Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2020 - January 2021 i Home

you should never wish your life away. But as I sit and write this editor’s note – it’s the end of November – I’m counting the days until the end of the year. Put it this way: if 2020 were a WhatsApp group, the words “Wicus Pretorius left” would be the sum total of my December contribution. Fortunately, there’s sweet relief for stressed souls in this issue of Home, spaces that invite you to relax and unwind; houses and holiday homes that give us renewed energy to face the New Year. In my mind’s eye, I’m on a road trip from house to house, with my dog Asgat in the back of the station wagon. At the Kommetjie home of our Rookie Stylist winner (our annual Instagram competition in partnership…

The shape of water You might think you’ve been transported to a medina in Morocco, but this exotic star-shaped pool is located in the courtyard of the charming Nooitgedacht Country House outside Swellendam. “The house and pool were built by the previous homeowners 12 years ago,” says current owner Danielle de Wet. “We lived here when we bought the farm five years ago, before turning it into luxury self-catering accommodation.” The house is built around the courtyard and many of the living areas and bedrooms have doors that open onto it, creating an intimate space where you can relax without any intrusion from the outside world. “If it’s too windy to sit out on the front stoep, the courtyard provides the perfect spot!” says Danielle. If you’d like to create…

WHO LIVES HERE? Zirk and Charné Kay with their sons Jonathan (9), Samuel (5) and Daniel (3) WHERE Zithulele, Wild Coast SIZE 38m² In January 2020, Zirk and Charné Kay and their three young sons arrived in Zithulele on the Wild Coast with a fully laden bakkie. It was the first time they’d laid eyes on this small settlement – and their new home – in this remote part of the Eastern Cape. But the Kays had a dream: a six-month-long sabbatical to get some rest, get involved with the local community, and spend quality time together as a family. They left their comfy five-bedroom home 1 300km behind them in Durbanville outside Cape Town to be rented out for the duration. Zirk, an architect, had largely entrusted his practice…

Our Kitchen Heroes! In July 2020, we announced our third Kitchen Heroes competition in partnership with Milestone Kitchens in which one lucky reader could win a makeover to the value of R50 000. The winners are Adri and Vincent Boulle of Memel in the Free State and their ‘hero item’ is the Mini Island on Castors. The problem Adri and Vincent’s dated kitchen desperately needs a makeover and they’re keen to change the layout to create a more modern open-plan design. The existing cabinets are in dire need of an update, but the couple’s budget will only allow them to purchase new ones intermittently. “We want the kitchen to be a gathering spot where friends and family can spend time together while we’re cooking,” says Adri. The solution Your dream…

Coastal capers! Cool in the pool Max loves to take a quick dip. – Erica Thompson-Henning, Port Elizabeth Handsome fellas Loki and his younger brother Pablo strike a pose. – Emsie Lauwrens, Gordon’s Bay Game over Benji knows Frisbee isn’t for the faint-hearted! – Elandè van Heerden, Pretoria What a catch! With these skills, Ava could try out for the Proteas! – Odette Calitz, Alberton Full speed ahead! Scratt has a blast on the beach! – Sue Barclay, Marina Beach, KZN One step at a time Zara gets her daily exercise. – Marguerite Venter, Bloemfontein WIN! Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a Deluxe Car Seat Hammock or an XL K9 Camper from Wagworld (wagworld.co.za); available from leading vet and pet shops. The Car Seat Hammock features hard-wearing,…

WINNING LETTER Peace and quiet Karen Leigh of Cape Town writes Some mornings, I wake with a sense of unease, not knowing where I belong. At this moment, coffee calls. Instead of lists and ‘what-ifs’, I situate myself on the stoep daybed with cats and dog, birds and trees, flowers and Home. I start settling into stillness, greenness and beauty. What is not important and what does not sustain, drops away in this nourishing moment. Thanks for your companionship. Thanks for being with me, as I give myself time to find joy. From this base, I can go about my day. In the mode Nicky Webb of East London writes The other day, Iwas reading an article about “Project Mode”. Project Mode happens on Sunday evening when you’re reading Home…

WHO LIVES HERE? Charles and Candice Nortje; their golden retrievers Grace, Delilah, Lily, Summer and Bluebell; and their Westie George. WHERE Kommetjie SIZE 342m² “Our home is our haven away from the chaos of the outside world. There really is no place we’d rather be…” says Candice Nortje, who lives in the seaside village of Kommetjie. With a keen eye for décor and knack for curating, a sanctuary is exactly what Candice has created in the Nortjes’ delightful family home situated in the Klein Slangkop Eco Estate bordered by pristine beaches and the Table Mountain National Park. “It really is nothing short of idyllic and it feels as if we’re permanently on holiday, even though we’re just 45 minutes from Cape Town.” Candice is this year’s winner of Home’s Rookie…

In 2019, I attended an Annie Sloan workshop in France with a group of readers. Shortly after I returned, my husband Allister and I moved into a new home and I decided to pretty up the sliding-door entrance to our braai room with a mosaic-look paint technique. The built-in braai also needed attention – and paint was the solution. You will need (in addition to patience!) SHOPPING LIST • masking tape• chalk paint in 5 shades• Duram Showfloor paint in Clear TOOLS • paintbrush• ruler• craft knife PROJECT NOTES • Use masking tape that suits the dimensions of your design; I used 24mm masking tape. • Decide in advance what colours you’d like to paint; I used Annie Sloan paint in the colours Napoleonic Blue, Greek Blue and Scandinavian Pink,…

Q: Where did Mariette and Pieter Bouwer find the brass plates and trays hanging against their stoep wall as featured on page 13 of your July 2020 edition? And how did they attach them? – Els Jacobs, Johannesburg A: The plates were bought at antique shops and flea markets over the years; some are heirlooms. Mariette glues metal hooks onto the back of the plates and then attaches them to nails in the wall. Q: I love the cherub-and-roses fabric in Galashiels Lodge featured on page 16 and 17 of your September 2020 issue; what kind of material is it? – Yvette East, Cape Town A: It’s linen; owner Rosalind Nale bought it from Amulet (amuletlifestyle.com) in Hermanus some years ago. Q: Who made the beautiful bathroom cabinet in the…

Vince Muir of Holly Wood Kitchens and Furniture designed a fully-fitted kitchen for the container, including a fridge/freezer, bar fridge, gas oven, gas burners, lighting, sink, shelves and storage space. He cautions that if shipping containers are not treated or maintained, they may rust. “They spend a lot of time at sea, so there might be rust spots. These must be repaired before the conversion begins,” he says. The container, both inside and out, was painted in a charcoal colour with the same paint that is used on new shipping containers to protect them from conditions at sea. The floor was covered with oak-patterned vinyl, the main work surfaces are Dekton in the colour Trilium and the bar counter is white oak. “We also used solid white oak for the…

Kate McGrath of Plumstead writes Whenever we arrive home or receive visitors, our Ridgeback puppy jumps up onto us or our guests. Why does she do this? Jeanette Vockerodt, dog behaviourist and owner of Executive Dog Training, replies Dogs that jump up onto owners or visitors can become problematic, especially when children or elderly family members are involved. Before you can address this issue, it’s important to understand the possible reasons behind this behaviour. First establish why your pooch is ‘acting out’, then work with a trained dog behaviourist to address your concerns. Here are a few possible issues: Social skills No matter the context, if a dog has poor social skills, she is likely to jump up on people. Fear and stress If your pooch rarely jumps up on…

Get the best blooms Dolly Genis of Vredendal writes When should I stop watering my amaryllis lilies after they have bloomed in October, and when should I start watering again? JJ replies The best time to reduce watering and let the plants rest will be in winter, as soon as the leaves start to drop off. Then you can start watering again at the end of August and they’ll bloom again in October. Listen to JJ’s gardening tips and tricks on Derrich Gardner’s show Brekfis met Derrich at 07:30 every Saturday on RSG.…

WHO LIVES HERE? Evan and Kathi Hodkinson WHERE Greyton SIZE 2 000m2 TYPE OF SOIL Sandy Evan Hodkinson is passionate about his garden; he works in it every weekend and he and his wife Kathi enjoy spending time here together, relaxing in one of many shady seating areas beneath the trees. Their favourite spot, though, is in their veggie garden with its gorgeous view of the mountains. “Both of our moms were avid gardeners,” Evan says. “We definitely inherited our love of beautiful gardens from them. Kathi selects the plants and decides on the colour schemes and designs while I, along with my right-hand man Standiwe Ndlovo, take care of the gardening. There’s always something to keep me busy!” When the Hodkinsons bought the property five years ago, it was…

WHO LIVES HERE? Una Nieuwoudt WHERE Yzerfontein, West Coast SIZE 720m² TYPE OF SOIL Poor, alkaline Just three years ago, Una Nieuwoudt’s garden was – in her own words – “disgraceful”. She knew she desperately needed to do something to improve it. However, there were two vital factors that counted against her: she had never gardened in her life, and her house is by the sea where the West Coast winds and salt spray are a huge problem – even for expert gardeners. This Yzerfontein fitness instructor and freelance journalist says the trees and lawn in her previous garden in Cape Town had all but looked after themselves. “Plants were scarce in my world!” But when you walk through her front gate now, it’s hard to believe that she was…

#1 CREAMY POTATO SALAD WITH HERBS This potato salad is sumptuous in its simplicity but if you’re feeling decadent, you can add fried onions, fried mushrooms and crispy bacon. Cook 700g potatoes until just tender, drain and allow to cool until manageable. Meanwhile, mix 125ml sour cream or Greek yoghurt, 125ml French mayonnaise, about 15ml lemon juice and 3ml lemon zest, 2.5ml finely grated garlic, a pinch of dried mixed herbs, a pinch of mild curry powder, a pinch of sugar, and salt and ground black pepper to taste. Peel the potatoes and break each one into bite-sized pieces with your fingers. Stir in the dressing, transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle a handful of soft herbs such as basil, dill, watercress and micro herbs on top. #2 MORNÉ’S…

Custard tart with strawberries Under R150 • Makes 2 tarts • Preparation time: 30 minwtes • 1packet (80g) strawberry jelly • 2packets (200g each) finger biscwits • 1tin (385g) condensed milk • 600ml water • 400ml milk • 165ml cwstard powder • 200g fresh strawberries • 125ml chopped peanwts • whipped cream, to serve 1 Line two large loaf pans with cling film. Dissolve the jelly in 225ml boiling water then stir in 225ml ice water. Dip the biscuits in the jelly, one by one, and arrange them side by side on the bottom and sides of the two loaf pans. 2 Mix the condensed milk, water and 300ml of the milk in a microwave-safe mixing bowl and microwave on high for 10 minutes. 3 Mix the custard powder with…

CREATE, INNOVATE! WHO Emma Stam WHERE Knysna, Western Cape BUSINESS Sunny Spot Leisure HER WORK Inspired by her seaside hometown, 21-year-old interior design student Emma Stam created a range of products to encourage an effortless transition from indoor to outdoor living. Designed and made in South Africa, her gorgeous loungers and outdoor seating, as well as pool pillows and umbrellas, are hard-wearing and stylish; the locally sourced materials are carefully selected to ensure a highly durable product that requires little maintenance. These items are not only luxurious but also eco-conscious; they’re filled with recycled polystyrene beads and made with ecofriendly fabric dyes. See more at sunnyspot.co.za. SCANDI STYLE In line with minimalist Scandinavian design, the new Ari dining table (1.8m, R4 999) from Coricraft features clean lines, slender legs and…

• If you’re on a tight budget, collect items over time and invest in a few special pieces that you really love. • Select a showpiece then build around it with items in the same hue as well as neutral tones to create balance. • When styling a collection of monochrome items, create visual interest with a variety of shapes, sizes and textures. • Collections have more impact when styled as a group, instead of scattered randomly around a space. • Create visual boundaries and eliminate clutter by styling objects on a shelf, in a cabinet or on a tray. • To create a timeless feel, choose items that speak to your heart, rather than those currently on trend. STOCKISTS AND CONTACTS @home 0860 834 834, home.co.za Ambiente Luce 021…

WHO LIVES HERE? Elzanne Woeke WHERE Fisherhaven, Hermanus SIZE About 200m² Elzanne Woeke found her dream home near the Bot River lagoon, where wild horses graze and flamingos wade in the shallow water. Surrounded by tall trees, the house is nestled in a spacious garden. The veranda on the first floor overlooks the mountains and glistening water, while the twinkling lights of Kleinmond can be seen in the evening. “It’s the house I’ve always wanted,” she says with a contented sigh. Five years ago, this textile- and interior designer put together a “dreamboard” of the house she longed to buy and pasted the words “Happiness is a house by the beach” on it. Alongside that she tacked up a roadmap on which she drew a dotted line from Cape Town,…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 4/10 Skill level 4/10 Time needed 2 to 3 hours Do it yourself for R1 440: timber R950, screws and hinges R80, glue R40, sandpaper R10, castors R360 (paint is optional) PROJECT NOTES • Ask your nearest granite merchant for a granite, quartz or marble offcut to use for the slab of your braai trolley. • We used leftover paint (Plascon Clouded Cover) and painted only some parts of the trolley. You will need SHOPPING LIST • 21mm plywood, cut into the following panels: two 900 x 460mm (sides) one 900 x 708mm (back) two 900 x 350mm (sides of gas cylinder cupboard) one 418 x 350mm (shelf for gas cylinder cupboard) two 1 100 x 460mm (top and bottom) one 708 x 300mm (shelf…

A handsome trio Ethné Smith of Worcester writes I inherited these three paintings from my mother, who bowght them all dwring the 1970s, as far as I can recall. They are all by the same artist, Carlo Sdoya, and all are framed. Can yow tell me a bit abowt the artist and what the paintings might be worth? Kayleen Wrigley of Walker Scott Art Advisory replies Unfortunately, not much is known about the artist Carlo Sdoya. He was born in Rome in 1914 and moved to South Africa in 1947. During his time here, he resided in Johannesburg where he ran The Da Vinci School of Fine Art and he participated in three solo exhibitions and various group exhibitions that travelled as far as Namibia. Sdoya is known for his…

WHO LIVES HERE? Marné Marais and her Boerboel, Voodoo WHERE Sutherland, Northern Cape SIZE 200m2 In the middle of Sutherland, in the shadow of the Dutch Reformed Church, stands a house that at first glance seems a bit out of place. With black exterior walls and a woman on a broomstick instead of the traditional weathervane on the roof, Die Heks se Huis (The Witch’s House), where Marné Marais lives, is in stark contrast to the other homes – some built with Karoo stone, others painted white – in this small town. While on the lookout for a place with authentic Karoo charm, Marné fell in love with this historic house that dates back to 1905. “I visited every Karoo town within a 350km radius of Cape Town in search…

WATERING STRATEGIES If you won’t be at home these holidays, hire a plant-sitter to water your plants, or remember to set the timer on your automatic irrigation system. If you don’t have that luxury, your local garden centre stocks a variety of water-retaining products such as Wonder Stockosorb or Starke Ayres Hydrocache that will help indoor and outdoor plants cope with reduced watering. Heavenly holidays With family and friends on their way, make sure your garden is ready to receive admirers. Festive flowers Plants that bear perfect cut flower blooms will not only get beds looking festive, but you’ll be able to enjoy a constant stream of vibrant colour to brighten up every room in your home and your patio. Go for Inca lily (Alstroemeria), delphinium, sweet William (Dianthus), foxglove,…

Roses on the go Elaine Smuts of George writes We are moving and would like to take three of our ‘Knysna’ roses with us. They are full of buds and flowers. I want to transplant them into large flowerpots. What is the best way to remove these rose bushes? Ludwig replies Now is not the best time to do so. If possible, wait until the buds have opened and the blooms are fading. Water them very sparingly from now on, if at all. At the time of transplanting, water the soil the night before so that it is soft. Cut back the faded flowering stems halfway. Dig up the rose, trying to keep as much of the soil around the root ball as possible. Immediately settle the roses in the…

#1 Front garden The front garden was completely overgrown so it had to be redone from scratch. Almost everything was removed and hard elements such as the low walls and pathways were built before the couple started laying out and preparing the beds. This room has a formal design with precise dimensions that have a similar footprint to the house. There are four squares, each with a Port Jackson fig (Ficus rubiginosa) that the Hodkinsons planted as mature trees. Brick pathways separate the four squares, with white ‘Iceberg’ roses lining the paths. Australian rosemary shrubs pruned into ball shapes are planted in cement urns, with topiary balls of Australian brush cherry in each corner of the four squares. #2 Main garden The main garden at the back of the house…

Chicken liver pâté with bacon My friend Lené Meadon’s winning recipe is rich and delicious, as befits French cuisine. Makes about 600ml pâté Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: about 10 minutes • 15ml each butter and olive oil • w00g bacon bits • 1 onion, finely chopped • w garlic cloves, finely chopped • 500g chicken livers, cleaned • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste • 30ml Old Brown sherry • 1w5ml cream • 1w5ml butter • a few sprigs of fresh herbs, to garnish (origanum, thyme, rosemary or a bay leaf or two) 1 Melt the butter and oil and fry the bacon until golden-brown and crisp. Stir in the onion and garlic and fry gently until the onion is glossy (preferably not browned). 2 Move…

Makes 8 parcels • Preparation time: w5 minutes (provided the rice is cooked) • 8 square nori sheets • w cups sushi rice, cooked according to the instructions on the packet • w5ml black sesame seeds • ½ cucumber, thinly sliced • 8 radishes, thinly sliced • about 100g smoked salmon offcuts • about 80ml sliced pickled ginger, finely chopped • shichimi togarashi spices (see box) or wasabi • 1 ripe avocado, pitted, peeled and thinly sliced • 3 spring onions, finely chopped • Kewpie mayonnaise and soy sauce, to serve WHAT IS SHICHIMI TOGARASHI? Shichimi togarashi, or Japanese 7-spice blend, is a spicy seasoning that usually consists of dried red chilli peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, dried orange peel, black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, ground ginger, poppy seeds and nori.…

Kick-start your kitchen If you’re moving into your first home or kitting out your student digs, The Crazy Store has all the kitchen essentials you need in their new Kickstart range, including everything from cutlery to spatulas in trendy green, grey and white – there’s even an extensive variety of baking sheets, muffin trays and cake tins. With prices starting at R19.99, you’ll be cooking up a storm in no time! Go to crazystore.co.za. MAKE A MEAL OF IT With over 14 000 copies of Banting 7 Day Meal Plans sold within a year, the new Banting 7 Day Meal Plans Vegetarian by Rita Venter, Natalie Lawson and Kim Blom (R375, Quivertree) is the book the vegetarian banting community has been waiting for. Beinspired by more than 100 easy-to-prepare recipes…

My poor old Mum would have keeled right over if she could see me now – on my back in a room full of people, legs up and knees spread wide. How unbecoming, she’d say. How unladylike and uncouth, lying there like a floozy with your ‘fannygaloo’ pointing at the ceiling. You look like an upturned frog, a spatchcocked roast chicken. Worst of all, you’re paying for it. “Wider-wider-wider!” the trainer yells. “Stretch! Spread the knees! More. Feel the burn! Adductors must work!” Adductors-adschmuctors. I’m not even sure I have those and, if I did, where on my body you’d find them. Because my everything is burning. It’s my first day in an exercise class and I curse it. I signed up in a fit of New Year determination to…