Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2020 i Home

It’s hardly surprising that “loadshedding” was one of the most searched words on Google in South Africa in 2019, according to business news website Business Insider. To put it in perspective: it was more popular than Meghan Markle or Game of Thrones... Here we are, forging ahead in 2020, and I’ll bet you my last match and candle that “loadshedding” will once again take the top spot. Even after Meghan and Harry’s unexpected but newsworthy ‘dethroning’ – a whole new ‘game of thrones’. Megxit totally overshadowed Brexit! Since laughing is almost always better than crying, I asked my Facebook friends for their funniest Eskom jokes, because we don’t take ourselves too seriously here on the southern tip of Africa. And as many political commentators have pointed out: SA has been…

Fine fabrics Studio G’s Palmero collection (R800/m) is now available in SA, exclusively at Hertex. This 100% brushed-cotton range features leafy botanicals, statement tropicals, abstract florals, painterly textures and gentle geometrics. Go wild with deep, dark hues and bold florals or create a calm haven with smaller blooms and softer colours. Add sunshine to your desk or bedside table with this Bertie lamp from The Lighting Warehouse (R599; lightingwarehouse.co.za). Paint & Décor has released its ‘Slow Living’ range of 20 new colours, available in 50ml sample pots (R30) or bigger pots from 1L (from R165) to 20L. Go to paintdecordiy.com. Back to basics Sheet Street has launched its very own range of furniture basics, including shelves, side tables, chairs and lamps. The range is available at selected stores, including Cape…

WHO LIVES HERE? Carla and Charles Duckitt WHERE Voëlklip, Hermanus SIZE 340m² Hermanus has always held special memories for Carla and Charles Duckitt. Charles’s family has spent many holidays there over the years, and the tranquil atmosphere of Voëlklip provided the ideal refuge for the couple’s student kids while they were still living abroad. I’ve scrounged around in many scrapyards to find what I want. – Carla Carla knew from the outset that she wanted to buy the slightly run-down home when she saw it on a property website, but Charles wasn’t convinced. “He thought about it for two months – a lifetime when you should be making an offer!” Carla recalls. “One morning, out of the blue, Charles said the time was right and I should call the estate…

Second-hand container (6m) 24 000 Interior subframe timber 4 500 Insulation 3 500 Wood cladding (interior) 3 800 Nutec (interior) 2 000 Ceiling panels (kitchen) 800 Aluminium sliding door 3 500 2 aluminium windows 3 000 Cupboards 8 500 Kitchen counter 800 Ironmongery 300 Sink 700 Gas stove 600 Shower tray 600 Shower door 800 Sanitary ware 1 600 Drainage 1 000 Plumbing 8 500 Solar geyser 7 000 French drain 4 000 Flooring 4 500 Electrical work 9 000 Lighting 1 000 Paving 4 500 Gas cylinder 600 Blinds (bathroom) 350 Roof steel and sheeting 10 000 Bathroom tiles 3 000 Digging trenches, adding topsoil 1 200 Instant lawn 4 500 Plants 3 000…

a.b.e. Construction Chemicals 0860 223 773, abe.co.za Africon Rooftiles 021 845 7476, africonroof.com Bay Joinery 044 695 2233 BUCO 0861 174 273, buco.co.za Builders 0860 284 533, builders.co.za Coastline Timber Merchants 082 613 4732, coast-line.co.za CTM 010 003 9987, ctm.co.za MRP Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Overberg Agri 028 214 3800, overbergagri.co.za Overberg Gutters 076 263 3218, overberggutters.co.za Overberg Lighting Centre 028 312 3810, overberglighting.com Plumblink 087 285 8500, plumblink.co.za Stanford Glass and Aluminium 074 742 9388 Your Style Cupboards 082 327 6518…

Simoné and Anwar share their advice: • Hofmeyr-Mills Auctioneers in Wynberg has a good selection of antique/second-hand furniture that Simoné buys at a fraction of the price; she then puts her own stamp on it so it fits in with their monochrome palette. The couple bought a sideboard for R600 and spruced it up with a coat of paint. • Another winner is Facebook group Moving On; Simoné describes it as a “treasure hunt for adults”. For example, their TV cabinet was once a shoe rack that they bought for R20. • Parisienne Interiors is Simoné’s preferred supplier for soft furnishings and timberwork. They custom made the coffee table; the store will deliver furniture to your house. • The bathroom fittings were bought at Natural Stone Warehouse; they have a massive…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 5/10 Skill level 7/10 Time needed Depends on size of the surface area; keep the drying time before and after application in mind Material costs Spirits of salts R50 for 5L, white cement R70 for 5kg, sealant R250 for 1L PROJECT NOTES • Choose a wall where there are no deep grooves between the bricks. If there are (such as on a facebrick wall), fill them with plaster first. • Always wear safety goggles and a mask when exposed to acid and fine dust particles. You will need SHOPPING LIST • white cement • spirits of salts • sealant TOOLS • plastic drop sheets • hard scrubbing brush • sponges • two 10L plastic buckets • builder’s trowel • 75mm ‘Blondie’ brush • rubber gloves…

True blue Johan Scholtemeijer of Bethal writes I inherited this ‘Blue Cups’ painting by Bettie Cilliers-Barnard; can you tell me how much it’s worth? Kayleen Wrigley of Walker Scott Art Advisory replies This painting by Bettie Cilliers-Barnard is typical of its period within the artist’s greater body of work. Painted in 1949, this piece falls into Cilliers-Barnard’s descriptive period in which she would paint with great emphasis on formal values such as line, shape, form, tone and texture. Soon after this period, the artist would abandon descriptive and figurative painting all together, which may indicate this as belonging to her last group of still life compositions. She went on to paint in a more abstract manner thereafter, in which circular themes were a popular presence. Later, figurative heads and birds would…

New on the market! Your pooch will love Hunter’s Crunchy Biscuits (R134/150g; takealot.com, selected supermarkets and pet stores). They’re available in two delicious flavours, apple and orange, and not only are they gluten-free, making them suitable for pets with gluten intolerances, but they’re also rich in dietary oat fibre, omega 3 & 6 and vitamins. Visit huntersa.co.za. Hello autumn! WIN! Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a medium Dream Pod for dogs or a large Nookie Bag for cats from Wagworld (wagworld.co.za). Available from leading vet and pet shops, the Dream Pod features soft, water-resistant canvas with a linen look on the outside, while the pillow is filled with shredded recycled fabric for extra comfort. The reversible and machine-washable Nookie Bag is luxurious with its soft padding and…

WHO LIVES HERE? Larisa and Hubert Brody, their teenage children Rebecca and Alex, and Sputnik the Schnauzer WHERE Somerset West SIZE OF GARDEN 1ha TYPE OF SOIL Clay From a mish-mash of all sorts of different plants to the picture of breathtaking perfection – this is the transformation Larisa Brody’s garden underwent in five years. “We relocated from Gauteng to Somerset West at the end of 2014 and fell in love with the property because of its expansive garden and beautiful views of the Helderberg on one side and the sea and Hottentots Holland mountains on the other,” says Larisa. “Then I met Stellenbosch garden expert Pietman Diener and before I knew it, we were busy with a massive project!” The garden makeover was undertaken in two phases. First up…

Another benefit of mass planting is that it reduces your workload and ensures a more economical and waterwise garden. Since the entire bed has the same water requirements, you can irrigate accordingly without wasting water. “Maintenance is also easier,” says Pietman. “All plants require the same attention at the same time. It’s also more economical to fill up the bed – simply divide the existing plants or take cuttings of them.” Many plants that are suitable for mass planting require very little care after they’ve been planted. Ornamental grasses are an excellent choice and only need to be cut short once a year. With agapanthus, you simply trim off spent flower heads. Dietes need no maintenance and a groundcover such as mondo grass always looks good with the minimum of…

1 Prepare the ingredients Makes about 24 wonton wrappers FILLING  Mix the following ingredients in a bowl, ready for use: • about 200g pork mince* • 2 spring onions, chopped • 1cm fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated • 15ml soy sauce • pinch of white pepper • 15ml sesame oil • fresh chilli, to taste * Shredded cooked rotisserie chicken, prawns, mashed potatoes, cream cheese or cooked mushrooms are great substitutes for pork mince. In a semicircle Place a teaspoon of the filling on a dough circle (if you only have squares, use a cookie cutter to make circles). Wet the edges and fold into a semicircle. Start off by only pinching the middle together. To create the pleats, work on one side at a time and pleat just the side facing you. Fold over the…

On board The 40cm Salt & Pepper Raffia serving board made from acacia wood (R699, home.co.za) has been designed using multiple panels of wood for a unique look inspired by parquet flooring patterns. Stunning! MEET ME AT THE GARDEN GATE Enjoy an enchanting experience on the lawns of The Cellars-Hohenort in Constantia, Cape Town with three picnic basket options with set menus to choose from. Picnic baskets start from R185 per person and offer a selection of freshly made artisanal treats. Bookings are essential and must be made 24 hours in advance. For more information and to book your picnic, email restaurantres @cellars-hohenort.co.za. Family food The quick food section in Home has become the goto source for whoever is the home cook on weekdays. With these tried-and-tested recipes, providing meals…

WINNING LETTER What a makeover! Tanya Killerby-Korf of Nelspruit writes I absolutely devour every page of your amazing magazine every single month! It’s pure inspiration for my creative spirit. I recently came across a dressing table on a second-hand site; I’ve wanted one for as long as I can remember. Sitting cross-legged on my bed with my make-up spread around me haphazardly has not been the ideal way to get ready in the morning for the past 20 years... Big sigh! That rather uncomfortable position has induced a back spasm or 10, I can assure you! Not to mention the terrible lighting, resulting in some rather interesting eye make-up results. Although this bargain dressing table wasn’t my style, I could see the potential in it. Thanks to Annie Sloan and…

WHO LIVES HERE? Jenna and Eugene Theron WHERE Stanford SIZE 280m² Just before the birth of their son Emmett, Eugene and Jenna Theron fell in love with a derelict 1970s dwelling in the historical village of Stanford in the Western Cape. Luckily, the couple love a renovation challenge. “We could envision our child running around the big overgrown garden!” says Jenna of the 2 400m² plot. They bought the house and renovated with a newborn baby on Jenna’s hip – all in a record time of three months so they could move in and get settled. Their family pitched in on weekends to get the garden under control. Structural changes were kept to a minimum with only the garage being extended towards the street in order to expand the old…

WHO LIVES HERE? Anwar Davids and Simoné Visagie-Davids with their kids Noah (3) and Isah (eight months old) WHERE Zeekoevlei, Cape Town SIZE 174m2 Simoné Visagie-Davids always knew that she and her husband Anwar Davids would one day either build their own place or take on a full renovation project to create their perfect family home. She is no stranger to creative expression, being an interior designer who specialises in retail spaces. So when the opportunity arose, she and Anwar – who co-owns chemicals company Demron Chemicals – took on a sorely neglected house in the charming suburb of Zeekoevlei in Cape Town. Here, finally, they could create a haven for their two boys, Noah and Isah. “It’s a quiet neighbourhood quite close to a bird sanctuary – we have…

a.b.e. Construction Chemicals 0860 223 773, abe.co.za Gumtree gumtree.co.za Hofmeyr-Mills Auctioneers 021 761 1803 La Grange Interiors 021 447 3508, lagrangeinteriors.co.za MRP Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Natural Stone Warehouse 021 556 0202 Parisienne Interiors 021 692 2575 Tafelberg Furnishers 021 944 3330, tafelberg.co.za Weylandts 0860 103 400, weylandts.co.za Woodheads 021 461 7185, woodheads.co.za Woolworths 0860 022 002, woolworths.co.za Yammie and Sons 083 357 9359…

Steel yourself Dieter Geiger of Cape Town writes We’re renovating our 60-year-old house and would like to reuse the steel-frame windows. They’ve been painted and are still in good nick, despite some superficial rust. Is it worth it to remove the paint, treat the rusty bits and have them powder-coated? Or should we replace the windows altogether? Wynand Smit of JambMax replies There are two approaches: the first option is to leave the windows in the walls and repair them in situ. You will have to remove all the old paint and treat the windows with an anti-rust primer such as Duram NS1 Rust Buster. Once the primer has dried completely, you can apply an undercoat and finish with a glossy paint in the colour of your choice. Alternatively, you…

Are you a creative décor enthusiast who wants every corner of your home to be picture-perfect? Or have you always been curious about what a Home photo shoot entails, how to plan and prepare for it, what should be in your styling kit if you want to make a career out of decorating someday, and how to put together a beautiful story in the magazine? Then our first-ever décor school is for you! Here in the creative whirlwind of the Home office, in actual reader homes and at MRP Home’s flagship store in Canal Walk, Cape Town, you’ll learn from the experts what it takes to become a leading décor stylist. Over three days, we’ll share with you the tips and tricks the Home team has acquired over decades –…

Time to plant The promise of a colourful spring garden begins at this time of autumnal splendour when the earth’s temperature cools down. Now’s the time to plant indigenous and exotic spring-flowering bulbs so that they will be in full bloom after the winter months – fill flowerbeds, rockeries, containers and hanging baskets with these beauties. Winter and spring-flowering annuals have many uses in the landscape, massed for visual impact, in borders, in pots, window boxes and hanging baskets. Use compact varieties to edge paths and around spring bulbs. Let those with a trailing habit spill over low walls, window boxes and hanging baskets, and use taller plants to provide swathes of colour in the border. What’s in a name? Understanding the meaning of plant names makes gardening interesting and…

I love Paul Bangay’s style but I think it’s sometimes a bit too formal. I told Pietman he had free rein with the planning of the garden but he had to keep that in mind. On my wishlist was a rose garden, a chamomile lawn, a water feature and orderly mass plantings. – Larisa 1 Parterre A parterre was created at the front door – this is a formal bed with neatly trimmed knee-high Japanese privet (Ligustrum ibota) hedges forming a pattern. Initially, Larisa planted black mondo grass and lamb’s ear in-between but they failed to thrive. Now she is trying to create diamond-shaped hedges in the middle. A simple water feature with copper pipe spouts completes the picture; the fountain was already in the garden and was left unchanged.…

ON THE BOX On Best Laid Plans (Season 1 starts 13 April on the Home Channel, 176 on DStv), homeowners call on the experts when their large-scale renovation projects get the better of them. Architectural designer Charlie Luxton and property developer Sophie Morgan formulate a game plan to help rescue these renovations, providing invaluable guidance and sound advice. In the process, they also ensure that they add value to these properties by making smart structural and design decisions. DECOREX CAPE TOWN 30 April – 3 May: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) Visitors to Decorex Cape Town will find this year’s theme, ‘Lifestyle by Design’, well supported by a wide range of new feature installations that talk to the latest trends. See Decorex creative director Anita Bloom’s Top 10 trends…

In tune Stefan Blom and Albie du Toit of Green Point in Cape Town used the colour pink to create flow and interest in an otherwise dull passage. This space doubles up as a ‘music room’ with Stefan’s piano from childhood. Instead of simply painting a pink feature wall, the colour is used on the ceiling and repeated on the lid of the upholstered bench for continuity. A large photograph by Gary van Wyk above the piano creates a striking focal point, while more of his photos as well as others by Antonia Steyn (and Stefan and Albie’s own) are displayed on the wall to the right. A family of ceramic bunnies perched on top of the piano adds to the quirkiness of the space. Peg to differ Chanelle Steenekamp first came across…

• Check your local authority’s regulations for this type of structure. • Make sure the container is level before starting any work. • Plan carefully and use every centimetre. Draw plans for everything, including cross-sections. • Insulation is important because you are essentially working with a steel box. Insulate both the roof and the walls. • Containers seal very tightly; make sure you create sufficient ventilation. • Think carefully before you start cutting holes for windows and doors because the container’s strength lies in its walls. If you cut too much away, you might crack the structure. Reinforce all the openings with a steel frame and if you have any doubts, ask a structural engineer for advice.…

Jenna collects artworks and loves to hunt for bargains. Here are her top tips: • Never walk past a second-hand shop – sometimes five minutes is all you need to discover a hidden gem. Visit regularly so you don’t miss out on new arrivals. • Let friends and relatives know that you collect old artworks; they might pass some on to you. • Use similar frames to keep the look cohesive or mix it up with a combination of ornate gilded frames and slim wooden frames, for example. Both looks work well.…

What is your design philosophy? A monochrome palette is timeless and minimalist with strong clean lines, which makes it easy to mix and match décor. I love open spaces that flow easily as well as a soft layered look and warm textures. You love buying at auctions. How do you negotiate them? Go to an auction house with a budget and stick to it. Check out the website before the time and identify the pieces you want – don’t get distracted by other items on offer. And don’t get emotional in the bidding process; my strategy is to go with my husband and work as a tag team. Know your limit when bidding; the purpose of an auction is to get a bargain, not spend all your money.…

Q: Who made the industrial-style fridge-like cupboard doors in the kitchen on page 43 of your November 2019 issue? – Ian McKean via Facebook A: The homeowners had the doors custom made by Stefan Diener of Diener Cupboards (082 940 2889, diener@twk.co.za). Q: What is the name of the lovely green paint used around the front door on page 52 of your March 2019 issue? – Nuchae Botha, Vanderbijlpark A: Growing Grass and Restful Retreat from Dulux (dulux.com) are very similar soft green shades. Q: I love the ceramic fish above the basin on page 23 of your February 2020 edition; where can I get one? – Erna Strydom, Nelspruit A: The fish is from Ceramic Matters (ceramicmatters.blogspot.com); you can also try MRP Home (mrphome.com). Q: I want to revamp my…

IsoBoard offers an easy-to-install insulation solution to fit to new builds or retrofit to existing buildings. This enables your home to manage external temperature fluctuations with ease, maintaining 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. You’ll keep your home’s temperature steady, which means using less electricity for heating or cooling. IsoBoard is easy to install; watch the video at homemag.co.za.…

New in nurseries The best of both It is not a petunia or a Calibrachoa, but the new Petchoa ‘BeautiCal’, which combines the best of both. These plants flower like Calibrachoa, with a multitude of blooms in a wide range of colours. The blooms are larger, closer in size to petunias, but these weather-resistant plants recover from rain much faster than standard petunias. There is also greater mildew resistance, and a long flowering period – from spring to the end of summer. They are suitable for the patio and balcony, in containers and hanging baskets and in smaller garden beds. CONTACT ballstraathof.co.za STOCKISTS Builders 0860 284 533, builders.co.za MON Exteriors 0861 866 766, monexteriors.com MRP Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com…

A large group of one type of plant in a bed or garden room adds impact to your garden and also requires less work. Stellenbosch garden expert Pietman Diener explains: “Mass plantings have many benefits and can be used in both large and smaller gardens. In a big garden like Larisa Brody’s (see page 90), it can become quite overwhelming if you have too great a variety of plants in all the different sections or rooms. By using a group of just one type of plant in some of the areas, you create a more tranquil effect that has bigger impact. It allows you to really see the plants,” says Pietman. >>…

Curried potato eggs This recipe is a combination of a Scotch egg (a boiled egg wrapped in sausage, crumbed and fried) and my favourite curried potato dish by Australian chef Bill Granger.   Serves 6 • Preparation time: 1 hour Cooking time: 30 minutes • 6 medium eggs • a pinch of bicarbonate of soda • 500g baby potatoes, quartered • 15ml butter and oil • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 2cm fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated • 3ml black mustard seeds • 3ml turmeric • 5ml curry powder • 3 spring onions (white bits only), chopped • 1 green chilli, chopped • 6 curry leaves • 2 baby marrows, grated • about 125ml flour • 2 eggs, beaten • about 200ml panko breadcrumbs • oil for deep-frying • lemon and yoghurt to serve 1 Put the eggs in cold water in a saucepan, add a pinch…

Stuffed squash Under R130 • Serves 4 Preparation time: 20 minutes • Cooking time: 20 minutes • 4 large gem squash • 400g lean mince • 15ml olive oil • 1 clove garlic, chopped • 1 red chilli, chopped • 250ml frozen mixed vegetables • 200ml ready-made cheese sauce • 250ml grated Cheddar 1 Cut the squashes in half and cook in salted boiling water for 10 minutes or until tender. Remove from the water, drain and scoop out the seeds. Place the squash ‘cups’ in a roasting tray. 2 Heat the oil in a pan and fry the mince, garlic and chilli until fragrant and cooked. Stir in the veggies and season to taste with salt and pepper; put a lid on the pan and steam for 5 minutes. 3 Preheat the grill. Fill the squash cups with the…

It’s five o’clock in the morning – the day is yet a distant promise – and I wake up with murder on my mind. I need a slingshot. No, a gun. And it doesn’t have to be a small one either. A cannon will do just fine. Anything with a bang loud enough to blast an annoying bird to kingdom come. The male turtle doves in my tree-lined neighbourhood wake up at 5am – especially the one in the tree below my bedroom window, who instantly needs to broadcast the fact far and wide. With unrelenting urgency. At the same, monotonous pitch. Top volume. All day long. He can keep it up for a full 12 minutes (yes, I have timed him), pausing briefly only to gather spit for the next…