Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2020 i Home

How quickly life can change. Just last month I was complaining about Eskom, and look where we are now. As one of our contributors, Maryke, said to me on WhatsApp: “How I wish that the loadshedding you spoke about in your April editor’s note was the worst thing we had to deal with right now…” We are indeed living in strange times. Unprecedented and unpredictable. So for this ed’s note, I decided to steer clear of the topic of the Coronavirus. I don’t want to tempt fate; heaven forbid we have something worse to deal with next month! Here at Home, there is a very small team of people who put your favourite magazine together every month. Some days there are only a handful of us in the office, because…

A singular sensation Sometimes less is more when it comes to adding texture and choosing finishes. In this spectacular doorway, a single decorative tile shines against the soft terracotta backdrop combined with a vintage wooden door lined with klompie bricks. This playful element made us stop and look twice! Don’t be disappointed if you can only find a limited number of tiles in your favourite design or even a tile with flaws. Rather make the most of these special finds and give them pride of place – in a spot that’s unexpected. Panel beater When Kelly and Jonathan Croeser started renovating their home in Fish Hoek, they decided to turn the kitchen into what is now the main bedroom. Instead of moving the distribution box and pay-as-you-go electricity meter, they…

# 1 Out of the blue Blue is the most popular colour in the world. It’s also one of Stefan Blom and Albie du Toit’s favourite shades, so it was an obvious choice for a guest room in their Green Point home. “Blue is everywhere in nature; just think about gazing up at the sky while lying on your back on the grass or swimming in cool blue water… Blue is familiar and comforting,” says Stefan, a psychologist. “This room feels like one big hug and our guests love it.” Stefan and Albie used blue throughout the room – from the walls and floors to the cupboards, bedding and curtains. They repeated three different shades to enhance a tranquil feel, but just to show that they’re not stuck on the…

Ronel Grundlingh of Centurion writes We have a rather large bedroom which includes a lounge, walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom. I want to revamp the space to create a more intimate and romantic atmosphere as it feels a bit bland right now. I like a farm stwle, but I have no idea where to start. Please help! The solution Micke de Villiers of our interior design service Welcome Home (welcomehome.co.za) replies Your bedroom is quite large; however, its dimensions are fairly limiting when it comes to layout. Here are a few ways in which you can make better use of the space and create a more intimate farm-style feel. THE BEDROOM Leave the bed where it is, but consider replacing the doors that have been fixed to the wall behind…

WHO LIVES HERE? Angelo and Emmy Frasco with their daughter Juliet WHERE Crofters Valley, Noordhoek SIZE 0.4ha When two broth ers,AngeloandAlexFrasco,ended up marrying two sisters, Emmy and Elizabeth Schofield, they probably didn’t expect to live together too. But about three years ago, the two families – and a grandmother on either side of the family tree – decided to buy a property together, creating a unique opportunity to combine their resources and live as a small community with plenty of space for the kids – Juliet, Max and Cruz – to play. “Some people thought we were crazy, but we knew this could work. We have a good understanding of each other’s needs and limitations, which makes living together a lot easier,” says Angelo. Eight years ago, they started house-hunting…

Happy Mother’s Day! Roses and poses White Chinchilla Pandora is on top of the world. – Emily Moya, Villiersdorp Hot product Benji + Moon’s Ceramic Dog and Cat Bowls (11cm D; from R299, benjiandmoon.co.za) are an attractive alternative to plastic. Now available at woolworths.co.za, these handcrafted products support local artisans and definitely make feeding time fancier! In full bloom Katrien looks beautiful against a floral backdrop. – Rochelle Loubser, Durbanville Say it with flowers Agnes discovers petal power! – Lisette Rautenbach, Vryburg Just the two of us Little Daisy shares the spotlight. – Zieldre Kruger, Fourways All in a day’s work Sophie dreams of designer pants. – Rina Hattingh, Pretoria Just bead it Rescued feral cat Nakia loves playing dress up. – Maryke Nolte, Bloemfontein WIN!  Each owner whose pet…

Time for a tea party! Parties held aboard sailing vessels amidst the bustle and noise of docks at Shanghai and London in the 19th century would seem to have little connection with plants, but it was on these ships and on these docks that tea, made from the leaves of the camellia shrub, decided whether fortunes were made or lost. This was the era of the tea trade and of Chinese clippers racing each other around the tip of Africa to be the first to deliver the cargo of the season. When several clippers arrived at their final destination at the same time, the price of tea dropped dramatically, and a drink that only the wealthy could previously afford became available to the masses. The coffee houses of London became…

The project had inherent problems, such as the type of soil (loam), lots of shade and a slope. Although there was so much shade, certain areas receive direct sun for a few hours a day. Plants therefore had to be able to cope with both sets of conditions. The lack of water due to the drought and the limited budget were also a challenge. Wouter’s advice for people with similar problems is to do your homework very well beforehand and to choose the right plants – those that are not suited to a garden’s conditions often have to be replaced, which is a waste of money. Compile a list of plants that will thrive in your particular conditions, then make your selection from that according to height, colour and growth…

If you can’t find a fresh coconut, feel free to use dried coconut. I used a recipe from S is for Sri Lankan by Quadrille Publishing as a starting point and adjusted some of the ingredient quantities. Mix half a finely diced onion, 5ml dried chilli flakes, 10ml fish sauce, 5ml salt and the juice of 1 lime into a paste. Add 1 heaped cup freshly grated coconut and mix through. It’s as easy as that! A sprinkling of fresh coriander might not be traditional, but I love adding it.…

THE EARTH IS WORTH IT The If You Care FSC Certified Parchment Baking Paper roll (R79, yuppiechef.com) is made from 100% natural unbleached and chlorine-free greaseproof paper that’s GMO- and allergen-free – ideal for baking, roasting, reheating and wrapping. THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB Create a modern table setting with the New York Flatware range from Hertex Haus (hertexhaus.co.za). A 16-piece box set of matte silver cutlery with either black or copper dip-dyed handles costs R1 700. Mini must-have! Designed to take up very little space without compromising on efficiency, the Le Micro Magimix Food Processor (R1 899, yuppiechef.com) is the perfect assistant for the home cook. It has an 800ml capacity, ideal for small-batch chopping, mixing and blending. ARMCHAIR TRAVEL AT ITS TASTIEST! Talented photographers and self-proclaimed adventurers…

Write to us at Home, Readers’ Letters, PO Box 1802, Cape Town 8000; email editor@homemag.co.za, fax 021 408 3046, and join our Facebook group (facebook.com/homemag) or follow us on Instagram @TuisHomeMag. WINNING LETTER So many ideas Delene Morgendaal of Gauteng writes I loved your February edition and Retha Swart’s garden is simply stunning. I too live in a compact home, an apartment in Bedfordview on Gauteng’s East Rand. I’m a retired schoolteacher and I would describe my home as colourful – with art and photographs, bright walls (some wallpapered), and painted furniture. Most of it was done by me – inspired by your delightful magazine and with the help of my long-suffering partner who doesn’t even live here! Thank you for a magazine that awakens so many ideas. Decorating my…

WHO LIVES HERE? Adrian Lombard WHERE Pringle Bay, Western Cape SIZE 344m² (including stoeps) Spaces are filled with people, so the emphasis should be on the people, rather than on the objects therein. – Adrian Adrian Lombard not only transforms other people’s homes, he also revamps his own houses – like this log cabin in Pringle Bay, which he and his sister Monica Soer have renovated over the past two years. During these projects, he works as far as possible with small, local building teams and entrepreneurs, while Monica provides the creative input. “Monica is good with colour and composition; she has an eye for detail,” he explains. “I call myself a serial entrepreneur because I have an engineering and technical background, which is a good foundation for my career…

Interior designer Salomé Gunter offers the following advice on working with a white palette and a minimalist look: • The key to adding interest to a white palette is layering. Introduce eye-catching items such as a standout piece of art, a striking piece of furniture or a quirky lamp to create focal points. Subtle elements like a simple painted stripe on an otherwise ‘blank’ wall will also make a statement without being too bold. • To create an inviting atmosphere in a minimalist space, texture is also essential; pair different textured fabrics like linen and velvet and include natural elements and restrained patterns. • Don’t leave all surfaces completely empty. Group simple items, such as candles in glass holders, on a tray on a tabletop to create interest without adding…

You will need SHOPPING LIST • old wooden bench or coffee table frame • 50m webbing in 2 colours • leftover paint (we used Annie Sloan chalk paint in Scandinavian Pink) • sealant such as Sabre Paints Stoneseal (wax will also work) • if you don’t use chalk paint, we recommend a water-based enamel; first apply a primer such as Dulux Supergrip TOOLS • sandpaper • paintbrush • scissors • lighter • staple gun QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 2/10 Skill level 2/10 Time needed 1 day (includes drying time for paint) Do it yourself for R400 (bench bought on Gumtree R150; webbing R250) Get started... 1 There’s no need to sand if you’re using chalk paint – unless the existing finish is high-gloss, in which case a light sanding…

Pooling funds to improve buying power is a clever plan that could open up greater possibilities, but investing in a property with a third or fourth party does have its challenges. Do your homework and set up the correct agreements to protect all parties. Stephan Osborne of Thomson Wilks offers the following advice: 1 Setting up a trust, like the Frascos did, is one way of purchasing a property for communal use. The trust is the owner and the property is registered in the trust’s name, of which the individual co-owners are the trustees. Consult an attorney to set up the trust and take extra care in formulating the Deed of Sale, as it regulates the rights and powers of all individual parties and the procedure upon death or sale…

I’d like to spoil my pet with a massage and grooming at home. Any tips? Valdette Müller, veterinary sister and owner of shingavet.co.za, replies Grooming is a great way to show your pets how much you love them and it’s an opportunity to bond. Here are my best tips: To start Get both your heart rates up with a ball game or a walk just long enough to tire him out and relax him before the treatment. Massage Have your dog stand and work your way from the top of his head down, gently rubbing in small circles and pulling the skin and muscles away from the head. Next, let him sit or lie down and begin to work his shoulders. Using your fingertips, rub the muscles in a soft…

New in nurseries Bouquet of love Dianthus ‘Early Love’ is the latest in the line of fragrant, bouquet-like dianthus for garden borders, patio pots and even indoors. This variety has large, double magenta-pink flowers with deep purple-black centres and a spicy, sweet fragrance. It is a neat, compact, vigorous plant, growing upwards to 20cm with short stems that fan gracefully outwards so that the plant resembles a bouquet of flowers. As a garden plant it needs full sun and soil that drains very well. On patios it does best with morning sun or bright dappled light and bright indirect light for indoors. Cut off the dead flowers to encourage new blooms. CONTACT ballstraathof.co.za STOCKISTS Anita Botha 082 855 0145, onverwags.unexpected@gmail.com Builders 0860 284 533, builders.co.za Eurolux 021 528 8400, eurolux.co.za…

Plants that were in the garden; some were transplanted: • March lily (Amaryllis belladonna) • Narcissus • arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) • cobra lily (Chasmanthe) • Clivia miniata • various mondo grasses (Ophiopogon spp.) • Cape saffron (Cassine peragua) • snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum) • Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) • star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) • Australian brush cherry (Syzygium paniculatum) Plants purchased: • Plectranthus ciliatus • Alternanthera ‘Purple Knight’ • yesterday, today and tomorrow (Brunfelsia pauciflora) • Viburnum tinus ‘Compactum’ • crane flower (Strelitzia reginae) • sacred bamboo (Nandina domestica) • Ruscus hypoglossum; it can grow in sun or shade • Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ • all the herbs Plants from other gardens or from cuttings: • Duranta ‘Sheena’s Gold’; does well in semi-shade • ordinary old-fashioned white pelargoniums in the sunniest…

Makes 2 wreaths • 20g instant yeast • 625ml lukewarm water • 125ml honey • 125ml olive oil • 15ml salt • 2 eggs • 5ml ground cinnamon • 150g dark chocolate, chopped • 60ml sultanas • 1kg bread flour, plus 250ml • egg wash • 30ml sesame seeds Did you know? Challah (the word is Biblical in origin) is a special bread in Jewish cuisine, usually braided and typically eaten on ceremonial occasions such as Shabbat and major Jewish holidays. Source Wikipedia Make the dough 1 Pour the water into a large bowl and stir in the yeast. Beat in the honey, oil, salt, eggs, cinnamon, chocolate and sultanas until combined. 2 Add the flour, one cup at a time, beating after each addition and graduating to kneading with…

I had just started stashing the new batch of Ouma’s incontinence underwear into her cupboard when I heard a frantic scuffle behind me. Turning around, I found her sitting in her chair with a pair of the ‘panties’ pulled right over her head, down to her nose, where it was stuck to an earring. How it got there in the first place is a long story. Mamma is rapidly skidding towards 95 and her mind is keeping up the pace towards its original, newborn state. Despite her dignified exterior, she has regained the innocence of a child. I go to see her almost every day in the old folks’ home for a visit and to replenish her stock of disposable ‘oopsie-broeks’. And each time I pull a fresh pack of…

CREATE, INNOVATE! WHO Riana Mostert WHERE Durbanville BUSINESS Riana Mostert Designs HER WORK After working as an interior designer for eight years, Riana Mostert quit her job to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. She made her very first continuous line drawing as a gift and soon it turned into a business. “The idea behind a continuous line drawing is to start at one point and finish the drawing without lifting your hand,” explains Riana. “This results in an abstract drawing rather than a realistic one.” Riana has expanded her range of illustrations for home décor items such as scatter cushions, runners, planters and ceramic mugs; check out rianamostert.com. For the love of art Breathe new life into your living spaces with one of 16 beautiful prints from Haus’s new range…

• Work on an 80/20 ratio: spend 80% of your time planning and strategising, and 20% on execution. Most people spend too much time on implementation, which can cost you dearly. • Re-use what you can. Spend money on what you already have, rather than buying new stuff. Restyling and refurbishing items is very satisfying. • Pay attention to flow by taking your daily movements and rituals into consideration. A house is not merely a space that is being utilised, it also has people in it – people with particular personalities and needs. If I design or redesign a space, I always think about what it will look like once people are living there. • Allow yourself sufficient time. You don’t have to rush things – you’re doing the project…

WHO LIVES HERE? Lochie and Hermann Wessels with their kids, Armin (12) and Ziya (16) WHERE Stellenbosch SIZE 590m² One of the jewels in the crown of well-known Bauhaus architect Pius Pahl can be found in a leafy suburb of Stellenbosch. The house, like a number of others in the town that are also the brainchildren of Pahl, bears many of the hallmarks of his design: large wooden-framed windows with identical proportions, slate floors, clay tiles, wooden panelling and ceilings, and practical, open living spaces typical of post-war modernism. When Lochie and Hermann Wessels bought the house in 2011, they were captivated by this history. “I have loads of sympathy for the progressive Germans of the thirties who had to flee, as it were,” he says. “I’ve always been fascinated…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 3/10 Skill level 4/10 Time needed 1½ hours Do it yourself for ± R1000: timber R900, screws R10, Alcolin Fast Set Glue R30, sandpaper R10, wood filler R30 PROJECT NOTES • Remember to measure twice, so you only have to purchase once. • Sand your planks beforehand. • Remember to drill pilot holes. • Adjust the shelf according to your needs and available space. You will need SHOPPING LIST • 18mm plywood, cut to: one 1 400 x 650mm and one 1 800 x 650mm (back pieces) one 700 x 100mm and one 900 x 100mm (short shelves) two 1 400 x 70mm and two 1 764 x 70mm (supports) two 1 420 x 100mm and two 1 700 x 100mm (long shelves) • pine…

Gold standard Retha van der Kolff of Gordon’s Bay writes We inherited this dinner set with its beautiful gold trim; it’s approximately 20 years old and has hardly been used. Is it valuable? Ainsley Taylor of Stephan Welz & Co. replies This six-place dinner service is regarded as a contemporary set. The fact that it has an 18ct gold trim sadly does not add to its value. CIRCA Late 20th century VALUE About R5 000 – R7 000 at auction Silver lining Michelle Klerck of Jeffrey’s Bay writes Can you tell me more about this carafe? Is it silver and how much is it worth? Anton Welz of Stephan Welz & Co. replies This appears to be a scent or perfume bottle made by William Devenport in Birmingham in 1909.…

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 –…

WHERE Durbanville TYPE OF SOIL Loam There is one major drawback and one huge advantage to designing a new garden for a rental property. The downside is that you don’t know who you’re designing the garden for. Will there, for example, be children who’ll need a play area? Will the tenants be interested enough in gardening to care for the garden? The advantage – and it seems much greater than the disadvantage – is that a well-designed garden may increase the value of a rental home to such a degree that it can be rented out in a higher price range. Wouter Kruidenier, a garden designer from Durbanville outside Cape Town, was faced with just such a challenge. “This garden in the northern suburbs was a mess. It had no…

Pepper steak pies with beer, sweet potato and peas The filling of these pies has a rich sauce loaded with bright green peas and chunky sweet potato. The two-ingredient pastry caused quite a stir on Instagram, with people using it to make everything from pizza and naan bread to cinnamon rolls. We added rosemary to our pie pastry. Serves 4 Preparation time: 50 minutes Cooking time: 3 hours Oven temperature: 180˚C • 650g beef cubes (chuck or goulash works well) • 350g beef soft shin, diced • 100ml flour • 5ml each coriander, cumin and paprika • 10ml dried mixed herbs • about 30ml oil • 1 onion, chopped • 1 carrot, finelw chopped • 2 stalks celerw, finelw chopped • 2 garlic cloves, chopped • 15ml tomato paste •…

Penne with mince and mushrooms Under R130 • Serves 4 Preparation time: w0 minutes • Cooking time: 15 minutes • 15ml each butter and olive oil • w50g button mushrooms, thinly sliced • 350g mince • a pinch of paprika • w garlic cloves, finely chopped • 15ml flour • w50ml chicken stock • a large handful baby spinach • 15ml Dijon mustard • 1w5ml sour cream • 300g penne, cooked al dente • 1w5ml grated Parmesan 1 Melt the butter and oil in a pan and fry the mushrooms gently until golden-brown. Don’t stir unnecessarily as the pan will lose too much heat and the mushrooms will steam instead of browning. Season with salt and pepper and add the mince and paprika. 2 Fry until the mince is browned…