, more woody stems (not the green, younger ones). Cut them into 10cm pieces, making sure each…

How to grow French tarragon seedlings need full sun and like moist, but not waterlogged soil. These plants (40cm tall and wide) will die down in winter but should be left in place as they will sprout again in spring. Replace plants every four years as they lose their vigour over time. Tip of the month Because tarragon disappears in winter, start harvesting and preserving the leaves this month. Dry or freeze the leaves. To freeze: chop up the leaves and store in ice-cube holders just covered with water. Once frozen, the blocks can be stored in containers in the freezer. Did you know? • The aromatic foliage of French tarragon repels insects. • When grown next to other crops, especially brinjals, it enhances their growth and flavour. • The…

ON THE BOX In The Block USA – Flipping the Block (Season 2 starts April 10 on the Home Channel, 176 on DStv) four teams join forces on an extraordinary renovation, transforming four run-down condos into showpieces ready for new homeowners – all while living amidst the construction dust. With a big cash prize up for grabs, the stakes are high! Decorex Cape Town 27–30 April: CTICC For décor and design inspiration, expert advice, innovations and trends for your home, pop in at Decorex from 10:00 to 18:00 daily. Tickets cost R95 for adults, R85 for pensioners and R20 for under-12s; go to decorex.co.za. SA Cheese Festival 28–30 April: Sandringham, Stellenbosch Calling all cheese lovers! The ever-popular SA Cheese Festival showcases the widest variety of cheese as well as superb…

Who lives here? Lynne Behr WHERE Prince Albert SIZE 290m² One evening in 2012, Lynne Behr happened to catch an episode of popular lifestyle show Top Billing on TV. They were showcasing Prince Albert in the Karoo and the charming little town captured her imagination. So much so that she soon travelled from her home in Fairwood, Johannesburg to spend some time there with a friend and, shortly thereafter, decided that this was where she would settle down for the next chapter of her life. “In Jo’burg, I worked long hours and I was pretty exhausted,” Lynne, a massage therapist, says. “I’d always wanted to take a few years out to play music, write, work less...” At the time, Lynne was interested in buying property but many of the homes…

Who lives here? Charmaine and Paul Wakefield, and occasionally their student daughter Jemma (23) WHERE Riebeek-Kasteel SIZE 220m2 At home, I’m like a little girl playing in her doll house. My décor displays are constantly changing and evolving. – Charmaine I can spend days planning the décor for an al fresco lunch or dinner. – Charmaine Charmaine Wakefield needs no excuse to style her home but come Easter, this creative interior and wedding stylist pulls out all the stops. After all, she married her IT consultant husband, Paul, on Easter Sunday in 2013, so this holiday will always have a special place in their hearts. The couple bought their late-1800s farmhouse in January 2015. “We spent our first romantic weekend away in Riebeek-Kasteel,” Charmaine reminisces. “Paul said he would one…

If you’re planning a revamp of your bathroom or kitchen, try the new Tina range from EVOX taps, available exclusively at Tile Africa. EVOX taps are manufactured from the highest quality materials and come with a 12-year warranty. The new EVOX range of value-for-money taps boasts a sleek, stylish design, offering the perfect way to modernise your bathroom or kitchen. For details, go to tileafrica.co.za. THE PRIZE Six lucky readers will each win a Tile Africa hamper with the following EVOX Tina taps: Basin Mixer, Concealed Mixer, Concealed Diverter Mixer, Sink Mixer, High Basin Mixer, Sink Mixer and Bath Mixer. HOW TO ENTER SMS the keyword EVOX followed by your full name, email and physical and/or postal address to 33406 (each SMS costs R1.50). See our competition rules on page…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 3/10 Skill level 3/10 Time needed 3 hours, plus drying time Do it yourself for ±R840 (Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile R720, copper leaf R100, gilding size R20) PART # 1 Refinish the bath You will need TOOLS • sander • small mohair roller and tray • brush • cloth SHOPPING LIST • Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile (available at Builders) • 60-, 80- and 100-grit sandpaper • thinners to clean brushes and roller • blue painter’s tape Get started... 1 Use the 60- and 80-grit sandpaper to get rid of any flaky and uneven surfaces in the bath. Then use the finer 100-grit sandpaper to sand it smooth. Use a cloth to remove any dust; the surface of the bath must be dust-free and dry before…

Materials • two pieces of 32 x 44mm planed pine, 1 800mm in length (legs) • four 20mm dowels, 500mm in length (rungs) Measure and make a mark 150mm in from the ends of the narrow side of the 1 800mm pieces. Then make three marks 400mm apart. Drill a 20mm hole at each mark, about 30mm deep. Using Alcolin Professional Wood Glue, attach the dowels in-between the two long pieces. When the glue is completely dry, sand to a smooth finish.…

Smooth mover Bonnie (so named because he was found in the bonnet of a car) busts a move – Gangnam style! – Samantha Hugo, Barberton Sofa surfer Mocha’s strange definition of comfort… – Amelia Schreuder, Somerset West You know you love me Great Dane pup Maddox loves to be silly! – Phoebe du Preez, Tulbagh  Keepin’ cosy Five-week-old Jasper loves to snooze in mommy’s slipper! – Desiree Simonis, Riebeek West New on the market! Cheese Chase by Petstages (R390, apetslife.co.za) offers three activities for three times the fun! Perfect for group play or just one cat, this engaging toy has a ball in a track, a ball in the top, and a catnip-filled mouse with a ribbon tail. Tummy troubles Louise Mason of Port Elizabeth writes I have a very inquisitive and…

Who lives here? Johan and Ronelle Engelbrecht WHERE Oudtshoorn SIZE OF GARDEN 444m² Johan and Ronelle Engelbrecht recently finished building their home and have now turned their attention to giving the garden some structure and colour. They were keen to lay out the garden but needed help with the design and plant choice, so they asked Stellenbosch landscaper Pietman Diener to assist. On their wish list... • The garden should be waterwise, low-maintenance and economical; the couple want to develop and maintain it themselves. • A selection of mainly indigenous plants from the area. • A rockery for all the succulents they receive from family and friends. • A lawn area near the stoep. • A herb garden near the kitchen. • The beautiful view of the surrounding veld must…

Q: Big yellow and black beetles are eating my roses and really seem to relish my yellow ‘South Africa’ roses. What can I do? These fruit beetles breed in compost heaps or soft soil and are attracted to fragrant roses. Cyper sprayed at double strength will kill them and keep them away for a while. If you don’t want to use poison, pick the beetles off the blooms by hand and drop them into a bucket of water so that they drown. The various pheromone traps are ineffective. Q: The blooms of my ‘Avril Elizabeth’ roses are huge but they hang downwards. Do they need more sunlight? This is a genetic trait, prevalent in varieties with large, fragrant, full-petalled blooms. Some stems do grow more upright, but most stems seem…

This foolproof biscuit recipe forms the basis for the following three Easter treats. Basic biscuit dough Makes about 24 vanilla biscuits, depending on size Preparation time: 30 minutes, plus resting time Baking time: 10–15 minutes per sheet Oven temperature: 180°C •  250g butter, soft• 130g (250ml) Huletts Icing Sugar, sifted• 1 egg, separated• 2ml vanilla essence• 375g (670ml) cake flour, sifted 1 Cream the butter and sugar together until light and creamy. Add the egg yolk and vanilla essence and mix well. Add the flour to the creamed mixture, mixing to make a soft, pliable dough. If the mixture seems too dry, add the egg white, a little at a time, and mix to form a soft workable dough. Shape the dough into a flat disc, cover with clingwrap and refrigerate for 10 minutes…