Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Home

Good grief! When I submitted plans for parking on my property in 2023, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that in 2025 I would still be covered in dust. But indeed I am, and although a building project usually brings me great joy, I was particularly bleak just a week ago. Because a house dating back to 1908 always throws up a few surprises – I know that now… Fortunately, I have an excellent builder. Adriaan communicates well and he can tackle anything. Plus, his workers are punctual, friendly and considerate, and they even wash the wheelbarrows every evening! Having them on site is a pleasure. There may be a JoJo tank in my dining room, but the yard is small and there's simply no room outside…

Diamond design Self-taught florist Emma Hudson and her husband Simon added a wraparound veranda to their home in Constantia, Cape Town. Emma asked the builder to lay a section of tiles in the screeded white cement floor to ‘balance’ the visual weight of the table in this elongated space. “I wanted to create the look of a rug at the front door and the diamond-shaped layout echoes the pattern on the tiles,” says Emma. “I recently repainted the tiles with a small brush and a ‘reject’ tin of green paint from the hardware store. After installing French doors, this south side of the house is much more inviting. The table is perfect for meetings, flower arranging and tea.” A green scene Stylist Luanne Toms bought this shelf unit to display…

WHO LIVES HERE? Carli and Hendrik Pfaff, their children Gregor (27), Miné (26) and Calina (21), as well as Oakley the Golden Retriever WHERE Mostertsdrift, Stellenbosch SIZE About 700m2 The house almost seems coy, as if it's hiding behind the lush green of the Boston ivy that adorns the façade. Inside, a surprisingly fresh palette awaits, with cheerful apple-green and soft dusty-pink playing offagainst tranquil blue and dark grey. This is a real family home, and it's where the Pfaffs put down their roots in 2006 after returning from London. And when asked about her intriguing and stylish combination of old and newer furniture and décor, Carli explains that many of the pieces have been in her family for a decade or two. “I like a timeless style; it means…

1 IN STYLE WITH TILES Patterned tiles remain popular – and now they're big news in bedrooms! In this tranquil space, a combination of various décor tiles in a pastel palette illustrates how they can be used with remarkable success in an area usually reserved for carpet or wood. A tartan design adds detail, while soft pinks and blues keep the overall look and feel muted. A classic built-in platform bed with a headboard features a tile with a geometric design in a brighter hue, creating a focal point as you enter the bedroom. Find them here! Looking for local pastelcoloured and vintageinspired tiles? Find them at Decobella, Union Tiles, Italtile and Stiles. 2 WALLPAPER SPLENDOUR The easiest way to create an instant showstopper? Wallpaper. The designs and colourways are limitless!…

You will need SHOPPING LIST • thin hardboard as a base, large enough for your splashback • chalk paint in the colour of your choice • mod podge • magazine pictures and/or decorative serviettes of your choice TOOLS • 2 x 25mm paintbrushes • tape measure • pencil • pair of scissors • sturdy cardboard PROJECT NOTES • Alani clad the entire wall above her stove with thin hardboard, painted it, and then découpaged just the splashback area. However, a baseboard isn't always necessary – you can do the project over tiles or directly onto the wall. • The sealed surface is fully washable. • Mod podge, which is used as an adhesive and sealant, dries very quickly so don't coat the entire splashback area with it before you start…

Sunette Rossouw of Cape Town writes I've heard that certain foods are toxic for pets; what should I avoid and what should I do in the event of consumption? Dr Keeley Hattingh of The Animal Hospital (TAH) Bellville replies Our kitchens contain many foods that might not strike us as harmful to our pets, but it's crucial to be aware of what not to give them and when to seek veterinary help. Toxic foods for pets include chocolate (especially dark or baking chocolate), xylitol (found in sugar-free chocolate), avocados, onions and garlic (including dried powders), grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, yeast dough, and dairy products. Some of these are more dangerous than others. While dairy may cause mild digestive upsets that often resolve on their own, chocolate or raisins can…

WHO LIVES HERE? Lourens and Anneliza Diedericks WHERE George SIZE OF ALLEYWAY 13 x 3.1m TYPE OF SOIL Clay THE PROBLEM The long, narrow alleyway next to Lourens and Anneliza's home in a security complex in George was in dire need of a makeover. Anneliza wanted a garden with a French aesthetic and a seating area. Home asked Kobie and Braam Jacobs of The Cutting Edge Landscaping to create a design for the unused alley. THE SOLUTION “An alleyway between high walls can be dark and damp, which makes it a challenge to convert into a functional garden room,” says Kobie. “Luckily, this alleyway is on the north-westerly side of their house. In summer it gets about seven hours of sun a day and in winter about four hours.” With…

WHO LIVES HERE? Wilf and Sharon Walker with their cat Noddy WHERE Spitskop, Bloemfontein SIZE OF PROPERTY 2.1ha (garden: 2 000m²) AGE OF GARDEN 25 years TYPE OF SOIL Red sandy soil “No matter what form it's taken over the past 25 years, my garden has always fed my soul and made me smile,” says landscaper Sharon Walker. And the Walkers’ garden has certainly changed over the years. When they first moved to this smallholding, it bore little resemblance to the intriguing feature-filled garden it is today. “At that time, the garden, which is fortunately fairly level, consisted of a predominantly kikuyu lawn with a variety of fruit trees dotted about. There were a few established trees, mostly white stinkwood, and that was about it,” recalls Sharon. As this is…

Rainbow rice salad Under R90 • Serves 4 as a light meal Preparation: 30 minutes • Cooking time: 20 minutes • 2 sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1cm fingers • 15ml olive oil • 2ml each ground cumin, coriander and paprika • 500ml cooked rice • 150ml creamy mayonnaise (your favourite) • 30ml chopped coriander • 3 ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced • 2 handfuls baby spinach • 100g olives, pitted • 2 ripe avocados, sliced and sprinkled with lemon juice • 200g feta • 125ml roasted pumpkin seeds 1 Mix the sweet potato and olive oil and season well with the spices, salt and pepper. Air-fry at 180°C for 20 minutes or until golden-brown and done. Stir halfway through the cooking time. 2 Mix the rice with the mayonnaise and…

Write to editor@homemag.co.za and remember to use the word ‘Letters’ in the subject line (please include your full name and where you live in your letter). Follow us on facebook.com/homemag or Instagram @TuisHomeMag. An ottoman empire Riekie Kruger of Klerksdorp writes Since our combined family has grown over the past 9½ years, buying Christmas gifts has become a bit of a headache. After attending an upholstery workshop in October 2024, my partner Sakkie and I decided to make all of our loved ones an ottoman for Christmas. It took us two months to make 15 ottomans – just in time for Christmas! There's something so rewarding and fulfilling about making a gift with your own hands and anticipating the look on everybody's faces upon receiving it. Two interior decorating shops…

EXTERIOR The stock brick finish of the cottage helps to blend the structure with the garden. The section of the chimney on the exterior is hardy stainless steel, so no maintenance is required. This Johannesburg couple, like many professionals, has been thinking about their retirement plans ever since they bought their 1 807m² property 30 years ago. “We always had the idea of building another dwelling in the garden to provide us with extra income when we finally stop working,” they say. They played around with different plans over the years but hadn't got much further. The project was kick-started when they learned that their daughter, who'd been studying in Cape Town, was coming to work in Jo'burg. “We realised that she was the ideal person to try the cottage…

Stylist's tips HOW TO work with brown From caramel and clay to dark coffee, with rust and terracotta shades in between, brown has subtly been creeping back into our interiors – and now it's back with a bang! After all, Pantone's Colour of the Year is Mocha Mousse. Our creative editor Marian van Wyk shares her tips for working magic with this palette. (If you grew up in the 1970s, Marian gives you permission to look away.) Which rooms? A warm and earthy colour, brown is the new go-to for creating that intimate, cocoon-like feel, which is so appealing in bedrooms and living rooms. Balance and contrast Brown is a ‘heavy’ colour, so you need to add lighter elements for contrast. Scandi furniture with an almost ‘weightless’ feel keeps things…

Autumn is in the air! Autumn may not get the same buzz as spring, but it's a season bursting with opportunities for gardeners. It offers great planting conditions, such as warm soil and mild temperatures. Seasonal stunners Bulbs and seedlings Planting bulbs such as daffodils, ranunculus and anemones now ensures a stunning display in winter and spring. Space bulbs densely for a bold effect and plant in well-composted soil. For a burst of colour, sow or plant annuals such as pansies, petunias and Namaqualand daisies in sunny spots, or do a mass planting of fairy primulas and cinerarias in the shade. Trees and shrubs Autumn's warm soil promotes root growth. Opt for small, versatile trees like lemons and olives, or striking shrubs such as spekboom to add structure. Flowering shrubs…

Anne kruger of Somerset West writes Most of the leaves on my nasturtiums developed weird marks on them this past summer. What caused this and what can I do about it? JJ van Rensburg replies This is a fungal disease called downy mildew. It is extremely common during the warmer months, and especially when the moisture levels are higher. You will need to treat that bed with a suitable fungicide to prevent spread and possible re-occurrence. Best results will be achieved by using a fungicide that contains chlorothalonil. Infected leaves won't recover but the fungicide should halt the deterioration and spread. Spray the plants and soil in the surrounding area to eradicate spores as far as possible. CONTACT gardensbyjj.com NETWERK 24 Listen to JJ's new Afrikaans gardening podcast series, Tuis…

THE PROBLEM The front garden of Wicus's house needed extensive work. The house was built in 1908, and previous owners had laid a concrete slab on the street side without proper compaction. This had resulted in the slab cracking and the patio starting to subside. Wicus, who has always dreamed of having off-street parking, seized the opportunity to submit building plans that made provision for a parking bay along with the repairs that were needed. After 14 months, the City of Cape Town was satisfied, but excavations were necessary to create sufficient depth for the nose of his car to fit under the narrow veranda. THE SOLUTION Since the house has heritage status, Heritage Western Cape had to grant permission for the alterations – especially since the proposed parking bay…

Fragrant steamed fish This steaming technique is very easy – you can use any deep pot or wok, as long as it has a lid. The lime and garlic sauce is my mild version of Thai-Australian chef Marion Grasby's Thai recipe, but with less chilli and fish sauce. If the fiery flavours aren't to your taste, you can use even less chilli, or leave it out altogether. Serves 4 • Preparation: 20 minutes • Cooking time: 10 minutes • 4 x 200g firm white fish fillets (kingklip is excellent) • steamed jasmine rice, to serve • 45ml roasted salted peanuts, chopped LIME AND GARLIC SAUCE • 5ml light brown sugar • 60ml chicken or fish stock • 1 large red chilli, seeded and chopped • 30ml chopped fresh coriander •…

FOOD IS FUN! There's one thing that Durban-born chef Oliver Swart doesn't do easily and that's follow rules. Ollie, as he is affectionately known, cooks intuitively; he likes to challenge convention and try new things. Experience his zest for life, and cooking, in his aptly titled cookbook, Freestyle Cooking with Chef Ollie (R450, Penguin Random House). The recipes range from Proper Durban Lamb Curry to sweet treats like Rooibos Honey Basque Cheesecake and he offers plenty of inspiration for tantalising cocktails. Play your favourite tunes, pour yourself a drink and enjoy a culinary adventure! INDOORS OR OUT The Alva Piccolo butane mini stove (R1 199, capeunionmart.co.za) is compact and portable – and comes in a funky orange or purple! Go, go, go The new On The Go collection from Le…

WOOD-LOOK WINNER The impressive wood-look rectified tiles from Italtile's Yorkwood range look like timeless oak, thanks to Sant'Agostino's remarkable use of Carve3D. This process applies grooving and sinking glazes to replicate the ‘movement’ and 3D textural quality of real wood. We love the Yorkwood Classic 02 which combines a soft neutral wood tone with travertine. Visit an Italtile showroom to see for yourself; go to italtile.co.za. We love this gentle shade, Sea Grass|059-5 Colourway, a revolving exhibition of paintings by Lauren Shantall in collaboration with Sarah Ord, has opened at St Leger & Viney in Wynberg, Cape Town. The artworks are inspired by the saturated tones of new fabrics in the Modern Velvet and Vintage Linen collections and the centuries-old tradition of still life paintings. For this painting (above left),…

Custom made to look like your pooch! STOCKISTS Block & Chisel blockandchisel.co.za Calico Ceramics calicoceramics.com Douglas & Douglas douglasanddouglas.co.za Incanda incanda.co.za K.Light klight.co.za Mr Price Home mrphome.com Rialheim rialheim.co.za Volpes volpes.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za Yuppiechef yuppiechef.com…

STOCKISTS @home bash.com Be Stiil bestiil.co.za Block & Chisel blockandchisel.co.za Dokter and Misses dokterandmisses.com Douglas & Douglas douglasanddouglas.co.za Eurolux eurolux.co.za Italtile italtile.co.za Patio Warehouse patiowarehouse.co.za Skinny laMinx skinnylaminx.com…

STOCKISTS AND CONTACTS Alida Gardens 082 330 3091 Complete Flooring completeflooring.co.za Coricraft coricraft.co.za Cosy Heating cosyheating.co.za Celtis celtisdesign.co.za Go-To Door & Window gotodoorandwindow.co.za The Lighting Warehouse lightingwarehouse.co.za Manny's Timber and Hardware 061 883 4180 Mary Edwards Specialist Paint Techniques marypaint.co.za Mr Price Home mrphome.com R Designs 082 804 5913 Thabinto Projects thabintoprojects.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za EXPERT ADVICE Building another dwelling on your property Architect Dirk le Roux and town planner Elize Castelyn have this advice for properties typically zoned as “Residential 1” (suburban single dwelling per stand): • Know your zoning and municipal regulations. Each municipality has different rules for additional dwellings. This cottage, for example, complied with Johannesburg's Land Use Scheme (current version, 2018) as is but might have required additional approvals in Pretoria. Understanding your local regulations is essential. • Check your existing rights. Before designing or building,…

Hey, sleepyhead “Let's lie in this morning, Mom,” begs Teddy. – Gia Costella, Johannesburg Backseat drivers Bella and Billy are ready for their road trip! – Tracy Francis, Cape Town In love with autumn! Budding botanist Frodo likes to potter around the garden. – Candice Dock, Cape Town Yoga 101 Oliver strikes the perfect cat pose. – Luco Crispin, Bloemfontein I dare you… Vlooi is reluctant to give up his spot on the patio table. – Yolande Roslee, Wonderboom Leaf me be! Chewie-Bacca blends in beautifully with the season. – Claudine Jordaan, Potchefstroom WIN! Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a gift voucher worth R500 from Petshop Science (petshopscience.co.za). Find all your pet products under one roof at Petshop Science, where knowledgeable store assistants can help you make…

Q: I love the flowers in the vases on Adrian du Plessis’ dining table in your November 2024 issue and would love to try growing them. What are they? – Joanne Singleton, Knysna A: Those flowers are called sea holly (Eryngium). They bloom in a variety of colours, including blue, white and silver. Q: The delicate leaf of the fern-like plant in the Calamas's vertical garden in your December 2024| January 2025 issue caught my eye. What is it? – Stefan de Lange, Bloemfontein A: It is an asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus), also called a lace fern. Despite its common names, it is not a true fern but a fast-growing climber with thorny stems.…

Makes about 400ml • Preparation: 30 minutes • Cooking time: 5 minutes • 30g (about 1 cup) dried chillies (the bigger, the better) • 5ml Sichuan peppercorns, coarsely crushed (optional) • 3 whole star anise • 4 green cardamom pods, split open • 15ml grated fresh ginger • 10ml brown sugar • 5ml sea salt flakes • 1 chicken stock cube, crumbled • 50ml crispy onion sprinkles • 60ml roasted salted peanuts, coarsely chopped • 15ml sesame seeds • 300ml canola oil or peanut oil • 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1 Remove the stems of the chillies, cut them open and shake out most of the seeds and membranes. I find this is the best way to prevent the chili crisp from scorching too much. Finely chop the chilli flesh…

It was in the chaotic labyrinths of a 1 000-year-old bazaar in Marrakesh that I suddenly remembered that shameful day in my childhood when I swallowed a blowfly whole. It wasn't so much the jumble and mess of the old market that triggered the memory – what with its swarms of people and the bewildering assault on the senses: colour and noise, scents and smells and downright stench. No, it was more the constant look of shared exasperation directed at me by my fellow travellers. I was the slowest participant in a small workshop for street and landscape photography in this ancient land of sand and spice, of camels and clamouring minarets. Our teacher was a world-class photographer, brimming with talent and fervour. He's also blessed with a pair of…