Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2018 i Home

Doing nothing is an art, and in my opinion it’s a skill we all should hone. I’m not advocating laziness – on the contrary. Think about it: how many times have you stood up from your desk, or walked to the kitchen, or opened the fridge and found yourself unable to remember what you wanted to do? Information overload is to blame – it’s the bane of our existence! As you set out to do whatever it was at that moment, there was probably a deluge of other thoughts flashing through your brain: things you need to remember, decisions you’re agonising over... All the ‘noise’ that causes your thoughts to get lost in the highway of your mind. And it’s little wonder. Thanks to technology, there is now more information…

ON THE BOX On Sarah Off the Grid (Season 1 starts 13 November on the Home Channel, 176 on DStv), expert designer Sarah Richardson takes on her most ambitious project yet: creating an off-the-grid family home in the country. Building an ecofriendly house that can service the needs of her loved ones requires clever design decisions and innovative materials. Follow Sarah, her husband and two young daughters as they create a green space that will be appreciated and enjoyed by generations to come. GREYTON ARTWALK 16–18 November: Greyton Art enthusiasts can look forward to a weekend of creative fun in the picturesque village of Greyton. Various venues and private homes will be transformed into galleries for all to enjoy and the young ones can join the action with painting sessions…

STOCKISTS @home 0860 834 834, home.co.za H&M Home 086 0690 707, hm.com/za Hadeda 011 788 5774, hadeda-tiles.com MRP Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Patio Warehouse 087 825 1120, patiowarehouse.co.za Poetry 0860 555 529, poetrystores.co.za T & Co. Fabrics 011 262 4718, tandco.co.za Woolworths 0860 022 002, woolworths.co.za…

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Any cost-cutting tips? Do prep work such as chipping walls for tiles or applying Polyfilla before the tiler and painter arrive. What would you do differently next time? I’d add drawers next to the stove for cooking utensils. Where did you get your ideas? Coffee shops, restaurants, old Home magazines and Pinterest. Any other hints or tips? Make sure you have ample plug points; we used pull-out plugs. What do you enjoy most about the completed project? I love the open kitchen and the fact that there’s space to cook together. It feels like the kitchen is the heart of the house. What’s next? We’d love to revamp the outside entertainment area and create a boma. Total: R57 800 MATERIALS Pantry cupboards 6 000 Light fittings 1 500 Bricks, cement…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 4/10 Skill level 3/10 Time needed 1 to 2 hours (excluding curing time) Do it yourself for less than R850: timber R460; sand, cement and bricks R380 (paint and varnish excluded) You will need SHOPPING LIST • 60 bricks• 1 bag cement• 2 bags sand• 1 paver (600 x 600mm), cut in half (foundation)• 2 sturdy planks (1500 x 220 x 50mm) TOOLS • tape measure• marker• spade• spirit level• wheelbarrow• builder’s trowel• rubber mallet• sponge Project notes • Our bench is ± 1700 x 660mm; adjust your measurements and material quantities according to your needs. • This bench can’t be moved after it has been built, so be 100% certain you’ve chosen the right spot for it. • Make sure the surface is level…

The full picture Alicia Lubbe of Johannesburg writes I inherited a painting from my late grandmother, who in turn got it from former president HF Verwoerd. The story goes that artist Gert van der Walt painted many works for the Verwoerds and Betsie Verwoerd gave this one to my grandmother. Do you have any information that may substantiate these claims and what would be the value of the painting? Suzanne Duncan of Stephan Welz & Co. replies Our reference source for South African painters and sculptors, which is quite extensive, contains no information about Gert van der Walt. As he wasn’t a well-known artist, his works will unfortunately not fetch much at auction. It appears that the date next to his signature is 1960 but it is unclear and…

Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a new Deluxe Car Seat Hammock for dogs or a medium Cosy Cup for cats from Wagworld (wagworld.co.za). Available from leading vet and pet shops, the Deluxe Car Seat Hammock boasts zip-up sides to protect not only your car seats, but also your car door panels. The Cosy Cup offers a luxurious cuddle spot for small pets with plush coral fleece and an extra-soft filling. Send your pics (at least 2MB each) and contact details to pets@homemag.co.za – you could be a winner too! See competition rules on page 129.…

WHO LIVES HERE? Willem and Laurette Esterhuyse WHERE Langstrand (between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay), Namibia SIZE OF PAVED AREA 40m² A house on the edge of the desert, just a stone’s throw away from the ocean, may sound idyllic, and it is. But it presents its own set of challenges. “We’ve always got sand in our house,” says Laurette. “Especially with our Staffie kids, Josef and Sofia, who love rolling around on the beach. It sometimes feels as if I’m sweeping the entire Dune 7 – the highest dune in Namibia between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay – out of the house! Laurette and Willem initially planted grass outside their front door but it cost a fortune to irrigate and needed constant upkeep to keep it alive. “It simply refused to…

This month… • Keep gardens colourful by removing plants that are past their best and filling these gaps with summer annuals. • Fertilise summer-flowering bulbs once a month with a commercial bulb food. • Plant white, pink and red bedding begonias along paths to make a broad ribbon of colour, to define a curved border, or to add long-lasting colour in containers. • Build up a healthy lawn by mowing regularly, but with the lawnmower set higher so that only the top part of the grass is removed. Fertilise with a commercial lawn food, watering well after application. • Sow seed of salad crops fortnightly so that there is a continuous supply of tender young leaves. Spread straw between rows to retain moisture and discourage weeds. • Water hydrangeas thoroughly,…

Lemon dream It’s difficult to compete with the ever-popular lemon meringue tart, but this light lemon dessert can hold its own! Makes 1 large tart Preparation time: 30 minutes, plus setting time • 200g digestive biscuits, crushed • about 100g butter, melted LEMON MOUSSE • 1 sachet (15ml) gelatine powder • 3 large eggs, separated • 170g (200ml) castor sugar • a pinch of salt • 125ml fresh lemon juice • 5ml lemon zest • 250ml cream, whipped 1 Mix the biscuit crumbs with enough butter so that they stick together, then line a tart pan to form a thin crust. Make sure it’s evenly distributed and not too thick in the corners. If you prefer, bake for 5 minutes at 180°C in a preheated oven to ensure a crispy result, then cool completely. Or leave unbaked in the…

Spinach and feta pie This is my version of a Turkish Börek pie. Alternatively, you can stack layers of the filling and phyllo in an ovenproof dish and serve in squares – but I love the drama of the spiral! 1 Green scene Finely chop 1 onion and fry until glossy in 5ml olive oil. Boil 400g potatoes until cooked; drain and mash. Blanch 400g spinach and a small handful of soft herbs such as origanum and dill, then chop finely. Crumble 3 feta rounds and add, along with 125ml grated Parmesan; season generously with salt, pepper, nutmeg and dried chilli. 2 A sticky situation Beat 1 large egg, 30ml olive oil and 45ml full-fat yoghurt together – this is used to stick the layers of dough together. Dilute with…

WINNING LETTER For the women… Kk Bulunga of Pretoria writes As a young man, I’ve done two things this month that I never would have thought possible in order to give my mother a rest. It’s Women’s Month, after all, and this gives us an opportunity to put ourselves in their shoes and show them that we appreciate every little thing. I’ve been cooking supper at home, every night. I run out of ideas at times and wonder how my mom does it every night with ease. She is a self-taught natural master of traditional South African food and never refers to a cookbook. I got so stressed at times and woke up in the middle of the night, thinking about what I was going to cook the next day…

CREATE, INNOVATE! BUSINESS Lulasclan WHO Bonolo Helen Chepape WHERE Mafikeng HER WORK Bonolo’s work as a designer and owner of Lulasclan, a creative décor consultancy offering bespoke textiles, is inspired by her childhood and visits to her grandmother’s house in Limpopo where she was surrounded by music, art and storytelling. She would also assist in her mother’s garage tuck shop, which grew her entrepreneurial spirit. “In-between helping customers, I’d nurture my skill in illustration. I would sit and draw for hours on end! Bonolo says. After completing a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Bonolo poured her heart into launching her business which now boasts a popular range of contemporary African designs on portrait scatter cushions that “depict an optimistic future and celebrate women”. Check out lulasclan.com. Fine fabrics Biggie Best’s…

WHO LIVES HERE? Warren and Emma Rasmussen, their daughter Lula (9) and Tonkinese cats Noodle and Boo WHERE Observatory, Cape Town SIZE 250m² When she made the decision to take a holiday in Cape Town, Emma Rasmussen had no idea that she’d end up calling the Mother City home. In 1999, British-born Emma came to South Africa to welcome in the millennium with friends. The fun-loving advertising operations director fell in love with Cape Town’s cultural diversity, hustle and bustle, and proximity to nature – a perfect fit for this adventurous spirit. It wasn’t just the city that captured her heart; she soon met and married Warren, a photographer, who shared her zest for life. Years later, while looking for a place they could settle into with their young daughter…

Keeping your cool in warmer weather has never been more affordable! IsoBoard offers an easy-to-install insulation solution to fit to new builds or retrofit to existing buildings. This enables your home to manage temperature fluctuations with ease and you to maintain comfortable living and working spaces for the lifetime of your building! Suitable for all the different areas in your home, this environmentally responsible thermal insulation solution is as versatile as it is effective. Heat gain in residential homes is largely through the roof structure. Insulated ceilings retard heat flow into the living areas in summer and contain generated heat in winter, providing a comfortable living environment. With IsoBoard you have a rigid insulation board that can incorporate the ultimate in complete insulation design from the ground up, literally. Get…

WHO LIVES HERE? Malan Botes, Suzette Strauss-Botes and their dogs Jasper and Ella WHERE Jamestown, Stellenbosch SIZE 155m² She grew up in Calvinia in the Karoo, he in Stellenbosch in the Winelands. As fate would have it, Suzette moved to Stellenbosch to study and their paths crossed when they ended up working at the same restaurant. They soon became friends and later fell in love. So when it came time to build their dream home, the popular Winelands town was a natural choice for the couple. They decided on Jamestown, just outside Stellenbosch. “There’s such a lovely sense of community in this area – it’s the up-and-coming Stellenbosch!” they say. “We love it here and can’t imagine living anywhere else.” Suzette and Malan bought their 419m2 plot in 2012 and…

1 The cupboards were carefully removed so they could be resized and refitted in the new kitchen. 2 Two walls were knocked down to create an open-plan space and double the size of the kitchen. 3 A large island was built with red bricks, all the old wall and floor tiles were removed and a new cement floor was cast. 4 A concrete countertop was professionally installed with space for a built-in gas stove and prep basin. 5 The couple cast the remainder of the counters themselves. The reclaimed cupboards were open at the top, so steel sheeting was used as a base for the concrete mix. The tops were sealed with Stevensons DuraChem Epoxy, a heat- and chemical-resistant sealant that forms a hard glass-like layer. 6 An I-beam had…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE  Hard labour 1/10 Skill level 1/10 Time needed 1 day Do it yourself for ±R1 620: beads R770, wire lampshade R850 You will need SHOPPING LIST • wooden beads in three sizes: 30mm (1.5kg); 25mm (1kg); 10mm (1kg)• copper wire lampshade• thin wire TOOLS • side cutters• long-nose pliers Project note • Get an electrician to wire and install your chandelier.…

On the face of it Karen Matheus of Barberton writes Can I paint my facebrick walls white, even though I have a brown carpet? Also, my walls have lots of cracks; we live against a mountain and perhaps the structure is still settling but I can’t plaster. The rooms are dark and the Lowveld summers are hot. All the pictures I’ve seen online show white facebrick walls with wooden floors, which we can’t afford. Any advice? Jani Augustyn-Goussard of Paint & Décor replies Colour as a finishing touch doesn’t cost a fortune and can be adapted to suit any space. And while wooden floors would be wonderful, few of us can afford them these days! I think it’s a good idea to paint the walls white to bring light…

Spot on Maite Marumo of Cape Town writes The leaves of my sapling avocado tree were healthy and shiny when I transplanted the young plant into a pot. The leaves have brown spots now. What could be the problem? JJ replies This could be the start of a fungal disease called anthracnose. Spray your tree with Mycoguard and repeat after 10 days. Be sure to spray the soil as well. Listen to JJ’s gardening tips and tricks on Derrich Gardner’s show Brekfis met Derrich at 07:40 every Saturday on RSG. Email gardens@homemag.co.za…

Louise Vosloo of Pretoria writes I’ve noticed that my Corgi has bad breath now that she’s getting older; do I have to start brushing her teeth? Ashleigh Sanderson, brand manager for Pedigree, replies While your pooch’s breath may never smell like a bunch of roses, if it carries a pong that makes you want to pass out, something is amiss and your dog could actually have gum disease. Your canine can’t tell you if something is wrong, so it’s up to you as a pet owner to get to the bottom of what’s causing the odour. Research shows that four out of five dogs over the age of three have gum disease, caused by plaque and tartar build-up around the gumline. The good news is that this statistic can…

1 Firstly, we removed the patch of ‘real’ grass next to the sandy area. Then the area was levelled with a compactor and we picked up every single stone. The surface was watered well and compacted again to ensure that the pavers would be firm and not shift later. As additional reinforcement, an edging of old paving stones was built to keep everything neatly in place. 2 Next, we had to decide on the spacing between the pavers. It is vital that the gap is equidistant throughout – we simply used a plastering plank as a measure. The 45 x 45 x 4.5cm cement blocks were carefully laid and tamped down with a rubber mallet. This part of the project took a considerable amount of time. Once the blocks were…

Chinese tamarisk ( Tamarix chinensis ) This evergreen shrub or tree grows to a height of 3–6m with a black or dark brown bark and feathery branches. It bears pale to purplish-pink flowers in clusters 15–70mm long at the end of thin, long twigs. Invasive status Category 1b invasive plant, which means that it must be removed from your property to avoid prosecution. Why is it a problem? This plant is a problem in the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape; Free State; Mpumalanga and Limpopo where it competes with and replaces indigenous species. It spreads by means of seed dispersal. Dense stands may significantly reduce stream flow and groundwater reserves. CONTACT invasives.org.za…

Gnocchi with angelfish and pea pesto Under R125 • Serves 4 Preparation time: 25 minutes • Cooking time: 15 minutes • 300ml frozen peas, defrosted • a handful of fresh basil or 30ml basil pesto • 250g medium-fat cream cheese • juice and zest of 1 lemon (or to taste) • about 500g gnocchi • 15ml each oil and butter • 4 angelfish fillets, patted dry 1 Pour boiling water over the peas and steam for 5 minutes or until just soft. Drain and mix with the herbs, cream cheese and lemon juice and zest. Pulse with a stick blender to form a coarse pesto and season to taste with salt and pepper. 2 Boil the gnocchi in salted water until they start to float (follow the instructions on the packet); scoop out with a slotted…

The bee’s knees Honey bon bons R49.99, woolworths.co.za RAISE YOUR GLASS Vondeling’s Rurale Blanc de Noir 2015 (R265; vondelingwines.co.za ) is made from whole-bunch, pressed, organic (uncertified) pinotage grapes – and due to the labour-intensive production process, only 1 200 bottles were produced! It’s crisp, full without being sweet, complex with a subtle blush of salmon-pink colour, and boasts a red berry bouquet with a hint of spice. Cheers! Picnic in style Katie Alice Festival Folk pressed bamboo dinner plates R99 each, yuppiechef.com Full of flavour Barilla Basil Pesto (from R39.99, pnp.co.za and spar.co.za) is bottled on the day the basil is picked preserving maximum flavour. On a knife’s edge Every good cook needs a great knife! The Santoku Chef’s Knife boasts a slightly wider blade than your…

My oldest sister has a standard reply when you ask her how it’s going: “three bags full”. She’s referring to junk. Because she’s been spring-cleaning – for the past two years already. It all started with her finally retiring after a lifetime of working hard. Really hard. And she’s all used up, she suddenly realised. Kaput. Besides her back and her knees, she’s aching in almost every knuckle and joint in her 68-year-old body. She started in the storeroom, tackling boxes and boxes of old books – among them school books dating back 60 years. Everything was chucked into black bags for recycling. But her husband nearly had a fit. Those are flippin’ family heirlooms, he exclaimed, aghast. “Heirlooms se voet,” she retorted. “School history from prehistoric times – bloody…

The writer of the winning letter gets a Philips Viva Collection Blender worth R1 599! Renowned for innovative home appliances, Philips continues to inspire home-cooked goodness and value for money. Whether you’re an expert cook or simply into a healthier lifestyle, a smoothie is fast becoming an essential, time-saving meal. Developed with ProBlend6 technology for effective blending and mixing, the 900W motor is strong enough to process your favourite ingredients and crush ice efficiently. Prepare your smoothie in the travel mug and you’re set to go! Visit philips.co.za.…

Double up! When renovating her kitchen two years ago, Cape Town designer Heidi van der Westhuizen chose timeless white kitchen cupboards with classic blackwood tops. To create an exciting accent – with double the impact – she added her own vinyl tiles in eclectic designs on both the stove splashback and the kickplate. “The beauty of using vinyl is that I can change the look regularly – I don’t have to commit forever!” says Heidi. Instead of tiles... Jeanette Oosterhuis of Milnerton describes her style as classic; she prefers a neutral palette of grey, white and black throughout her home. When it came to creating a statement bathroom on a relatively small budget, her mother suggested De Waal Art wallpaper instead of tiles. “The wall covering just added the wow…

1 IsoBoard can be treated with water-based paints and wood stains to suit your colour scheme. 2 When replacing a ceiling, leave the existing ceiling as is and simply install IsoBoard directly underneath – a quick and permanent solution with minimal mess or fuss! 3 Adjacent boards interlock with tongue-and-groove edges, providing easy installation and a continuous layer of thermal insulation. 4 Concealed fixing clips and an adhesive are included in the package when installing IsoBoard as a ceiling. For more tips, tricks and information, visit isoboard.com, like us on facebook.com/isoboard and follow us on Twitter @isoboard.…

Every year, we’re blown away by the quality and ingenuity of our readers’ renovation projects – and this year, our 10th anniversary, is no exception! Fix it with Flair 2018 features a bumper crop of contenders, all vying for the coveted title: Renovator of the Year. The Top 5 finalists’ entries have been checked, and rechecked, and the results now depend on the home renovators’ interviews with our panel of judges at the Fix it with Flair gala event on Saturday, 20 October at the Pearl Valley Conference Venue, Val de Vie Estate, Paarl. Watch this space! Here are the finalists, in no particular order: WHO Nadia and Andries Botha WHERE Mowbray, Cape Town WHAT Loft home COST R244 200 WHO Talia and Nick Botha WHERE South Hills, Johannesburg WHAT…

1 Measure the length from the top of the wire lampshade to the centre ring, add about 5cm and cut 26 pieces of wire at this length. (There are 26 spaces between the vertical wires on our lampshade; adjust your number of wire pieces accordingly.) 2 Attach one side of the wire to the centre ring of the lampshade and string the beads onto it: we used three 30mm beads with 10mm beads in-between, followed by three 25mm beads with 10mm beads in-between, and then seventeen 10mm beads all the way to the top ring of the lampshade. 3 Attach the wire to the top ring and cut off any excess. 4 Repeat step 2 and 3 until the top section of the lampshade is complete. 5 Do the same…

Ready to rumble Mienkie the Jack Russell and Tash the Viszla love a good romp in the garden. – Lizel du Venage, Gravelotte, Limpopo Chicks dig it Cara has a natural instinct for working with ostrich babies. – Zandra van der Berg, Vanwyksdorp Livin’ the high life Rambo takes to the trees! – Min le Roux, Cape Town On the same page Rescue cat Woozle has found his monthly fix. – Sacha Peinke, East London Frozen An icy treat keeps Ivy occupied. – Stephanie van Heerden, Pretoria Wakey wakey Simba tries his best to get Charlie up. – Melinda Fryer, Calvinia…

Edging lobelia ( Lobelia erinus ) These beautiful indigenous flowers look their best in a pot, hanging basket or along the front of a bed. Plant a large group in the same colour together for the most impact. They’re also ideal for softening the edge of a pathway. Apart from deep blue lobelias, there are also light blue, purple, white, rose and crimson varieties. Most have a white eye in the centre of the flower. Buy a six-pack of seedlings or sow seeds in autumn or spring in well-drained, preferably slightly sandy soil. They flower abundantly from October to March. Lobelias grow easily in all regions of the country as an annual summer plant. Keep well-watered during the growing season. Plant guide Semi-shade to full sun Moderately frost-hardy…

Q: I notice that the beetles select only some of my roses, like ‘Lemonessence’, but ignore other blooms. What could be the reason and how do I protect them? It is often said that beetles prefer yellow roses. That might be so, but it is the specific scent of a rose bloom that attracts them. Beetles can follow a scent from kilometres away and soon arrive at the source. If you don’t want to spray, put water in a small bucket and add some oil so that it floats on the top. Walk through the roses with the bucket and hold it under a bloom infested with beetles, then shake the flower so that the beetles land in the water. They will be smothered by the oil and drown. Spraying…