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SUMMER GOALS THE CRUISE DISRUPTOR: THE STYLISH NEW WAY TO TRAVEL SUPER-SIZED ANIMALS COME INDOORS

MODERN MONOCHROME MEETS MILLENNIAL PINK

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BLACK GLASS IS THE NEW BLACK Enter Smeg’s new Linea Collection – in black. Effortlessly simple, ergonomically balanced and unashamedly minimal, this collection will make a statement in any kitchen.

“A hunger for change and a further blurring of demarcation between living and food prep zones have seen black take pole position in kitchen design. Sleek black appliances are key to the look and… Smeg is leading the change,” says Steve Brookes, managing director of Smeg South Africa. The new Linea range combines the elegance and fluidity of glass with the rigour and strength of stainless steel, and both elements are complemented by the chrome and back-lit details of the control knobs. The restyling process began with the redefinition of the collection design, which has already gained much recognition for its balanced austere style that embodies the latest trends. In addition to numerous aesthetic and structural innovations, the line has also evolved to ensure precise matching detail. Naturally, pioneering technology features prominently – Smeg’s Thermoseal oven technology ensures the perfect atmospheric balance required for optimum cooking conditions. Another inclusion across the range is Smeg’s SmartSense Plus, step-by-step guide to cooking via a touch colour display and 50 guided cooking programmes, plus the capacity to save 10 personal favourites. The new Linea collection of built-in appliances, designed to bring an increasingly professional quality to home cooking, includes electric ovens, compact microwave and steam ovens, coffee machines, warming drawers, gas-onglass hobs, extractor hoods and even high-tech compact wine coolers that can be combined with a “Sommelier” drawer featuring all the essential accessories for wine lovers. This unmistakably Italian-designed collection, also available in a stunning silver glass finish, enables you to choose customised solutions (in the best possible taste) to match your kitchen space and the way you love to cook. It’s all quite extraordinary, really. www.smeg.co.za

ULRICH KNOBLAUCH, PHOTOGRAPHER What’s your ultimate summer thirst quencher? Sparkling water with lemon. Do you have a song on repeat? I have two, actually: Ed Sheeran’s “Happier” and Kendrick Lamar’s “M.A.A.D City”. What’s your favourite memory of summer? Forever Arniston. If you could live in a ictional home from a book or movie, where would you choose? I wouldn’t mind renovating Bilbo Baggins’ pad. Do you have a guilty pleasure? I go for a massage once a week. The summer read that changed your life? Magazines. They’re an endless source of inspiration for me. What is your most treasured possession? The millions of pictures of my two daughters, Soﬁa (pictured) and Miemie. Dogs or cats? Dogs. Ulrich shot the photos of the farmhouse in the Overberg on page 58.

MICHAELA STEHR, VISI CONTENT PRODUCER What’s your ultimate summer thirst quencher? My gin cocktail: Ginologist Floral Gin mixed over ice with chilled butterﬂy pea tea and a buchu infusion, topped up with tonic and soda water. Do you have a song on repeat? Google Music tells me I’ve played Mac Miller’s “Dunno” from his album Swimming more than 300 times (so far). While I’m working, I have Aphex Twin’s “Avril 14th” on a loop. What’s your favourite memory of summer? Sleepovers. Bare feet. Stretched, sunburnt skin. Hot tar. Christmas beetles. Climbing trees. Family. Tightly packed road trips. First kisses. If you could live in a ictional home from a book or movie, where would you choose? The Sheats-Goldstein Residence in The Big Lebowski by architect John Lautner. It’s so out there. Do you have a guilty pleasure? Many! Cheesy ’90s music. All the unhealthy food. Staying in my pajamas all day. Buying myself ﬂowers. Airport drinking at breakfast time. Dancing on my bed… Dogs or cats? I could never pick a side – if it has paws, whiskers and a tail, I’m smitten. Michaela reported on the Nando’s Talent Search on page 116.

DOOK, PHOTOGRAPHER What’s your ultimate summer thirst quencher? Water from a remote Drakensberg stream. Do you have a song on repeat? I’m repeatless in Joburg. What’s your favourite memory of summer? Fly-fishing at a remote tarn on Mount Kenya, 4 000 m above sea level, with my son. If you could live in a ictional home from a book or movie, where would you choose? On the river in A River Runs Through It. I’d rather live outside than inside. Do you have a guilty pleasure? Yes, a long list of tasty things that widen the waist. The summer read that changed your life? I prefer fishing to reading. What’s your most treasured possession? My sense of humour. Dogs or cats? Dogs. Labradoodles, to be specific. Many of Dook’s beautiful images have graced VISI covers over the years. This time he is both the writer and photographer of the cover story on page 48.

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ADVERTISING & MARKETING TEAM Head of Advertising and Sales Jeanine Boshof Business and Digital Sales Manager Diane Lubbe 021 417 1147 / 083 391 1651 Key Account Manager Eva Cookson (Cape Town) 021 417 1274 / 076 662 0785 Key Account Manager Elna Coetzer (Cape Town) 021 417 5151 / 082 971 9715 Key Account Manager Hannelie Stemmet (Cape Town) 021 417 1111 / 083 448 2074 Advertising Coordinator Julian Petersen PUBLISHING TEAM Group Account Director Cat Anderson Senior Account Manager Cecilia du Plessis Group Managing Editor Chantel Kleinsmidt Production Manager Shirley Quinlan ABC Manager Roxanne Holman EXECUTIVE TEAM Managing Director Aileen Lamb Commercial Director Maria Tiganis Content Director Andrew Nunneley Chief Financial Oicer Mark Oaten Chief Executive Oicer Bridget McCarney Executive Director John Psillos Non-Executive Director Irna van Zyl DISTRIBUTION & SUBSCRIPTIONS Distribution RNA Distribution Print subscription contact centre 087 405 2005 (local), +27 21 045 1809 (international), subs@magsathome.co.za Digital subscriptions MySubs 0861 697 827, mysubs.co.za/contact Reproduction New Media Publishing Printing Novus Print Publisher New Media Publishing (Pty) Ltd, New Media House, 19 Bree Street, Cape Town PO Box 440, Green Point, Cape Town 8051 021 417 1111, visi@visi.co.za, newmediapub.co.za

17 305, Q2 2018

All rights reserved. Whereas precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of information, neither the editor, publisher nor New Media Publishing can be held liable for any inaccuracies, injury or damages that may arise. The opinions expressed in the articles may not relect those of the publisher.

PHOTO JAN RAS (MICHAELA)

CONTRIBUTORS

EDITORIAL TEAM Editor-in-Chief Sumien Brink Deputy Editor Annemarie Meintjes Assistant Editor Tracy Greenwood Art Director Lené Roux Managing Editor Samantha Charles Features Editor Amelia Brown Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring Content Producers Michaela Stehr and Mary Garner Copy Editor Kay-Ann van Rooyen

Can’t wait for the next issue of VISI? Get your daily dose at

VISI.CO.ZA #READERLOVE Keep tagging us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with pics of your latest VISI. You never know, you might just spot your snap in the next issue…

Size matters @visi_mag – @drewhendrix45

Safari essentials… Champagne and VISI #visimagazine @visi_mag – @renscheolivier

WIN WITH PLANTR

There aren’t many magazines I enjoy, to be honest, but #VISI is one of them. It’s a source of aesthetic inspiration, especially now that we are doing some refurbishing in our ﬂat. – @coverd_books

We’re giving away a set of two charcoal stainless steel planters from local design studio Plantr.co.za’s new Loft range, worth R6 500. These stylish self-watering planters, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, make caring for your plants easier than ever. Go to VISI.co.za/win to enter.

With the cold front up ahead, what better than a good magazine in front of the ﬁreplace @visi_mag #visi #visimagazine #ﬁreplace – @wernerhumpel

IF YOU COULD REVAMP ONE ROOM IN YOUR HOME, WHICH ROOM WOULD YOU CHOOSE? More than 1 300 of you took our online poll to let us know where you’d start. Here are the results:

KITCHEN

41%

BEDROOM

17%

24% LIVING ROOM

BATHROOM

INSTANT INSPIRATION Follow @visi_mag on Instagram, where we share some of the best and most beautiful designs from around the globe.

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WORDS LINDI BROWNELL MEIRING

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quality of this clay tile offers a virtually maintenance-free solution that is welcomed by the commercial sector, especially in light of pressures on asset owners and property managers to continually reduce maintenance cycles and costs associated with it. This is achieved two-fold, ﬁrst by the strength of the tile and its highly durable lustrous ﬁnish – offering peace of mind in that it will remain beautiful for decades to come without the need to repaint or refurbish the roof.

S econd, the design features an installation solution that can be realised without any further ridge sub-construction (ridge batten support, ridge batten). Besides the outstanding ventilation at the ridge, the full Ceramic Ridge Ventilation System allows for a dry sub-construction – the ridge connection ventilation tiles provide a transition from surface tiles to ridge tiles where a line is created that runs parallel between ridge tiles and tile surface, reducing the surface that would be exposed to wind and rain. As a result, a continuous aesthetic appeal is achieved and maintenance of the roof after installation is minimal, as upkeep of mortar bedding is not required. Another beneﬁt of this system is a reduction in material and labour installation costs – no installation of subridge construction, dry-ridge or mortar bedding and an economical coverage of 12.4 tiles per square metre can be achieved. Not just elegantly beautiful and durable, the Marley Domino provides a host of other technological features that make it a superior choice compared with most other roof coverings: VERSATILE APPLICATION – The Marley Domino can also be used as wall cladding.

Images Creaton GmbH Germany Selected content courtesy of Creaton GmbH

COMFORTABLE INDOOR CLIMATE – Clay is one of the most stable rooﬁng materials in terms of heat conductivity; as a result it is less affected by a range of climatic temperatures, leaving indoor temperatures comfortable all year round. PRECISION FIT AND TIGHTNESS – The exact step-like overlap and sophisticated interlockings not only produce an aesthetically pleasing straight and flat roof but also offers efﬁcient protection against the intrusion of water and dirt. EXCELLENT STABILITY AND VENTILATION – Longitudinal wedge-shaped support ribs guide and drain away any possible condensation on the tiles below. Two stable suspension lugs allow for a secure hold and for a reliable ventilation of the roof battening. FIRE RESISTANT – Flammability performance conforms with European standards. Marley Domino achieved a Standard A1 EN 1304:2005 performance.

Marley Domino, where the proven advantages of clay meet the aesthetic and durability demands of modern architecture. “With more than 65 years of roofing expertise and heritage, Marley Roofing continues to shape the roofscapes of South Africa. A diverse portfolio of roofing solutions allows Marley Roofing to proudly offer ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS – The use of chemical additives is deliberately avoided and only natural raw clay that come from the best extraction sites are used. The choice quality of all materials used forms the basis for the unique surface finish that makes the Marley Domino Clay Roof Tile especially durable, timelessly beautiful and environmentally friendly.

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BIGGER IS BETTER YOU CAN’T HELP BUT FEEL HAPPY WHEN YOU SEE THESE LARGER-THAN-LIFE ANIMALS. KARE RECENTLY OPENED ITS DOORS IN JOHANNESBURG WITH LOTS OF FUN PIECES. VISI SELECTED A FEW OF ITS XL ANIMALS AND INVITED TWO TALENTED WOMEN INTO THE STUDIO TO PLAY. P H OTO S D O O K P R O D U C T I O N A N D WO R D S A N N E M A R I E M E I N TJ E S

HORSE Entrepreneur Simone Stiglingh: “This horse is happiness! It’s Jackson Pollock on a sugar rush – amazing!

Art consultant Kholisa Thomas: For me, horses embody freedom. This multicoloured paint-dripping horse shouts it.

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F I N DS

TORTOISE Kholisa: The busier my life gets, the more I value slowing down and ďŹ nding stillness. This golden tortoise is a beautiful reminder of that. Simone: Alchemists of old could only have wished to turn tortoises into gold. What a wonderful time to be alive!

LIZARD Simone: Reptiles have always amazed me. I admire how they don’t let their exterior dictate their growth – they simply shed their skin. Kholisa: It has that otherworldly “take me to your leader” kinda vibe. Very cosmic, very cool!

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F I N DS

DOG Kholisa: This piece is so playful. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good reminder that life is supposed to be fun and we shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take ourselves too seriously. Simone: Life is too short for boring things. Who can be sad if you wake up to this guy in the morning?

F I N DS

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“LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR BORING THINGS.” kare-design.com/za/en

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Gorilla XL, 76 x 60 x 55 cm, 11,5 kg, R30 299

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GROHE EUROCUBE CONTEMPORARY CUBIST STYLE ON TAP For lovers of cutting-edge, clean design, looking for a truly distinctive look for their kitchen or bathroom, GROHE have created the Eurocube collection. GROHE Eurocube offers a true cube shape for kitchen taps, bathroom taps, showers and accessories. Make a real style statement with GROHE Eurocube. To view the full range, visit grohe.co.za Available at a leading showroom near you or on groheonline.co.za

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SPACE TO DREAM AN EMPTY NEST, MUSES NOMPUMELELO MQWEBU, IS NOT ALL BAD. IT CAN AFFORD YOU THE SPACE TO CONCENTRATE ON YOUR DREAMS.

y the age of 29, I was raising my two boys alone in a leafy suburb called Manors at the foot of Fields Hill in Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal. The features of this home were indicative of my heightened need to protect my children. The yard was flat for safety while they ran all the endless energy out of their systems during the day, and it had a jungle gym near my bedroom window so I could see and hear everything while they played. Fast forward to today and we are living in Fourways, Johannesburg, and in what feels like it will be just a few short years my boys (21 and 14) will likely be leaving home. And with that the idea of a home that doesn’t have childfriendly features as a priority has tempted me to indulge in the idea of what my next home will be like. I want it to be a reflection of my new sense of freedom. I have already seen a property that suits my adjusted perspective of how my home should be structured. In the densely populated area of Bryanston West, just off William Nicol, a house I visited blew me away because I felt as though I had walked into a minimalist gallery – odd pieces here and there, pillars, a high-rise roof and an outdoor shower off the main bedroom. This space created a world of possibility that had been non-existent to me for so long. I imagine my new abode to have a light-filled

Scandinavian-style lounging area with bare walls save for a few pieces of tasteful art. The architecture of the sitting room will require some fine design to ensure there are enough table surfaces without needing a coffee table. I’ve always felt that coffee tables invade space by limiting walking space while serving as a night-time battering ram for your shins. The main bedroom must be a relaxing sanctuary providing total peace. It should be an airy, spacious chamber with sliding doors that open out onto the beach or a secluded private garden. The surface of the shower floor would have to be made of stones from remote Northern KZN to remind me of the times I enjoyed showering under the stars in the Midlands. Having been born in Stanger, I have always had a natural attraction to the sea. I often think that my dream home may be planted within the soft reddish sands of the Stanger dunes. My heart yearns to return to my roots, so I suppose the ultimate location would depend on what I would be doing in the kitchen. The kitchen studio I envisage myself in looks out over a sea with wild waters beating against a rocky beach below. Folding glass doors would open up my “restaurant feel” kitchen, which would no doubt be frequented by friends and family over the weekends. The kitchen should flow through the garden,

where I will grow herbs, fruit and vegetables and even host dinners in a glass house. It should boast an eight-burner gas stove and oven. Across the kitchen there will be a glass-door walk-in fridge and dessert area. Such a kitchen is best paired with an outdoor cooking area, as some food just really does taste better when prepared over the fire. A private nook in the kitchen would be ideal for when I wake up in the middle of the night inspired to rustle up a new recipe without wanting to rouse sleeping guests. An indoor swimming pool is something I have also contemplated. It should be temperate – perfect for a mid-day dip or just to swirl my feet in while I read a book. This particular feature is also influenced by a nostalgic memory I have of my friend Charlene’s uncle’s 50th birthday party. As it rained hard at the end of the night, Charlene and I, joined by our friends Dagmar and Banita, danced in the rain to cool off after a frenetic night of cooking for this special event. So the idea of having a pool to perform the same refreshing function after an adrenaline-surging cooking session at home is very tempting. Whatever and wherever life’s journey takes me in the coming few years, the excitement of planning, dreaming and searching for my future home will prove a useful distraction to the potential heartache of an empty nest.

DID YOU KNOW? A professional chef and indie author, Nompumelelo Mqwebu is best known for her African cuisine crusade. Her book Through The Eyes of an African Chef recently won a Gourmand World Cookbook Award for best self-published cookbook. Nompumelelo studied marketing management before branching

out into cookery. She went on to complete a City & Guilds diploma and a Ballymaloe Cookery School course. The kitchen, she says, is where she gets to exercise her creativity. If she were to give her 15-year-old self some advice, she’d say, “Do not shy away from challenges even when you feel you’re swimming in the deep end – victory is only sweeter.”

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Her best friend would describe her, she says, as “funny, crazy, straightup, determined and creative”. The quality she most admires in others is humility. If she had to choose her career over, she would be “a chef with a science background”. Follow @NompumeleloChef on Twitter; @nompumelelomqwebu on Instagram.

PORTRAIT LUKE KUISIS

Background: Delicious Monster 1 wallpaper from the OhSoSa collection at Robin Sprong

THE HIGHEST COURT IN THE LAND THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA AT CONSTITUTION HILL, WITH ITS MAGNIFICENT ART COLLECTION, IS A PLACE THAT SHOULD BE VISITED BY EVERYONE, SAYS KHEHLA CHEPAPE MAKGATO.

onstitution Hill, a former prison complex in Johannesburg, is today a museum and the seat of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the highest court in the land. It is one of my favourite buildings in Johannesburg, for a variety of reasons. My initial encounter with the building was more than a decade ago when I was a student at Artist Proof Studio, where I studied fine arts for three years and majored in printmaking. As part of the programme, lecturers took us on field trips to art museums and galleries around Johannesburg. My first visit to Constitution HIll has remained with me all this time. We were taken on a tour of the entire precinct: Number Four, The Old Fort, Flame of Democracy, the Women’s Jail, Civic Centre and the Constitutional Court. I was mesmerised by the art collection. The collection comprises more than 200 original artworks by artists, whom I later learnt are big names on the local visual arts landscape: Dumile Feni, Gerard Sekoto, Judith Mason, William Kentridge, Sue Williamson, Noria Mabasa and so many more are there. As you approach the court building, you are hailed by Dumile Feni’s sculpture History to the right of the entrance. The wooden doors are engraved in visual languages that

include sign language. The facade of the court building is inscribed “Constitutional Court of the Republic of South Africa” in all 11 official languages. The visual aesthetics arrest your attention before you enter the building and get hooked by the interior decor. When we visited this building as students, it was not long after I had relocated to Johannesburg and you can understand how the cityscape fascinated me so much after being deprived of this modern architectural structure because of the nature of rural cities. While looking at the artworks in the collection – one of the most significant local public art collections in South Africa – I came to understand that I was the only ambitious student in the group, as I told myself that my work belonged in this collection alongside the great artists whose works graced the walls. It may have been seen as a fanciful dream for a then first-year student to envisage his work as part of The Constitutional Court Art Collection. But from that day onwards I was determined to work tirelessly so that one day my work will indeed grace those walls. During the memorial service for Judith Mason, one of the great South African visual artists – she is the artist who created a powerful a triptych known as The Blue Dress in honour of Phila Portia Ndwandwe, an

anti-apartheid activist who had been brutally murdered by Security Branch oﬃcers – I had a chance encounter and conversation with Justice Edwin Cameron. I made a suggestion to gift him with my original signed and dated artwork, because he is a great inspiration to many of us, the youth of this country. He kindly appreciated my gesture and submitted that instead he would propose that I gift my artwork to the Constitutional Court, as that would mean a larger public consumption of my work. He facilitated the eight-month process of acquisition, so I am proud to say my dream has come true now that my work Marikana Memoriais is part of the collection of this wonderful institution. It’s a major achievement for a young artist. The Constitutional Court is one of my favourite buildings in Johannesburg culturally, artistically and historically. It is one of the heritage sites around the city and the history behind the Hill is profoundly inspirational and equally emotional. The precinct housed profound history of injustice and oppression orchestrated along racial lines. A few months after my work was added to The Constitutional Court Art Collection, I fortuitously found a space for my studio in the Transwerke Building, in the vicinity of Constitution Hill.

DID YOU KNOW? Visual artist, arts writer and philanthropist Khehla Chepape Makgato has lived in Johannesburg for a decade. “It’s a culturally vibrant city that inspires me daily,” he says. Some of the words his best friend would use to describe him are, “a humanist, a disruptionist, loving, ambitious and unstoppable”.

His philanthropic side, he says, keeps him grounded and pays his rent on earth. Chepape says he is a summer person: “Having your skin kissed by the African sun is the best feeling.” This summer, he plans to spend his weekends in the platteland, doing arts and literacy workshops with young people in rural villages.

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The trait he most admires in others is selﬂessness. An avid reader, Chepape has just inished The Blessed Girl by Angela Makholwa and Under the Apricot Tree by Niq Mhlongo. Next on is list is The Cleanser by Martin Koboekae. Follow @khehlachepapemakgato on Instagram and @KChepapeMakgato on Twitter.

PORTRAIT TSHEPO MOKOENA

Background: Island Frond Aruba wallpaper designed by Patricia Braune, at Robin Sprong

FOREVER WILD AMY HEYDENRYCH RECALLS ENDLESS SUMMER DAYS SPENT AT HER GRANDPARENTS’ ECCENTRIC BEACH HOUSE IN THE CAPE.

hen I think of the Scarborough house, I remember the wind whipping through my salt-hardened curls and my littlegirl feet bare and crusted with sand as I run through its heavy wooden doors. I was four and wild as the landscape itself. My grandparents bought the Spanish-style home back when the coastal town had no electricity, bringing the structure to life with flickering paraffin lamps and a small gas stove. My grandfather used to say the Scarborough house had the best sunsets in the world, which justified any other inconvenience. Its bleached, windblown curves seemed an obvious extension of the world around it, as natural as a whale-bone washed up on the shore. Every Christmas, we would trek to this remote corner of the country, laden with gifts. As a small girl, it held the anticipation and mystery of a great odyssey. There was something about Scarborough that refused to be tamed. A bright magenta bougainvillea coiled its branches over the outside entertainment area. A puff adder took up an unexpected residence beneath my grandmother’s washing line. After calmer days spent picking through the rock pools for mussels and sea anemones, my cousins and I would sit rapt at the shore, watching the sea roar and the waves climb up, high and fierce.

As the sky burnt red, we would dare each other to run closer to them, exhilarated by the proximity of danger. The house itself held its own dangers. I slept on the ﬂoor in a little bedroom next to the laundry room. Sometimes my afternoon nap would be interrupted by the untethered washing machine, unmoored by its spin cycle, creeping towards me. High up on the bar counter, there was a novelty jar ﬁlled with “preserved” pairs of boobs and bottoms. My grandmother, with a glint in her eye, would regale us with tales of how the bottoms came to be in the jar, and how they belonged to all the naughty little boys and girls that came before us. Most petrifying (and tempting) of all was my grandmother’s sewing room, which was housed in a tall white tower next to the house. It could only be accessed by braving a steep, winding set of stairs. When that was conquered, there were further dangers still. At that perilous height, the wind would scream and howl. My young imagination pictured the dark form of a wailing banshee closing in on us. Decades later, my husband and I collapsed into laughter when we took a drive to look at the place. The “tower” was not tall at all! It was barely two storeys high, but my childish mind had rendered it as limitless as Jack’s beanstalk.

Other than that slight exaggeration of memory, the place was exactly as I remembered it. In an instant I recalled the warm nights crowded around the dinner table, eating roast chicken and crispy potatoes; the marbled dark soil and sea sand path to the beach; the hours whiled away gazing at the sea; the smell of the gin and tonic we left Father Christmas; the endless stream of family and friends. The Scarborough house and the memories in it became an essential part of me; it kept my child-like wonder locked in amber so I can still visit it every once in a while. Last weekend, I found myself driving along the Cape coastline once more. This time, my young son was in the car with me. We pulled oﬀ to take in the choppy blue sea, and sat in companionable silence on the back seat as we shared a portion of slap chips. Something in his eyes, a pure pleasure, a stillness, made me realise that this particular moment was becoming an essential part of him, a visceral memory of what it’s like to simply feel good. Somehow, however incongruous as it may seem, I am in my 30s now, and I am the one in charge of bed time and bath time, and where we go on summer holidays. I hope to conjure in my son’s heart the spirit that the Scarborough house did for me. I hope to keep a part of him wild.

DID YOU KNOW? Writer and blogger Amy Heydenrych grew up in Melville, Johannesburg. She still lives there, as does her family, but now that she has a little boy she is considering other options. Her debut novel, a thriller called Shame on You, was published by Twenty7, an imprint of Bonnier Books. Asked what she would do if she

could choose a diferent career, Amy says she is lucky to be living her dream career but sometimes wishes she’d become a chef. “Cooking is a soul activity and a passion for me.” She likes to spend summer weekends outside in the sun with a glass of Rose’s lime cordial in one hand and a book in the other. “I’d follow the sun around the world if I could aford it.”

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This summer, you’ll ind her reading Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak, The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson and a host of psychological thrillers similar to her own. She says her ability to listen is the trait she is most proud of. And in others she admires courage and strength. Visit bookish.co.za and follow @AmyHeydenrych on Instagram.

PHOTO ROSANNA HEYDENRYCH

Background: Midnight Bliss Backyard Cyclamen wallpaper designed by Rudi de Wet, at Robin Sprong

PLAYING HOUSE NECHAMA BRODIE CELEBRATES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TRIVIAL AND DOMESTIC IN IMAGINATIVE PLAY.

had two doll’s houses as a child. The first (I am guessing the order based on fabrication, because time tends to play tricks on memory) was a plastic tree house from FisherPrice, which you can now find on eBay under vintage toys. It came with a group of Tree Tot inhabitants, a dog, some beds and other plastic furniture, but for me the real selling points were the bright-green Dr Seuss-like dome-shaped canopy that opened and closed like an umbrella, and a hollow tree trunk that included a moveable elevator. For the record, I still think tree houses are marvellous places to live, although I have not lived in one. Yet. The second doll’s house was one of those fancy ones, with a proper family that each had two legs, not a moulded plastic stand, and where each of the rooms had different wallpaper. There was a tiny bed covered in chintz, and a tiny sofa with fringing, and even a tiny oven with a tiny joint of meat to go inside it. It reminded me of my grandmother’s double-storey house in Johannesburg (we lived in Swaziland then, in a house that had been converted from a cow shed; it was much nicer than my grandmother’s, although none of our curtains matched). One of our dogs, or my little brother, damaged the legs of one or both of the parents and chewed or ate the plastic joint of meat. It was not a metaphor for anything, just how toy stories, dogs and

brothers went. I was guilty of deliberate modification myself, having personally “styled” most of my dolls’ hair with scissors and, at least once, burning a figure’s plastic limb just to see what would happen. But I believe that, personally, I left the doll’s houses mostly intact until we moved, and perhaps they stayed behind. What captured me about the structures was a combination of factors: It was their engineering (I loved secret compartments and clever machines), plus an understandable fascination with miniaturization. I longed for a printer’s tray for a large part of primary school. But, more than that – I came late to any appreciation of architecture or design, for which I blame my parents, and the 1980s – it was how they functioned as perfect blank pages for the scenes and stories I would imagine and impose. My own house, whichever and wherever it was, was boring, too perfectly known, unchanging. And I was always being shouted at to tidy my room. These tiny spaces, on the other hand, were capable of constant reinvention, not only in a physical sense but also through the characters that could inhabit them. We built whole worlds around my neighbour’s fiercely guarded Castle Grayskull, which had a jaw that opened out into a drawbridge and an internal platform that could move up and down between floors.

In parallel, I explored my nascent pre-teen socialisation and alienation through the proxy of my friend’s Barbie’s vanity table, plastic bed and (sigh) her beauty bath – in which you could put actual bubble bath. It came with a button or pump that would ﬂuﬀ up the bubbles, and/or would send water through a hand-held showerhead. For a brief, pink moment, this was the zenith of all my heart’s desires. My parents refused to buy any of those things for me, setting the limit at two Barbies (Peaches ’n Cream and Crystal Barbie). In retrospect, their decision was entirely reasonable. My room was messy, and I would no doubt have lost Barbie’s frilly cushion covers or her treasured bedside photo of Ken. Still, I resented the implied thriftiness of it. I used Google (“Barbie products 1987”) as a sort of aide-memoir while writing and experienced a rather pleasant pang of longing and belonging at the sight of the tacky pink plastic-mirrored bedside table triptych, and the pink-and-white night frill that went under Barbie’s pink-and-white bed. It wasn’t my dream house (okay, maybe a little), but it certainly had all the components of houses that I could dream in. I did have a Barbie duvet cover, now that I think on it. That was probably my earliest conscious or deliberate decorating choice. Playing house is a funny thing.

DID YOU KNOW? Reporter and author Nechama Brodie lives in Johannesburg “because of kids, dogs, cats and life. And because it keeps me on my toes.” She has written and collaborated on a number of non-ﬁction books. Her ﬁrst novel, Knucklebone, a thriller set in Joburg, was published recently by Pan Macmillan South Africa.

Asked what she would do if she could choose any other career, Nechama says she loves her work but is constantly choosing new careers. She is currently working on becoming an academic and hopes to inish her PhD this year. Despite being prone to sunburn, she prefers the summer months to winter, as she cannot bear deep cold.

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This summer, even though she works most weekends, Nechama is looking forward to reading And the Ocean Was Our Sky by Patrick Ness. The novel is based on Moby-Dick but told from the whale’s point of view. She admires diligence, honesty and kindness in others. Visit nechamabrodie.com and follow @brodiegal on Twitter.

PHOTO SARAH DE PINA

Background: Antheia Canary wallpaper in the Room 13 Homecoming collection at Robin Sprong

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EUROPE RIVER CRUISE

U FLOAT MY BOAT CRUISING ALONG THE SEINE RIVER IN FRANCE, PHOTOGRAPHER AND ETERNAL TRAVELLER DOOK FELL IN LOVE WITH AÂ THOROUGHLY MODERN LADY.

P H OTO S A N D WO R D S D O O K

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This star design was inspired by the work of the amazing American set and interiors designer DorothyÂ Draper.

EUROPE RIVER CRUISE

ﬁrst saw her from a bridge in Paris, sexy, slender, stealth matte black, slinking along the Seine River. She’s so out of this world compared with the other vessels on the river that I thought she could easily belong to the demonic Darth Vader from Star Wars. I imagined him, evilly exhausted, horizontal on the sun deck, heavy breathing in his charmingly evil way, drinking Moon-Uranus cocktails through an eco-friendly straw while watching the French countryside slide silently by for the eight-day

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trip from Paris to the coast and back. She is the brainchild of another class act, the stylish South African Tollman hotelier family. Their Uniworld Boutique River Cruises fleet traditionally serves a predominantly very mature market in their classic vessels in destinations from Europe to Asia. Noticing a rising interest from millennials, however, they wanted to cater for them with something different and contemporary. So, when the River Ambassador and River Baroness came up for a facelift, they decided not to nip and tuck the floral ball gown but to do a complete makeover, trimming them into slick, sultry ebony models that would elegantly strut the main European waterways: Aptly renamed The A and The B, the two river cruise ships got their own category: U by Uniworld. The A navigates

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the Rhine and the Danube, and The B cruises the Seine. Talented Toni Tollman and her colleague Brian Brennen are the designers behind the look. They dressed the slender girls in classic black and white, with the occasional furniture accessory in purple or Oyster Box red. The other bright hues cleverly come from metres of hidden LED strips in selected areas around the boat, inside and outside, that change spectrum very gradually and continuously, giving a monochromatically sleek look in the daytime and changing into colourful party attire at night. To allow for more generous space in the public areas, the 61 cabins were made quite compact (apart from the 4 generous suites). All have views, sensible storage (like space under the beds for bags), en-suite

bathrooms, Bluetooth speakers and, like the rest of the ship, plenty of sockets and USB ports for all the gadgets we cannot live without. I adore the look of the two cabins that accommodate three singles in a spaceship pod-like conﬁguration, each with its own TV and control of its own LED lights. It’s a paperless environment, so daily menus and information are displayed on screens in the suites and public areas. Guests can also expect to be in regular WhatsApp contact with their U hosts. The U Lounge is the hub of the ship, with a bar, dance area, table football and an iconic neon heart artwork that illuminates one corner booth. The dining room has a clean café look, with vintage bulbs and gleaming

Stormtrooper-white tables. The lessfrills concept even applies to teacups, as there are none! Although there is a wide choice of teas, hot drinks are all served in simple mugs. The cool Ice Bar on top is decked out in a dazzling chequerboard pattern. Along with the captain’s bridge, it fascinatingly lowers itself with hydraulics so the ship can pass underneath some of the older bridges across the Seine. On the sun deck, a perimeter bench upholstered in stripes invites you to lounge about and feel famous. The fun force was with me, but leaving my new love B was heartbreaking. Then a ﬁendishly wicked thought came to mind. Go with the ﬂow, make a date with sister A. I realised I’d just joined the dark side! ubyuniworld.com

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OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The B anchored near the Eifel Tower; the sleek bow of The B; directions to the Ice Bar; the radar mast hydraulically drops to it below some of the the old low bridges across the river; 110 m long – the length of a block in Rouen, capital of the northern French region of Normandy. THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The B moored in the pretty medieval village of Les Andelys; an original sculpture on the top deck, Relection by Philip Hearsey; The B’s stern; masseur and yoga teacher Peta works out on the bow; super-long comfy couches stretch the perimeter of the upper lounge deck; The B moored in a village.

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EUROPE RIVER CRUISE

ABOVE LEFT Original art is displayed everywhere on the river cruise ships. David Bowie Diamonds Dogs is a 1974 work by British photographer Terry Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill. ABOVE RIGHT The heart of The B, the U Lounge.

ABOVE LEFT Signature French canopy chairs and an untitled red butterly print by Damien Hirst. ABOVE RIGHT The cleverly laid out compact cabins all have good views.

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The slick, seemingly endless corridor to the cabins features black-and-white photographs of movie stars onÂ the walls.

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EUROPE RIVER CRUISE

BRIGHT HUES COME FROM LED STRIPS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.

At night, The B looks like she slowly changes brightly coloured outits thanks to hundreds of metres of hidden LED strips. OPPOSITE The Ice bar is as cool as its name. It cleverly lowers hydraulically to be able to it under some of the old bridges across the river.

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EUROPE RIVER CRUISE

Both The A and The B have two brilliantly fun triple bedrooms, in which each bed has its own TV and each occupant can adjust the colour of their own LEDs.

OPPOSITE The casual cafĂŠ-like dining room serves wholesome, fresh local food for their abundant brunches and dinners.

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OV E R B E R G FA R M H O U S E

HIGH CONTRAST THE INTERIOR OF A RENOVATED HOME ON THE GUEST FARM HALFAAMPIESKRAAL MAKES A STRONG VISUAL IMPACT BUT ALSO EVOKES A FEELING OF CALM. P H OTO S U L R I C H K N O B L AU C H P R O D U C T I O N S U M I E N B R I N K WO R D S K AY-A N N VA N R O OY E N

The Overberg landscape forms a picturesque backdrop that changes with the seasons. OPPOSITE Cobus, Jan-Georg and three of their dogs – Suzie, Filos Mavros (meaning My Black Friend in Greek) and Adamastor – on the front stoep.

OV E R B E R G FA R M H O U S E

sense of serenity is your ﬁrst impression as you step inside the living room of the restored farmhouse surrounded by barley and canola ﬁelds. The interior palette is white and black, which is slightly surprising only because you’ve just come from the main house on Halfaampieskraal, which is characterised by walls painted in dark colours like forest green, ceilings of dark wood, velvet curtains, tapestries, murals and riotous colour combinations. The latter is the house in which Jan-Georg Solms grew up and lived for most of his life. And it still is the hub of activities on the farm, especially when people are staying over in the outbuilding that he and his partner Cobus Geldenhuys renovated and turned into guest suites in 2006. By 2013, with everything on the sheep and grain farm running smoothly and guests returning again and again, a new project presented itself: Looking down the hill, there was an abandoned house in the middle of a rams’ paddock, empty for 50 years except

for the sheep sheltering under its roof and bees’ nests and a family of dassies that had moved in. So they set about turning the ruin into a home for themselves. Structurally, the house was sound, with thick walls and a corrugated iron roof. The main alterations they made were extending the front stoep to twice its previous depth, enclosing the back stoep to accommodate the kitchen, knocking out some brickwork to install stacking doors and building a low perimeter wall. A round concrete reservoir on the one side of the house became a pool, and a small rectangular reservoir abutting the house on the other side is now a small stoep with a set of French doors leading out to it. Jan-Georg and Cobus have been holidaying in Greece for 17 years, 12 of those in the same bungalow on the island of Paros in the Aegean Sea. Naturally, the culture has inﬂuenced their style, so when it came to the interiors of the house they opted for the time-honoured Greek aesthetic of white, and, to provide contrast with the white, instead of Mediterranean blue they chose black for the doors and the door and window frames. Even the timber ceilings are painted white, except in the kitchen, where the original 061

corrugated iron stoep roof with its curved bull-nose profile was left exposed. Interesting vignettes of mementos from their travels adorn the living room, like a framed sailing map of the route between Athens and Paros, postcards from the New Acropolis Museum, and figurines in marble and bronze that give a hint of the Hellenic. In the living room, the white-and-black colour scheme is softened with warm neutral hues in elements like rugs, the sofa, the dining chairs and a camel saddle stool – a Solms family heirloom. The stoep with its comfortable armchairs and footstools, tables and pot plants is a second living room. Off the stoep is a bedroom that features images of boats and ships and touches of blue, giving the room a nautical feel. It’s where Jan-Georg has his workspace for building intricate scale models. Then there’s the wonderfully austere all-white bedroom juxtaposed with an inky bathroom. Cobus is the one who prefers a spare, unadorned interior style, whereas Jan-Georg likes to add layers. Together, they have managed to create harmony out of contrasts. kraal.biz OC T/NOV 2018

The ireplace used to be a hearth with a small round oven, and the French doors open onto a little stoep that was once a reservoir into which rainwater ran from the roof. The rug is by Johno du Plessis. On the table is a bowl of eggs from the gaggle of about 200 geese on the farm.

OV E R B E R G FA R M H O U S E

ABOVE Extending the minimal palette are dark bronze statuettes, silhouette lamps cut out of Supawood and marble – including a piece of pure white marble from the ancient quarry on Paros where marble was extracted for the Parthenon. Mementos and models, including a black-and-gold St Basil’s Cathedral.

T H E WAY W E L I V E

JAN - GEORG SOLMS

ULRICH KNOBLAUCH

Halfaampieskraal: The Way We Live, New Media Publishing, R400

LIFE ON THE FARM A new book about Halfaampieskraal is due out soon, with beautiful photographs by Ulrich Knoblauch, who grew up in the Overberg and now regularly works with brands like Vogue Paris, Givenchy and Lacoste. Besides incomparable photographs, the book features 32 new recipes of dishes and drinks that guests can enjoy on the farm.

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A Mediterranean nautical feel is evident in this bedroom, with a workspace in the corner (opposite) where Jan-Georg builds elaborate models. At the moment he is busy with a ship, and the instructions, tacked up on the wall, are in Italian! At the foot of the beds are Italian naval blankets made of 100%Â merino wool.

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OV E R B E R G FA R M H O U S E

THEY OPTED FOR THE TIME-HONOURED GREEK AESTHETIC OF WHITE

OPPOSITE, BOTTOMThe base of the blue-gum trunk is whitewashed to deter ants and other goggas.

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THIS PAGE The white-and-black theme of the rest of the house is reversed in this bathroom.The star pendant lamp was made by Hero Stained Glass. OPPOSITE,TOP An all-white bedroom with a hint of red in the pillowcases made of kikois and the cords of two anglepoise lamps. The small sculpture of a dog next to the bed is byWeyers duToit and in the alcove (a closed-up window) stands a replica of The Winged Victory of Samothrace.

CO O K B O O K E X T R AC T

FOOD FOR THOUGHT KAREN DUDLEY’S WOODSTOCK RESTAURANTS THE KITCHEN AND THE DINING ROOM ARE LEGENDARY. HER FIRST TWO BOOKS WERE GREAT SUCCESS STORIES TOO, WHICH IS WHY WE’RE SO EXCITED ABOUT HER THIRD,TITLED SET A TABLE.

P H OTO S CLAIRE GUNN WO R D S T R AC Y G R E E N WO O D

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SALMON SASHIMI WITH VIETNAMESE CARAMEL

ANYDAY SALAD

BOERENKAAS BALLS

CO O K B O O K E X T R AC T

Week in the Kitchen and Another Week in the Kitchen detailed Karen Dudley’s rise from caterer to restaurateur to author and veritable food celebrity. Her latest book, Set a Table (Jacana Media), documents her food philosophy: how food is about people connecting, putting down their cellphones, being present in the moment, and giving and receiving of themselves and the dishes in front of them. It goes a long way to explaining just why the ever-burgeoning popularity of The Kitchen meant the restaurant needed to expand.

SALMON SASHIMI WITH VIETNAMESE CARAMEL This dish was a favourite from the hors d’oeuvres trolley at The Dining Room. I always felt a little frisson of nervous excitement as we sent something out: Would our guests like it? More like, would they love it? I discovered a restaurateur’s pleasure: a certain happy noise of people chatting and laughing and oohing and sharing… Yes, they were loving it! Perhaps you will experience it too at your table with this simple and beautiful oﬀering.

Here is an extract from Set a Table: “Let’s not beat around the amuse-bouche; it’s a big deal hosting a dinner party – whether it’s for strangers, acquaintances, family or friends. By the time the first guests arrive and I hear ‘They’re here!’, my poor family has already been sergeant-majored for an hour. “Have you picked up your stuff in the passage? Is there a fresh towel in the guest loo? Is the ice ready?” I regard it as a major accomplishment to have made it out of the shower before the guests arrive! If I’m good, I might even have rushed some lipstick on before the dogs go clattering across the floor towards the front door when the doorbell rings. “Why so much urgency to tidy up, clean and be ready for when guests arrive? When we

For the caramel 1 tbsp garlic 1 tbsp ginger 1 tbsp vegetable oil 4 tsp muscovado sugar ¼ cup lemon juice 1⁄₃ cup soya sauce 3 tbsp Indonesian soya sauce 1 tbsp fish sauce 500 g salmon fillets salt and white pepper (or your favourite fish spice) to taste 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Serves 8 as a starter 1. Start with the caramel. In a small frying pan, fry the garlic and ginger in the oil over low heat until lightly cooked, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and stir for another minute or so, then add the lemon juice, soya sauce, Indonesian soya sauce and fish sauce and cook over medium-high heat for another 1½ –2 minutes, stirring constantly to be sure that the sugar is thoroughly dissolved and the sauce is a luscious caramel. 2. Cut the salmon fillets into logs, roughly 6 x 10 cm. Season with salt and white pepper. In a hot pan, sear the fillets quickly in the oil, roughly 8 seconds per side. Work quickly and move the fillets to a plate. Once the fish has cooled, place the fillets, lightly covered, into the fridge for a solid hour or more. 3. To serve, take on your sushi master persona and, with a thin and very sharp knife, slice the salmon fillets carefully into slices no thicker than 5 mm, keeping the shape of the fish together as you slice. Lift the slices with a palette knife to the small plates that you 070

set a table, we reveal ourselves in an intimate way. We make ourselves vulnerable. We will be sharing our friends, our opinions, our dinner, our cheese. As we focus our attention on the ritual of preparing for dinner at home, we create a mental and physical space, the possibility of connection and enjoyment. “I fervently believe that the longing of our hearts is to be connected to other people, to share, to be seen, to feel that we belong. It is at the table that we experience this belonging most powerfully. It is precisely the element of intimate attention and vulnerability that make the whole experience that much more powerful. “Having set a table, anything can happen!”

are serving the ﬁsh on. Arrange the slices artfully, sashimi style. Pour a little of the warm caramel around the ﬁsh and serve straight away with chopsticks.

CARROT MISO SOUP Because I am such a lover of sesame, the little drizzle of sesame oil on top of this delicious soup is the clincher for me! Serves 8–10 2 large onions, chopped 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 kg carrots, peeled and roughly sliced 2 ℓ vegetable stock 1 tbsp miso paste salt and ground white pepper to taste 2 tins coconut milk To serve 4 tsp sesame oil a few coriander leaves 1. In a deep saucepan set over medium-high heat, sauté the onion in the oil until golden. Add the carrot and stir around with the onion until glossy, about 2 minutes. Add the vegetable stock to just cover the carrots (you might need to add a little more water) and boil until tender but not overcooked, about 10–12 minutes. 2. Strain out most of the stock, leaving about 1 cup liquid. Purée the carrot with your stick blender, adding miso, salt and white pepper. While you are blending with one

CARROT MISO SOUP

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ASPARAGUS WITH HARISSA BUTTER

hand, slowly add the stock that you removed, blending all the while to make a very smooth purée. Continue to blend with your stick blender as you add the two tins of coconut milk to the purée. You will now have a very smooth soup. 3. Before serving, heat over medium-high heat, stirring to ensure that the soup does not stick. Ladle into soup bowls or little cups and ﬁnish with a tiny drizzle of sesame oil and a coriander leaf (or more for bigger bowls).

I could tell you at length about the nutritional beneﬁts of asparagus. For my part, I simply want you to enjoy the elegant simplicity of this beautiful vegetable. It works well as a starter because it cooks in 2 minutes and can showcase a host of butters, dips and aiolis. After you’ve licked your lips, you’ll feel the vitamin K, thiamine and cancer-ﬁghting glutathione coursing through your body! Serves 6–8

ANYDAY SALAD Here is a salad that gives you the opportunity to showcase the best vegetables you can ﬁnd. It is perfectly admissible to feel righteous about putting on such a display! Serve as an accompaniment or as a starter. A little secret: A clever cook told me to sprinkle some lemon juice over croutons before baking them. It works like a charm! Serves 6 as a starter For the croutons 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp melted butter 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh) ½ clove garlic, finely grated 4 cups crouton-sized chunks of sourdough bread salt and black pepper to taste For the dressing ½ cup olive oil 3 tbsp white wine vinegar 1 tbsp Dijon mustard ½ garlic clove, finely grated 2 tsp dried tarragon

ASPARAGUS WITH HARISSA BUTTER

occasionally, until the croutons are golden brown and crisp, 20 minutes. Allow to cool. 2. To make the dressing, put all the ingredients in a jar with a screw-on lid and shake vigorously to mix. Pour a few spoons of the dressing onto the sliced beetroots and the turnips to coat lightly. This dressing is quite powerful, so do so sparingly. 3. To assemble the salad, arrange the torn lettuce on a salad platter, then artfully layer the remaining ingredients (not forgetting the croutons!) to show oﬀ their form and colour. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and give a sprinkle of Maldon salt and some black pepper. Scatter over the pomegranate jewels and place a few sprouts here and there over the salad, if using.

3 red beetroots, 2 yellow beetroots, both raw and very finely sliced or shaved with a peeler or mandolin 4 small white turnips, very thinly sliced or shaved with a peeler 6 cups baby gem lettuce hearts and/or cos lettuce, torn a good handful of watercress or a bitter red leaf like radicchio 2 large heads of fennel, very finely sliced 4 tbsp pomegranate jewels (optional) Maldon sea salt and black pepper to taste 3 pinches of interesting sprouts (optional)

500 g asparagus 3 pats of butter Maldon sea salt and black pepper to taste 1 tbsp roughly chopped Italian parsley a few lemon wedges for garnish (optional) 1. For the butter, add the onion, garlic and harissa to the food processor and blitz to combine. Add the soft butter and salt and whizz together thoroughly. Spoon the butter onto a sheet of cling ﬁlm or greaseproof paper, roll it up neatly and twist the ends to create a little sausage of butter. 2. Set in the fridge until required. Remove from the paper or cling wrap and slice in readiness for the blanched asparagus. 3. Blanche the asparagus in plenty of boiling water for no longer than 2 minutes. Drain carefully and toss gently with the pats of butter, using your ﬁngers. 4. Lay out the asparagus on a slightly warmed platter. Tuck the rounds of harissa butter in between the spears and on top so everyone gets a little of the buttery love. Sprinkle with Maldon salt, pepper and parsley and garnish with lemons if using.

BOERENKAAS BALLS One day, the lovely Fabio brought the gift of a very crumbly hunk of Boerenkaas to The Dining Room. He had faith we would know what to do with it and, in all humility, he was right! We took that crumbly, crystalline cheese and turned it into these knee-wobbling Boerenkaas balls. They are everything cheese wants to be when it grows up. Of course, in no time that crumbly hunk was gone and we

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Start with the croutons: Mix the oil, butter, thyme and grated garlic in a small bowl. Drizzle this mixture over the torn bread in a large bowl and toss with your hands. Lay out the bread in a single layer on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Bake, tossing OC T/NOV 2018

For the butter ½ onion, finely diced or grated 1 garlic clove, very finely minced ½ tbsp red harissa 125 g butter, softened (not melted) ½ tsp salt

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CO O K B O O K E X T R AC T needed to ﬁnd another hard, strong cheese. Fortunately, there are such excellent cheeses now made in our country. Go to the cheese shop or market stall and feign ignorance until you’ve tried them all.

into 3 cm balls with your hands. 3. Heat the oil in a wok or deep fryer to medium high. Fry 5 balls at a time for 6–7 minutes or until golden brown. The balls should be light and cheesy inside.

Makes 20 small balls 1½ cups water 125 g butter 1 cup flour, triple-sifted 1½ cups grated Boerenkaas or another hard, strong cheese of your choice 4 large eggs 1 cup grated Parmesan salt to taste 3 cups oil for deep-frying 1. Boil the water and the butter together until the butter is melted. Remove from the heat and add the ﬂour, stirring in briskly with a wooden spoon. Roll the mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer and with the paddle attachment, stir in the cheeses. 2. Beat each egg in a cup before adding to the mixture. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Season with salt. Allow the mixture to cool, then shape

MOSKONFYT PANNA COTTA WITH BROKEN BAKLAVA I love the subtle sourness of the moskonfyt in this white chocolate panna cotta, but you could also use honey or verjuice syrup if you prefer. Serves 8 ⁄₅ cup milk 2 tbsp powdered gelatine, soaked in ¼ cup cold water 240 g white chocolate ¾ cup moskonfyt (or honey) 2 2⁄₅ cups double-thick cream 200 g thick Greek yoghurt 4

For the broken baklava 6 sheets frozen phyllo pastry 200 g butter, melted 100 g caster sugar 200 g walnuts, crushed moskonfyt for drizzling

1. Place the milk in a small saucepan and gently bring to a simmer. Add the soaked gelatine and stir until dissolved. Break the chocolate into a large heatproof bowl with the hot milk and moskonfyt and whisk thoroughly until well combined. Add the cream and yoghurt and whisk to form a smooth mixture. 2. Pour into 8 small glasses or moulds and leave to set in the fridge for about 3 hours. 3. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line 2 large baking sheets with baking paper. 4. To make the broken baklava, brush each sheet of phyllo pastry with melted butter and sprinkle generously with sugar, creating a triple layer of sugared pastry. Layer the sheets on 2 prepared baking sheets and bake for 10 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Once cooled, break up the pastry and toss with the crushed walnuts. 5. To serve, scatter the crushed baklava over the top of each panna cotta and ﬁnish with a good drizzle of moskonfyt. I like to stand the crushed baklava sheets up so that they look like mountain folds on top of the white panna cotta. Serve fresh raspberries on the side.

Set a Table

Karen Dudley

DINING AT HOME The recipes in the beautiful Set a Table were chosen to showcase exceptional ﬂavours yet be easy to make at home. Besides recipes and insights, Karen writes about the importance of inviting people to eat around your table. The photographs are by food photographer Claire Gunn. Set a Table, Jacana Media, R380

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URBAN HIDE

A BLACK-ANDWHITE COLOUR SCHEME ADDS DRAMA AND DEPTH TO THE INTERIOR OF A SOPHISTICATED CITY HIDEAWAY. P H OTO S G R E G COX PRODUCTION J E A N N E B OT E S WO R D S BIDDI RORKE

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Arresting exterior cladding creates interest and ensures privacy. OPPOSITE A chair by CĂŠcile and Boyd positioned in a corner by the window provides a perfect spot to sit with a book and aÂ mug of cofee.

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hen Nick Gluckman, the owner of Oggie Hardwood Flooring, verhaul their majestic Tamboerskloof home, it was both an emotive and a financial decision. Recently married, the couple wanted to create a refreshed canvas that reflected their new life together and at the same time maximise the value of their property. One decision was a no-brainer: extending upwards from the double garage to create a self-contained unit for guests staying over. Having worked with design duo Zeanne Duminy and James Goss of Zeanne + Goss Interior Architecture Designs on previous ventures over the past 10 years, Nick had absolute confidence in their vision and

The charred-timber cladding was installed by Jacobs Flooring. ABOVE RIGHT Zeanne Duminy and James Goss of Zeanne + Goss Interior Architecture Designs.

gave them carte blanche with the build. “I let them run with it 100%,” he says. “I saw concepts, made quick decisions and had faith in their abilities. My only directive was that I wanted timber cladding.” Nick and Robyn’s trust paid off handsomely. The end result is an elegant space that is practical (think easy cleaning and solutionbased storage) and utterly captivating. One of the most striking aspects of this build is the charred-timber exterior cladding. Designed by James, it’s an arresting detail that offers privacy, character and contrast to the white bagged-brick walls. “To ensure the cladding wouldn’t warp, we experimented with different iterations before settling on larch, which was charred to the desired colour,” Zeanne explains. The slats are spaced widely enough apart for guests to appreciate the mountainscape, yet closely enough together to act as an organic veil.

ONE OF THE MOST STRIKING ASPECTS OF THIS BUILD IS THE CHARRED-TIMBER EXTERIOR CLADDING. “We wanted the mountain and the timber screen to be the main stars,” Zeanne says. As a whole, the unit peeks out over an urban street, much like a bird hide would offer an observational retreat for twitchers. Inside, the studio is pared-down yet punchy. Occasional timber elements such as oiled and stained oak veneer add warmth and contrast – and the timber cladding narrative is repeated, albeit reinterpreted above a low wall that defines the bathroom space. It was a challenge to work with the limited space in the 42 m2 flat, but Zeanne and James performed wizardry with clever storage solutions. Generous drawers under the bed offer space for luggage, alcoves on either side of the flat-screen TV provide space for things like an iPod, and the cupboards all feature finger-groove handles or push-release for maximum sleekness. “We were bold in some of our decisions in order to create depth in the small space,” says Zeanne. “And although the matte black fittings might date in 10 years, they are easy to swap out when the time is right.” To soften the look, potted plants bring elements of the outdoors in – punctuating this urban hide with reminders of the world beyond the timber cladding. oggieflooring.com zeannegoss.com

What the compact kitchenette lacks in size, it makes up for in urban style. Bar chairs by Stokperd ofer aÂ simple seating solution.

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Porcelain tiles from LimeGreen Sourcing Solutions contrast exquisitely with the feature matte-black ittings from the Meir Collection at Flush Bathrooms. The custommade basin pedestal echoes the angular simplicity of the shelving by Dark Horse. The mirror is also by Dark Horse and the planter is by Sean Newbury of Green Space Design & Landscaping. OPPOSITE Polyurethane loors inished with a glossy white epoxy and matte satin cabinetry by MALCO translate into sleekness.

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INNER-CITYSANCTUM BRIAN AND CECILE PAUL CALL MANY PLACES HOME, BUT THEIR CAPE TOWN APARTMENT WITH ITS SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF TABLE MOUNTAIN HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THEIR HEARTS.

P H OTO S JA N R A S PRODUCTION SUMIEN BRINK WO R D S SAM WO U L I D G E

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In the bathroom, candles, Venetian masks, Italian cherubs, an ornate gilt mirror, gold brocade cushions from Liberty London and an old Chinese fan play nicely with a rustic 1940s pine cupboard.

OPPOSITE The “leather strappy style”of the bed in the main bedroom appeals to Cecile, who thinks everything should be wearable fashion. The gold tray and wine goblets have sentimental value – the Pauls bought them in Krugersdorp, where they got married.

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here is a hat stand as you enter the apartment, and from it hangs a collection of elegant and cheeky vintage hats covered in classic Royal Stewart tartan – a marker that Brian, an architect of Scottish descent, and Cecile, a Namibian-born vintageobsessed fashion designer, are in residence. In the years that they have been married they have lived in Scotland, Italy and now South Africa. For Brian, their Mother City home was love at ﬁrst sight. “We used to live in the city centre in Edinburgh in an apartment overlooking Edinburgh Castle,

so we wanted to do the same here in Cape Town. And now, instead of having a view of an ancient castle, we have an uninterrupted one of Table Mountain.” When asked about the energy or the mood of the apartment, both Brian and Cecile are ﬁrm about the desirability of their location. “Sometimes it can feel as if the city is bursting in – you hear the recycling trucks loading up the bottles of the drinking establishments that surround us – but at other times it’s just hours and hours of tranquillity. And you look at the mountain and everything is bathed in sunshine. It’s ever-changing, and that’s probably why

I like it. There is always something different. “I love how the light bounces off the surrounding buildings,” Brian enthuses. “And on a Saturday night you know all about it,” Cecile chips in, but you get the feeling that not only does it not bother her, but she rather likes it; she likes this a lot, this gritty proximity to Long Street and its eccentric, eclectic frequenters. The space was originally built and used as offices, a fact which did not deter this creative couple. They spent five months completely stripping and cleaning it and painting it all white. They also replaced the windows and added a kitchen and

ABOVE LEFT The enormous doors in a corner of the bedroom are repurposed 1930s windows of Belgian origin, and the suitcases were bought in the south of France. Inside the ribbed orb pendant lamp that illuminates the lounge hangs a set of huge old keys from a Georgian country house in Scotland. ABOVE RIGHT Brian and Cecile in their kitchen. The 19th-century carved wooden hat stand of Scottish origin is beittingly adorned with tartan-covered vintage hats. OPPOSITE On top of the Baroque dresser stands an original 1920s Harrods dressmaking dummy and on either side of it two crowns, possibly of Indian origin, that were once shop props in Cecile’s vintage shop, ThreadBARE, in Edinburgh. The painting is Brian’s own work and the Tretchikof cushions are from Baraka Gifts & Decor in Green Point.

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bathrooms. As the architect, Brian created the bare bones that he wanted and Cecile, coming from a creative background and with her love of fashion, was responsible for the interiors. When asked if they share the same aesthetic, they both laugh. “Pretty much. Brian is a little bit more conservative, but I usually get my own way,” Cecile says, smiling. “Sometimes I have to walk through and declutter, as it all gets a bit busy…” admits Brian. According to Cecile there is no need to buy new things when you still love the things you have, so they shipped many of their muchloved pieces of furniture from Scotland to

South Africa. They wanted to bring their old antiques into this contemporary space. All the pieces are well travelled. “We have a farm in Barga, Italy; it’s close to Lucca, where there is an amazing vintage market, and we’ve bought some amazing pieces there. Whenever we’re at the farm I go scouting for the boxes of old crystal chandeliers.” Their taste is delightfully personal and often quite quirky. Brian is attached to a particular late-19th-century Gothic church chair that he bought as a student at an auction in Scotland; the worn upholstery remained until the move to Cape Town, when he decided to upholster it with Springbok

hide. Cecile loves the row of Tretchikoﬀ pillows that line an old leather sofa. “I know they are so kitsch, but they are also so South African that I couldn’t not use them.” There are Venetian masks and a staghorn chair. There are copper crowns and a fun fat-lady statue that once broke into a thousand shards and that Brian painstakingly pieced together because it had sentimental value to them. And Cecile’s collection of vintage hatboxes is beautifully displayed and her velvet top hats are artfully arranged in various corners of the apartment. Because, wherever you lay your hat, that’s your home.

ABOVE LEFT A vignette in the spare room: The vintage kimono was a gift from a dear friend in Scotland and the bufalo head came from Namibia. And the ornate mirror… Brian bought it in Johannesburg while Cecile was giving birth to their eldest son, Angus. Yes, at the exact same time. ABOVE RIGHT The entrance to the spare bedroom: On top of the wicker table, which is presumably of Malaysian origin but was bought in Edinburgh, stand two Alessi Fruit Mama bowls. The ceramic sculpture was bought in the mid-1990s in Johannesburg. The Ice Store in District 6 painting is one of Brian’s own and the other one is by Griet van der Meulen.

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The beautiful dresser, of German origin, was salvaged from Rossend Castle in Fife, Scotland, and the 19th-century French solid brass clock came from a shop in Pretoria. An anonymous benefactor donated the Middle Eastern Bedouin dress on a 1920s Stockton bust to Cecileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vintage shop. The picture of the Namib Desert is by artist Colin Steyn.

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“NOW, INSTEAD OF HAVING A VIEW OF AN ANCIENT CASTLE, WE HAVE AN UNINTERRUPTED ONE OF TABLE MOUNTAIN.” The incredible view of Table Mountain from the Pauls’ enormous balcony. Brian used Champagne buckets to make the top-hat lights for the exterior of Cecile’s vintage shop in Edinburgh.

P H OTO S D O O K PRODUCTION ANNEMAIRE M E I N TJ E S WO R D S G R A H A M WO O D

A SENSE OF PLACE A FAMILY HOME IN WATERFALL ESTATE, MIDRAND,TRANSFORMS THE SPACE AROUND IT AS MUCH AS IT CREATES AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE INSIDE.

The bedrooms are housed in two“boxes”suspended above the living areas, giving the house a dramatic street presence. OPPOSITE Light ilters through the ibre-cement screens drawn across the balconies.

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LEFT Braam de Villiers and André Eksteen, founders and directors of Earthworld Architects. OPPOSITE Dramatic changes in volume and dynamic angles contribute to the multidimensional experience of space, which seems almost cathedral-like, in the sitting room. The chairs are by German brand Rolf Benz, the speaker by Bang & Olufsen, and the pendant light a Herakleum II by Moooi.

ndré Eksteen of Earthworld Architects believes in skyhooks. He loves designing buildings, or at least parts of them, roofs especially, that seem to float. But just as much as he goes to great lengths to create a sense of weightlessness in his designs, he also believes that buildings should be rooted in their context. And so it was with this family home he designed for Chris and Annelien Coertse and their five-year-old daughter Heidi in Waterfall Estate, Midrand, Johannesburg. Chris and Annelien had a well-positioned stand on a green belt in the estate. The sweeping landscape around it seemed to call for an open design – a blurring of the boundaries between the end of the Coertses’ garden and the grassland beyond. At the same time its prominent position demanded privacy. Chris and Annelien’s living requirements were fairly straightforward: three bedrooms, various living areas and a flat for Chris’s father. Besides Earthworld Architects’ expertise in sustainable and efficient design, another

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reason Chris approached André was the fact that Earthworld appeared not to have a signature style. “All their projects are quite different, and I liked most of them,” says Chris. So it was with a fairly open brief that André envisioned the house as what he calls “two floating islands suspended above a plane”. The elegant curved islands, “raised, almost like tree houses”, contain the bedrooms upstairs. Almost-invisible glass boxes housing the living areas below function as the plane. For privacy, the balconies of the upstairs rooms have folding screens that can be drawn across the facade. The screens are perforated with an abstract pattern inspired by the nearby tree-scape: “If you’re inside, you can still see out, but people on the outside can’t see in,” says André. “In the early morning and late afternoon you get a beautiful play of light through the screens,” adds Chris. The glass boxes below – and even the roof gardens off the bedrooms upstairs – are carefully configured to enhance the insideoutside relationship and further anchor the house to the site. On the south side of the house, the steeply pitched roof swoops

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down to the ground – at the top is a row of windows that let in soft natural light. In fact, along with an emphasis on quality and precision, one of the defining features of the house is the way its angles and volumes offer a dynamic, multidimensional experience of the space – it can seem almost like religious architecture. André says he likes to articulate the roofline clearly in his designs. “A roof is a floating plane between heaven and earth,” he says. The Coertses lived in Finland for some time, where they developed an appreciation for minimalist yet cosy Scandinavian design. This is why interior designer Kristen Page chose to use a beautiful blond wood like ash, combined with a minimal palette and simple furnishings. From the street, the Coertses’ home imparts a sense of place. “I like that it draws the eye in immediately,” says Chris, “but once you’re inside it’s calming.” Between the sense of weightlessness and the experience of light and volume, its interiors also bring a transformative significance to everyday life: something to lift its lucky inhabitants a little closer to heaven. Earthworld Architects: ewarch.co.za

Upstairs in the pajamalounge-cumstudy, highlevel windows let in soft southern light. The decision to use ash for the interior was inluenced by the Coetsersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time in Finland. The sofa is a custom design by Eduard Claassen of The Flying Dutchman.

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RIGHT In the bar area downstairs, raw brick provides a warm contrast to concrete, ash and terrazzo. The bar stools are by Rolf Benz. FAR RIGHT Central to the open-plan living area is the kitchen and dining area. The long dining table is a bespoke design by architect André Eksteen, inspired by folded paper. BELOW In ive-yearold Heidi’s bedroom, a ladder leading up to a mezzanine-level reading nook continues the subtle tree-house references throughout the house.

“A ROOF IS A FLOATING PLANE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH.”

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In the master bedroom, Scandinavian and Japanese inluences are evident in the warm minimalism of the furnishings, blending with the architecture to create a calming integrated design. The armchair is by Rolf Benz. OPPOSITE Throughout the upper level the roof is clearly articulated but seems weightless.

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LEFT On the south side of the house, a steeply sloped roof clad in Rheinzink drops all the way to the ground. FAR LEFT The upstairs balconies lead to roof gardens with artiicial grass and planters, adding another dimension to the complex indoor-outdoor relationship. BELOW An eco-pool with a rim-low edge blurs the boundary between the garden and the natural vegetation.

THE SCREENS ARE PERFORATED WITH AN ABSTRACT PATTERN INSPIRED BY THE NEARBY TREE-SCAPE.

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The front entrance of the house, of the driveway, which is softened with grass pavers, is obscured beneath one of the curved boxes that house the bedrooms. The monopitch roof appears suspended, as if hung from skyhooks.

NICELY ROUNDED TUCKED AWAY IN THE RAMBLING GARDENS OF A CENTURIES-OLD WINE FARM IN THE CAPE ARE TWO SWEET AND UNUSUAL COTTAGES THAT STARTED LIFE AS GRAIN SILOS BEFORE BEING REIMAGINED BY A RESOURCEFUL YOUNG COUPLE WITH AÂ VISION.

P H OTO S JA N R A S PRODUCTION SUMIEN BRINK WO R D S T R AC Y G R E E N WO O D

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henever I draw a circle I immediately want to step out of it.” These are the words of eccentric American architect and futurist Buckminster Fuller. It’s a statement that turned out to be oddly prophetic, because Fuller went on to design a series of loosely circular homes only to ﬁnd nobody wanted them. But it’s a good thing Alex and Sumari Milner didn’t feel the same way about the grain-silos-turned-stables that had settled into a state of disrepair just beyond their front door. Said front door is to their home in the old waenhuis (coach house) on the Milner family farm, Natte Valleij, in Klapmuts. Or it might never have occurred to them to transform the neglected little buildings into something so unexpectedly charming. The couple turned their attention to the dilapidated old silos after renovating the waenhuis that became home to them and their two small boys, Henry (5) and Georgie (2). Alex is the winemaker at Natte Valleij, home to the Milner family since his grandfather bought the place back in 1969. Originally a wine farm, it wasn’t suited to equestrian pursuits, so Alex’s granddad ripped out the vines to make way for paddocks – stud farming was his stock in trade. “Back then the grounds were really neglected. My step-grandmother was a keen gardener and she created all this,” says Alex, gesturing at the ponds, pergolas and mature trees that create dappled light and secret spaces as far as the eye can see. It’s little wonder the garden has become a popular destination for weddings. Architect Sam Muir from Minc Interior Architecture held her wedding on the farm and subsequently became ﬁrm friends with Alex

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and Sumari, which led to Sam designing their reimagined waenhuis. “Our house,” says Alex, “is far from complete. It’s neverending!” But by the time they were ready to turn their collective hand to the silos, the couple drew on the experience they had gained working with Sam to project-manage the revamp themselves. Farmers, says Alex, don’t always consider design. “A lot of the buildings on the farm are almost a tapestry of additions as one family moved in and built on bits and bobs to serve their needs. Every dwelling adds to the story of the farm and those who have inhabited it over the years. “The problem,” he says, “is that when it came to the buildings the prioritity was functionality over design, which is why Sumari and I wanted to do up the silos nicely, adding value to the farm.” Finding the right craftsmen to execute their plan for the silos could also have been tricky, but fortunately they met a great carpenter and builder while working on the waenhuis. “Our carpenter literally drew on the wall where the staircase needed to go and our builder executed the plan,” says Alex. All the wood used in the silos comes from a big stack of Oregon pine the couple had sourced and stashed before the time. “When you’re working with an older building, the more you can use from it the more sympathetic it’s going to be,” says Alex. They were determined to keep the silos as true to the original as possible. “Looking out of the upstairs bedroom window makes you feel like you’re a child in a fairy tale,” says Sumari. Mission accomplished then. nattevalleij.co.za simonsbergsilo.com

Alex and Sumari with their youngest son Georgie and their dog Holly on the steps outside their home. PREVIOUS SPREAD Alex and Sumariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son Henry at play in the garden outside the silos with puppy Eddy and some of the resident retired racehorses.

THE COUPLE WANTED TO KEEP THE SILOS AS TRUE TO THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURES AS POSSIBLE.

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The downstairs living area is light and bright, with furnishings kept to a minimum. OPPOSITE Sumari is a fan of Moroccan Warehouse, which is where she found the green-and-white loorÂ tiles.

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A Sealy queen-size bed dominates the space in the bedroom upstairs. The roof trusses were made from a stack of Oregan pine that the couple had amassed before the renovation. OPPOSITE, TOP LEFT A staircase with Oregan-pine treads hugs the curve of the wall up to the bedroom. OPPOSITE, TOP RIGHT A small bathroom is tucked under the staircase. Sumari and Alex found the miniature metro tiles at Italtile.

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SECRET WEDDING VENUE The manor house, where Alex’s mother lives, forms a stately backdrop to one of Natte Valleij’s best-kept secrets: a truly romantic wedding venue. Rolling lawns, an old wine cellar and well-tended dams combine to oﬀer a great setting for celebrations and photographs, regardless of the weather. Up to 180 guests can be accommodated. simonsbergsilo.com

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MEEK&WILD FROM THE ROAD,YOU WOULD NEVER GUESS THE CONTEMPORARY INTERIOR OR THE SENSE OF SCALE OF THIS QUAINT AND UNASSUMING SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE IN WOODSTOCK, CAPE TOWN.

P H OTO S KARL ROGERS WO R D S A M E L I A B R OW N

THIS PAGE A calm study area in one of the rooms features a brass-top dark-charcoal oak desk by James Mudge, a D cofee table by Woltemade and a soft velvet Moore bench by Bofred. OPPOSITE Black walls allow artworks from Smith Gallery to pop. The diferent textures of a leather sofa from Klooftique, a wooden cofee table with brass legs from OKHA and punched-copper loor lamps from Weylandts create interest.

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EMBARKING ON A RENOVATION IS AN ACT OF COLLABORATION, AN ARTFUL DUEL BETWEEN THE CLIENT, ARCHITECT, INTERIOR DESIGNER, BUILDER, ENGINEER AND EVEN THE BUILDING ITSELF. For most architects and interior designers, the dream is to have carte blanche or, better still, to work on a property of their own. Interior Designer Hendre Bloem had been looking for the right space to launch a property development arm of his design studio. He knew immediately that this Woodstock semi-detached house was it, so he suggested a collaboration to architect Mias de Vries of Fifty8 Twelve Design. “It’s always a pleasure designing beautiful spaces for others, where I have to balance the client’s needs with my own ideas and somehow come to an acceptable design loved by both parties,” says Mias, who owns a share in the property. “Working for a client pushes you to think diﬀerently and stretches you as a designer, whereas being your own client gives you the freedom to make all the decisions. And, in this case, collaborating with another designer has made this process even better.” Mias applied the same fundamental brief he always does: to transform a space into a liveable piece of art while making use of its inherent characteristics. The objective was to add value without overcapitalising. Interior walls were knocked down to open up the separate kitchen, dining and living room, set at the back of the property; an underutilised roof space was converted into a third bedroom; and en-suite bathrooms were added to each bedroom. Due to the property’s venerable age of 110 years, Heritage Western Cape dictated that no changes could be made to the facade and the roof. Concessions were made to allow for the installation of two roof windows, capitalising on the views of Table Mountain, and adaptations to the shape of the roof at the back of the house, which is not visible from the street. With just 116 m2 internal space to work with, the team applied a theory developed by French architect Bernard Tschumi, which states that there is no architecture without events, actions or activity: The spatial ﬂow and design of the house was developed by organising its key elements: movement OC T/NOV 2018

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LEFT Mias de Vries is an architect and the founder of Fifty8 Twelve Design. FAR LEFT Hendre Bloem is the owner of Hendre Bloem Design and DEV by Hendre Bloem. OPPOSITE The back of the property features a private courtyard with a built-in bench. An outdoor dining setting by Pedersen + Lennard is complemented by a riempie bench by James Mudge. An outdoor rug from Weylandts adds a soft touch on the raw concrete loor. BELOW The unassuming facade of the heritage semi features original elements as well as modern touches like accent lighting.

(hallway, staircase and circulation area), event (bedrooms, lounge, dining, courtyard and stoep) and services (bathrooms and kitchen). “Zones 1 and 3 (movement and services) were purposefully kept dark in terms of colour,” says Hendre. “Black, charcoal and grey define these spaces and create a framework for their functions. We kept Zone 2, the spaces in the middle where one lives and entertains, airy.” The duo ensured every square metre is used efficiently, which enables the event spaces in-between to be as open and multifunctional as possible. The original has been lovingly incorporated into the modern and renovated to form a symbiotic relationship of old and new. Hardwood flooring, exposed brick and timber interact with sleek satin black finishes, polished marble, granite, solid oak, frameless glass and raw steel. From its unassuming exterior, the house opens to a modern interior with pieces by OKHA, Casamento and James Mudge and walls adorned with South African contemporary art. As you’re drawn through, a charming exterior courtyard extends from the kitchen, and there’s the revelation of a master bedroom sanctuary in the eaves. The design philosophy has increased the impression of space. The “edges” of the house, the movement and service spaces, disappear in darkness, leaving the event space in-between open and free, ready for the owner to interpret, create and live in. hendrebloem.com ifty8twelvedesign.com 111

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ABOVE High-cavity doors tuck away neatly into the walls to allow a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors. Looking out from the lounge into the courtyard, one gets a sense of interconnection and ease of low. BELOW LEFT Black-and-white graphic art from Smith Gallery stands out against the satin black kitchen units, and a Giant Moa loor lamp with a marble base by Bofred gives a sense of gravitas and stature. BELOW RIGHT A monochromatic tone is again evident in the kitchen â&#x20AC;&#x201C; granite and marble were used to add subtle pattern to the space. A Bijou brass side table by designer AdamÂ Court for OKHA mirrors the brass leg detail of the OKHA cofee table and contrasts with a grey Weylandts armchair. The rug, also from OKHA, picks up both shades.

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ABOVE The indoor dining area features a round Harvest table and Hardwood chairs, all by James Mudge. The two artworks against the wall are by MornĂŠ Visagie and the ceramics are by Imiso. ABOVE RIGHT The staircase in black timber and steel is complemented by the Zulu armchair with leather and metal details by Casamento. Artworks add colour to the space, and accessories by KlooftiqueÂ allow for hidden storage spaces. BELOW The staircase leads from the living area to the main bedroom upstairs.

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ABOVE The main suite is a large open-plan space, illed with natural light. The plushly upholstered bed with head cushions from Weylandts stands against a slatted timber screen that screens the bedroom from the en-suite bathroom. Tall loor lamps by Woltemade emphasise the high ceiling, and the freestanding artwork by Rosie Mudge frames the space. Hendre Bloem Design custom-made the cupboards to maximise the storage space under the sloping ceiling. BELOW One of the other bedrooms features a freestanding bath. Another artwork by Rosie Mudge can be seen in the hallway. The bed is by Pedersen + Lennard, with an OKHA bench at its foot. OPPOSITE In the main en-suite bathroom, aÂ timber roof truss is cleverly used as a shelf. Above the freestanding bath are two large skylights.

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THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT THE GOAL OF THE NANDO’S HOT YOUNG DESIGNER TALENT SEARCH 2018 IS TO FIND AN ORIGINAL PATTERN TO PRINT ON FABRICS AND OTHER SURFACES TO BE USED IN NANDO’S RESTAURANTS AROUND THE WORLD. THESE YOUNG CREATIVES HAVE MADE IT TO THE FINAL 10. P H OTO S T R AC Y LY N C H A N D D I L LO N J O S E P H WO R D S M I C H A E L A S T E H R

The previous Nando’s Talent Search saw two young designers share first prize for their pendant lights. This time, the competition is aimed at finding a one-of-a-kind pattern to feature in Nando’s restaurants. These 10 finalists’ designs were chosen from 420 entries. Nando’s facilitated a two-day designer mentorship experience for the finalists in Johannesburg, which included insights and presentations from Hot Young Designer partners Karingana Wa Karingana, The Mill

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Fabrics, T&Co Fabrics and various other local designers. The winner of the Nando’s Hot Young Designer Talent Search 2018 will be announced on 20 October 2018, at an event at Keyes Art Mile to which Nando’s will invite design aﬁcionados and enthusiasts to enjoy a curated exhibition and programme to celebrate this year’s Hot Young Talent!

hotyoungdesigner.co.za

NAME Thandazani Noﬁnxana AGE 22 FROM Mthatha, now living in Port Elizabeth Thandazani’s pattern depicts painted hands and elements from Xhosa and Nigerian culture. It’s inspired by two women, both halfXhosa and half-Nigerian, who told him of their struggles with identity and xenophobia.

NAME Bonolo Helen Chepape AGE 26 FROM Rustenburg Bonolo’s design celebrates the notion of one hand feeding the other. The shapes and symbols represent the connection that people share with food and other people around them, using an abstract face and table setting tied together into interweaving lines.

NAME Dillon Joseph AGE 21 FROM Chatsworth, Durban Dillon channels his creative ﬂair through the depiction of the traditional beaded jewellery and bright clothing, usually red and pink, worn by Samburu women from Kenya. “I want to depict the strong and vibrant visual culture of the Samburu people,” he says.

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TA L E N T S E A R C H

NAME Ditiro Mashigo AGE 27 FROM Pretoria With this design, Ditiro focused on biomimicry – her objective was to create patterns that mimic the behaviour of animals, plants and water. Her primary source of inspiration is her dreams, which, she says, inspire her to look at nature and colour from a diﬀerent perspective.

NAME Primrose Chimhanda AGE 26 FROM Cape Town As an artist, Primrose draws her inspiration from nature and geometry. “Have you ever sliced a peri-peri chilli and looked at the design inside?” she asks. Her design celebrates this aspect of the chilli in a geometric style, in black and white.

NAME Agrippa Mncedisi Hlophe AGE 32 FROM Port Shepstone This is a hand-drawn pattern that represents growth, equality and the ability to stay strong, says Agrippa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In life, we sometimes go through rough patches, where we fall and rise again. We rise with new knowledge and a stronger heart and mind.â&#x20AC;?

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NAME Zinhle Sithebe AGE 24 FROM Centurion Zinhle’s print reﬂects her love of an African aesthetic and her Zulu culture. She was inspired by geometric patterns on imbadada, Zulu sandals made of tyre tread; and by earrings called amashaza, speciﬁcally opposing triangles in their design, which symbolise the feminine and the masculine.

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NAME Spamandla Mdunyelwa AGE 20 FROM Mthatha This pattern features diďŹ&#x20AC;erent shapes, with lines meeting in such a way that there is a form of movement. There is no speciďŹ c viewpoint, as the eye of the viewer jumps from one object to the next. The black represents masculinity and the white femininity.

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TA L E N T S E A R C H

NAME Mixo Dawn Mackaukau AGE 24 FROM Limpopo Mixo recalls always crafting things from a young age. “One thing I remember from the age four is noticing colours at the park near my grandmother’s house." She makes clothes and likes to work with patterned fabric. She likes her patterns to be unique.

NAME Kamogelo Samkelo Mthunzi AGE 23 FROM Tembisa Kamogelo’s design, based on fish patterns, is a croquis made in black ink and colours inspired by the South African flag. Her work is influenced by what she observes in nature, animal skin patterns and African motifs. She is studying textile design and technology.

REASONS WE’VE GOT SUMMER FEELS

32 Kelapa wallpaper in the Zapara collection by Harlequin, available at Black Fabrics.

Original artwork for the Bavero wallpaper design in the Zapara collection by Harlequin. Turn to page 138 for more about Black Fabrics.

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DESIGNINGIN WOOD The best of local design was on display at 100% Design South Africa at the Gallagher Convention Centre in August. VISI was proud to be the media partner for a new feature of this exciting exhibition platform.

esigning in Wood, a new feature at 100% Design South Africa, showcased new furniture and accessories made of wood by celebrated local designers. The collection was curated by Cathy O’Clery, creative director at Platform Creative Agency, in association with VISI. It was an eye-catching exhibit, shown on carpets from the Belgotex Softology collection in the colours Dahlia and Swoon. It was a treat to walk among the pieces,

opening doors, switching on lights and running a hand over smooth wood. There was a tall illuminated sculpture named Deconstruct by Xavier Clarisse next to Kino’s Heildronk Kas, a drinks cabinet on stilts. And James Mudge’s Negroni drinks cabinet, which folds open and out, next to John Vogel’s tall Blackwood umpire chair, which stole the show. Raw Studios showed a table with a slick millennium-pink top, and Phillip Hollander

of Houtlander and Katy of Dokter and Misses teamed up to produce a reading chair with a millennium-pink reading light attached to it. There were more pieces that showed how traditional woodworking techniques and modern technology can be used to create beautiful objects, all very desirable. And Woodbender, known for suppling hotels and restaurants with tables and chairs, surprised us all with a Paper Clip light in American ash, designed by R&D manager Grant Longmore.

Stephen Wilson of Houtlander (sitting), Nico Hendriksz of Kino, Siiso “The Zulu Modernist” Shange 9Zero, Anton Louw of Kino, David Krynauw (sitting), James Mudge, Michael Ferreira of Umdabu, Neil Grantham of Neil G Studio and Phillip Hollander of Houtlander. OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Windmill bench by Pierre Cronje, (In)tension bench by Houtlander, Throne chair and Leverage table by Waly Seck in collaboration with Zwelethu Machepa, Ammonite table by Meyer Von Wielligh, and Mina Nawe and Nja Yami side tables by Siiso “The Zulu Modernist” Shange 9Zero in collaboration with Forest Collection.

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PHOTOS BRETT RUBIN WORDS ANNEMARIE MEINTJES

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PICK OF THE BEST The VISI team picked a few of our favourites from the many exceptional exhibits at the ﬁfth edition of 100% Design South Africa at Gallagher Convention Centre in August.

ABOVE The David Krynauw stand featured an archival botanical image printed on silk that served as a backdrop to pieces from his Heritage collection. BELOW LEFT Concrete basin and tiles by Concreative Tiles. BELOW MIDDLE Ceramic art by Louise Gelderblom. BELOW RIGHT The 100% Oice stand, curated by Alice Hutton, featured Mema Design’s Water Lily pendant lamps.

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ABOVE LEFT Andile Dyalvane of Imiso Ceramics, the 100% Design South Africa Feature Designer of the Year 2018, made a collection of beautiful ceramic bowls exclusively for the exhibition. ABOVE RIGHT Furniture designer Meyer Von Wielligh and lighting designer willowlamp teamed up to produce a spectacular stand, the irst one you noticed upon entering.

PHOTOS BRETT RUBIN WORDS ANNEMARIE MEINTJES

ABOVE LEFT The oversized Neut drinks cabinet by Kino has a metal back panel with a patina that was created with alcohol. ABOVE RIGHT MotherCityHardware curated the 100% Apartment feature and won Best Product Design for its Kitchen Island. The orange ceramic vessel is by Ben Orkin, who was named 100% Best New Talent.

ABOVE LEFT This year’s 100% Design South Africa campaign pattern was designed by Sarah Corynen, a Belgian surface pattern designer represented in South Africa by Robin Sprong. The concrete lamps and loor tiles are by Wolkberg. ABOVE RIGHT Yudu is the Belgotex online rug shop with the tagline “We don’t design it; you do!”. We were blown away by the stand and the concept.

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Three of Ronel’s“Crystals”that were part of the recent Colour Field exhibition at Southern Guild. See more of her work at Ebony/Curated in Franschhoek, Artvark Gallery in Kalk Bay, and Kim Sacks Gallery and Artist Proof Studio in Johannesburg.

SOFT AS A ROCK

What is the inspiration behind your latest felt pieces? I have been creating “rocks” for a long time. When scientists look for life, they look at rocks and their composition, by which they can tell what the conditions or situation was for the formation of these rocks. For crystals to form, certain conditions are required, with certain combinations of compounds. Crystals form when molecules gather in an attempt to become stable. For me, it resembles us: We thrive or struggle in certain conditions.

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Describe the process to create your felt “Crystals”. The concept has been brewing in my mind since 2007. First, the wool is carded (combed with an industrial carding machine) and felted into sheets (I like to call them skins). Then the sheets are dyed and steamed. In our felting process we use a biodegradable soap and we recycle our water. Patterns are designed and the foam is cut to the shapes required, and the felt panels are stitched together. The one panel has acoustic foam that has a special ﬁre retardant applied to it. I then use other dyes to stain and paint on top of the already dyed panels.

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What inspired your colour choices? I am a great admirer of the artist Mark Rothko. While thinking about how I would approach the exhibition theme, I remembered the impact Rothko made on me when I first encountered his work at the Tate Modern in London. I became quite emotional being surrounded by his art. I then thought that this would be my entry point, and so I slowly became more confident on what I wanted to say about Colour Field, an abstract painting movement of the ’50s and ’60s. My choice of colours reflects my emotions on the day I viewed the Rothko room at the Tate. roneljordaan.com

WORDS MICHAELA STEHR

Self-taught Mpumalanga-born felt artist Ronel Jordaan turns merino wool ﬁbres into beautiful felted forms. Her latest creations, made for a group exhibition at Southern Guild called Colour Field, were informed by the geology of rocks and crystals.

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COMMON THREAD

ABOVE Return to Paradise II, 2017, silk tapestry, 149 x 138 cm. LEFT Stolen Moments, 2017, silk tapestry, 138 x 119 cm. BELOW LEFT Visual artist Billie Zangewa.

access to a studio, fabric seemed like the way to go, as it’s not as messy as paint and ink.

How did you develop your style? I have always been curious about diﬀerent forms of storytelling. I started handstitching very young and developed an interest in haute couture. At university I was introduced to diﬀerent textures of paper, which reinforced the appeal of richly textured surfaces. When I moved back home after varsity and had no

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What do you hope to convey through your art? My sincerity and desire for connection. The vulnerability that comes with creativity and putting oneself out there. I wish to convey that we are united in the human experience, especially in a time when so many people feel alone. I want to show my love for what I do and my respect for the medium, silk, which has graced me with its magniﬁcence. How much has the South African context inluenced your work? I was born in Malawi and had never lived in the city before moving to Joburg – I was fascinated by the buildings and the grit of the inner city. Its energy has been

an inﬂuence; it inspires creativity. As for the historical context, I was born free in the early 1970s and grew up among people of diﬀerent origins as equals. I think that’s why my themes are more universal than contextual to a particular geography and socio-politics. What inspires you? Life inspires me. My son. The mundane. Not really having full control of the creative process and how a piece will turn out is also a great feeling. Silk inspires me – it’s just so beautiful and has such a lovely story of creation all of its own. What are you working on at the moment? I’m working on new pieces for Art Basel Miami Beach in early December. blankprojects.com/artists/ billie-zangewa

PORTRAIT ANDREW THOMAS BERRY IMAGES COURTESY COURTESY OF BILLIE ZANGEWA AND BLANK PROJECTS INTERVIEW LILLY QUIN

Billie Zangewa’s silk collages explore the nature of what connects and unites us through our shared human experience. We chatted to the FNB JoburgArtFair 2018 Featured Artist about her compelling work.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Vision of Love, 2018, silk tapestry, 98 x 135 cm. Temporary Reprieve, 2017, silk tapestry, 102 x 104 cm. Sweetest Devotion, 2018, silk tapestry, 39 x 36 cm. Great Expectations, 2017, silk tapestry, 102 x 94,5 cm.

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Large ish platter, R99,95, and medium ish platter, R79,95.

VITAMIN SEA Woolworths has taken inspiration from the rich textures of destinations like the Caribbean, Zanzibar and gorgeous Goa to put together this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s range of vibrant homeware.These pretty melamine platters and plates are some of our favourites.

WORDS MICHAELA STEHR

Coral platter, R229, and jelly platter, R229, from the Goa table set; blue-rimmed side plate, R55; and Tori set of three side plates, R199.

woolworths.co.za

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Wall Cladding: CALACATTA GOLD I Furniture: PULPIS I Casa Decor Madrid (SPAIN) I Designed by Cristina Barriga

www.neolith.com

NEOLITHÂ®: DESIGN, DURABILITY, VERSATILITY, SUSTAINABILITY. Interior and Exterior applications: Cladding, Furniture, Countertops and Flooring. Resistant to stains, chemicals, extreme temperatures. Light and 100% natural. Maximum format, minimum thickness, different finishes. More than 20 selections available.

TheSize Surfaces South Africa I www.neolith.co.za

2017

2016

2015

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Prof Nox Makunga, wearing a lower crown by Blomboy.

GARDEN THERAPY

Tell us a bit about your research. My research focus is on medicinal plants, indigenous as well as nonindigenous species. I currently lead a team of postgraduate students who’re working on commercialised medicinal plants as well as a few species where we are attempting to uncover new pharmacological activities and potentially new uses and commercialisation.

VISIT VISI.CO.ZA TO WATCH A VIDEO BY BLOMBOY ON HOW TO MAKE A FLOWER CROWN FOR GARDEN DAY.

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How do gardens beneit us? Apart from their aesthetic beauty, gardens have healing properties linked to psycho-spiritual healing. They may provide us with food, medicine and an interconnectedness to nature and the world around us and to ourselves. The beneﬁts are thus psychological, physical, social and emotional. Working in the garden can be meditative but also physical – it provides good exercise that beneﬁts both the cardiovascular and muscular systems and even works the brain.

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Where does one start to create a healing garden? A healing garden is a space that offers an intrinsic biological connection to nature. It should have an inviting entrance for the visitor and include elements of water and a creative use of colour and lighting. Integrating art and features from nature such as rocks and wood enhances the atmosphere. There should be access to views of natural landscapes, opportunities for shelter and places to sit and relax or meditate. In terms of therapeutic plants, I would incorporate indigenous plants with scientifically proven health benefits in my landscaping plan. I like to mix aromatic species that act as natural insect repellents with others that have no volatile compounds, and I like to integrate species that will establish fairly quickly, such as helichrysums, pelargoniums and salvia, with slow-growing plants such as buchu and proteas. gardenday.co.za

PHOTO MERWELENE VAN DER MERWE INTERVIEW MICHAELA STEHR

With Garden Day coming up on 21 October, we chatted to Prof Nox Makunga, plant scientist at the Department of Botany & Zoology at Stellenbosch University, about the healing power of plants.

Fourways : 011-691 7700

Silver Lakes : 012-809 3519

Umhlanga : 031-566 6777

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BLACK MAGIC

We chat textile trends with Stephen Black, founder of Black Fabrics.

“T

he trend

of ‘less is more’ is being replaced with its antithesis, ‘more is perfect’,” says Stephen Black. Sumptuous fabrics and opulent wallcoverings couldn’t be more suited to this upsurge in luxury. Stephen’s mission since he founded Black Fabrics in 2004 has remained unchanged: to make aspirational fabrics attainable. His wife Nicole joined the business in 2015, adding a new dynamic and perspective. The choice of a name for the business more than a decade ago was both straightfoward (it is Stephen’s surname) and playful (considering the multicoloured world of textiles). In fact, Stephen has noted a colour resurgence over the past few years from deep greens, jades and navy blues on walls to plush fabrics and bold prints that champion the tropical eﬀect. “These colours are not going away any time soon,” he says. “Yet there’s also a connection to earthy colours,

a renewed focus on living in harmony with the earth. The result is the deep umber tones of African soil with pigments of blush, ochre and sienna.” Black Fabrics also has an extensive stable of wallpaper brands. “There’s truly something for every style and requirement,” says Steve, including “iconic Harlequin, which pioneered feature walls; classic-meetscontemporary Sanderson; funky Scion for the retro enthusiasts; and Anthology 05, which we launched recently together with Mind The Gap, our first foray into digital wallcoverings.” This range was very well received at Rooms on View at Design Joburg earlier this year, where Black Fabrics also launched its new fabric collection titled Colonial. Once again striking the balance between the luxury-meetslifestyle trend and brand ethos, it comprises a distressed linen effect called Linen Trace and a magnificent herringbone upholstery design. It pairs beautifully with velvet and Black Fabrics’ stone-washed jacquard. blackfabrics.co.za

BLACK CATS’ PR MAY HAVE IMPROVED, YET,ACCORDING TO UK SHELTERS, THEY’RE NOT AS POPULAR BECAUSE THEY’RE DIFFICULT TO PHOTOGRAPH AND SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

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Succulentus in Anthracite by Mind the Gap. TOP Rediscovered Paradise wallcoverings by Mind the Gap, RSP R4 900 per box, which covers 4,65 m2.

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WORDS AMELIA BROWN

FAST FACT

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RIDING HIGH Boat builder Richard Bertie decided to take a break from his hightech profession to build a wooden bicycle from scratch.

sustainable materials. “It takes me back to my roots,” he says, referring to his building in wood with his father. “The timber comes from the earth and the oﬀ-cuts and waste go back to the earth, into the garden. I also like the idea of not using too many electrical and mechanical tools, trying instead to use hand tools as much as possible.” It took Richard about a month to build the Bertie Bike. It involved steaming, boiling and shaping of the timber: ash for the frame

and handle bar, white beech for the wheels and oak for the seat post. The biggest thrill for Richard is seeing the result, a beautiful wooden bike that actually works. It’s this that has inspired him to keep building. Having recently ﬁnished a standup paddleboard, he plans to make an electric scooter with a timber frame next. Fancy your very own custom-built bike? Richard is taking orders… rbertie@iafrica.com

PHOTOS CASEY BERTIE WORDS LINDI BROWNELL MEIRING

he idea for the Bertie Bike came about after Richard’s son, an interior designer, asked his dad to help him build a carbon ﬁbre bicycle, a material that Richard specialises in. “Well, I had to say yes!” says Richard, who thought he’d try to build a wooden bike at the same time. “I would do it old school and he would build using new technology.” It was important for Richard that his wooden bike be made by hand using

SHOP THE LOOK

LIVING ROOM 1

Furniture showcases your personality, style and taste. However, planning a harmonious space isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always as easy as it looks. The new furniture collections from Mobelli are perfectly curated by an interior designer to create a blended, cohesive interior scheme. You can simply shop the entire look. 1. Windsor Sofa R 31,995

2 3

2. Chelsea side table R 3,995 3. Chelsea coffee table R 6,895 4. Messini rug 160x230 R 10,650 | 190x290 R 16,179 5. Glass pedestal standing lamp R 3,799 6. Glass pedestal table lamp R 2,599

Find us on... Paarden Eiland | Sea Point | Illovo | Fourways Menlyn Piazza | Umhlanga Ridge

mobelli.co.za

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VIEW FROM ABOVE A new range of vases from Vorster & Braye Ceramic Design celebrates the African continent.

WIN

WIN! Two readers will each win a vase from Vorster & Braye, worth R578 and R1 595, respectively. Go to VISI.co.za/win to enter. OC T/NOV 2018

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PHOTO JAN RAS WORDS LINDI BROWNELL MEIRING

ade out of clay that is rich in iron and manganese oxides, these hand-crafted vases form part of Martin Vorster and Colin Braye’s new ceramics range. “The vase is meant as a subtle reference to the continent we call home,” says Martin. “It’s a deceptively playful design that rewards a second look. “Looking down at the vase from above for the ﬁrst time, it was quite a thrill to see Africa outlined before us.” This design is available in a 10 cm-tall small vase, R578, a 24 cm-tall medium vase, R995, and a 30 cm-tall large vase, R1 595. vorsterandbraye.co.za

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WONDER WALL Artist Michael Chandler recently completed a magniﬁcent tiled mural for a vegetable garden in Noordhoek, Cape Town.

Michael Chandler, below, in front of the garden wall he designed and made. There’s a plethora of garden fauna hidden in the lattice, including snails and spiders, a praying mantis, a chameleon, a nest-building bird and Michael’s signature animal, the hoopoe, which he tries to include in all his work.

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ichael’s love affair with blueand-white ceramics began during boyhood. He grew up on the Wild Coast and used to collect little fragments of porcelain that had washed up from shipwrecks. He still has them and claims them among his most precious treasures. These enchanting finds, along with a keen early interest in drawing, nature and reading, and a vivid imagination, have all no doubt contributed to Michael’s artistic vocation. As well as illustrating, Michael owns and runs Chandler House, a small gallery, shop and studio in Cape Town. Planning a 9 m-wide artwork that comprises nine panels and more than 1 850 tiles is as much a mathematical feat as it is creative one. It required lots of measuring, drawing and measuring again, and the help of some of Michael’s architect friends who have access to software. “A huge amount of development and thought are required before picking up a brush on a project of this scale,” says Michael, who both sketched and painted free-handed. “I spent many hours ensuring that the lattice pattern was balanced, that it tied in with all the other diagonal lines, and that the final result was harmonious to the eye… Which was all nothing compared to trying to install it! That took 10 days in the Cape Town winter rain under a hired marquee and was enormously stressful.” While Michael deliberately tried not to count the time it took him to paint this project, fearing the sheer scale would have been demoralising, he warrants it took him six months, in-between his day job and other commissions, to complete. As for his inspiration for the botanicals, Michael buys books obsessively and gets a huge amount of inspiration from nature, too. “I hike a lot,” he says, “and am always bending over to take closeups of plants that I think could be used in future work.” chandlerhouse.co.za

PHOTOS HENDRIQUE WILDING WORDS AMELIA BROWN

Gilles Botbyl

Pretoria 012 346 3102

Cape Town 021 461 7840

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FAST FACT IT WAS DURING HER BRIEF SINGING CAREER THAT CHANEL BECAME KNOWN AS “COCO”.

WIN DESTINATION: BIARRITZ Les Eux de Chanel is a new line of fragrances inspired by three of Chanel’s favourite places. In 1915, two years after the launch of her clothing line, Chanel chose a location for a store in this high-society holiday destination, now known for its sporting pursuits. This fragrance is, appropriately, the most aquatic of the three and pairs well with these Wayfarer-like sunglasses from local brand Zemp. Les Eaux De Chanel Paris-Biarritz, 125 ml, R2 070, woolworths.co.za | Zemp Electra C2, R995, zemp.co.za

SUNGLASSES & SCENTS Summer has us dreaming of boarding a plane with little more than a sultry scent and a pair of sunnies in our hand luggage. Here are some perfect partnerships…

DESTINATION: DEAUVILLE Known as the Parisian Riviera, this seaside resort in Normandy is where it all began for Chanel. Spritz on this citrus-zest and basil scent and head out to see and be seen in these stylish Prada sunnies. Prada Linea Rossa, R3 690, luxottica. com/en | Les Eaux De Chanel Paris-Deauville, 125 ml, R2 070, woolworths.co.za

WIN

WIN! One lucky reader will win a R3 000 Sunglass Hut voucher. Visit VISI.co.za/win to ind out how. OC T/NOV 2018

COMPILED BY TRACY GREENWOOD WORDS AMELIA BROWN

DESTINATION: VENICE Venice was the city that restored Chanel after heartbreak. Look through rose-tinted glasses as this dreamy fragrance leaves a trace of the Orient Express. Les Eaux De Chanel, Paris-Venise, 125 ml, R2 070, woolworths. co.za | Giorgio Armani, R3 190, sunglasshut.com/za

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DESTINATION: BARCELONA This new fragrance from Narciso is described as bold and intoxicating, much like the energy of Barcelona and why, in a city of modern and historical clashes, these D&G frames are so apt. Dolce & Gabbana, R3 090, sunglasshut.com/za | Narciso Rouge EDP, 30 ml, R895, edgars.co.za

WIN

DESTINATION: CAPRI This limited-edition EDT is a deliciously citrus celebration of summer, as are these playful sunnies by none other than Italian

luxury brand Giorgio Armani. Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue Italian Zest EDT, 100 ml, R1 560, edgars.co.za | Versace, R3 290, sunglasshut.com/za

WIN

DESTINATION: PARIS Floral and feminine, this is a radiant combo that speaks of a care-free trip to Paris in the springtime. Ray-Ban, R2 390, sunglasshut.com/za | Elie Saab Girl of Now Shine EDP, 30 ml, R845, woolworths.co.za

DESTINATION: LONDON It makes sense to wear Dunhill when visiting its oďŹ&#x192;cial HQ. The classic heritage of this fresh new scent pairs perfectly with these classic frames. Zemp Mimosa, R995, zemp.co.za | Dunhill Century EDT, 75 ml, R1 095, foschiniforbeauty.co.za

WIN! To stand the chance to win his-and-hers sunglasses and fragrances, worth R3 980, go to VISI.co.za/win.

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YEAR OF THE DOG Two photographers are combining their photographic skills with their passion for pups and using their platforms to give back.

hotographer Shannon Sweetman describes herself as having an overwhelming love and respect for animals and a deep connection to dogs in particular. She began her lifestyle brand, Dog Meets Girl, as a creative outlet to share her “love for all things dog”. In addition to pet portraiture and some celebrity clientele and their pooches, she now works with brands, including the likes of Woolworths, and gives a portion of her income to dog charities around the country.

“I

think more and more people are deciding not to have children or to have them later and are having ‘fur babies’ instead!” says Joburg-based Kläre Meijer of My Dog and I Photography, who has found her niche snapping pictures of pups. “These pets are no longer simply guard dogs that sit in the garden all day. They’re part of the family, and they’re included in family photo shoots.” Kläre gives a portion of her fee to animal charities and takes portraits of shelter dogs to help them get adopted. What’s her secret to getting the perfect shot? Patience – and lots of treats and squeaky toys! @mydogandi_photography mydogandi.co.za

Earlier this year, Shannon bought a vintage 1975 VW Kombi to use as both an adventure vehicle to visit cool places with her dog Bailey, and as a mobile studio to do pop-up photo shoots around South Africa. She plans to make more time to hit the road. Shannon recently launched a luxury Dog Meets Girl subscription box aimed at the “modern dog mom and her pooch”. Dogs really are having their day. @dogmeetsgirl dogmeetsgirl.com

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WORDS AMELIA BROWN

he 16th of February 2018 marked the start of a new cycle of the Chinese zodiac: the Year of the Dog. Aptly, a recent study revealed millennials are now the largest segment of pet owners, and they’re investing time and money in their animal companions. Designer Marcus Viljoen has created an e-zine, To The Bone, that features an adoptable cover star from a shelter who also “edits” the issue, which features recipes and gear reviews. tothebone.co.za

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AHEADOF THE CURVE

A piece of furniture is not merely an object,says designer Melville du Plessis – it’s also something personal that we share our space with.

e’s an industrial engineer who’s been working in the textile and apparel industry for 12 years… and, fuelled by a love of and passion for design, he recently started an online bespoke furniture business. We were curious to know more about the multitalented creative behind Grapefruit Designs.

Melville du Plessis and his cherry wood loor lamp, R7 999. Wild olive and resin entrance table, R12 500.

Why launch a furniture design studio? There is something honest and beautiful about furniture. I want to create pieces that make a statement without overpowering the spaces they occupy. What inspired the name? I think my love for design started in Paris when I was 21. I like the word pamplemousse, which is French for grapefruit, so in keeping it simple and linking it back to the “start”, I went with Grapefruit Designs. Which design principles did you focus on for your debut range? Less is more. In terms of design, I look at four

basic things: proportions, lines, repetition and contrast. Why did you decide on the curved design for the cherry wood loor lamp? I wanted to overemphasise the curve, which was the starting point of the design, and it just evolved from there. I think the curve against a plain backdrop can be quite sexy. What’s next? I am working on a leaning bent-metal sideboard with wooden legs, and I want to play around with more combinations in wild olive and black resin. grapefruit-designs.com

OUR AFFINITY FOR CURVES IS HARD-WIRED INTO OUR BRAINS, SAY NEUROSCIENTISTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO.

INTERVIEW MARY GARNER

FAST FACT

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BrandKonnect is using its expanding hospitality footprint and comprehensive knowledge of the import/export market to celebrate and grow local design.

TOP BrandKonnect commissioned Laurie Wiid van Heerden of Wiid Design to create the artworks for the renovation of the One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius. Other local names are Mungo, Jo Carlin, Sky Fans and Moonbasket. ABOVE Indigenus planters at the Jumeirah Al Naseem luxury resort in Dubai. TOP RIGHT Brent and Sean Weldon. For a full Q&A with Sean, co-founder of BrandKonnect, visit VISI.co.za.

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randKonnect specialises in supplying bespoke interior projects in the hospitality and leisure industries, including spaces such as the now-iconic Vida e Caffès, the Woolworths Cafés and the designer Robertson Small Hotel. Headed up by Sean Weldon, it works alongside its convergent business sibling Inova Contracts, managed by Sean’s brother Brent. With offices in Cape Town and London, Inova has long-standing relationships with high-end European brands, simultaneously supplying BrandKonnect with international brands and offering its local procurement global reach.“BrandKonnect takes projects from concept to creation, and connects the dots between local and international design,” explains Sean. This synergy was evident in the extensive renovation of the One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius, where Sean used his network of local suppliers and makers to meet the interior designer’s brief. As well as incorporating Mungo throws and Indigenus planters, BrandKonnect worked with, among others, Ceramic Matters on custom sanitaryware, Guideline MNF on dining chairs, Moonbasket on baskets and pendants, and Laurie Wiid van Heerden on room amenities and artworks. “Hospitality in Africa is volume and scale,” says Sean.“We work with a designer or manufacturer to create a bespoke piece. Then, once the client is happy and we’re in production we get to test the supply chain and the whole process gets the supplier fit to produce multiples, which is what’s required to stock a global retailer.” After several local and international projects featuring Indigenus planters, Sean is now its biggest exporter to the UAE through the BrandKonnect Dubai office. BrandKonnect is also uniquely placed to take advantage of its position in the SADC Free Trade Area, enabling duty-free trade within certain member states and so promote competition of local craft with Eastern imports. Global hotel chains are set to increase their footprint in Africa, which will present amazing opportunities for the local market. brandkonnect.co.za

WORDS AMELIA BROWN

WELL CONNECTED

32 REASONS

Roug’heure, R860, Swatch.

Fountain of Colors, R860, Swatch.

swatch.com

Psycadelic, R990, Swatch.

swatch.com

Accecante, R860, Swatch.

swatch.com

ONE TO WATCH The trend for bold, vibrant colour-block watches has caught our attention, just in time for summer. Customise your Antarès watch by Michel Herbelin with interchangeable straps. Antarès sets start from R12 950, and additional straps cost from R1 500, Luxco Importers.

michelherbelin. co.za

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Graftic, R990, Swatch.

swatch.com Omega Seamaster 300, R75 000, Omega.

omegawatches.com

With the Antarès collection, Michel Herbelin has created two watches that can be swapped onto its range of straps, one rectangular and the other round. The straps can be single or doublelength wrap. From R12 950, Luxco Importers.

luxco.co.za

Franck Muller Ladies Master Square Colour Dreams, R232 000, Bellagio.

bellagiojewellers.co.za A cabochon that looks like a pyramid-shaped stud covers the face of the Hermès Médor Rock watch, which comes with a triple wraparound strap in a choice of bright hues, such as inky blue, or more muted variations. Price on request, Picot & Moss.

COMPILED BY AMELIA BROWN

picotandmoss.co.za

Swiss-made Hermès Arceau Casaque watches, R46 750 each, Picot & Moss.

picotandmoss.co.za

Attraverso, R860, Swatch.

swatch.com

32 REASONS

16 L

PRETTY LITTLE THINGS Charming children’s bed linen from Phlo Studio is sure to make going to bed feel like a special treat.

auren Geldenhuys, owner and designer at Phlo Studio, worked in the magazine industry and (brieﬂy) at an ad agency before starting Phlo Studio back in July 2015. She named the business after her dog, which may seem odd but, says Lauren, it’s a name she has always loved. “Before I started Phlo I did a lot of research on brands and what’s

on the market. There really wasn’t much quality, on-trend bed linen for children, so I decided to broaden the homeware oﬀering and do a kids’ range,” she says. Lauren’s base of operations is at her husband’s textile factory in KwaZuluNatal, where she is lucky enough to get help from his team of 160-plus employees. The Phlo Studio range extends to scatter cushions, duvet cover sets and even aprons, but the emphasis is on bed linen for babies and older

children. “I draw inspiration from international brands, trends and nature. The great thing about kids’ design is that it allows you to be a bit more adventurous and creative.” The raw materials Lauren uses are sourced locally and internationally, but all the products are printed and made in South Africa. “I plan to broaden my product range,” she says, “but my mission is always to oﬀer on-trend, limitededition items that are made locally.” phlostudio.co.za

WORDS TRACY GREENWOOD

Just some of the items sold in the Phlo Studio online shop: Twinkle Twinkle wall banner (R210), and Peeping Panda and Barry the Bear scatter cushions (R259).

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32 REASONS

Bravo modular lounge suite in grey Sunbrella lannel, from R79 999.

Mobelli’s weather-proof Bravo and Riva outdoor lounge suites tap into the interior/exterior trend perfectly.

he patio has become another room in the home, says Alon Sachs, joint founder of Mobelli. “One of our favourite trends is decorating the patio with furniture and decor accessories that look as though they were made for indoor use. Complete this seamless transition between indoors and outdoors by using soft furnishings such as rugs, scatters and throws.” We’re partial to Mobelli’s Bravo and Riva outdoor lounge suites. The Bravo suite is available in two technologically

advanced fabrics. Sunbrella flannel is soft to the touch but can withstand sun and rain and is resistant to mould and mildew. The other fabric option is a microfibre leather in white that is water-resistant, so you can simply wipe rainwater off the seats and sit down. The Riva outdoor lounge suite is a stylish modular option with powder-coated legs and soft-grey upholstery. It can be left outside all year round. mobelli.co.za

Riva L-shaped lounge suite, R39 597.

FAST FACT TO MAKE SUNBRELLA FABRICS, COLOUR PIGMENT, UV RESISTORS AND STAIN RESISTORS ARE ADDED TO THE CHEMICAL SOLUTION BEFORE IT IS SPUN INTO FIBRES.

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WORDS TRACY GREENWOOD

COME RAIN OR SHINE

32 REASONS

LOUVRE LITE

bu Dhabi has a reputable airline, Etihad, which, for the inconvenience of a few hours’ layover, makes it an aﬀordable hub through which to travel. It’s not a city that would come to mind to actually visit, especially not if you’re looking for lofty art culture. Then again, money can buy most things. And a price of US$525 million granted Abu Dhabi the rights to name the new museum after the largest and most famous art museum in the world, the Louvre in Paris. French architect Jean Nouvel has built a number of museums in his 50-oddyear career – and there are others in the pipeline. He drafts each place according to its setting, creating excitement around what he will design next, as none of his

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projects has a look that links it visually to the others. Nouvel wanted this Louvre to fit subtly into its Arabian environment of sand at the edge of sea. Not wanting to brutalise the view, he kept it low, envisaging a village of different-sized white cubed buildings that spill out from under the cover of a massive palm tree, represented by a metal dome. A geometric constellation of 7 850 stars, placed in the eight layers of the dome, allow sun, wind and (rare) rain to permeate naturally. Shallow tidal pools reflect the light that filters through in dappled patterns on the interior walls. Unlike a painting that just is, the building is a work of art that changes throughout the day.

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The exhibition, which includes loans from French institutions and the museum’s own developing collection, is a stimulating amuse-bouche compared with the Louvre oﬀering in Paris, which is too rich to stomach unless one picks at it. Here in the UAE, Nouvel’s simply sophisticated structure is the satisfying main course, and I can’t wait for Gehry, Ando and Hadid to cook up the planned deserts. louvreabudhabi.ae

PHOTOS AND WORDS DOOK

Abu Dhabi, the cultural capital of the United Arab Emirates, now has its own mini version of the Louvre. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the Louvre Abu Dhabi piqued our interest.

FAST FACT FRANK GEHRY,TADAO ANDO AND THE LATE ZAHA HADID HAVE DESIGNED BUILDINGS FOR THE SAME CULTURAL PRECINCT IN ABU DHABI. CONSTRUCTION HAS NOT STARTED YET.

32 REASONS

OH, BEEHIVE! The plight of the bee was the driving force behind industrial design student Ivan Brown’s innovative Beegin beehive design.

he rapid decline in bee numbers worldwide coupled with the import of cheap honey are of major concern to local honey farmers. Which is why it’s so exciting to hear that a test group of beekeepers increased their honey production significantly – thanks to Ivan Brown’s innovative beehive design. His reinforced lightweight concrete beehive evolved from a university project. Ivan entered his design in the 2016 PPC Imaginarium Awards competition and was named runnerup and awarded a seed grant by PPC to continue his research, test the beehive and refine the design. We found out more about Beegin from Ivan himself. Tell us about the testing phase. I developed a prototype lightweight concrete beehive, which I had a group of beekeepers and farmers field-test for a year to measure the performance of the hive against standard wooden hives and as a component of smallscale farming. Why concrete? It is cheap, durable and impervious to pests and badgers. How do you plan to assist the development of small businesses? We are selling the moulding tools, too, so beekeepers, farmers and entrepreneurs can make their own beehives.

The Bee Bunka design is modelled on the common Langstroth wooden hive – the components for one beehive cost about R1 500. There is also the Bee Tonnel design, which is based on a horizontal top-bar hive.

What can we expect next from Beegin? We are working with beekeeping-for-development groups to assist in the rolling out of concrete beehives and set-up of production facilities at their sites. beegin.co.za

IN ITS LIFETIME, ONE BEE PRODUCES ONLY HALF A TEASPOON OF HONEY.

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INTERVIEW MARY GARNER

FAST FACT

32 REASONS

A LIGHT IN THE DARK

Streamlight has created an edgy space where design and decor meet fashion and lifestyle.

Moon Rocks, small R2 000, medium R2 500, and large R3 000.

5 MINUTES WITH DESIGNER BRAD KALISH What is your current favourite lighting trend? Clusters of small pendants dropping 4 m, either in a double-volume entrance hall or staggered above a dining table – it gives the pendants the drama they deserve. If you could use any found object to make a light, what would it be? Anything made from brass or glass, but it would have to be the Crystal Head Vodka skull decanter with a ﬁlament bulb. What is next for Streamlight? We are working on opening a bar/coﬀee shop, a place where our community of designers can come and utilise a space with like-minded people.

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Float Balls, R2 300.

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took our collective knowledge of European trends and created a more costeﬀective range that is just as impressive as any Italian or Spanish design collection. We then integrated both international and local street brands to create the lifestyle concept store.” Two brands to look out for are LEFF Amsterdam with its signature range of clocks, watches and speakers, and, on the local front, hats by Simon and Mary. You’ll ﬁnd DARK in the Streamlight Showroom at 17 Kramer Road, Kramerville. streamlight.co.za

PHOTOS JANA + KOOS WORDS TRACY GREENWOOD

ooking for decor or fashion with a moody, sexy edge? DARK is an eclectic multi-label lifestyle store (and lighting range) that gives local shoppers a taste of international brands with an African twist. Expect to ﬁnd an array of lifestyle, decor and fashion pieces from as far aﬁeld as Denmark displayed alongside local designs. Says Brad Kalish, product designer at Streamlight: “DARK gives South African creatives a space where they can showcase the latest in African and international street trends. We

Create the exceptional

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Our award-winning in-house design and engineering team will work closely with you to bring your vision to life.

From the irst introductory meeting and the site inspection through to the design process and the manufacturing and construction phases, we pay meticulous attention to detail, and we are always only a call away. By ofering a full turnkey solution, we provide a single point of contact and guarantee the quality of our manufactured products, thus avoiding unnecessary project delays. To give you and your client peace of mind, we also only work with the best artisans and materials. It’s why we’ve built long-standing relationships with all our contractors. To create an unforgettable luxury travel destination, contact us.

32 REASONS

BACK TO SCHOOL What began as an upmarket version of the humble school chair has evolved into a fully ﬂedged manufacturing business.

n 2010, when the The Pot Luck Club opened, Sandalene Dale-Roberts proposed to her husband, chef Luke DaleRoberts, that she design a chair for the restaurant. The school chair had the right attitude: It’s immediately recognisable to the guest but all grown up with leather and fine finishes. Plus, Sandalene could create enough custom chairs to fill a restaurant, all made locally and at a reasonable price. The chair was a hit, and in the years since Sandalene has made all the chairs for The Test Kitchen’s new interiors and designed and made all the furniture for The Short Market Club. She has also collaborated with Nando’s on Afro-inspired school chairs for its casas under the brand name Naturalis, named for a pop-up restaurant where she originally expanded the range of chairs. Earlier this year, Sandalene was told the factory that made her chairs, the one she had worked with for seven years to refine the designs and ensure consistency, was in liquidation. Her supply chain was in jeopardy and the workers were going to lose their jobs. In just four months from acquiring the original business’s assets, including its artisans, Sandalene found a factory space and set up Naturalis, with a team of 35. While the Naturalis range continues to expand, and now includes outdoor pieces and sofas, Sandalene’s intention is to collaborate with other designers and makers. She maintains she’s not a designer, although her previous life as a fashion designer has definitely equipped her with the understanding and appreciation of craft and how things are put together.“I want to focus on manufacture, to ensure jobs for my staff, to acknowledge their work and to empower them,” she says. naturalis.co.za

ABOVE Sandalene Dale-Roberts, designer and owner of Naturalis, with some of her new designs. OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Metal frames drying in the oven after being sprayed. | Shweshwe-print school chairs. | Wooden back and seat shells behind some newly bent metal frames. | Marshall Williams spray-painting some bar stool metal frames in the Naturalis spray booth. | An antique chair carcass that’s being prepared for refurbishment for a new restaurant, Salsify @ The Roundhouse. | Victor Jacobs busy welding in the metal section.

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PHOTOS JAN RAS WORDS AMELIA BROWN

32 REASONS

Vici square basin mixer, RSP R1 799.

Vici square shower head, RSP R1 150. Vici round sink mixer, RSP R2 499.

Vici round basin mixer, RSP R1 599.

Vici square shower mixer, RSP R1 699.

BATHROOM BLITZ New to the local market, Vici Bathroom Glam carries a range of accessories that will add sophistication to the most functional space in your home.

Vici shower channel, RSP R1 899.

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bathrooms, and strive to bring customers the latest designs and styles at aﬀordable prices.” All Vici products come with a 15-year guarantee and parts are always available if something needs to be replaced. The range includes shower arms, shower drains, free-standing bath spouts, basin clickers and stainless steel shower roses, to name but a few. “All our shower roses are supplied with water-saving ﬂow restrictors, which is so important in times of drought,” says director Mike Pullen. vicibathrooms.co.za

Vici square sink mixer, RSP R2 599.

WORDS TRACY GREENWOOD

hether you’re building a new house or renovating a bathroom, to achieve a sophisticated end result you need to pay attention to the details. Which is where Vici Bathroom Glam comes in. Vici imports a wide range of quality bathroom accessories, but manufactures products locally wherever possible. The company aims to supply South Africans with “beautifully designed, high-quality products”, says Vici director Don de Souza. “We take pride in distributing the ultimate ﬁnishes for all types of

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32 REASONS

MAKING A SPLASH Basins can be functional works of art, say the owners of Sterlings, local importer of Italian sanitaryware, taps, tiles and kitchens.

talian design know-how and quality are at the heart of the new range of basins imported by Sterlings, an industry leader in exclusive Italian bathroom and kitchen products. We chatted to co-owner Danielle Sterling to ﬁnd out more. How have basins evolved over the years? Since the shower has become the norm thanks to a greater awareness of water scarcity, the focus in bathrooms has shifted from baths to basins. Sterlings really wanted to be at the forefront of new materials for basins. The new range is hand-crafted in Vinci in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. Our supplier works with more than 200 Tuscan artisans, and 15 glassmakers in Murano work in the company’s production chain. This enables the customisation of products to suit individual needs and to create exclusive products.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Etna monoblock basin, R22 988,39. | Ramada glass basin, R22 485,38. | Glo Ball Ice crystal basin, R39 236,85.

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Which material was used to produce your latest basins? Pure crystal. These refined products are mouth-blown and bevelled in stone by master artists in Italy. Which bathroom trends stood out for you at Salone del Mobile 2018 in Milan? Black, black and more black! Darker colours remain a huge trend: black, anthracite, dark woods and so on. There was also glass in many different tones, from transparent to bronzed, and a lot of matte finishes in kitchen doors and bathroom sanitaryware. Texture is another major trend. There were many new kitchen finishes such as concrete-effect doors, matte back-painted glass doors, and porcelain-tiled doors in different finishes, ranging from rust-like oxide to textured greys. Colours like mint green and pale pink are also in vogue. sterlings.co.za

INTERVIEW MARY GARNER

32 REASONS

TAPPED IN At Decorex Joburg 2018, the ISCA Bathroom Trends Project saw two young creatives use colourful new ISCA ﬁttings in a bold installation, reﬂecting international trends.

RIGHT Abiah Mahlase and Bradley Muttitt. BELOW The ISCA colours are called, from left, Chilli, Minneola, Day-glo, Shamrock, Inky Blue, Macaroon, Celestial and Ebony.

ith a brief to give Decorex Joburg 2018 visitors insight into the latest bathroom trends, SABC 3 Win A Home winners Abiah Mahlase and Bradley Muttitt created a bold, brightly coloured bathroom installation as part of the ISCA Bathroom Trends Project. It showcased the

new ISCA collection of bathroom ﬁttings, one that puts colour front and centre. It’s a pronounced move away from conventional polished or brushed metal, that’s for sure. “Bathrooms are becoming as beautiful as any other room in the house,” says Abiah. “A bathroom should be not only a functional

space but also a room where you can incorporate the latest styles.” Called Urban Playground, Abiah and Bradley’s installation was inspired by pop art and street art. Their bold use of colour is right up the alley of the new city dweller. isca.lixil.co.za

WIN! Three readers will each win an ISCA sink mixer of their choice from the Bordo Round Colour Collection, together worth R5 400. Go to VISI.co.za/win to enter. OC T/NOV 2018

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WORDS MICHAELA STEHR

WIN

Get unlimited, instant, pure, boiling hot and ice cold water at the touch of a button with the BIBO bar. The BIBO bar remembers your cup size and preferred temperature of water to conveniently ofer you endless and great tasting puriďŹ ed water, just the way you like it. The BIBO bar is energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Ideal for the home and office. Purchase or rental options available. Visit bibo.co.za to learn more or call 0800 00 2426.

32 REASONS

VIVA ITALIA Italian drinks are having a moment, and we’re not complaining! Here’s our pick of proseccos, apéritifs and liqueurs that are available locally, plus two wines made from classic Italian grape varieties..

PASQUA ROMEO & JULIET BRUT PROSECCO This fresh prosecco has intense aromas of pear and apple. R150 • sales@vinotria.co.za

BOTTEGA BACÛR DISTILLED DRY GIN It leads with a note of juniper, followed by citrus and sage. Enjoy on its own or in a classic G&T. R449 • makro.co.za

WIN

WORDS TRACY GREENWOOD & KAYANN VAN ROOYEN

AYAMA VERMENTINO 2017 The second vintage of this wine – made from the first Vermentino grapes planted in South Africa – has aromas of peach, pear and lime and a typical greenalmond finish. R220 • ayama.co.za MALFY GIN ROSA This pink gin balances grapefruit and rhubarb flavours with subtle citrus and juniper berry aromas. Perfect for cocktails. R419 • makro.co.za

WIN! To win Italian drinks hampers, worth almost R5 000 in total, go to VISI.co.za/win to enter. OC T/NOV 2018

BOTTEGA VERMOUTH BIANCO This vermouth is based on Pinot Grigio, and its character comes from an infusion of herbs, ﬂowers and spices. Available at Norman Goodfellows. From R330 • ngf.co.za

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STEENBERG NEBBIOLO 2015 This elegant Nebbiolo has rose petal and fynbos on the nose, and hints of sour cherry and raspberry on the palate. With beautifully integrated tannins, it has great ageing potential. R277 • steenbergfarm.com

APEROL Bitter-sweet and refreshing, Aperol tastes of rhubarb and sweet oranges. Serve it in equal parts with Cinzano Pro-Spritz and a dry sparkling wine in a glass full of ice with a splash of soda. R229 • makro.co.za

CAMPARI BITTER The actual recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but suﬃce to say this spirit is made from an infusion of bitter herbs, aromatics and fruit. We love it with orange juice and a handful of ice cubes. R289 • makro.co.za

DISARONNO ORIGINALE This liqueur with its distinctive almond ﬂavour has been an Italian favourite for centuries; the maker maintains the recipe from the 15th century. Fashion house Trussardi dressed this limited-edition bottle. R279 – R299 at leading retailers

BOTTTEGA LIMONCINO LIMONCELLO A smooth, sweet and intense lemon liqueur. R305 • takealot.com

MIONETTO PROSECCO DOC TREVISO BRUT This is a crisp dry bubbly with peach and pear on the nose, and notes of honey and liquorice. R199 • makro.co.za

32 REASONS

Schoolgirl morning doodles on the back of train tickets are now unique playing cards.

s a youngster, Tessa Wessels spent hours commuting by train between her home in Muizenberg and her school in Newlands. To while away the time, the now-25-year-old freelance concept artist would whip out her ballpoint pen and sketch rough portraits of fellow passengers on the back of her train tickets. “I’d pick anyone with interesting features,” she says. “There were so many people to choose

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from on the 6.45 am train – from hung-over teens to distracted businessmen.” In the evenings, Tessa would work on her drawings with red pen and black markers, adding intriguing layers to the collage of memorable faces. “Eventually I had so many sketches they were spilling out of my blazer pockets,” she says. “I scribbled numbers, words and characters on them, and eventually my friends and I used them as playing cards during break.” Wanting to surprise her (then) boyfriend, Tomas, with an unusual 18th-birthday gift,

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Tessa planned to give him her unique pack. “But my gran persuaded me to keep the originals and to make digital prints instead.” Her A Face on a Train collection was soon followed by the Maﬁa Pack, featuring the shady faces of the Italian underworld. She now sells her one-of-a-kind playing cards at her parents’ art gallery, Artvark, in Kalk Bay. @_strawbs Both series are available as packs of cards, R250, and 30 x 18 cm limited-edition individual card prints, R75.

PORTRAIT KIRSTEN FAITH MULLER WORDS BIDDI RORKE

GIRL ON A TRAIN

32 REASONS

A TASTE OF TOKYO If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a Japanophile, the beautifully remodelled Tjing Tjing on Longmarket Street in Cape Town will have you dreaming of Harajuku and Omotesando in Tokyo.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar has been a Cape Town landmark for seven years. | Tjing Tjing Momiji has a ine-dining menu inspired by kaiseki. | Chef Christi Semczyszyn and souschef Adri Morel head up the kitchens. | Tjing Tjing Torii has a vibrant street-food-inspired look. | Momiji Lounge features a carbon-stained ash screen and cladding by Warren Franken of Elementree.

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TOP Terence Kitching’s illustrations of a Harajuku boy and girl adorn a wall at Tjing Tjing Torii.

PHOTOS KLEINJAN GROENEWALD WORDS KATHARINE POPE

Guests seated at Tjing Tjing Momiji’s maple booths are in for a 12-course Japanese ine-dining experience.

jing Tjing, the shrine-red rooftop bar on Cape Town’s Longmarket Street, has always had a Japanese slant: Its mansard roof is papered with blackand-white photos from owner Ilse Koekemoer’s trip to Tokyo. But that Japanese influence has filtered down through the floors of this nearly 200-year-old building. After a major renovation, Tjing Tjing launched three striking new restaurant spaces in July: Torii, Momiji and Momiji Lounge. Designer Francois du Plessis, who has been involved for the past eight years, introduced architect Suzanne Schekman of Untitled Design Hub for this ambitious project. On the ground floor, neon lights in the shape of the Japanese character for torii (gates at the entrance to a Shinto shrine) announce the new location of the Japanese street foodinspired restaurant. Wallpaper designed by Terence Kitching and Kim Bischofberger and printed by Robin Sprong creates a vibrant layering of imagery from old Japan with modern pop culture references. Industrial designer Warren Franken designed the steel-and-wood bar that occupies the central space, the oak booths that line the wall and the oak bars that create a screen to shield diners from the passage.

Ceiling lights gradually change colour at the touch of an app, setting the scene for bento boxes, fluffy pancakes, milk bread croque monsieur and beautiful wagashi and pastries. Make it past the temptations to the first floor, and you’ll find two more new spaces to explore. Tjing Tjing Momiji is inspired by kaiseki dining, Japan’s answer to haute cuisine. Here, chef Christi Semczyszyn demonstrates her skills with a 10- to 12-course tasting experience that recreates the rigour and ceremony of kaiseki menus. After the energy and bold reds of downstairs, it’s a calmer, sophisticated space. Pale maple booths are contrasted with black cushions, a black staircase and carbonstained ash screens. The reservations-only Momiji Lounge offers a different vibe altogether. Sunken seats, dark-grey hues and a moodily lit bar set the scene for whimsical cocktails inspired by Japanese fairy tales. Sip a saki-andvodka-based Princess Kaguya (the moon princess who was born from a bamboo shoot on earth), or a Kitsune (named for a Japanese shape-shifting fox), which features shōchū, plum wine, Caperatif, shiso infusion and yuzu juice. It’s enough to make you want to hop on a plane to Tokyo. tjingtjing.co.za

32 REASONS

CURATED CRAFTS

KAMERS/Makers, South Africa’s biggest pop-up retail market, continues to put local talent on the map. Diarise the dates for two events this summer.

Small metal plate by Roger Stones Blacksmith, ceramic spoon and bangle by Jess Ceramics, copper Jungle scarf by Daphne Accessories and metal-and-wood desk clock by Man+Wife.

hat began in 2003 as a small pop-up market has turned into one of South Africa’s most anticipated national showcases. After a record-breaking Joburg show, with 16 000 attendees, KAMERS/Makers had a brief hiatus and now returns at brand-new venues for Summer 2018. “After 16 years and 37 shows we’re still blown away by all the new ideas we saw during the curation process for this summer’s events,” says KAMERS/Makers co-owner and creative director Wanda du Toit. Here is what she says visitors can expect for the next exciting installment: “Plants and botanicals are still a strong trend. We are also seeing retro colours and patterns making a comeback. Visitors can look forward to lots of wood, clay, organic shapes and all things authentic. “We are excited to showcase dozens of new young makers. Our shows are known for a wide selection of unique fashion, jewellery and accessories, and Summer 2018 will be no exception. Our Irene show will be our biggest ever, with 200 makers selling their handcrafted wares.” KAMERS/Makers 2018 Stellenbosch will be held at the Blaauwklippen Vineyards from 30 October to 4 November 2018, from 9 am to 5 pm daily. KAMERS/Makers 2018 Irene Pretoria will be held at Cornwall Hill College from 4 to 9 December, from 9 am to 5 pm daily. Tickets cost R60 at plankton.mobi and R90 at the entrance, which includes a limitededition KAMERS/Makers shopping bag and magazine. A multi-entry ticket costs R120, students and pensioners pay R60, and under-18s enter for free. kamersvol.com shop.kamersvol.com

PHOTOS CHARL DU PREEZ STYLING NICKY MYBURGH WORDS MICHAELA STEHR

ABOVE RIGHT Floral decal by Land of Lark, leather-and-canvas bag by Research Unit and botanical embroidery ring by Salt & Stitch.

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PALACE ON WHEELS Bentley has just put its ﬁrst and the most reﬁned diesel engine ever into the Bentayga. Our man-behind-the-wheel Dieter Losskarn spent some quality time in the world’s most posh diesel beast.

n 2016, Bentley was the first top luxury carmaker to manufacture an SUV, which turned out to be a palace on wheels that defined a whole new vehicle segment. (Earlier this year, Lamborghini entered the fray with the Urus, and Rolls Royce launched the Cullinan.) Now, Bentley has gone a step further and put the first-ever diesel engine in 99 years of

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company history into their SUV. With a base price of almost R3 million, it costs about R1 million less than the top petrol model. With an average consumption of about 7 ℓ/100 km it is the most economical Bentley ever. The interior smells like a gentlemen’s club of old. Think deep gloss lacquer, thick aromatic leather, smooth polished metal surfaces, mesmerising matching rare wood veneers

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and perfectly placed hand-stitched seams. The ambience literally screams for a cigar and a single malt. But it would be undignified to scream in a Bentley. Inside the cabin it’s as though I’m in another world, detached from reality. I pull past traffic, fly across country roads effortlessly, despite the 2,5 tonnes beneath me. The 4.0 V8 accelerates the luxury cruise ship in 4,8 seconds from 0 to

100 km/h and reaches 270 km/h with ease. I corner the beautiful Franschhoek bends almost as though I am piloting a sports car. Paired with the enormous torque of the engine, this is a rather exhilarating aﬀair. Owned by the Volkswagen group for two decades now, the Germans have managed to retain the “Britishness” of Bentley. Much like

BMW has conserved the legacy of Rolls-Royce, that other quintessentially British luxury brand. The Germans just added some of their ingenious technology. The aluminium-panelled MLB platform shares its architecture with family members of the Bentley, namely the Audi Q7, the Porsche Cayenne, the Volkswagen Touareg and the Lamborghini Urus. The Lamborghini

has to look and feel Italian, the Bentley British. I think even Walter Owen Bentley, the former railway and aircraft engineer who founded the company that bears his name on 18 January 1919, would agree that the Germans have done a rather splendid job in preserving his heritage. bentleymedia.com

Luxury needn’t end where there is no more road: The sophisticated new V8 diesel is a silky smooth afair and a great alternative to the current V8 and W12 petrol power plants. The inside is a gentleman’s club of old, far removed from the real world. Despite the family resemblance to other members of the Volkswagen clan, the Bentayga has retained its Britishness.

WORDS DIETER LOSSKARN

MEET THE JAGUAR E-PACE It’s not only the Germans who have managed to retain the uniqueness of an iconic British automobile brand while improving it. Indian automotive company Tata Motors acquired and has totally revived the Jaguar Land Rover. And the new E-PACE, Jaguar’s ﬁrst compact SUV, just blew me away. Exhibiting a British attitude and ﬁtted with a diesel power plant,

this vehicle is both agile and attractive. It is the kitten to the Jaguar F-PACE SUV, introduced two years ago, and it’s on the market to compete against the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Volvo XC40. With looks like this and a competitive price tag (from R608 516), the E-PACE shouldn’t have a problem taking a considerable market share in the baby SUV market. jaguar.co.za

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BIG IN JAPAN There are a lot of reasons to love the new Lexus LS luxury sedan, not least of which is its Asian sensibilities.

WORDS TRACY GREENWOOD

The Lexus LS 500 with its 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine costs from R2 128 500.

et behind the wheel of the new Lexus LS 500 and a few things come to mind. For starters, it’s a sophisticated ride with oodles of space in the tastefully equipped cabin. And with its sleek coupé-style silhouette and bold design signature, it is a truly good-looking car. Known for epitomising automotive luxury, the Japanese brand takes the proud history of its predecessors one step further with this model, which draws on the notion of omotenashi – the uniquely Japanese approach to hospitality – to set this model apart. Chief engineer Toshio Asahi says that this, the ﬁfth generation of the Lexus LS, is a reimagination of what a ﬂagship sedan should be. “Four key pillars have underpinned the development of the new LS: brave design, Takumi craftsmanship, exhilarating performance and imaginative technology.” lexus.co.za

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32 REASONS

READ ALL ABOUT IT There’s no better way to welcome summer than with a stack of fabulous tomes and a chair in the garden with your name on it. Here are our recommendations. LIVING ON WATER Phaidon, about R950

This gorgeous image-driven book showcases contemporary dwellings close to or on a river, a lake, pools or the sea. It is divided into sections covering houses “built to look at water”, “built on water” and “built to reﬂect water”, and features 55 homes from all

over the world chosen because of their relationship with the water and the design concepts and techniques that “prove water can become a building’s best friend”. Looking at the superb photos, you wish you could step inside some of these homes to experience the full impact of the design. Some are for rent…

WIN

OLD HOUSES MADE NEW by Macarena Abascal Valdenebro, teNeues, about R1 023

Barcelona-based architectural and interiors author Macarena Abascal Valdenebro put together this marvellous compendium of old buildings that have been revamped,

renovated and remodelled to suit modern living. Some are the result of extensive rehabilitation, whereas others have been nipped and tucked in deceptively simple cosmetic ways to aﬀect some amazing changes. Simply inspirational if you are looking to make changes in your own home.

FAST FACT PUBLISHING HOUSE TENEUES WAS FOUNDED AS A PRINT SHOP IN KREFELD, GERMANY, IN 1931. AFTER THE SHOP WAS DESTROYED IN WORLD WAR II IT WAS REBUILT IN KEMPEN, 12 KM AWAY. IT IS STILL OWNED BY THE TENEUES FAMILY.

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A SCENTED WORLD by Claire Bingham, teNeues, about R850

Design and lifestyle writer Claire Bingham, who has written a number of books on interiors for teNeues, took a step out of her comfort zone to explore the world of scent for this book. It features interviews with the creators of iconic perfume brands, delves into the science and art of creating a new fragrance, and divulges the secrets of luxury hotels’ signature scents.

PET-TECTURE Phaidon, about R285

Architecture for pets is becoming serious business as design heavyweights turn their hand to pet furniture and products. This book, which includes designs by the likes of Sou Fujimoto, Kengo Kuma and MAD Architects, is an irresistible read for design-conscious pet lovers. Flip through it and you’ll ﬁnd trees for cats, concrete dog homes, luxury ﬁsh tanks, chicken coops and even a dog-shaped cat scratcher. Birds, rabbits, horses, mice and guinea pigs are catered for, too.

WORDS TRACY GREENWOOD

SNARKITECTURE by Alex Mustonen and Daniel Arsham, Phaidon, about R955

JAPAN: THE COOKBOOK by Nancy Singleton Hachisu, Phaidon, about R540

Japanese cuisine – and Japanese culture in general – is having more than a moment, which makes this deﬁnitive home cooking collection a must-have for aﬁcionados. Learn how to make more than 400 recipes, organised by course and each with helpful tips alongside.

The quirky title is the name of a New York-based collaborative practice that has designed installations, products, furniture and buildings for a diverse range of clients, including Kartell. Using 400 images, captions and diagrams, the authors (also the founders of the studio) describe 73 of their projects and explain how they come up with their fascinating interdisciplinary designs.

WIN! You could win a copy of Living on Water, worth R950. Go to VISI.co.za/win to enter. OC T/NOV 2018

32 REASONS

WIN THIS DREAM PRIZE! One lucky VISI reader will win a DEDON DAYDREAM XS FOURPOSTER DAYBED FROM CANE TIME, worth more than R62 000.

hinking about lazy summer days spent relaxing outdoors? Thanks to South African outdoor furniture brand Cane Time, you stand the chance to win the ultimate accessory for the sunny season. Designed by awardwinning industrial designer Richard Frinier for international outdoor furniture company DEDON, the DAYDREAM four-poster bed XS is inspired by the One Thousand and One Nights collection of ancient Middle Eastern folk tales. Using DEDON ﬁbre in an open weave, the powdercoated aluminium frame supports a comfortable seat with both a back rest and side rests, and poles that hold up an elegant canopy – all of which can be removed for use as a daybed. canetime.com

VISIT VISI.CO.ZA/WIN TO ENTER

VISI COMPETITION RULES • VISI competitions are open to all South African residents, excluding employees of New Media Publishing, employees of the companies supplying the prizes, associated companies and advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate family members. • The winner will be chosen at the sole discretion of the judges, whose decision

will be inal. No correspondence will be entered into. • Winners will not be eligible for other prizes for three months after winning a competition. • The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. • Neither New Media Publishing nor any of its partners can be held responsible for disputes in connection with prizes or for any loss, damage or injury that may be sufered

or incurred by prize winners. • Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules and agree to be bound by them when entering VISI competitions. • Data collected may be shared with the prize sponsor company, but will not be sold or passed on to third parties. • New Media Publishing reserves the right to cancel, modify or amend competitions at any time if deemed necessary.

WIN! To stand a chance to win this fabulous prize, go to VISI.co.za/win to enter. OC T/NOV 2018

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SHOPPING DIRECTORY

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In the home or on the tailgate

Online Shopping www.melvillandmoon.com

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To advertise here Please contact Eva Cookson Eva.Cookson@newmediapub.co.za or Diane Lubbe Diane.Lubbe@newmediapub.co.za

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8 – 11 January 2019

TEXTILE INSPIRATION

ABSOLUTE PASSION FOR HOME AND CONTRACT TEXTILES – NOW WITH A NEW TRADE FAIR CONCEPT FOR GREATER PROXIMITY.

The new Heimtextil – surprisingly different. heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com info@southafrica.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +2710 599 6150

SMART IDEA

TABLETOP PICNIC NOUWENS FIELDTURF MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO ENJOY PICNICS ALL YEAR ROUND, COME RAIN OR SHINE. EVEN APARTMENT DWELLERS CAN BUY THIS ARTIFICIAL GRASS BY THE METRE TO CREATE THEIR OWN HIGH-RISE GRASSY PATCH.

We love the Kikuyu Turf option from Nouwens Fieldturf, which is the closest you will get to the real thing. It has just the right texture, density and height (30 mm), and is speckled with the odd “dead” blade to add authenticity. It is made of polyethylene and comes with an eight-year UV warranty. Cut the turf to size with a Stanley knife or a strong pair of scissors, and attach it to a tabletop using doublesided carpet tape.

P H OTO S MARIJKE WILLEMS WO R D S A N N E M A R I E M E I N TJ E S

We bought all the bits we needed at Builders. The Kikuyu Turf – 3,8 m wide and sold by the metre – cost R265,84/m2. builders.co.za ﬁeldturf.co.za nouwens.co.za

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