Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2015 i Home

The full range of state-of-the-art Pergo laminates, engineered wood floors, vinyl planks and tiles is now readily available from Van Dyck Carpets, following its appointment as the exclusive local distributor. Go to vandyckcarpets.com. What a bargain! We love the Cassie design (R55/m) from Biggie Best’s new Quilters collection. It’s only available online at biggiebestwebshop.co.za. Watch this space! BUSINESS Alex Hamilton Studio Gallery WHO Alex Hamilton WHERE Cape Town HIS WORK We’ve always been fans of Alex Hamilton’s work: we love his quirky style and social commentary on just about any topic under the sun. “A Debris of Divas: Marie Antoinette and the recycling of a revolution” is his latest work and continues his investigation into the social downfall, relevance and ultimate iconography of divas, queens and stars (previously Brenda Fassie,…

STOCKISTS @home 0860 576 576, home.co.za Bathroom Bizarre 0861 555 000, bathroom.co.za Woolworths Biggie Best 021 674 1590, biggiebestwebshop.co.za Bokke & Blomme 082 489 7173, bokkeandblomme.co.za Ceramic Factory 011 057 4314, ceramicfactory.co.za Cotton On 011 268 3700, cottonon.co.za In Good Company 011 447 1628, ingoodcompany.co.za Le Creuset 086 177 3321, lecreuset.co.za Lou Harvey 031 208 0930, louharvey.co.za MRP Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com My China Ceramics 021 788 9119, mychinaceramics.com Poetry 0860 555529, poetrystores.co.za Pylones 021 418 1388, pylones.com Rochester 011 826 4523, rochester.co.za Sheet Street 0800 212 535, sheetstreet.com Streepsak 041 4846215, streepsak.co.za Woolworths 0860 022 002, woolworths.co.za…

Christmas has always been a special time for Magda Oosthuizen. She loves celebrating Christmas Eve in the lush garden of the home she shares with her husband Kobie in Walmer, Port Elizabeth. That’s when they’re joined by their children: daughter Liana Davidson and her husband Patrick with little Mackenzie (2), and their son Lukas and his wife Michelle with baby Kaitlyn (18 months). Traditionally, it’s a quiet family affair, but that doesn’t mean they don’t go to a lot of trouble. Magda loves to entertain, and Christmas is when she pulls out all the stops. She grew up on a farm in Bedford and has many fond memories of childhood Christmases spent there, which she eagerly recalls while decorating the elegant festive table for our shoot. “My father, Thys Marais,…

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Don’t delay! Be sure to book a seat at Home’s DIY demonstrations at our new lifestyle event: 30 Days of Home + Food. Our DIY guru Deon de Goede will be joining forces with the inimitable Marc Lottering to teach you a thing or two with a power tool. They’re handy and hilarious – so be prepared to learn and laugh while watching them create an awesome project in just 30 minutes! Best of all? Once you’ve bought your ticket for the expo at just R150, these sessions are all free! • Catch them daily at 10:00 and 15:30. Kick back and relax Need to recharge your batteries? Then make yourself comfortable in our cosy lounge and hang out with Home’s editor, Wicus Pretorius, and meet Deon. And why not…

Q: What building materials did the Fix it with Flair finalists, Oostewald Bekker and Yolanda Cilliers, use for their new boundary wall, and who was the contractor? – Megan O’Carroll, Somerset West A: The fence is made of wood and steel; it was built by KMS Solutions (021 811 0158, kmssolutions.co.za). Q: For months, I’ve been searching for a black and white carpet similar to the one featured on page 21 of your April 2015 issue. Where is it from? – Jolize A: Homeowner Illze Muller bought three loose rugs at MRP Home (0800 212 535, mrphome.com) a while ago and stitched them together to make one large carpet. Q: Where can I get the pine crates featured on page 70 of your October 2015 issue? – Helena Roos, Pretoria…

January Spend less time weeding and more time enjoying your garden! Efekto weed control solutions will make short work of unwanted weed infestations. February February is the month of love. In the words of Mother Teresa: “It’s not how much we do, but how much love we put into action that really matters.” March Give your lawn the boost it needs with Efekto Plant Protection and Wonder Lawn Nutrition Solutions – you’ll rid your lawn of pests and restore it to its former green glory. April Keep your home free of unwanted guests. Efekto has the home pest solution for you – effective against all your pest problems. May As the last leaves of autumn fall, protect your garden from frost and harvest the last of your summer vegetables. June…

WINNING LETTER On the side Estelle Clegg of Centurion writes I’m an ardent follower of your magazine and an even bigger DIY enthusiast. My husband thought me crazy when I asked him for an empty 220L drum, but with some chalk paint and a laser-cut decal, I think it came out rather spectacular – it’s currently used as a side table, but would also make an amazing plinth or cocktail station. Sadly, it’s not your chalk paint as this was done a few months ago. Hope you love it as much as I do! What are the odds? Jo-Marie Rabe of Piér Rabe Antiques in Stellenbosch writes Yesterday, I was paging through the lovely October issue of Home when a picture of a doll’s face caught my eye in the…

An apple a day Combine green apples, pure white dog rose and climbing roses to form a striking wreath (left). Use a circle of florist’s foam with a plastic frame and attach the apples to it by pushing long (22.5cm) nails through them and into the foam. Weave the flowers and foliage in-between to complete the picture. Up the tree Take cuttings of echeverias and plant them in small enamel mugs. Hang the cups in the shape of a Christmas tree on an old gate. Leave some of the cups empty to add variety. >> Cups from The Crazy Store Wreath in red There’s no need to spend a fortune on flowers to make a wreath. Pick a variety of red flowers from your garden such as pelargonium, hibiscus and…

Precious childhood memories are not only at the heart of p Hannes and Tina Maritz’s home in an old dairy in Wellington, but are also the inspiration behind their festive celebrations with little Jacob (1), their first child. This sentimental couple want to offer him the same magical Christmas they experienced as children. “For us, Christmas is all about family and friends. It’s a time to relax and unwind,” says Hannes. “To get all those special keepsakes out of the cupboards and dust them off for the festive season. Last year, Jacob was only four months old and he slept right through the festivities. This year will be the first time we can really celebrate with him.” However, the festive season isn’t a major affair for the Maritz family. They…

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Who lives here? Nicky and Darryl Betz and their son Cole (6) WHERE Paulshof, Johannesburg SIZE 20m² The renovation Last year, we featured the Betz family’s home when they entered Fix it with Flair; at that time, their kitchen was still a work in progress. We’ve been waiting patiently to see the end result ever since – and here it is! “Our 80s-style kitchen was outdated to say the least,” says Nicky. “It had dark blue and light wood melamine cupboards that ran from ceiling to floor. And there was also a large slab of granite in the middle of the space which made it feel closed in and claustrophobic.” At the end of October 2014, they knocked down the serving-hatch wall dividing the dining room and kitchen. “Our vision…

Mix and match Christa van Vuuren of Welkom writes I’m very fond of wood and I’d like to design a kitchen with my collection of freestanding wooden cupboards but I have a few concerns: 1 I don’t want to make any permanent changes; a wardrobe must still be usable as such in the future. 2 How do I make provision for the different depths when I group deeper and more shallow chests of drawers that are nearly the same height and want to cover them with a single slab? 3 Is it essential to paint everything the same colour? Marlene Kruger of Inspired Interiors replies French armoires or ball-and-claw wardrobes usually work well as grocery cupboards; add shelves so you have enough space for groceries. Similarly, an old wardrobe works…

Email stashit@homemag.co.za For flowers and milk Anton Crossley of Lydenburg writes I have two Wedgwood items. The bigger one is a flower pot (18cm high and 20cm in diameter at the top) with “Made in England” and “Wedgwood”, “3” and “8” inscribed at the bottom. The other one is a milk jug (13cm high and 7.5cm in diameter at the top) which has “Made in England” and “Wedgwood 3C” inscribed at the bottom. Are they valuable? Shona Robie of Stephan Welz & Co replies The Wedgwood jardinière and jug are called jasperware, a type of pottery developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1770s. Jasperware comes in different colours – mostly light and dark blue, lilac, sage green, black and yellow. The relief detail depicting classical scenes, usually in white, was…

Readers’ happy snaps Having a ball! “Ball or bauble?” ponders rescue kitten Minx. – Tracy London, Noordhoek Hearts will melt This Beagle pup strikes the perfect Christmas card pose. – Lucia Opperman, Kaalfontein, Rayton The perfect gift Miss Abby, a Lilac Point Birman, comes with her own ribbon. – Ronéll Lareman, Oudtshoorn On the job Santa’s little helpers, Baily and Milo. – Laura Yates, Johannesburg >> The wreath beneath Leeutjie found the best spot to nap! – Liandri Pretorius, Pretoria Don’t forget about us! Basset Hound Bruno and kitten Miets turn on the charm. – Kayla van Wyk, Pretoria Posh nosh Treat your four-legged pals to something special this Christmas, like Feline Greenies in a savoury salmon flavour (R85, apetslife.co.za) or Hill’s Ideal Balance Soft-Baked Naturals with Duck & Pumpkin…

Gardening tips for December • In gardens in the winter rainfall region and in coastal gardens, hose down plants regularly to remove dust and damaging salt deposits carried by wind. • Water thoroughly the day before leaving for your holiday, then mulch with a thick layer of coarse compost or bark chips to retain moisture in soil. • Group pot plants together to make it easier for a friend to water them. Most indoor pot plants can be left in a sheltered position outdoors. A temporary shelter of shade cloth will give protection from direct sun, wind and hail. • Keep a lookout for yellow and black caterpillars that tunnel into the leaves and bulbs of agapanthus, nerine, clivia and amaryllis. Spray with Margaret Roberts Biological Caterpillar insecticide. • Pot…

Rose guru Ludwig Taschner offers watering advice for potted roses and emphasises the importance of fertilising your plants. Q: Will I stress my roses by fertilising them when it’s very hot? With temperatures rising, I must emphasise the importance of fertiliser in combination with available water to encourage new growth and leaves. The leaves encourage new root development and the rapid sap flow keeps the plants cool. If the nights are cool, your roses will flourish and flower well during the heat of summer. Q: I’ve noticed that the base of my old roses is very woody and knobbly; do I need to replant it deeper? If you find that water and weeding has lowered the soil surface with the bud union being exposed, all you need to do is…

Pork shank and mushroom pie The great thing about this pie is that you can prepare the filling beforehand, giving you more time to spend with friends and family on the special day. Enough for 6–8 generous portions • 2.5kg pork shanks, sliced 2cm thick (ask your butcher)• oil for shallow-frying• 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped• 2 carrots, roughly chopped• 2 star anise• 2 bay leaves• 15ml coriander seed• 15ml paprika• 440ml beer• 6 rashers bacon, chopped• 500g portabellini mushrooms, quartered• 1 chilli, finely chopped• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped• 4 large leeks, chopped• about 400g puff pastry (made with real butter)• 1 egg, beaten 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C. Brown the meat in the oil and spoon it into a roasting dish along with the celery, carrots, spices and beer. Cover tightly and roast for at least 2 hours. Allow the meat to cool…

Raspberry semifreddo with meringue Serves 8–10 Preparation time: 1 hour Freezing time: 8–10 hours • 400g fresh or frozen raspberries• 125g icing sugar, sifted• juice of 1 lemon• 45ml fruit- or vanilla liqueur• 4 egg whites, at room temperature• 500ml double-thick cream MERINGUES • 6 extra-large egg whites• 380g castor sugar• 2.5ml cream of tartar Make the meringues first Whisk the egg whites until stiff. Gradually add the castor sugar, whisking constantly until the mixture is thick, shiny and forms stiff peaks. Add the cream of tartar. Use a piping bag to pipe 7cm-long tubes of meringue on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake for about 2 hours at 100°C or until dry. Store in an airtight container until needed. 1 Line the sides and bottom of a square cake pan (23 x 23 x 7cm) with…

Christmas celebrations have always made me uneasy; I never know what to do with myself. I get irritated with the blatant commercial exploitation at this time of the year and I’m saddened by humanity’s failure to resist participating in this madness. Christmas festivities also make me uncomfortable because I don’t like being in a crowd. And Christmas, it seems, inevitably means being among lots of people. So I always flee; I make sure I’m somewhere on my own and far away. But come Christmas Day, the restlessness surfaces and I long for the closeness of my family around the table at my parents’ home. For a long time in my life I was never with my family over Christmas. Either there were work commitments, or I was abroad... There was…

ON THE BOX Home is now on TV! Décor show Stylstryd (“Style Wars”) will be on the brand new VIA channel (channel 147 on DStv) from November. It features aspiring stylists competing against each other to decorate rooms. Two of Home’s regular contributors, Germarie Bruwer and Margaux Tait, will be assisting the participants – after which Home’s editorial team will decide who wins. New episodes premiere every Monday at 17:00. Don’t miss it! • A home by the seaside is a retirement dream that keeps so many of us going when we’re slaving in the office or stuck in traffic jams. But for some, that dream is an everyday reality. On the Beach (starts 18 December on the Home Channel, 176 on DStv) explores the architecture and design of beautiful…

A floral focal point Every festive table needs a floral centrepiece – ours has been made with flowers, foliage and even some items from the fridge! Marelize Boonzaaier of Flowerheart in Durbanville created this table arrangement in an old concrete urn from her shop. The base is a combination of foliage from the garden: bright green Viburnum leaves, Virginia creeper stems, granadilla and pelargonium, as well as pale green pennygum foliage, silver Brunia, Tillandsia and everlasting. Keep your fingers crossed that the hydrangeas will be in bloom and add a touch of red with wild plum stems. At the top, cauliflower and garlic gloves have been placed in-between cream-coloured ‘Vendela’ roses, delphiniums, chincherinchees and lisianthus. Just beautiful! Bench from Flowerheart; crockery and candlelabra from Plan B Vintage Cool down Rising…

* Fresh idea Instead of name tags on gifts, print out a picture of the recipient – the kids will love it! Place a sprig of rosemary, statice or fynbos inside the ribbon to add a lovely fragrance to your Christmas tree. This unpretentious living room is where Jan ‘Boland’ Coetzee and his family gather for Christmas. The old kitchen chairs were discovered in a storeroom. In the background, Hardie (5) and Ana (6) have already started opening their gifts! Tablecloth and napkins from Mungo; ceramic crockery, wooden and slate chopping boards and water tumblers from Woolworths; enamel jugs, bone cutlery and placemats from Woodstock Vintage; floral scatters from Loads of Living * Fresh idea Collect black mussel shells on the beach and use Prestik to stick them up on…

During the month of February we will be all about Home and Food, and you can take your pick from various events and happenings hosted by your favourite magazines in Gauteng and Cape Town. That’s right: • 30 days of food & drink• 30 days of ideas & inspiration• 30 days of celebration & celebrities• 30 days of giveaways & promotions• 30 days of shopping & discounts The February countdown culminates in a fabulous 30 Days of Home + Food live weekend and you are invited to come and meet your favourite magazine team and experience the pages of our magazines coming to life in front of your very eyes. buy your tickets now! R150 per person for either a morning or an afternoon session www.30days.co.za the people • Bobby & Karlien van Jaarsveld• Suzelle DIY• Marc Lottering• Pete…

A bathroom transformation Annelize Jansen van Vuuren of Vredevlei in the Free State writes What can I do with my drab bathroom? We live on a farm and I’d like to give it a rustic look with wooden floors and antiques. Please help! DIY décor team Germarie Bruwer and Margaux Tait of Homeology reply A bathroom always presents a bit of a challenge as functionality is just as important as the aesthetic, and since this is a ‘wet room’, the finishes also have to be carefully considered. Your existing fixtures will fit in well with a farm-style feel, so you can simply focus on updating the colour scheme and creating more storage space. Here’s how: 1 Finish the floor In a room with a lot of moisture, ceramic tiles are…

Email gardens@homemag.co.za Avo problems RC Bezuidenhout of Groblersdal writes I have two avocado trees that haven’t been bearing well for years. What can I do? Where can I buy other trees? JJ replies Avocados need a fertiliser high in nitrogen and plenty of water. Use something like 7:1:3 and also apply iron chelate twice a year. Most nurseries stock avocado trees; make sure you get one that has been grafted. A tree to climb Samantha Barris of Port Elizabeth writes We’ve just purchased a 1.8ha plot and will be building our new home within the next year. My daughter, who soon turns six, is desperate for a tree to climb! Please could you suggest a fast-growing tree that would be a good choice for this purpose? JJ replies I suggest…

Plant guide Botanical name Hibiscus spp. Full sunAverage water needsEvergreenNeeds pruningFrost sensitiveHeight 1.5–3mWidth 1–2.5m Adorn your festive table with large showy hibiscus blooms or make a pretty floral crown for the kids. Although these blooms only last for a day, there’s little to beat them for an abundance of colour. Striking hibiscus flowers, with their prominent stamens, are especially abundant from November to March. This large shrub thrives in warm, frost-free areas. In colder regions, plant it in a warm, sheltered spot. Hibiscus like full sun and compost-rich soil. Add a layer of compost around the stem, especially in summer. In the flowering season, feed the plant every month with a balanced fertiliser to encourage blooms; water well before and after to avoid scorching. Prune the shrub by about a…

1 Ornamental grapevine (Vitis vinifera ‘Purpurea’) This deciduous ornamental plant looks like an ordinary grapevine, but doesn’t bear bunches of grapes. Although an ornamental vine is suitable for any region, it prefers a drier climate. If you’re considering an ornamental vine in a humid region, watch out for mildew and control it with a systemic fungicide such as Orius. The plants thrive in well-drained soil. An ornamental vine produces long stems and dense foliage in summer. Just like a normal grape, it will reward you in autumn with a spectacle of orange, brown and red foliage; in winter, the vine is defoliated which allows the warmth of the sun to penetrate the pergola. When you plant an ornamental vine, choose the strongest stem and train it to grow up towards…

Baked bacon and egg toast Under R120 • Serves 4–6 • Preparation time: 20 minutes Baking time: 25–30 minutes • 20 slices French bread, toasted• butter• 250g streaky bacon, halved and fried till crispy• 2 camembert cheeses, sliced• 6 eggs, beaten• 250ml cream• fried mushrooms and spring onions to serve 1 Spread butter on the toasted bread. Top 10 slices with bacon and cheese, and place the other 10 (butter side up) on top. Arrange tightly in a greased ovenproof dish. 2 Preheat the oven to 180°C. Beat the eggs and cream, and season with salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Pour slowly over the toast so that the upper layer can also absorb the egg mixture. Bake for 25 minutes or until just cooked. Serve with the mushrooms and a sprinkling of spring onions. Banana…

From time to time in my life I have put forward the idea of a toned-down Christmas. Perhaps a smaller tree… Perhaps just stylish silver or gold trimmings… Perhaps a simpler meal. My mother will have none of this! She tut-tuts me away. No. Christmas is a time for COLOUR. Bring out all the shiny stuff – yes, even that moth-eaten tinsel from yesteryear… We go all in! And, yes, we do still fantasise about the hushed reverent snowy Christmas Eve… We know it’s hot and sunny, but we like to pretend! And then there’s the tree… We’re thinking of firs but we have pines. (I always feel disappointed when the branches sag, heavy with all those ornaments.) In previous columns I’ve told stories of flavour. Over the Christmas season,…

Have your cake… For beautiful cakes and delicious treats for special occasions, visit The Velvet Cake Co’s new store at 16 Loop Street, Cape Town (there’s also one in Belville). They use only the finest ingredients to make their delicious – and innovative – creations; you can also order online at thevelvetcakeco.com. Cheers! For a festive non-alcoholic drink, try the new Van Loveren Papillon Sparkling blush or white (from R40 from selected retailers nationwide). Go to vanloveren.co.za. Season’s bounty Mariana’s Country Kitchen, Food through the seasons (R350, Human & Rousseau) by fabulous foodie Mariana Esterhuizen (well-known for her eatery, Marianas in Stanford) is right up Home’s alley. The recipes with fresh veg, herbs and fruit from her garden are categorised according to the seasons – and they’ll have you longing…