No.1
home an dg magazinarden e
R60.00
9 771814 165001
your practical guide to beautiful living
04181
SA’s
(vat incl.) Namibia N$60.00
April 2020 DIY
Whitewash a drab brick wall
COOK WITH EGGS
Curry, cake &
croque monsieur
+ Ma ke you r own potstickers
New!
Join our décor school
IN THE GARDEN
More is more with i h mass plantings
Page 74
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FIX IT WITH FLAIR WINNERS
makeovers OUT THE BOX
tect’s container house
FABULOUS FACELIFT
...with ith second-hand dh finds and paint
ENTER NOW FOR 2020:
DIY
A ffamily home revamped – for just R150 000
R100 000 up for grabs!
SHOP IN-STORE OR ONLINE WWW.HOME.CO.ZA
IMAGINE MORE TIME OUT FEEL FREE TO ENJOY This summer spend more time at home and make the most of a space that mirrors the beauty of the outdoors. Open up your home and invite everyone over, there is plenty of space on the couch. Homeware and furniture available in-store and online.
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Fresh ideas
Reader home
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Fix it with Flair winner!
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Fix it with Flair winner!
ader g rden
112 12 décor 12 14 22
Retail therapy Vases and planters Fresh ideas for creative corners Characterful Hermanus home decorated with ‘junk’
fix it with flair 32 42 52
Clever plans with a container Fabulous facelift with second-hand finds and paint A DIY transformation!
do it yourself 64
Whitewash a brick wall with cement
in the garden 90
104
Group-planting and hedges work to great effect in a reader garden Mass planting An easy and economical way to garden
in the kitchen 112
122 124 126
Eggcellent! Scrumptious dishes with the humble egg Potstickers, step by step Quick food We’ve got supper sorted! Food & drinks to feed your senses
competitions 6 62
78 88
Join our new décor school! Shop till you drop at the Tuis | Home Market
Write in to Your Space and WIN Fix it with Flair 2020 Enter and win your share of R100 000 Send us your pet pics and WIN Complete Crossword #140 and WIN a book worth R320
regulars 8 10 68
events 74 89
Add eggs
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Diary April highlights What’s new on the décor scene Advice Ask the experts 72 Trash or treasure? Let’s find out 78 Pets and their peculiarities 80 Gardening notebook Last words from Karin Brynard
Cover photograph Francois Oberholster • Styling Marian van Wyk
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t’s hardly surprising that “loadshedding” was one of the most searched words on Google in South Africa in 2019, according to business news website Business Insider. To put it in perspective: it was more popular than Meghan Markle or Game of Thrones... Here we are, forging ahead in 2020, and I’ll bet you my last match and candle that “loadshedding” will once again take thee top spot. Even after Meghan and Harry’s unexpected but newsworthy ‘dethroning’ – a whole new ‘game of thrones’. Megxit totally overshadowed Brexit! Since laughing is almost always better than crying, I asked m my Facebook friends for their funniest Eskom jokes, because we don’t take ourselves too seriously here on the southern tip of Africa. And as many political commentators have pointed out: SA has been in much tighter spots before, and we survived. My request for jokes elicited a stony silence – as silent as the e night when the power is off. Apart from one brave attempt by Melanie who offered this, all in uppercase: I’D LOVE TO MAKE AN ESKOM JOKE, BUT I DON’T HAVE THE ENERGY! Indeed. ndeed. Just this morning, I typed a WhatsApp message to my housekeeper Margaret, as I always do. We no longer leave each other handwritten notes on the kitchen counter, bar exceptional crises. Like last week’s cryptic but critical message: TOILET PAPERS. Nogal plural. It was a bit of an emergency, it seems. This is how my WhatsApp went: “Hello M. Loadshedding today 10–12.30. Laundry in machine. Should be done by 9.50, just before power goes off. Everything should be OK.” Yip, because these days that’s the most important note of the day; not what bedding should be washed, what’s for lunch, or who might need to be let in to do house repairs. A few nights ago, I made a dinner reservation for friends and before I could ask, the manager said: “Sir, if you are seated by 7pm and order your food by 7.15pm, it will be on the table by 8pm when the power goes off – just in time for a candlelit dinner. But we can’t serve coffee before 10.30pm; you know, the machine needs power. Unless you like plunger coffee? We have gas burners.” Absolutely matter of fact, as if we were discussing whether I wanted an outside or inside table. And my best: when I drove past one of the local barber shops during loadshedding and saw four chairs out on the sidewalk – with contented customers enjoying the early morning, not just getting their beards trimmed but also getting some fresh air. Four heads in a row. Friends, we may not have power or ‘energy’ but don’t let anyone tell you we don’t give it our all... The annual Fix it with Flair winners, whose homes we feature in this issue, definitely gave it their best. Maybe we should send these five readers to Megawatt Park or Medupi? That’s all I have to say. Meanwhile, feel free to send me your best Eskom jokes; my email address is below.
editor@homemag.co.za • Entries for this year’s Fix it with Flair competition are now officially open. Our new sponsor, Paint Master, will be giving the first 150 entrants a free paint-and-colour consultation. These experts are also the creators of popular Tjhoko Paint. Turn to page 62 for details. • And last but not least: in the spirit of turning 2020 into ‘twenty plenty’, we’re not only launching the Tuis|Home Market in May (see page 89), but we’re also hosting our first décor school in partnership with MRP Home. Turn to page 74 for the details and enrol for three days of décor magic and an intimate look at what happens behind the scenes at Home.
EDITOR CAPE TOWN OFFICE Cape Town postal address Office Manager JOHANNESBURG OFFICE EDITORIAL Features Editor Creative Editor Food Editor Art Director Designer Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor Multimedia Journalist Photographer Retoucher
Wicus Pretorius • editor@homemag.co.za 20th Floor, Media24 Building, 40 Heerengracht, Cape Town PO Box 1802, Cape Town, 8000 Amina Essop 021 406 2401 Media Park Building, 69 Kingsway Road, Auckland Park
Shané Barnard • shane.barnard@media24.com Marian van Wyk Johané Neilson • johane.neilson@tuis.co.za Andrew Maritz Jade Cupido Tessa Jean-Jacques Gillian Eva Suné Esterhuizen Francois Oberholster René Nortjé
CONTRIBUTORS Ina Baard, Martin Bester, Karin Brynard, Elza Cooper, Greg Cox, Paula Dubois, Gerda Engelbrecht, Marié Esterhuyse, Kosie Jansen van Rensburg, ER Lombard, Kay Montgomery, Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel, Karl Rogers, Ludwig Taschner, JJ van Rensburg, Deryck van Steenderen, Amanda van Wyngaardt, Dina Venter Production Manager General Enquiries ADVERTISNG HEAD: Advertising Sales (Cape Town and KZN) Key Account Manager (CT) Sales Manager (JHB) Classified Sales MEDIA24 LIVE Head of Events Head of Sponsorship Marketing Manager LIFESTYLE CREATE STUDIO Creative Director Commercial Manager: Monthlies Commercial Editor CIRCULATION Circulation Manager Product Manager
Kerry Nash Donvé Myburgh 021 406 2387
Sarah Curtis-Bowles 021 461 2396 Charlene Meyer 082 928 5970 Susan Pienaar 083 281 7300 Evonne Mehl 021 461 2396
Francois Malan 021 406 2376 Nikki Ruttiman 011 713 9147 Andile Nkosi 021 406 2257
Michael de Beer Lise Coetsee Gerda Engelbrecht
Riaan Weyers 021 503 7179 Janine Snyman 011 713 9918
SUBSCRIPTIONS, RENEWALS AND ENQUIRIES TEL 087 353 1300 • FAX 086 296 6681 • EMAIL subs@media24.com SMS “home” to 32361 (R1 per SMS) • WEB Zinio.com or Magzter.com
Published by Media24, 40 Heerengracht, Cape Town, 8001. Tel: 021 406 2121
CEO: Media24 Ishmet Davidson • CEO: Media24 Print Media Rika Swart GM: Media24 Lifestyle Minette Ferreira Head of Finance: Media24 Lifestyle Jameelah Conway CMO Media24 Lifestyle Nerisa Coetzee Copyright Media24. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the publisher. While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of advice and information given to readers, the editor, proprietors and publishers cannot accept responsibility for any damages or inconvenience that may arise therefrom. Home has the right to make alterations to any material submitted, and cannot be held responsible for the loss of or damage to any material submitted for publication. All prices stated are subject to change and may vary from store to store; retail prices in-store should be considered the final confirmed amount.
April 2020
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your space Write to us at Home, Readers’ Letters, PO Box 1802, Cape Town 8000; email editor@homemag.co.za, fax 021 408 3046, and join our Facebook group (facebook.com/homemag) or follow us on Instagram @TuisHomeMag.
WINNING LETTER
Tanya Killerby-Korf of Nelspruit writes I absolutely devour every page of your amazing magazine every single month! It’s pure inspiration for my creative spirit. I recently came across a dressing table on a second-hand site; I’ve wanted one for as long as I can remember. Sitting cross-legged on my bed with my make-up spread around me haphazardly has not been the ideal way to get ready in the morning for the past 20 years... Big sigh! That rather uncomfortable position has induced a back spasm or 10, I can assure you! Not to mention the terrible lighting, resulting in some rather interesting eye make-up results. Although this bargain dressing table wasn’t my style, I could see the potential in it. Thanks to Annie Sloan and her amazing chalk paint, applique, new hardware, a little filler, and a splash of sweat (no tears), this is the result! I asked my kind, handy hubby to chop off the bottom and I found elegant feet to finish off my delightful new piece. Thanks again for an amazing mag; I can’t live without it!
IN SHORT Oh my giddy aunt! I had to chuckle at Karin Brynard’s tongue-in-cheek back page for February 2020. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to her for putting some humour into Januworry and Februworry as so many of us are already ‘dragging our own trains’ around with us as we wonder why it already feels like December is upon us with all the unmet resolutions and expectations (real or imagined). Not to mention the DIY projects, desires and dreams – inspired by every turn of a Home magazine page – that will never see the light of day this year... Or n-e-e-e-ext! – Monica Dawson, Port Elizabeth
The editor reserves the right to edit letters at his discretion.
What a makeover!
Before Before
The place I call home
Herlina Burger of Durbanville writes Home is my go-to mag – it has completely changed the way I approach decorating. I don’t live on a big budget or in a big house, but I love my home and I’d like to share some pics with readers. Nothing is perfect, nothing is fancy. There’s a lot of dust, there’s old stuff and there are five cats… This is the place I call home.
I finally had some time to get my creative muscle working again and decided to revamp my bathroom vanity. This is the first time I’ve used chalk paint and I’m totally sold! I will be redoing quite a few things around the house over the next holidays. Thanks for a great mag! – Nella Payne, Bellville, Cape Town The writer of the winning letter receives a Linen Drawer voucher worth R1 500! Linen Drawer produces top quality bed linen made from pure cotton percale and pure linen, as well as bath linen and table linen with free delivery anywhere in SA. They also sell quality winter sheeting, duvets and pillows, blankets and throws, mattress protectors and bed wraps – all designed to ensure that you and your family have a good night’s sleep, every night. A new set of bed linen from Linen Drawer is a life-changing experience! Go to linendrawer.co.za.
WIN!
6 home April 2020
GBR/24436/H
MIDNIGHT BEAUTY 90 |
DESERT ROSE 59 |
Kitchen unit custom designed and hand painted for Duram by Hollywood Kitchens.
DARLING WHITE 11 |
Paint so smart, you’ll style your life around it. Introducing Duram’s new Habitat Colour Collection, a curated palette for the contemporary home. Featuring 90 beautiful designer colours from subtle earthbound neutrals to dark inky hues, choosing the perfect colour for your living space couldn’t be simpler. Inspiration comes easily with Duram’s richly pigmented interior and exterior paints that provide exceptional depth of colour, luxurious finishes and superior long-lasting results that always look smart. Ask for Duram at your local hardware store. The paint that’s made smart to look smart. Each colour is available for purchase in convenient and affordable 90ml Colour Samples at select stores. Dry paint colour and sheen may vary from colours shown.
diary
Compiled by Suné Esterhuizen Send diary entries to diary@homemag.co.za at least three months before the event.
April flashes
ON THE BOX
On Best Laid Plans (Season 1 starts 13 April on the Home Channel, 176 on DStv), homeowners call on the experts when their large-scale renovation projects get the better of them. Architectural designer Charlie Luxton and property developer Sophie Morgan formulate a game plan to help rescue these renovations, providing invaluable guidance and sound advice. In the process, they also ensure that they add value to these properties by making smart structural and design decisions.
DECOREX CAPE TOWN 30 April – 3 May: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) Visitors to Decorex Cape Town will find this year’s theme, ‘Lifestyle by Design’, well supported by a wide range of new feature installations that talk to the latest trends. See Decorex creative director Anita Bloom’s Top 10 trends for the year at the 2020 Trends Installation and listen to leading design influencers, manufacturers and décor professionals at the Instudio Trend Theatre. Visit decorex.co.za for a complete list of all the exciting features you can expect. Tickets cost R110 per adult, R100 for students and pensioners, and R20 for under-12s; call 011 549 8300 for details.
KIES TIERLANTYNKIES FESTIVE DESIGN & FOOD FAIR 30 April – 5 May: Zwavelpoort, Pretoria East Bring the family to celebrate creativity at the annual KIES Tierlantynkies. This year, the fair boasts more than 90 exhibitors with a variety of unique handcrafted goods and delicious treats. Enjoy a glass of wine and a performance by local musicians while the kids play. Tickets cost R35 and children under 18 enter free. Visit tierlantynkies.co.za to buy yours.
THE JOHANNESBURG CAP CLASSIQUE & CHAMPAGNE FESTIVAL 4–5 April: The Inanda Polo Club, Johannesburg The Johannesburg Cap Classique & Champagne Festival presented by Sanlam Private Wealth will once again feature some of SA’s finest Méthode Cap Classiques, a selection of France’s best champagne houses and leading Italian prosecco brands. Dress to impress in blue and white – you could win a prize! A variety of food stalls will help with the hunger pangs and live music will add to the laid-back ambience of the day. Get tickets for R395 at webtickets.co.za; for more info, call 084 207 3820.
8 home April 2020
3–4: Visitors can connect with winemakers and taste more than 250 of SA’s best wines at the 11th Mpumalanga Wine Show at the Emnotweni Arena in Nelspruit. Tickets cost R200 at computicket.com. 7: Enjoy a talk on Global Design Thinking by international design expert John Wai Lam at The Design Assemblage in Illovo, Johannesburg. Reserve your free seat at thedesignassemblage.com; for further details, call 071 100 7834. 10: Good Friday 11: Visit the Irene Village Market at the Big Red Barn in Olifantsfontein for a special Easter weekend experience; you can browse handmade arts and crafts while the kids enjoy Segway rides, mountain bike routes and more. Visit irenemarket.co.za or call 060 965 4894. 12: Keen on sweets and chocolate treats? Take the kids to Ludwig’s Rose Farm in Pretoria for a race around the Easter Bunny’s trail. Call 012 544 0144 to book or visit ludwigsroses.co.za. 13: Family Day 17: May issue of Home on sale! 18: Explore the private gardens of Tokara Wine Estate in Stellenbosch at their annual Open Garden and Rare Plant Fair. Entry, in aid of a local charity, costs R50 per person and under-10s enter free; visit tokara.com. 23–27: KAMERS/Makers returns to St David’s Marist Inanda in Sandton for its autumn showcase. Expect more than 180 stalls and dozens of brand-new artisans. Tickets cost R70 at plankton.mobi or pay R100 at the entrance; visit kamersvol.com. 25–27: Celebrate the Freedom Day long weekend with a visit to the annual South African Cheese Festival at Sandringham outside Stellenbosch. Tickets from computicket.com cost R240 per person; pensioners pay R200 and under-13s R20. 25–27: Don’t miss the annual Protea Cullifest in Cullinan! Expect a variety of stalls selling homeware, fresh cut flowers, plants and more. Visit cullifest.co.za to buy tickets for R100. 27: Freedom Day 27 April – 3 May: Indulge in music, theatre, visual art and more at the Suidoosterfees in Cape Town. Go to suidoosterfees.co.za for details and get tickets at computicket.com.
Send décor and lifestyle news to news@homemag.co.za.
Add sunshine to your desk or bedside table with this Bertie lamp from The Lighting Warehouse (R599; lightingwarehouse.co.za).
what’s new
Compiled by Shané Barnard
e
d esi r i F
Off
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ten Bea
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Treehouse
Paint & Décor has released its ‘Slow Living’ range of 20 new colours, available in 50ml sample pots (R30) or bigger pots from 1L (from R165) to 20L. Go to paintdecordiy.com.
Arielli Forest
Back to basics Lugar Chartreuse Palmero Mineral
Fine fabrics Studio G’s Palmero collection (R800/m) is now available in SA, exclusively at Hertex. This 100% brushed-cotton range features leafy botanicals, statement tropicals, abstract florals, painterly textures and gentle geometrics. Go wild with deep, dark hues and bold florals or create a calm haven with smaller blooms and softer colours.
Sheet Street has launched its very own range of furniture basics, including shelves, side tables, chairs and lamps. The range is available at selected stores, including Cape Gate, Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Mafikeng Mall, Limpopo Mall and The Pavilion. Go to sheetstreet.com for details. 1 Cross-leg side table (R499.99) 2 Four-drawer storage unit (R599.99)
CREATE, INNOVATE! WHO Mariana Smal WHERE Hermanus BUSINESS Beli Em HER WORK When Mariana Smal felt ready for a creative challenge, she used pottery skills she acquired years ago and her more recent experience working with cement to create Beli Em Designs, designing handmade table lamps and pendants using a combination of concrete and wood. “I’m a big fan of minimalist and industrial design and the combination of materials in the lamps complement each other beautifully,” she says. Go to Facebook.com/ Beli.EmDesigns to view her range of four table lamp and four pendant designs (from R650).
10 home April 2020
Homeware retailer @home has partnered with the paint and colour experts at Duram for a 2020 Colour Trends report. Draw inspiration from one of three themes – Minimalist, Luxe Lover or Trendsetter (pictured here) – to refresh your living space in time for the new season. Go to home.co.za or duram.co.za for more information.
Duram Spring Tide
Wicker screen R4 999 and faux trailing greenery in cement pot (right) R399, home.co.za
ADD TO CART Block Basics is a new online store offering fun, functional and on-trend home décor staples curated by the people who brought you Block & Chisel. The range includes a fantastic variety of furniture and homeware selected to ensure that the pieces mix and match with ease; we love the Vita Bauhaus Throw in Granite Iron and Nugget Gold (above, far left; R695). Stock quantity remains relatively small, ensuring that your look is exclusive. Browse online at blockbasics.co.za.
Local is lekker
Swartland recently launched Summit XPS Insulation Board as part of its Summit range of insulation and decorative ceiling products. The locally manufactured XPS is essentially an extruded polystyrene foam board designed to create a single layer of thermal and moisture protection on a building’s walls, roof or floor, thereby greatly contributing to its overall energy efficiency. For more information, visit summitxps.co.za.
MODERN HEIRLOOMS The Travelling Willow series of ceramics features beautifully illustrated scenes of cities such as Cape Town, New York, Tokyo, Sydney and Amsterdam by artist Sarah-Jane Jordaan. The handmade plates, made in collaboration with Mervyn Gers Ceramics, are available in sets of four dinner plates and four side plates (R2 380) or as individual plates (from R250). Mix and match to create your own unique collection! Visit riseandshineworks.co.za to order.
Homeware store Natural Selection’s range of 100% GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standards) certified organic cotton bedding comes in colourful patterns with reversible designs. Hand-printed with non-toxic ink, the versatile prints are available in various sizes (from R1 550 per set) and will add a playful touch to your bedroom. Go to natural-selection.co.za to order.
Glass vase with embossed leaf design (10cm) R19.99, The Crazy Store Hanging Maize Basket R159.99, MRP Home
On Fresh F hen up your home with blooms and plants in a gorgeous new vase or planter. Compiled by ShanĂŠ Barnard
Lashes Planter R59.99, Sheet Street
Oval brass vase (30 x 19cm) R499, @home
Six-pot metal wall mount R399.99, MRP Home
Mini Bullet Planter (21.5cm H; stand included) R345, Knus
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Tortilla basket (large) R995, Haus
shopping
Protea Cement Planter (large; 19.5cm L x 18cm H) R159.99, MRP Home
KeniKen linen soft pots R195 each, Blink
Black and Gold Metal Hexagonal Planter (small; 62cm H) R650, Poetry
Country Road Dane Vase (large; 20 x 20 x 32cm) R498.99, Woolworths
Hyacinth Planter (43cm H) R350, Woolworths
Present Time Nostalgai Vase in Pink (9cm D x 17.5cm H) R249, Superbalist
Navy and Gold Metallic Planter R259.99, MRP Home
Rafiki Vase (22 x 18 x 26cm) R699, Rialheim
STOCKISTS @home 0860 834 834, home.co.za Blink 021 434 0541, theblinkshop.co.za Haus 0860 437 839, hertexhaus.co.za Knus knus.co MRP Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Arielli inSheet Forest Poetry 0860 5555 29, poetrystores.co.za Rialheim rialheim.co.za Street 0800 212 535, sheetstreet.com Sofa Company 021 200 5904, sofacompany.co.za Superbalist 087 362 7300, superbalist.com The Crazy Store 021 505 5500, crazystore.co.za Woolworths 0860 022 002, woolworths.co.za * Plants not included.
Creative corners
Keen to spruce up a dull nook in your home? Let these clever ideas inspire you... By Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel Photographs Francois Oberholster • Styling Marian van Wyk
Ceramic bunnies from Sootcookie Ceramics
In tune
Stefan Blom and Albie du Toit of Green Point in Cape Town used the colour pink to create flow and interest in an otherwise dull passage. This space doubles up as a ‘music room’ with Stefan’s piano from childhood. Instead of simply painting a pink feature wall, the colour is used on the ceiling and repeated on the lid of the upholstered bench for continuity. A large photograph by Gary van Wyk above the piano creates a striking focal point, while more of his photos as well as others by Antonia Steyn (and Stefan and Albie’s own) are displayed on the wall to the right. A family of ceramic bunnies perched on top of the piano adds to the quirkiness of the space.
fresh ideas
We love this!
By adding a worktop to the pegboard, the unit doubles up as a desk!
Peg to differ
Chanelle Steenekamp first came across pegboards in décor on Pinterest and later on Home’s Facebook page. She decided to try the look in her own small study at home: she and her husband Johan bought three raw pine planks and some dowels from Builders, then Johan meticulously drilled each of the holes to create a pegboard effect. Small shelves of different lengths were fitted to display various items and these can be moved around for a new look. A white melamine worktop and two brackets were also fitted and now serve as a small desk – perfect for a laptop. >> Mila planter and rug from MRP Home
April 2020
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Wonder wall To prevent their gallery wall from becoming too busy or disjointed, Stefan Blom and Albie du Toit kept to a black-andwhite palette with touches of red and yellow. Artworks and personal photographs have been hung all the way from the floor up to door level to create a sense of height and to add interest. Some frames are placed on top of photo shelves, while others are mounted directly on the wall. Messages such as “You are here” aim to encourage guests to “live in the now”, says Stefan.
fresh ideas
To each their own
Although Rachel (9) and Benjamin (6) Mountain share a bedroom, they each have their own ‘study space’. Mom Belinda took advice from Cathrin Bolt of Nowadays Interiors and invested in two separate desks – a practical way to manage sibling squabbles! Grey, red and blue create an appealing gender-neutral colour scheme, while the quirky patterned wallpaper (Pajaro from British brand Scion) works equally well in a tween, teen and even adult room. Various artworks create an eye-catching focal point above the desks. “I wanted to give the kids the freedom to express themselves but kept the look elegant to avoid clashing styles and colours,” says Belinda.
Desks and wire storage unit from @home
STOCKISTS AND CONTACTS @home 0860 834 834, home.co.za Builders 0860 284 533, builders.co.za MRP Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Nowadays Interiors 011 794 3093, nowadaysinteriors.co.za Sootcookie Ceramics 082 087 8110, facebook.com/SootcookieCeramics
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LESS PLASTIC, MORE FANTASTIC. As part of our journey to reduce the amount of plastic impacting the environment, we have removed the plastic packaging from our duvet covers. 100% feel good for the planet.
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Textured polycotton duvet cover set 3/4 R399.99 D R499.99 Q R599.99 K R659.99 SPK R699.99
Soft touch embroidered duvet cover set
3/4 R399.99 D R499.99 Q R599.99 K R659.99 SPK R699.99
NEW SNAP TO SHOP Snap any item you’re after and we’ll match it with a similar mrphome style for loads less. Seriously, download the latest version of our app and try it!
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1 Longpile blanket 180 x 200cm R199.99 2 Textured sherpa cushion 60 x 60cm R199.99 3 Embroidered cushion 4 Woven textured 60 x 60cm R199.99 cushion 60 x 60cm R199.99 5 Eyelet bronx curtains 140 x 225cm R249.99 each 6 *Large Pampas grass R139.99 Small R59.99 7 Queen textured quilt R359.99 K R399.99 SPK R429.99 8 Faux plant R99.99 9 *Large bamboo pendant R799.99 10 *Rattan headboard 162 (l) x 3 (w) x 54 (h) cm R2500 11 *Round wooden mirror 90cm R1500 12 Textured jacquard blanket 150 x 200cm R199.99 13 *Rattan side table 50 (l) x 50 (w) x 47 (h) cm R999.99 14 *Jute rug 180 x 270cm R2000 15 Jaquard bath sheet R199.99 Hand towel R99.99 16 Jasmine body and home fragrances from R49.99 each
ONLINE | IN-STORE | APP Product available from 19 March 2020, while stocks last. *All items marked with an asterisk and furniture are available online at mrphome.com or in selected mrphome stores.
A LOT to love
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a little TO spend There is no such thing as too many layers! When it comes to adding texture to your home, more is more! This all-natural interior inspires those easy-going feels.
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Single printed polycotton duvet cover set
3/4 R199.99 D R279.99 Q R329.99 K R379.99
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Magnolia scented candles 7 x 7.5cm from
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Make a natural statement
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Our rattan furniture range is a must have for the laid-back look. These furniture pieces are so on trend, and add the perfect amount of texture to any room.
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Scan this QR code and shop the range now!
99 each
Ceramic vases
Rattan range available from 23 March 2020
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6 1 Large ceramic vase R129.99 2 Tea light holder R49.99 3 Decorative plate R259.99 4 Bulb vase R99.99 5 Decorative ball R159.99 6 *Wooden mirror R999.99 7 Taped Lucca curtains 270 x 218cm R559.99 each 8 Willow lamp R499.99 9 *Rattan tub chair 91 (l) x 68 (w) x 80 (h) cm R1600 10 Textured cushion 40 x 60cm R179.99 11 Large planter R139.99 12 Standing ceramic planter R19 9 .9 9 13 Ceramic planter R79.99 14 Medium basket R359.99 Large R399.99 15 *Studio chaise sofa 197 (l) x 140 (w) x 82 (h) cm R6500 16 Embellished throw 140 x 160cm R399.99 17 *Small Pampas grass R59.99 Large R139.99 18 Magnolia pillar candles from R29.99 each 19 Natural frames 10 x 15cm R79.99 each 20 *Bamboo mirror R999.99 21 Decorative orb R259.99 22 *Rattan side table 50 (l) x 50 (w) x 47 (h) cm R999.99
NEW SNAP TO SHOP
Snap any item you’re after and we’ll match it with a similar mrphome style for loads less. Seriously, download the latest version of our app and try it!
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299
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each Printed geometric rugs 12
120 x 180cm also available in navy and ochre
a warm welcome
to great value
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Get that 'aaah' feeling every time you walk into your room. A living room inspired by natural shades, texture goals right here!
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Textured cushions 50 x 50cm, 55 x 55cm
ONLINE | IN-STORE | APP Product available from 19 March 2020, while stocks last. *All items marked with an asterisk and furniture are available online at mrphome.com or in selected mrphome stores.
‘
Junk
By Shané Barnard Photographs Francois Oberholster Styling Marian van Wyk
is my thing! ’
This characterful home on the slopes of the Kleinrivier Mountains proves that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.
Stacking doors keep baboons off the outside lounge. “Architect Marcus Smit initially designed it as an open space, but I told him straight: ‘The minute you leave, we’re putting doors in.’ He just threw his hands in the air. What could he do?” says homeowner Carla with a chuckle. In the foreground, a Jacuzzi covered with a corrugated iron ‘lid’ blends in well with the rest of the house. The concrete seats were bought at a nursery some years ago.
reader home
Gardening tools and other accessories are kept in this bricks-andmortar cupboard with its wooden doors.
Paint colour
Dulux Gravel Pit
WHO LIVES HERE? Carla and Charles Duckitt WHERE Voëlklip, Hermanus SIZE 340m² April 2020
home 23
H
ermanus has always held special memories for Carla and Charles Duckitt. Charles’s family has spent many holidays there over the years, and the tranquil atmosphere of Voëlklip provided the ideal refuge for the couple’s student kids while they were still living abroad. Carla knew from the outset that she wanted to buy the slightly run-down home when she saw it on a property website, but Charles wasn’t convinced. “He thought about it for two months – a lifetime when you should be making an offer!” Carla recalls. “One morning, out of the blue, Charles said the time was right and I should
24 home April 2020
call the estate agent.” The timing worked in their favour as a slump in the property market meant they were able to purchase the house at a bargain. That was in 2013, when they were living in Hamburg, Germany where Charles was working as an engineer. Only after his retirement in 2017, after first living in Johannesburg and Houston, Texas, could the couple settle down near the ocean. In the interim, the house remained unchanged, says Carla. “It was dark and cramped; especially the lower level, which had lots of damp issues. The finishes were also very old-fashioned.”
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“All the road signs were obtained legally – none of them were stolen!” says Carla. “When we lived in Texas, we enjoyed visiting the Round Top Antiques Fair near Austin; that’s where I bought the yellow road sign with the school kids on it. There were yellow school buses everywhere and usually one of these signs at every bus stop.” The numberplates serve as a kind of ‘postcard’ from all the towns in which the Duckitts have lived – from Sasolburg to Hamburg. Yellow trunk from Walker Bay Recycling
I’ve scrounged around in many scrapyards to find what I want. – Carla
Dining table and benches from Sevens
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Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom
TV room
Studio
Outside lounge
Bathroom
Storeroom
N Bathroom
The Duckitts enjoy summer evenings on this enclosed balcony, regardless of the weather. Since the indoor braai is part of the living area, they decided to install a built-in extractor fan for good ventilation.
Ground floor
First floor
Toilet
Uncovered patio Kitchen & lounge
Bathroom Bedroom
Scullery Laundry
Braai stoep
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Iron and cement
When Carla finally got the opportunity to put her own stamp on the house, she already had a clear vision of what she wanted: an open-plan living space, cement floors, practical finishes and trendy corrugated iron cladding around the exterior. After she’d seen the ‘tin home’ that Marcus Smit of Marcus Smit Jacobs Architects built for his father in the March 2016 issue of Home, Carla was adamant that she wanted him to help her make her dream a reality. The Duckitts initially approached another architect, but this relationship soon turned sour. Carla says her relationship with Marcus was a match made in heaven. “We bumped heads a lot, but now we’re the greatest of friends.” The renovation began in January 2017 and was completed in May 2018. The biggest alterations included building a balcony on the top floor on the east-facing side and adding a braai area. The entire house got new cement floors and the kitchen and bathrooms now have trendy cement slabs. Thanks to the façade with its new corrugated iron cladding, the house was dubbed “Blikbox”. “The house has a wonderful flow,” says Carla. “There is always a spot where you can sit and relax, whatever the weather. And we love the mountain view from the top floor.” >>
When the Duckitts were living in Hamburg, Carla and two friends took a trip to the Bolesławiec district in Poland to buy crockery (left). The statuette becomes an angel at Christmas time when Carla adds her wings.
[ CARLA’S FAVOURITE STORES ] In Hermanus • Over and Over • Snuffels • Romantiques
In Johannesburg • Antique stores in Long Street, Albertville/Newlands • Orejen in Linden
A cosy living area alongside the braai room and open-plan kitchen provides comfortable seating.
During her art student days, Carla exchanged some of her pottery for the artworks now displayed on the cabinet. Cabinet from Orejen
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Eclectic and lived-in Carla has never done things by the book and her décor style reflects her lighthearted approach to life. “I like to make people laugh, and I believe décor can also be playful,” she says. Her love of road signs is one of those unusual décor choices that has become a ‘party trick’ in the Duckitts’ home. “There’s a traffic light on the stoep that’s green when we’re enjoying the company, orange when it’s time for coffee after a meal, and red when it’s time to retire for the night,” says Carla. “People love it!”
Carla was thrilled to find this gorgeous red Elba stove at Kloppers in Bloemfontein.
28 home April 2020
She describes her style as eclectic and lived-in. “I like the idea that furniture tells a story,” she says. And almost every piece of décor in her home has a history: many items had a previous life in a scrapyard, or were a bargain on Facebook Marketplace. “My mother loves antiques – she has the most beautiful things in her home. But I literally love junk! I really enjoy using unusual items in a creative way.” Ultimately, says Carla, you must feel at home in your own space.
Tin containers from Koöperasie Stories
The pantry is enclosed behind the home’s original back door; old scaffolding serves as shelving.
Paint colour
Dulux Night Jewels 2
The old scale also comes from a junkyard; it stands on a marble-topped cabinet that Carla got from the old Carlton Hotel in Johannesburg after it had been discarded.
reader home Shuttering used to cast the concrete ceiling created an interesting texture in the main en-suite bedroom. Carla loved the look so much that she decided to leave it as is. The crocheted throw is her grandmother’s handiwork.
Carla loves the look of cement surfaces, so the built-in bath has the same finish as the rest of the bathroom. The mirror above the basin was part of an old dressing table. Towels from Barrydale Hand Weavers
An old spring mattress hangs above the bed in the guest room. Wall hanging from KoÜperasie Stories; bedside table from Ikea
During the renovations, the Duckitts decided to turn the fifth bedroom into a studio where Carla could take up pottery once again; she now offers a weekly lesson for a small group of students. Tiles from Veelvlak Signature Surfaces
STOCKISTS Barrydale Hand Weavers 028 572 1488, barrydaleweavers.co.za Kloppers 051 400 5500, kloppers.co.za Koöperasie Stories 076 303 9336, kooperasiestories.co.za Marcus Smit Jacobs Architects 021 852 1362, marcussmit.co.za Orejen 083 303 3063, orejen.co.za Over and Over 028 312 3307 Romantiques 028 312 4226 Sevens 010 040 7828, sevens.co.za Snuffels 028 312 1802, snuffels.co.za Veelvlak Signature Surfaces 028 316 3296, vlvlk.com Walker Bay Recycling 028 312 20355
WITH FL AIR
Innovation Winner!
WHO LIVES HERE? Christian Greyling WHERE Pretoria SIZE 14.4m²
on a small scale
With a practical approach and meticulous planning, a second-hand shipping container was converted into an impressive ‘tiny house’. By Dina Venter • Photographs Elza Cooper • Styling Amanda van Wyngaardt
32 home April 2020
Christian’s desk forms an essential part of his space. “Because I often work after hours and don’t want to pack everything away at night, I designed my desk in such a way that it doesn’t fold away but rather that the bed rests on it.” Black mugs and tray from Woolworths
I
t’s difficult for an architect to live in a home that someone else has designed,” says architecture student Christian Greyling. “You view your own space differently and you think critically about every detail when you are your own client.” So when he started planning a tiny house for himself in a shipping container, he decided not to saddle another architect with the task. Christian designed and executed the plans himself – and in the end was awarded top honours in the ‘Innovation’ category of our 2019 Fix it with Flair competition! While busy with his undergraduate studies, Christian came across the YouTube channel Living Big in a Tiny House and became an avid fan of the Tiny House Movement. After completing his degree, he moved into a commune with friends while doing his Honours. During this period, he worked part-time to pay the rent as his parents had made it clear that this was his responsibility. “But it made no sense to spend R4 500 a month on a place that didn’t belong to me,” he says. With the YouTube videos in mind, Christian began to wonder whether it would be more cost-effective to invest the money he would have spent on a two-year lease in a place of his own. However, as a part-time student he was unable to get a loan... “After just two months in the commune, I asked my dad if he would be prepared to put up the capital for me. Instead of paying monthly rent, I decided I would rather repay him.” Christian’s dad Jan agreed. >>
The reinforced steel roof has an overhang on both sides of the container to divert rainwater and to provide shade. The structure was bolted on so that it can be removed when the container is shifted.
34 home April 2020
Thanks to his electrician dad’s expertise and knowledge of solar power, Christian’s home is completely self-sufficient. The solar panels generate enough power for the lighting, refrigerator, washing machine and his internet connection – and ensure a lovely hot shower every day.
One of the reasons why tiny homes are becoming popular is their flexibility. I wanted to be able to transport the container anywhere, should I decide to move. – Christian
Christian and a worker laid a square block of paving as a base for the container. April 2020
home 35
fix it with flair
Site, sorted!
Since Christian wanted to be closer to his place of work and the university, he asked his uncle and aunt in Pretoria if they would provide a site for his tiny home. “They live on a smallholding. There was ample space and since they aren’t bound by reams of municipal by-laws, we didn’t need to get city council approval for the project,” he explains. And because structures without a foundation are not subject to municipal building regulations, Christian could get going almost immediately. He decided to design his home around a shipping container as it offers a very cost-effective framework. “It’s strong, corrosion-resistant, and the price per square metre makes it highly attractive,” Christian explains. The containers are available in a standard width of 2.4m with lengths of 6m or 12m. In the spirit of a real micro lifestyle, he bought the smallest one available at Container World in March 2018. Then the project got underway. “It was the most challenging time of my life,” he says. >>
The bed was installed against the container’s original side opening. Christian opens the doors wide for better ventilation. “It’s wonderful for Sunday afternoon naps in summer!” The bed is controlled with a pulley system and rests on pine struts in the wall cladding. A shelf also serves as steps up to the bed.
An ‘open-plan’ dream!
Colour-block scatter on bed (left) and charcoal scatter on sofa (below) from Woolworths
Tucked away
A cosy sleeping nook
Christian prepares his food on a two-plate gas stove; it has been mounted in such a way that he can easily clean under the plates. Electrical conduits and water pipes were laid on the surface, rather than concealed, as this facilitates maintenance and because Christian likes the industrial look.
38 home April 2020
Christian utilised leftover materials as far as possible: a glass slab was turned into a foldaway table where he can eat supper or play board games with friends.
A learning curve Despite Christian’s mantra of “plan twice, execute once”, there were several setbacks. “I felt like giving up many times! At first I made many mistakes but it was a fantastic learning experience.” He admits that he was surprised when the toilet and shower installation worked out from the get-go. But the tiling was another story. “I prepped and applied a too-thick tile cement mixture, which soon started seeping through the mosaic sheets. By the next morning it was so hard I couldn’t budge it off the walls or tiles.” He consulted every conceivable DIY website, trying to rescue what he could of his handiwork, and spent an entire week trying to scrape the layers off with a putty knife after hours. Eventually, his mother came up with a solution. “She suggested that I simply sand it off with steel wool. And thank goodness it worked, because otherwise I would have had to chop all the tiles out and buy new ones,” he says. Christian has been living in his tiny house for more than a year now and is loving every minute of it. “It wasn’t a big adjustment for me because I was accustomed to living in a res room,” he jokes. But he warns others considering something similar: “It’s a lifestyle choice and I manage quite well because I’m very organised, I’m not a hoarder and I make do with the basics.” Once he has received his Master’s degree, Christian plans to move his tiny home – possibly to the Greylings’ family farm in eNtokozweni in Mpumalanga or to his own patch of land. With this successful project under his belt, Christian has plans for a few more in the future. “My dream is to own some land and build my home in modules, expanding it as my lifestyle and needs change... And, naturally, my first tiny home will form part of it.” >>
Tidiness is vital in a small space; the drawers under the sofa are used to store books and other items that would otherwise create clutter.
Christian says he felt a great sense of achievement after installing his toilet, shower and sink – something he had never attempted before. His wardrobe door also serves as a bathroom door for privacy.
fix it with flair
Step by step Before
Christian built and installed every last detail in his tiny home. By day he was at his new job, but at night he could – under a floodlight and often until the wee hours – build his house. Weekends were spent searching for materials.
First, openings were created for windows and doors. Since the thermal performance of steel is poor, he paid special attention to proper insulation – a layer of Isotherm was fitted between the pine panels on the inside to help with temperature control.
Total: R121 150 Second-hand container (6m)
Christian then installed drywalling between the bathroom and living area. If you buy materials at wholesalers, you can save a lot of cash, he says.
24 000
Interior subframe timber
4 500
Insulation
3 500
Wood cladding (interior)
3 800
Nutec (interior)
2 000
Ceiling panels (kitchen)
800
Aluminium sliding door
3 500
2 aluminium windows
3 000
Cupboards
8 500
Kitchen counter
800
Ironmongery
300
Sink
700
Gas stove
600
Shower tray
600
Shower door
800
Sanitary ware
1 600
Drainage
1 000
Plumbing
8 500
Solar geyser
7 000
French drain
4 000
Flooring
4 500
Electrical work
9 000
Lighting
1 000
Paving
4 500
Gas cylinder
600
Blinds (bathroom)
350
Roof steel and sheeting Bathroom tiles
3 000
Digging trenches, adding topsoil
1 200
Instant lawn
4 500
Plants
3 000
[ CHRISTIAN’S BUILDING TIPS FOR CONTAINERS ]
Next, he built his cupboards, bed, sofa and desk with pine and meranti. Lastly, the laminated pine floors were laid and the tiling in the bathroom and kitchen was completed. After eight months of blood, sweat and tears, Christian could move in!
• Check your local authority’s regulations for this type of structure. • Make sure the container is level before starting any work. • Plan carefully and use every centimetre. Draw plans for everything, including cross-sections. • Insulation is important because you are essentially working with a steel box. Insulate both the roof and the walls.
STOCKISTS Container World 011 392 1284, containerworld.co.za Woolworths 0860 022 002, woolworths.co.za
40 home April 2020
10 000
• Containers seal very tightly; make sure you create sufficient ventilation. • Think carefully before you start cutting holes for windows and doors because the container’s strength lies in its walls. If you cut too much away, you might crack the structure. Reinforce all the openings with a steel frame and if you have any doubts, ask a structural engineer for advice.
WITH FL AIR
Most beautiful Winner!
Paint colour
Dulux Inky Pool 1
Before
A new pergola creates an attractive façade; agapanthus, arum lilies and a few clivias in the raised owerbeds provide a pop of colour against the white walls when in bloom.
With a clear vision and an eye for potential, this young couple created a contemporary space – with their newborn in tow.
WHO LIVES HERE? Jenna and Eugene Theron WHERE Stanford SIZE 280m²
What a facelift! By Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel Photographs Greg Cox Styling Marian van Wyk
Old brown carpets were removed and the floors throughout the home were screeded and painted with a.b.e Cote in Soft Grey from a.b.e. Construction Chemicals for a more contemporary feel. The dark pine ceilings also got a coat of white paint, as did the walls. Mat, vase, cushions and mustard throw from MRP Home April 2020
home 43
fix it with flair Cupboards on either side of the fireplace were painted white to brighten up the space, while the mantlepiece and chimneybreast were painted black to create a striking contrast. This way, the TV also blends into the wall rather than standing out. All the light fittings in the house were replaced. Lighting from Overberg Lighting Centre
Paint colour
Plascon Tribecca Corner
Before
The original unpainted pine ceiling, exposed bricks and wooden panels (below) made the living room feel r i
J
ust before the birth of their son Emmett, Eugene and Jenna Theron fell in love with a derelict 1970s dwelling in the historical village of Stanford in the Western Cape. Luckily, the couple love a renovation challenge. “We could envision our child running around the big overgrown garden!” says Jenna of the 2 400m² plot. They bought the house and renovated with a newborn baby on Jenna’s hip – all in a record time of three months so they could move in and get settled. Their family pitched in on weekends to get the garden under control. Structural changes were kept to a minimum with only the garage being extended towards the street in order to expand the old staff quarters; this space is being rented out as a bachelor flat. For the rest, the changes were mostly cosmetic, bar minor building work to improve the flow here and there. “We tried to maintain the 1970s character of the house but updated it and ‘lightened’ the look with Scandi-style furnishings,” explains Jenna. “When we lifted the carpets, we found a collection of newspaper and magazine clippings from the ’70s with comments written on them by the original owner (the carpets were installed in 1975). It was such a nice surprise and we plan to do the same in future renovations.” >>
An old double door and window were replaced with a large stacking door to create better flow between the indoors and outside. Stacking door from Bay Joinery
Before
The wooden cabinets in the original kitchen were old-fashioned and not conducive to open-plan living.
April 2020
home 45
fix it with flair
Tiles from CTM
Eugene bought the old General Electric fridge from a secondhand shop in Gansbaai for just R800! Since having it resprayed, it’s one of his prized possessions.
[ THE CHALLENGES ] While the Therons love the look of their copper plumbing fittings, the installation turned out to be a bit tricky and time-consuming. “And we miss modern-day mixers!” says Jenna. “I wouldn’t recommend a painted floor if you have kids and animals as it gets dirty easily and cement can also be extremely cold, so plenty of rugs are needed.”
White metro tiles in a herringbone pattern above the counters in the kitchen create an interesting feature. Exposed copper piping and fittings are in keeping with the ’70s aesthetic. The painting belonged to Jenna’s grandparents; she inherited it when they passed away. Cabinetry and joinery from Your Style Cupboards; sanitary ware from Plumblink
fix it with flair
Roof trusses and sheeting from Africon Rooftiles; gutters from Overberg Gutters; timber from Coastline Timber Merchants; building materials from Overberg Agri and Builders; throw and mustard cushion from MRP Home
Thanks to the addition of a roof and built-in braai, the back stoep is now a relaxing entertainment space. Lanterns from MRP Home
Covered stoep
N
Dining room
Lounge
Bathroom
Garage
Entrance
Kitchen
Laundry
Bathroom
Covered stoep
Guest room
Main bedroom
Bathroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Pergola
[ ON THE ART ] Jenna collects artworks and loves to hunt for bargains. Here are her top tips: • Never walk past a second-hand shop – sometimes five minutes is all you need to discover a hidden gem. Visit regularly so you don’t miss out on new arrivals. • Let friends and relatives know that you collect old artworks; they might pass some on to you. • Use similar frames to keep the look cohesive or mix it up with a combination of ornate gilded frames and slim wooden frames, for example. Both looks work well.
48 home April 2020
With no budget left for décor, second-hand shops and paint became my best friend! – Jenna
Second-hand finds stand out beautifully against the white wall and neutral floor, epitomising the eclectic Scandi style. “I’m grateful for my sister Sandy Jardine who shares my passion for styling and renovations; we often bounce ideas off each other, which is a huge plus when a decision needs to be made.”
fix it with flair
Sanitary ware from Plumblink; wall tiles from CTM; floor tiles from BUCO
Emmett’s room was made slightly bigger by expanding it into the old bathroom space.
The bathroom (above) boasts a contemporary yet timeless look, thanks to metro tiles on the walls and patterned floor tiles. As in the rest of the house, the guest room (below) has a new floor and the ceilings and walls have been painted white.
Total: R484 732 Paint & accessories
49 050
Sanitary ware
17 134
Cabinetry & joinery
68 222
Building materials
147 609
Lighting
7 488
Stacking door
17 000
Miscellaneous
21 754
Labour
151 775
Tool hire
1 600
Rubble removal
3 100
50 home April 2020
CONTACTS AND STOCKISTS a.b.e. Construction Chemicals 0860 223 773, abe.co.za Africon Rooftiles 021 845 7476, africonroof.com Bay Joinery 044 695 2233 BUCO 0861 174 273, buco.co.za Builders 0860 284 533, builders.co.za Coastline Timber Merchants 082 613 4732, coast-line.co.za CTM 010 003 9987, ctm.co.za MRP Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Overberg Agri 028 214 3800, overbergagri.co.za Overberg Gutters 076 263 3218, overberggutters.co.za Overberg Lighting Centre 028 312 3810, overberglighting.com Plumblink 087 285 8500, plumblink.co.za Stanford Glass and Aluminium 074 742 9388 Your Style Cupboards 082 327 6518
Paint colour
Plascon Distant Storm
The old double door from the living room came in handy in the main bedroom, while the bedroom’s old window was reused in the new scullery, which connects the renovated garage with the kitchen. Window from Stanford Glass and Aluminium; throws and cushions from MRP Home
WITH FL AIR
The leather loops on the curtain rod are belts purchased from Woodheads; SimonĂŠ punched holes in them and attached them to hooks bolted into the ceiling.
DIY ! Winner
Curtain rod and throw from MRP Home; glass vessels and copper planter from La Grange Interiors; basket from Weylandts
WHO LIVES HERE? Anwar Davids and SimonĂŠ Visagie-Davids with their kids Noah (3) and Isah (eight months old) WHERE Zeekoevlei, Cape Town SIZE 174m2
52 home April 2020
‘We made it our own’ A dynamic duo took a DIY approach to their renovation, knocking down walls, laying their own floors, doing their own plumbing – and, of course, decorating their new space to perfection.
By Ina Baard • Photographs Karl Rogers • Styling Marian van Wyk
S
imoné Visagie-Davids always knew that she and her husband Anwar Davids would one day either build their own place or take on a full renovation project to create their perfect family home. She is no stranger to creative expression, being an interior designer who specialises in retail spaces. So when the opportunity arose, she and Anwar – who co-owns chemicals company Demron Chemicals – took on a sorely neglected house in the charming suburb of Zeekoevlei in Cape Town. Here, finally, they could create a haven for their two boys, Noah and Isah. “It’s a quiet neighbourhood quite close to a bird sanctuary – we have beautiful wild pets of our own all year round!” says Simoné.
fix it with flair
Raw grey cement plaster was used on the walls and white selflevelling screed was applied to the floors and sealed with a.b.e Construction Chemicals water-based epoxy paint. The clock (right) was painted black and the couple will add important markers such as bedtime so Noah can learn to tell time.
54 home April 2020
Pendant lights from Weylandts
“A grid of artificial plants previously used for a retail store display was about to be discarded, so we bought it and created a green wall for our home. It adds colour and character,” says Simoné. The couple also rescued a grid from an office space and upcycled it, creating a unique photo wall.
A corner of the sitting room serves as Simoné’s study and a vintage typewriter from a family friend who passed away is proudly displayed on the desk. Simoné has started typing letters for her children; she plans to give them to them on their 21st birthdays. Studio W cushion from Woolworths
Design and layout
Listening to their story, and how the house became theirs, it seems that it was destined to be. “My brother-in-law lives across the road from the house,” explains Simoné. “We’ve always loved the close community vibe of the suburb and whenever we were in the area, we loved that there was laughter and a happy buzz coming from this house that we now own. We grew very fond of it, but back then it was just a dream.” When the house changed owners and tenants moved in temporarily, it fell into disrepair – so Simoné and Anwar decided to take a chance and make an offer, even though it wasn’t for sale. The owner gave them permission to view the property and upon doing so, they found that while
it had lots of small rooms, overall it was a big space and they knew they could turn it into something special. The rest, as they say, is history. The couple love the raw texture of concrete and wood and wanted to create a tranquil monotone palette. This, together with their love of open spaces, set the tone for the design and layout of their new home. With a boisterous three-year-old boy in the mix, clutter is kept to a minimum and the space is largely open plan to allow for freedom of movement. “Noah loves running around and making the house his racetrack, while we relax with a movie or enjoy a cup of coffee on the couch,” says Simoné.
[ Q&A WITH SIMONÉ ]
It’s in the detail
The floating shelf is all about proportion and clean lines. It lines up with the top of the window, which draws the eye down to the countertop below and the pretty décor items displayed on it.
What is your design philosophy? A monochrome palette is timeless and minimalist with strong clean lines, which makes it easy to mix and match décor. I love open spaces that flow easily as well as a soft layered look and warm textures. You love buying at auctions. How do you negotiate them? Go to an auction house with a budget and stick to it. Check out the website before the time and identify the pieces you want – don’t get distracted by other items on offer. And don’t get emotional in the bidding process; my strategy is to go with my husband and work as a tag team. Know your limit when bidding; the purpose of an auction is to get a bargain, not spend all your money.
Countertops from Yammie and Sons
Friends and family like spending time here and we absolutely love having them over! – Simoné 56 home April 2020
Simoné requested that her dad André Visagie use C-grade kiaat for the kitchen cabinets to show off its natural grain, which beautifully complements the monotone palette throughout the house. The countertops are made of hard-wearing I-stone which is a lot like Caesarstone. “We play with clay, cook, bake and make chocolate treats here,” says Simoné.
fix it with flair
A juggling act At the heart of this warm and inviting home is the kitchen, Simoné’s favourite area. Finishing this space was the biggest expense with its high-end appliances and cabinets made with kiaat doors and stone tops. “Luckily, my dad is the best carpenter around,” says Simoné. “He does the most amazing work; I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to build us this masterpiece.” Although the house is a work in progress, the bulk of the renovation is done. But it wasn’t without its challenges; both Simoné and Anwar juggled the project and their demanding day jobs. “We managed the project after hours and over weekends,” says Simoné. “I used to write chalk notes on the walls with instructions for the builders on work that needed to be done. When they completed a job, they would draw a line through the note and I would then wipe it off before writing new instructions. This method of communication worked really well.” But don’t think this means that the innovative pair only gave orders! “To stretch our budget and save as much money as we could, we got our hands dirty and did a significant amount of the work ourselves,” says Anwar. This included knocking down walls and laying their own floors – with help from Simoné’s uncle Isgak Kamaldien, a qualified plumber, they even did their own plumbing. “In the end, it made our home that much more special.” Simoné says their proudest DIY job was the bedroom floors. The parquet flooring was repurposed from another part of the house and more was sourced on Gumtree. Anwar refurbished the parquet blocks and Simoné laid them – while five-months pregnant! The warm tones of the wooden floor play a big part in creating a cosy look for both bedrooms. Simoné offers the following advice: “When renovating an entire house, install your security system first to protect any work done; thieves may come looking for plumbing parts, electrical cabling or pool pumps.” Standing in their kitchen, enjoying the homely aroma of freshly baked scones, Simoné and Anwar agree: “The best part of our home is that we made it ours – a lot of love and hard work went into making it special. Not all the renovations are complete, but we’ve made it comfortable and cosy. It’s our happy place.” >>
On the job...
It took six strong men to install a concrete supporting beam which allowed for an opening of 6m in what is now the open-plan kitchen and living area.
Anwar used a jackhammer to knock down the wall; this opened up the space between the lounge and bedroom and created a lounge/study area.
…and you can insure the structure of your home, fixtures and fittings and… sms ‘home’ to 31495 or call 08 600 60 000 for a quote OUTsurance is a licensed insurer and FSP. Buildings and home contents insurance are sold separately. Ts and Cs apply. Calls: standard rates apply. SMS: 50c. OP20/0638/E-1
[ BEST BUYS AND TOP TIPS ]
Simoné and Anwar share their advice: • Hofmeyr-Mills Auctioneers in Wynberg has a good selection of antique/second-hand furniture that Simoné buys at a fraction of the price; she then puts her own stamp on it so it fits in with their monochrome palette. The couple bought a sideboard for R600 and spruced it up with a coat of paint. • Another winner is Facebook group Moving On; Simoné describes it as a “treasure hunt for adults”. For example, their TV cabinet was once a shoe rack that they bought for R20. • Parisienne Interiors is Simoné’s preferred supplier for soft furnishings and timberwork. They custom made the coffee table; the store will deliver furniture to your house. • The bathroom fittings were bought at Natural Stone Warehouse; they have a massive sale in October/November. • The kitchen appliances were bought at Tafelberg Furnishers. Anwar and Simoné negotiated a discounted price and Tafelberg Furnishers was willing to keep the appliances until the couple was ready to install them. • Declutter every six months! • The most basic item can be used to create a deluxe look: for example, put fresh flowers from the garden in an old bottle. This simple personal touch has a unique charm.
Simoné drew a mural with an animal theme to help teach Noah the alphabet, with names like Lana Llama and Hilary Hedgehog; she enhanced the edges with blackboard paint. Blanket from Weylandts
58 home April 2020
The walls in Noah’s room were painted to hip height with chalkboard paint so he can unleash his creative side.
Old bins from Anwar’s work were cleverly repurposed to store toys. Noah’s ashwood bed frame was made by Simoné’s dad and then grey-washed to match the monotone palette. The end result is a child-friendly, playful room in an otherwise very adult house.
Three old lockers bought on a sale at a local school were spray-painted to match the existing furniture and are now used to store Noah’s clothes. >>
fix it with flair
En-suite
Main bedroom
Parquet flooring salvaged from the kitchen was reused in the main bedroom. It was laid at an angle where it meets the screed floor of the bathroom to add visual appeal.
Closet
Bathroom
Pantry Noah’s bedroom
Lounge & dining room
Kitchen
Storage Double garage
Study
The wardrobe, a family heirloom, was stained black for fresh appeal. “It was a weird red, which did not match our décor,” says Simoné.
Felt autumn scatter cushion from Weylandts; Rust blanket from Woolworths; vase from La Grange Interiors
Total: R150 000 Structural work (demolishing walls, chopping up and screeding floors, replacing all windows, fixing pool, bathroom fittings etc) 80 000 Kitchen (stone tops, kiaat doors)
30 000
Miscellaneous (vanity, towel rail, aircon, etc)
40 000
STOCKISTS AND CONTACTS a.b.e. Construction Chemicals 0860 223 773, abe.co.za Gumtree gumtree.co.za Hofmeyr-Mills Auctioneers 021 761 1803 La Grange Interiors 021 447 3508, lagrangeinteriors.co.za MRP Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Natural Stone Warehouse 021 556 0202 Parisienne Interiors 021 692 2575 Tafelberg Furnishers 021 944 3330, tafelberg.co.za Weylandts 0860 103 400, weylandts.co.za Woodheads 021 461 7185, woodheads.co.za Woolworths 0860 022 002, woolworths.co.za Yammie and Sons 083 357 9359
In the main en-suite bathroom, the walls were finished with waterproof roof paint. Not only does it make for a contemporary look, but it’s also a budget-savvy alternative to tiles. Simoné tapped into her connections made through work to acquire unique and modern brackets and light fittings.
The stylish guest bathroom (above) echoes the palette in the rest of the home.
With help from Simoné’s uncle, Anwar tackled the plumbing himself (left), saving them lots of cash in the process!
Jute mat from MRP Home; towel from Weylandts
…and cover the contents inside your home against theft and damage and… sms ‘home’ to 31495 or call 08 600 60 000 for a quote OUTsurance is a licensed insurer and FSP. Buildings and home contents insurance are sold separately. Ts and Cs apply. Calls: standard rates apply. SMS: 50c. OP20/0638/E-2
WITH FL AIR
W
hether you are a seasoned renovator or a novice who has never held a trowel, now is your chance to enter our popular Fix it with Flair competition in partnership with Paint Master! A highlight on the Home calender, this contest offers readers the opportunity to share and showcase their projects. Last year, the competition was given a new twist when we announced three different categories – you can check out the winning entries in this issue. If you think you can match – or even improve on – these entries, enter now! We eagerly await your contribution. Take a look at the criteria for each category, decide which one you want to enter and then submit your pics – you could be crowned one of the Renovators of the Year!
ENTER & WIN
If you’re an avid renovator, this competition is for you!
THE CATEGORIES*
1
2
3
DIY
INNOVATION
MOST BEAUTIFUL
This one is for avid DIYers who take on 50% of the work themselves. So if knocking down walls, retiling or laying a screed floor doesn’t scare you, go for it! You’ll have to submit a budget breakdown and show what you did with your own two hands. This category celebrates hard work and true grit!
If you fancy yourself an out-of-the-box thinker with a knack for the extraordinary, this category is for you. It could be an eco house, a mobile home, an outdoor kitchen – you name it! Whether you did the work yourself or simply planned and managed the project, feel free to enter your makeover here.
If you’re all thumbs and have a fear of power tools but you oversaw a gorgeous renovation, consider this option. Even if a contractor completed 100% of the physical work, as long as you were responsible for the planning, project management and costs, you are eligible for this prize.
62 home April 2020
* The editor reserves the right to transfer entries from one category to another.
COMPETITION
Before Before
HOW TO ENTER • Visit fixit.tuis.co.za to enter online and follow the prompts. • Be sure to submit photographs of your project taken in natural light. CLOSING DATE Midday on Tuesday, 30 June 2020.
Having trouble? Email Amy.Johnson@media24.com or call 021 406 3825 for assistance.
NEW IN 2020! With Paint Master – the creators of the popular Tjhoko Paint range – as our competition partners, the first 150 entries in this year’s competition will receive a free paint-and-colour consultation, compliments of Paint Master! Whether it’s a focal wall or roof, the experts at Paint Master will be able to help. For inspiration, visit paint-master.co.za.
THE PRIZES R100 000 in cash is up for grabs: The winner in each category will receive R25 000. The runner-up in each category will receive R5 000. The Top 9 contestants each get R1 000. One favourite, based on reader votes, will get R1 000 cash. T’s & C’s apply; find them online at fixit.tuis.co.za.
Softer ON THE EYE
QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 5/10 Skill level 7/10 Time needed Depends on size of the surface area; keep the drying time before and after application in mind Material costs Spirits of salts R50 for 5L, white cement R70 for 5kg, sealant R250 for 1L PROJECT NOTES • Choose a wall where there are no deep grooves between the bricks. If there are (such as on a facebrick wall), fill them with plaster first. • Always wear safety goggles and a mask when exposed to acid and fine dust particles.
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Whitewashed bricks make for a trendy focal wall; we show you how to create the look with white cement. By Johletta Brits • Photographs Francois Oberholster Styling Marian van Wyk
do it yourself
You will need SHOPPING LIST • white cement • spirits of salts • sealant
TOOLS • plastic drop sheets • hard scrubbing brush • sponges • two 10L plastic buckets
Beforehand
Cover the floor in front of the wall you want to whitewash with plastic sheets to keep it clean and avoid damage.
• builder’s trowel • 75mm ‘Blondie’ brush • rubber gloves are recommended
Get started…
Project Udo Gehring of MOM.fix (083 519 4645) • Main photo for illustration purposes.
1
1 Inspect the wall: run your hand over it to feel if there are any loose cement particles. If there are some, scrub the wall quite hard to remove them. Tap off any coarse cement lumps carefully with a builder’s trowel.
2
2 Mix 1 part spirits of salts to 10 parts water in a clean bucket. Dip a sponge in it and wash the wall lightly. This preparation ensures that the wall is clean for the best results. Wait about an hour or 2 for the wall to dry.
3 Rinse the bucket well with water, then put about 2.5kg white cement in it. Gradually add water, mixing constantly with the builder’s trowel. Initially, it will be difficult to mix but every bit of water you add will get you closer to the right consistency: not too runny, but not too thick.
3
4 Using a sponge, apply the cement mixture to the bricks. Move your hand over the surface from left to right repeatedly. As the white cement dries fairly quickly, it is advisable to whitewash just 1m² at a time.
6 When you have whitewashed the entire wall, give it about two days to dry completely. The next step is not essential, unless you’re working on a braai or kitchen wall that is prone to stains and marks. Seal the wall with a product such as TFC Invisible Sealer, which provides protection without affecting the colour of the wall. Apply it with a paintbrush; the wall will dry fairly quickly (within 2 to 3 hours) after application. STOCKISTS All the tools and materials are readily available at hardware stores nationwide.
5 Fill a bucket with clean water, wet the sponge and use it remove excess white cement (you’re literally washing it off lightly). How much you remove will depend on how much of the brick colour you want to expose.
6
PROMOTION
New from Tjhoko Paint!
DIY WALLPAPER Tjhoko Paint’s beautiful new wallpaper will give even the dullest corner of your home an instant facelift. The vase used as a lampshade was painted with Thinus’s Terracotta.
C
halk paint manufacturer Tjhoko Paint has something new in its arsenal: a range of wallpaper that even the greenest rookie can apply. Available from April at Tjhoko Paint stockists nationwide, online at tjhokopaint.co.za or from Home’s online store at tuishomeshop.co.za, this range will turn those lacklustre spaces in your home into showstoppers. All you need to do is cut and paste! Tjhoko Paint expert Nadine Vosloo shows you how…
The filing cabinet was cleaned with lacquer thinners and after a drying time of 40 minutes, it was painted and stencilled with Matt Black and Da’vid. Use a very dry sponge roller so that the paint doesn’t seep under the stencil.
You will need • carpet knife • Tjhoko wallpaper (each roll is 11.8m long • lacquer thinners • mutton cloth and 62cm wide) • 50mm paintbrush • try square • 110mm sponge • pencil roller • spirit level
The colour July was used on the faux leather seats and on the cement pot on the filing cabinet.
1
2
3
1 Tjhoko wallpaper is self-adhesive; simply pull off a narrow strip of the backing paper, fold over and press flat. 2 Now press the sticky part flat against the wall along your starting line (see tips), and press down firmly. Slowly pull the backing paper off in small sections, then press the paper smooth against the wall as you go along. 3 We used wallpaper with noughts and crosses. When you start with a new roll in this design, make sure the noughts follow each other and that there aren’t two noughts or two crosses next to each other.
TIPS • Your wall surface must be smooth. • Always start with a straight horizontal line (use a spirit level), as ceilings are often skew. • Apply a new strip right next to the previous strip to avoid gaps in-between. Mask mistakes by first painting your wall with matte PVA in the same colour as the wallpaper’s background (allow two weeks for the paint to dry first). • If you apply the wallpaper and it’s skew, carefully pull it off and reposition it.
Watch the video on homemag.co.za.
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CONTACT Tjhoko Paint 073 206 3104, tjhokopaint.co.za
Photographs ER Lombard
Here’s how...
Visit one of our showrooms Johannesburg 227 Jan Smuts Avenue Parktown North 011 447 3149 Centurion 15 Coachmen’s Park, 26 Jakaranda Street Hennopspark 012 653 6808 Cape Town Eagle Park, Computer Road, Montague Gardens 021 555 1034
Manufacturers of Distinctive Decorative Coatings www.cemcrete.co.za
0860 CEMCRETE
enquiry@cemcrete.co.za
advice
Email your queries to experts@homemag.co.za.
Ask the experts
Compiled by Shané Barnard
ASK US ON FAC EBO OK Do you have an urgent question that just can’t wait? Then join our Tuis|Home Experts group on Facebook and get help from the team, professionals and other readers.
Need help with solutions for keeping cool or ready to revamp your steel-frame windows? You ask – we find the answers. Steel yourself Dieter Geiger of Cape Town writes We’re renovating our 60-year-old house and would like to reuse the steel-frame windows. They’ve been painted and are still in good nick, despite some superficial rust. Is it worth it to remove the paint, treat the rusty bits and have them powdercoated? Or should we replace the windows altogether?
Wynand Smit of JambMax replies There are two approaches: the first option is to leave the windows in the walls and repair them in situ. You will have to remove all the old paint and treat the windows with an anti-rust primer such as Duram NS1 Rust Buster. Once the primer has dried
completely, you can apply an undercoat and finish with a glossy paint in the colour of your choice. Alternatively, you can remove the windows and get them cleaned and galvanised before having them powder-coated. Powder-coating does have a tendency to fade after some time, which is why we prefer to paint steel-frame windows. CONTACT jambmax.co.za
Keep your cool Rina Francis of Edenvale, Gauteng writes The loft room in our home gets extremely hot. We’ve installed glass wool insulation (Think Pink) in-between the roof tiles and the ceiling which has been cladded with wood. There are windows on both sides of the loft and the roof has been painted grey. What else can we do to cool the space efficiently? Mark Russell, head of marketing and technical support at IsoBoard, replies There are a few key considerations to bear in mind: 1 HEAT TRANSFER The loft is elevated above potential natural shade such as trees and has a large, dark, heat-absorbing surface area. Heat is also entering the space through the cottage-pane windows and doors on the east and west sides. We suggest that the doors and windows are shaded with retractable awnings on the outside and curtains or blinds inside. In addition, I would consider using reflective solar film on the glazing as the glass in cottage panes is usually only 3mm thick and will not offer much resistance to heat transfer.
2 VENTILATION Ceiling fans are used to circulate air within the loft; however, the hot air cannot escape the space as the potential for cross-flow ventilation is limited due to a considerable distance between the windows on either side. Also, there are stairs leading from the room below into the loft, which allows warm air from downstairs to filter into the loft space and become trapped under the ceiling. The hot air has to escape somehow. Because the ceiling is flat, a void is created between the ceiling and the roof ridge above it. The air in this void can reach temperatures of 60˚C or more and this heat is then transferred into the loft space. You will need to discuss which type of roof ventilation system will work best with a roofing specialist. If the space is still unpleasantly warm after shading the windows and ventilating the loft and roof void, we suggest that you install IsoBoard against the existing ceiling. Given that there is existing insulation, 30mm-thick IsoBoard should make the required difference – but 40mm would be better. >> CONTACT isoboard.com
April 2020
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Quick questions
Q: Who made the industrial-style fridge-like cupboard doors in the kitchen on page 43 of your November 2019 issue? – Ian McKean via Facebook A: The homeowners had the doors custom made by Stefan Diener of Diener Cupboards (082 940 2889, diener@twk.co.za).
Q: I love the ceramic fish above the basin on page 23 of your February 2020 edition; where can I get one? – Erna Strydom, Nelspruit A: The fish is from Ceramic Matters (ceramicmatters.blogspot.com); you can also try MRP Home (mrphome.com).
Q: What is the name of the lovely green paint used around the front door on page 52 of your March 2019 issue? – Nuchae Botha, Vanderbijlpark A: Growing Grass and Restful Retreat from Dulux (dulux.com) are very similar soft green shades.
Q: I want to revamp my kitchen and I love the look of bottle-green subway tiles; where can I find some? – Sone Griesel, Port Alfred A: Len and Faith du Plessis, runners-up in our 2017 Fix it with Flair competition, found the rectangular green tiles behind their basin at Tile House (tilehouse.co.za) in Knysna. Both Italtile (italtile.co.za) and Pudlo (pudlo.co.za) have rectangular tiles in various shades of green, including basil-green, dark khaki and aquamarine. Bella Bathrooms (bellabathrooms.co.za) stocks bottle-green bevelled subway tiles that you can order online. >>
PROMOTION
WEEKEND PROJECT Crack in your wall? Fix it in a jiffy with Alcolin Interior Crackfiller for a smooth finish. 1 Prepare the crack Using a chipping hammer and chisel, open the crack up into a V-shape. 2 Ensure that there are no loose bits by scraping off any plaster and paint around the crack. Use a paintbrush to remove any residual dust. 3 Add 3 parts Alcolin Interior Crackfiller to 1 part clean, cold water and mix to a smooth lump-free paste. Do not mix more paste than can be used within 30 minutes. Apply the paste to the crack using a trowel. Make sure that the crack is filled up level with the surrounding wall. Leave the crack filler to dry for 3 hours.
1
You will need SHOPPING LIST • Alcolin Interior Crackfiller TOOLS • chipping hammer • chisel • paintbrush • trowel • sandpaper
Note For enhanced adhesion, flexural strength and water-resistance in particularly difficult conditions and for wide joints, replace the water in the mixture with diluted Alcolin Permobond (diluted 1 part with 3 parts water). To finish Once the crack filler has dried, use sandpaper to smooth any rough edges. Paint over the fixed crack and voila!
Before
2
Did you know? • Alcolin Interior Crackfiller dries within three hours, and can also be used as a skimming agent for the smoothing of irregular wall surfaces. • Alcolin Exterior Crackfiller is ideal for weatherproofing cracks on exterior walls.
3
Visit www.alcolin.com for product details or call the Sticky Questions Helpline toll-free on 0800 222 400 for expert advice.
advice
Email your queries to experts@homemag.co.za. Q: What colour did the Ficks use to paint the exterior of their home, as seen on page 48 of your December 2017 issue? – Elsa Reed, Windhoek A: The colour is Fired Earth Subtle Stone from Builders (builders.co.za).
Q: Where can I find a sink like the one on page 34 of your February 2018 edition? – Talitha Taljaard, Witbank A: Try Victorian Side Bathrooms (victoriansidebathrooms.co.za); they have a wide selection of butler sinks.
Stash it or trash it? True blue Johan Scholtemeijer of Bethal writes I inherited this ‘Blue Cups’ painting by Bettie Cilliers-Barnard; can you tell me how much it’s worth? Kayleen Wrigley of Walker Scott Art Advisory replies This painting by Bettie Cilliers-Barnard is typical of its period within the artist’s greater body of work. Painted in 1949, this piece falls into Cilliers-Barnard’s descriptive period in which she would paint with great emphasis on formal values such as line, shape, form, tone and texture. Soon after this period, the artist would abandon descriptive and figurative painting all together, which may indicate this as belonging to her last group of still life compositions. She went on to paint in a more abstract manner thereafter, in which circular themes were a popular presence.
72 home April 2020
Later, figurative heads and birds would reappear as she once again paid homage to her formalist roots. Having graduated from the University of Pretoria with a bachelor’s degree in art, Cilliers-Barnard studied further at the Hogerer Instituut voor Schone Kunsten in Antwerp before moving to Paris where she studied under Stanley Hayter and Jean-Paul Pons. Her most notable contributions to public art in South Africa were large tapestries designed for the Transvaal Administrative Buildings. Cilliers-Barnard was an indefatigable contributor to cultural life in Pretoria and served as an executive member of the South African Association of Arts. She took part in both the Venice and Sao Paulo Biennales during her lifetime, and her work can be seen in public museums across South Africa. The still life at hand does display signs of accumulative surface dirt and it would be in the owner’s best interest to have it conserved by a reputable conservator.
DATE 1949 VALUE Between R15 000 and R22 000 at auction, if not more. CONTACT walkerscott.co.za
PROMOTION
BUY & SELL ON
IT’S SAFE!
So you’ve seen our declutter competition and started clearing out your overflowing cupboards. But what to do with items of value? Sell them online – and make some cash!
Cyber safety is a priority for anyone living in the digital age – and making buying and selling safer is a key focus for Gumtree, says Estelle Nagel, brand marketing manager at Gumtree.
If you’re getting rid of unwanted goods, go to the Gumtree website or download the app. Create an account; choose whether your cellphone number is displayed to buyers or not. Your email address will remain hidden.
Always use Gumtree – whether on the app or your profile on the website – to interact with potential buyers. Beware if they insist on communicating via personal email or WhatsApp, as this can be a red flag.
Online trading is much safer than you’d think – but the only way to ‘scamproof’ online transactions is to follow these safety guidelines from Gumtree: • Learn more about the buyer or seller you’re interacting with – check their profile to see how long they’ve been active on the site. • Don’t provide unnecessary personal information, especially credit card details or your ID number, to strangers. This includes any information about yourself that isn’t pertinent to the transaction, such as your workplace or home address, unless a buyer wants to collect and you feel safe with this option. • Gumtree encourages face-to-face local trading. Ask to meet a potential buyer and exchange money in a safe public space, whether it’s a busy shopping mall, the security desk in your office building’s foyer, or even your closest police station. If this isn’t possible, always take a friend along when meeting an online contact in person. • When making and receiving payments, good old South African rands are king! Never accept any form of anonymous payment such as Bitcoin.
Worried you might fall victim to a scam? Check out help.gumtree.co.za for a list of popular ‘tricks’.
[ DID YOU KNOW? ] • Gumtree has a 24/7 security team that checks listings to make sure there’s nothing suspicious on the website or in the app. • They also work with the South African Police Department to track IP addresses and cellphone numbers in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. • Automated software scans all listings to identify potential scams before they go live.
Photographs Suné Esterhuizen • rawpixel
Privacy matters
Transact with care
WORKSHOP
Book your spot at Home’s first
DÉCOR SCHOOL
Here’s the opportunity you’ve been waiting for: an informative décor course presented in partnership with MRP Home.
A
Learn how to work with colour, pattern and texture.
Getty Images
re you a creative décor enthusiast who wants every corner of your home to be picture-perfect? Or have you always been curious about what a Home photo shoot entails, how to plan and prepare for it, what should be in your styling kit if you want to make a career out of decorating someday, and how to put together a beautiful story in the magazine? Then our first-ever décor school is for you! Here in the creative whirlwind of the Home office, in actual reader homes and at MRP Home’s flagship store in Canal Walk, Cape Town, you’ll learn from the experts what it takes to become a leading décor stylist. Over three days, we’ll share with you the tips and tricks the Home team has acquired over decades – from moodboards and colour choices, quick fixes and clever techniques to a dash of DIY know-how. In fact, we’re inviting you into our own ‘home’. Come and experience how the Home team puts the magazine together every month.
Work with a photographer while you style a real location.
Décor school IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
A moodboard is your secret weapon…
DETAILS Date 9–11 June, 2020 Place Media24 Centre, Cape Town Cost R4 500 The cost excludes travel and accommodation, but includes breakfast and lunch daily, transport during the course, as well as the styling equipment you will need. To book your place, email anene.deklerk@media24.com or call 021 406 4546.
Sassy Geo rug in navy and ochre (120 x 180cm) R299.99 each
Sawyer plasma stand R3 500
Bamboo Hampton pendant (large) R799.99
Amalfi mini ceramic candleholder R39.99 Embossed print boomerang scatter cushion (55 x 55cm) R199.99
Glastonbury cut-out side table R999.99
Chenille Sierra vintage rug (160 x 230cm) R2 000
Printed Aloha leaf scatter cushion (55 x 55cm) R159.99
Chenille Moccasin scatter cushion (60 x 60cm) R199.99
LET’S GO
shopping
Industrial nested set side tables R1 800
Making your space beautiful is easy with MRP Home.
Punched matt silver Moroccan pendant R1 200 Marlow emerald velvet daybed R4 500 White slatted screen R999.99 April 2020
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KEEP COOL
WITH ISOBOARD Improve your home’s insulation with energy-efficient IsoBoard.
I
soBoard offers an easy-to-install insulation solution to fit to new builds or retrofit to existing buildings. This enables your home to manage external temperature fluctuations with ease, maintaining comfortable living and working spaces for the lifetime of your building. Suitable for all the different areas in your home, this environmentally responsible thermal insulation solution is as versatile as it is effective. You’ll keep your home’s temperature steady, which means using less electricity for heating or cooling.
IsoBoard is easy to install; watch the video at homemag.co.za.
PROMOTION
y u know? Did yo
GET IN TOUCH CAPE TOWN 021 983 1140, southsales@isoboard.com DURBAN 031 569 1800, dbnsales@isoboard.com PRETORIA 012 653 8204, northsales@isoboard.com For more tips, tricks and information, visit isoboard.com, like us on facebook.com/isoboard and follow us on Twitter @isoboard.
1
IsoBoard can be treated with water-based paints and wood stains to suit your own colour scheme.
2
When replacing a ceiling, leave the existing ceiling as is and simply install IsoBoard directly underneath – a quick and permanent solution with minimal mess or fuss!
3
Adjacent boards interlock with tongue-and-groove edges, providing easy installation and a continuous layer of thermal insulation.
4
Use IsoBoard concealed fixing clips and an adhesive when installing your ceiling.
5
IsoBoard is available in thicknesses ranging from 25–80mm and lengths up to 8m to match your thermal insulation requirements.
advice
Email your queries to pets@homemag.co.za
Animal antics
Hello autumn!
Compiled by Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel
On the ball
Macy is ready to play. – Johané Niemann, Kirkwood
Aristocat
Regal Layla relishes the autumn sun. – Lisa van Niekerk, Pretoria
Love me or leaf me
Snowflake makes the most of the change in season. –Tanja Hattingh, Bethlehem
New on the market! Your pooch will love Hunter’s Crunchy Biscuits (R134/150g; takealot.com, selected supermarkets and pet stores). They’re available in two delicious flavours, apple and orange, and not only are they gluten-free, making them suitable for pets with gluten intolerances, but they’re also rich in dietary oat fibre, omega 3 & 6 and vitamins. Visit huntersa.co.za.
78 home April 2020
It’s a stretch
Russian Blue tabby Ziegie shows off his grey coat and green eyes. – Werner and Diana Burger, Pretoria
Butterfly effect
Toy Pom Taffadilla is lovin’ life! – Donna Mac Farlane, Meyerton
Picnic treat
Mr Peter Personality has packed himself in the basket. – Michael and Diana Hindon, Stilbaai
Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a medium Dream Pod for dogs or a large Nookie Bag for cats from Wagworld (wagworld.co.za). Available from leading vet and pet shops, the Dream Pod features soft, water-resistant canvas with a linen look on the outside, while the pillow is filled with shredded recycled fabric for extra comfort. The reversible and machine-washable Nookie Bag is luxurious with its soft padding and coral fleece. Send your pics (at least 2MB each) and contact details to pets@homemag.co.za – you could be a winner too! See competition rules on page 128.
WIN!
Q&A
Cannabis for pets
Kim Smith of Johannesburg writes I’ve seen cannabis products for pets in the pet store; are they in fact suitable for our animals? Dr Omar Mehtar of Tygerberg Animal Hospital (TAH) replies Cannabis is very much in vogue when it comes to treating all sorts of ailments, from cancer to itchy skin. Currently, however, there are no medical-grade cannabis products registered for animal use. Any use for pets is ‘off label’, whereby the pet owner accepts responsibility and risk of the products. If you decide to test these products on your pet, look out for low-THC or THC-free items as these are safer to use. THC is the compound in cannabis that gives humans the high or psychotropic effect; dogs and cats do not experience a ‘high’ but can still be affected by THC. CBD (cannabidiol) is the other major compound in cannabis and is currently being studied for human medication. It has been touted for a wide variety of health issues, but the strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating some of the worst childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and LennoxGastaut syndrome (LGS), which typically don’t respond to anti-seizure medications. In numerous studies, CBD was able to reduce the number of seizures and, in some cases, it was able to stop them altogether. Recently, the FDA approved Epidiolex, the first-ever cannabis-derived medicine for these conditions. CBD is commonly used to address anxiety and insomnia and may offer an alternative for treating different types of chronic pain. Using an animal model, a study in the European Journal of Pain indicated that CBD applied on the skin could help lower pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. Another study demonstrated the mechanism by which CBD inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain – two of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat. More research on humans (and animals) is needed to substantiate the claims of CBD proponents about pain control. If you have a product you’d like to use on your pet, discuss the pros and cons with your vet. CONTACT tah.co.za April 2020
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advice
Send garden info and queries to gardens@homemag.co.za.
Gardening notebook
TIPS FOR FROST Where early frosts can be expected, change your watering programme to mid-morning to allow plants to dry out and soil to warm up before nightfall. Also protect plants with a commercial frost cover, which lets in water and light so it can be left on plants until all danger of frost has passed.
Gillian Eva
Divide perennials and plant new trees, shrubs, spring-flowering annuals and bulbs this month. C ompil iled ed b y Gillian Eva • Photographs Pho hotographs Francois Oberh holster and supplied Compiled by Oberholster
The promise of a colourful spring garden begins at this time of autumnal splendour when the earth’s temperature cools down. Now’s the time to plant indigenous and exotic spring-flowering bulbs so that they will be in full bloom after the winter months – fill flowerbeds, rockeries, containers and hanging baskets with these beauties.
Winter and spring-flowering annuals have many uses in the landscape, massed for visual impact, in borders, in pots, window boxes and hanging baskets. Use compact varieties to edge paths and around spring bulbs. Let those with a trailing habit spill over low walls, window boxes and hanging baskets, and use taller plants to provide swathes of colour in the border.
Sweetpea
Tulip Single daffodil
Double daffodil Ranunculus
Anemone Poppy
Rosemary
es
Understanding the meaning of plant names makes gardening interesting and helps the gardener to understand more about the appearance of a plant, its growth habit, and the conditions it prefers. In 1707 a Swedish botanist, Carl Linnaeus, decided to bring some order to the identification of plants by establishing the binomial system of nomenclature, a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts. The botanical name Rosmarinus officinalis, for one of our favourite herbs – rosemary – has been in use since 1753. Linnaeus noted the close similarity between rosemary and salvia, and recent research has shown that one of the crucial distinctions he made between them – a difference in their stamens – is much less significant than previously thought, and is down to a small adaptation to pollination. The botanical name for rosemary has thus been changed to Salvia rosmarinus, but the plant will retain its common name. Rosemary is a waterwise evergreen shrub of prostrate or upright growth that originates in the hills of the Mediterranean. Aromatic, needle-like leaves are leathery, dark green on the upper surface and powdery white underside. The small flower clusters can be white, pink or blue. Grow upright rosemary in pots, in herb gardens, as a topiary or clipped hedge, and prostrate rosemary as a groundcover. Statesman and philosopher Sir Thomas More (1478–1535) wrote, “I let (rosemary) run all over my garden walls, not only because my bees love it, but because it is the herb sacred to remembrance and friendship.”
Photograph Alamy
What’s in a name?
Statues (from left) by Marieke Prinsloo, Anton Momberg and Daniel Nel.
By Kay Montgomery
Sculpture in the garden International Sculpture Day on 25 April 2020 celebrates this art form and its unique contribution to society. Statuary can be temporary, as in sand, snow and ice sculpture, or permanent in bronze, marble, stone, metal, wood and other mediums. The sculptures of world-class South African sculptors can be seen in private and public gardens, office complexes, wine
estates, hospitals and campuses. Art in the garden should blend with the architecture of the house and enhance the style of the garden. Statuary can provide visual interest throughout the seasons, create focal points, or offer quiet contemplation. A small garden does not necessarily mean that your choice of sculpture is restricted by size. Consider
a life-size statue in a bed of roses or in a grove of trees; a buck in a woodland setting of tree ferns and wild iris; African statuary among indigenous plantings, or repeating oversize pots among lowgrowing plants. NOTE Safety in the garden is always a priority and all statuary should be firmly secured. >> April 2020
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Water smart
We love succulents!
Euphorbia mauritanica The Euphorbia family is huge and diverse, including well-known succulents like ‘Firesticks’ (Euphorbia tirucalli) and crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii). A lesser known succulent that is a very attractive garden plant is Euphorbia mauritanica. Found mainly in the Northern Cape, it grows into a 1m-high feature plant, with thin, cylindrical stems that produce yellow flowers at their tips from August to October. The clump of thin stems stands out in contrast to surrounding plants, and sway in the wind, adding movement to a garden bed. How to grow Probably the only way to kill this plant is to overwater it. It grows in full sun, afternoon sun or morning shade. It tolerates poor soil that drains well, withstands drought and is very cold-hardy, coping with very low temperatures. Water moderately and let the soil dry out before watering again. Garden uses It grows quickly and is a useful feature plant, especially in small gardens, mixed among other succulents, planted alongside drought-tolerant foliage and flowering plants, in rockeries and in containers. The yellow flowers attract bees and butterflies. Did you know? Its name comes from the early belief that this plant originated in ‘Mauritanica’ in North West Africa. Plants were taken to Europe in the 1700s and introduced into gardens there. Take care! Euphorbia mauritanica exudes a milky latex when cut, which irritates the eyes and skin and is poisonous if consumed in large quantities. Wear gloves and protect your eyes when cutting the plant. CONTACT Ngena Succulents; email john@ngena.africa.
Patio plant Bird’s nest fern of the month This lush, tropical fern (Asplenium
antiquum) not only grows into an attractive feature plant with its bright green arching leaves, but also filters toxins from the air and adds large amounts of oxygen. It does best in medium indirect light, in a warm, humid room. Group with other plants to improve humidity. Make sure the potting mix drains well and keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy. The soil surface can dry out slightly between watering; reduce watering in winter. Feed with a liquid fertiliser diluted at half strength once or twice a month. Poor drainage, low light or drying out can make plants susceptible to scale, spider mite or mealy bugs. CONTACT plantimex.co.za
Waterwise plant of the month
Autumn sage
Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) and its numerous cultivars can be upright or spreading with narrow, leathery, aromatic foliage suitable for low water-use gardens and well-drained soil. Dainty tubular flowers and bracts appear from spring to autumn in white and shades of pink, lemon, salmon and red, and attract bees, butterflies and nectar-feeding birds. Grow as a filler in a border or as a low hedge. Cut back to maintain a bushy shape. >>
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Ludwig’s rose corner
Ask JJ
Johannes Swart of Bloemfontein writes My ‘Garden Pavilion’ roses grow so tall that we can’t enjoy the blooms. What can I do to keep the growth lower? Ludwig replies Roses do vary in height with tall varieties like ‘Garden Pavilion’ growing up to 2m. In summer, cutting blooms or deadheading and cutting the stem halfway down keeps the height under control. By not carrying out such ‘manipulation’, the roses will continue producing blooms ‘stem on stem’ and in our long flowering season of five to six flushes, the bushes ‘Garden Pavilion’ will get taller and taller. Flowering becomes more intense with shorter stems. However, the huge leaf canopy provides more energy to the roots and long, strong basal stems find their way to the top.
Carissa Nel of Pietermaritzburg writes I regularly water and fertilise my ‘Frohsinn 82’ roses but the lower leaves are turning brown and dropping off. Is it disease?
‘Frohsinn 82’
Ludwig replies In autumn, this is a natural process, even on well-fed bushes. The stems have become thick and sever the leaves. Also, the lower leaves are now in the shade of the upper crown and do not add much to the photosynthesis process so the plant reckons they are not needed anymore. CONTACT ludwigsroses.co.za
[ EASTER EGG HUNT ]
Head to Ludwig’s Rose Farm north of Pretoria on Sunday 12 April and give your children or grandchildren a memorable day among the roses as they race along the Easter Bunny’s trail looking for hidden sweets and tokens to exchange for a chocolate bunny and sweet hamper. To book, call 012 544 0144.
Regional rose tasks for April Summer rainfall Prevent black spot on dew-soaked leaves by spraying with Chronos or Rose Protector twice a month. Mix in Ludwig’s Insect Spray to control pests and fertilise towards the middle of the month. Roses that have lost their leaves because of black spot can be left to go dormant; there’s no need to spray or fertilise. Fertilise healthy roses. Reduce watering to twice a week. Winter rainfall If rain is falling, spray regularly with Chronos or Rose Protector to prevent black spot, downy mildew or
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rust. Fertilise with Vigorosa towards the middle of April. Reduce watering. Roses that have lost their leaves because of black spot can be left to go dormant; no need to spray or fertilise. Keep roses neat by regular deadheading. Lowveld and KwaZulu-Natal coast In the absence of rainfall, water deeply at least once a week to ensure roses continue flowering. Control pests, especially red spider, with a weekly spraying of Ludwig’s Insect Spray. Fertilise with Vigorosa towards the middle of April.
Weed woes
Marinda Vorster of Middelburg, Mpumalanga writes What herbicide will be suitable for eradicating weeds in my lawn without killing the grass? JJ replies Try something like Versus; wait six weeks before allowing pets into that area. You could spray one section of the lawn now, and the other later.
A boost for blooms
Jeanne Venter of Somerset West writes I bought two climbing roses about four years ago. In the first two years they had lots of blooms during the first flush but then no more. Last year there were almost no flowers. I considered taking them out but now each plant at least has a few roses. Is there anything else I can do, or is that just how this type of rose blooms? JJ replies Your plants look very healthy and there’s no reason why they should not bloom. Maybe there was still enough nutrition from last season’s feeding that gave them enough energy to flower, but now that nutrition is spent. Give them an application of 8:1:5 – it provides sufficient potassium for them to bloom well. >>
Listen to JJ’s gardening tips and tricks on Derrich Gardner’s show Brekfis met Derrich at 07:40 every Saturday on RSG.
THE PROPERTY SHOW CAPE TOWN
21 - 22 MARCH | CTICC
SA's biggest property expo is coming to Cape Town, to help you reach your property goals.
Book your tickets at thepropertyshow.co.za
advice
Garden goodies Compiled by Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel
Biodyne’s SmellAway Greywater Septic Tank odour reducer for recycled water (1L) R115, hardware stores and garden centres
Chronos fungicide for diseases in roses (100ml) R139, hardware stores and garden ga de ce centres t es
New in nurseries The best of both It is not a petunia or a Calibrachoa, but the new Petchoa ‘BeautiCal’, which combines the best of both. These plants flower like Calibrachoa, with a multitude of blooms in a wide range of colours. The blooms are larger, closer in size to petunias, but these weather-resistant plants recover from rain much faster than standard petunias. There is also greater mildew resistance, and a long flowering period – from spring to the end of summer. They are suitable for the patio and balcony, in containers and hanging baskets and in smaller garden beds. CONTACT ballstraathof.co.za
Wall-mounted planter box R259.99, MRP Home
Sixth Floor outdoor cushion (60 x 60cm) R499, superbalist.com
Boxy Bird Box bird feeder R1 590, knus.co
Bird feeder R199.99, MRP Home
Jobe 240L wheeled waste bin R895, Builders
Back on the market! Neutrog Bounce Back fertiliser (10kg) R140, hardware stores and garden centres
Outdoor party lights (8.6m) O d R849, MON Exteriors
Sixth Floor Corfu woven outdoor rug (1 600 x 2 300mm) R1 599, superbalist.com
Millennium gutter broom R110, Builders
STOCKISTS Builders 0860 284 533, builders.co.za MON Exteriors 0861 866 766, monexteriors.com MRP Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com
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crossword #140
Compiled by Gerda Engelbrecht
WIN!
One of eight NB Publishers books worth R320 could be yours.
When Rachel’s brother disappears under mysterious circumstances, she must come to terms with his apparent death, although there is no body. She travels to Johannesburg to support her sister-in-law Maya at the memorial – and to escape her stifling life as a wife and mother. Rachel is unsettled when Max, her ex lover, arrives and despite poet Sizwe’s efforts to steady her, Rachel reels from grief and longing. Then Rachel, Maya, Max and Sizwe are involved in a confrontation that will change them forever. Kirsten Miller’s unpublished manuscript of All That is Left won the Aziz Hassim Minara Award. The first eight readers whose correctly completed crosswords are drawn will each win a copy of All That is Left worth R320. Send the completed crossword, and your details, to Home Crossword #140, PO Box 1802, Cape Town, or scan in your completed crossword and email it to competition@homemag.co.za to reach us by 30 April 2020. See our competition rules on page 128.
Name ............................................................................. Address .......................................................................................................................... Postal code .................. Cell .............................................. Tel. (w) ............................................. Email .........................................................
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EVENT
SHOP TILL YOU DROP!
DÉCOR CRAFTS GIFTS FOOD
28 – 31 May 2020
Getty Images
Visit our first-ever Tuis|Home market for fabulous décor, handmade goodies, great gifts and delicious food.
Market
[ NEWSFLASH! ]
Getty Images
The popular Boerevintage Gift Market, which draws thousands of people to Redberry Farm in George every December, will do a special pop-up at the Tuis|Home market – with more T tthan 50 stalls featuring a wide range of quality gifts, décor, clothing and jewellery. Come see for yourself, in the heart of the Cape Winelands!
E
ach month, Home showcases beautiful décor, crafts and interesting food products from around the country. Now these pages will come to life at our very first Tuis|Home market! With loads of exhibitors, demos and a wide selection of food and drinks, this market on the historic Nooitgedacht wine estate outside Stellenbosch promises to be full of creative surprises.
Keen to attend the market? Mark the date in your diary and buy your tickets now at quicket.co.za. Date 28–31 May 2020 Tickets Various options are available – from day passes to four-day passes, plus a Besties offer with a discount if you buy tickets for you and a friend. Go to quicket.co.za.
Keen to exhibit? Go to tuishomemark.co.za for the application form and information on the stalls. For details, email Anita Grindlay-Whieldon at anita@homemag.co.za or call her on 083 594 3349.
BETWEEN THE
ountains AND THE ocean
By Marié Esterhuyse • Photographs Kosie Jansen van Rensburg
Larisa Brody’s garden on the slopes of the Helderberg is filled with glorious mass plantings and her favourite feature – eye-catching hedges.
WHO LIVES HERE? Larisa and Hubert Brody, their teenage children Rebecca and Alex, and Sputnik the Schnauzer WHERE Somerset West SIZE OF GARDEN 1ha TYPE OF SOIL Clay
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A pathway down the centre of a large olive grove takes on an ochre hue at sunset. Fleabane covers the berms where nearly 100 olive trees grow and mass plantings of, among others, gaura, spur flowers, rosemary, wild garlic and ornamental grasses such as Pennisetum orientale ‘Shogun’ and pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) are planted in-between the rows.
A broad grass pathway with mixed beds on either side leads from the rose garden. These beds, framed by orange jasmine (Murraya exotica), are planted up with large groupings of Salvia leucantha, gaura and garden heliotrope, all of which provide an abundance of colour in summer and autumn.
reader garden
F
rom a mish-mash of all sorts of different plants to the picture of breathtaking perfection – this is the transformation Larisa Brody’s garden underwent in five years. “We relocated from Gauteng to Somerset West at the end of 2014 and fell in love with the property because of its expansive garden and beautiful views of the Helderberg on one side and the sea and Hottentots Holland mountains on the other,” says Larisa. “Then I met Stellenbosch garden expert Pietman Diener and before I knew it, we were busy with a massive project!” The garden makeover was undertaken in two phases. First up was the driveway and pavement, the shade garden around the tennis court and the area closest to the house. Keeping Larisa and her husband Hubert’s preferences and ideas in mind, Pietman drew up a master plan and in August 2015, Danie Steenkamp of DDS Projects got to work. The project took about six months to complete. The second phase was only undertaken in September 2018. “There was a lot of lawn and far too many different plants, especially agapanthus, in the garden. Because our borehole was poor, we had very little water and some of the plants perished,” explains Larisa. “The garden was dark and overgrown in places. We identified trees such as American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), broom cluster fig (Ficus sur), paperbark tea tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia) and white stinkwood (Celtis africana) that we wanted to keep, but the excess silky oaks (Grevillea robusta) and cheesewoods (Pittosporum viridiflorum) were removed. The low branches of the pines were trimmed off to make them look more elegant and those that were too close together were felled to let in more light.”
Renewed and re-used To ensure that the garden received sufficient water, a new borehole was sunk and water tanks with a total capacity of 40 000L were installed. The boundary fences, previously just barbed wire, were replaced, and the plants and grass they wanted to re-use or give away were lifted. Where possible, the different levels in the garden were left as is, but they levelled the area around the house and built stone walls and steps. Loads of compost and topsoil were worked into the clay soil and, with an irrigation system in place, Danie and his team could start planting. “I love mass plantings and since the garden is so huge and I like working in it myself, it was the perfect solution,” says
The scent of the African honeybush (Melianthus major) reminds Larisa of her childhood. “The shape of the foliage is dramatic and I like the idea that they grow almost everywhere along the roadsides of South Africa.”
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Larisa. “It reduces my workload and creates a sense of order and simplicity. “We retained as many of the existing plants as possible, such as the large Viburnum tinus shrubs under the pine trees. They were simply cut back quite hard to encourage them to reshoot and now we clip them into topiaries. “I enjoy my garden every day. It provides a place in which I can be at peace after a busy day. It gives me great pleasure to sit on the stoep and watch the mountains change colour at sunset or the moon rising. I also love sharing my garden with others and seeing how much they enjoy it – like when our daughter and all her friends had their matric dance photos taken here.”
I prefer mass plantings; they make the garden easier to maintain as there is more order. – Larisa Larisa planted ornamental grasses such as Muhlenbergia capillaris in the foreground and Pennisetum orientale ‘Shogun’ with its beautiful pink plumes in-between some of the olive tree rows.
reader garden
The structure of the walled garden (see page 103) was painted charcoal to make it ‘disappear’ into the background, while Boston ivy now provides lush cover. The olive grove is visible through the gap in the wall – it was previously a window.
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I like tackling new projects. I’ve decided I’d like to grow more plants that attract bees so that I can harvest my own honey. – Larisa
The brick edging around the lawn prevents the flowerbeds from getting bigger every time the edges are cut. It also prevents the grass from encroaching on the beds.
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Hubert said we could do anything as long as the tennis court was retained and he could continue to play while the project was underway! – Pietman
reader garden
[ LARISA’S GARDENING TIPS ] • Read gardening books and magazines – you’ll find incredibly good ideas in them. I can spend hours paging through them. • If you have dogs and they run tracks through your flowerbeds, make allowance for this and in that way, you keep everyone happy! • Plant spring bulbs such as ranunculus with roses, then they put on a lovely display before the roses start to bloom in October. In spring and summer, I spray my roses every fortnight with a mixture of one tablespoon Funginex, one tablespoon Aphicide Plus, three tablespoons Nitrosol, three tablespoons vinegar and three tablespoons dishwashing liquid in 10L of water. • Paint boundary walls black or charcoal. This allows the walls to ‘disappear’. • We apply Eco Pellets, an organic fertiliser that I buy from Agrimark, to the beds twice a year and regularly work in homemade compost. In spring and summer, when the lawn isn’t as green as I like it to be, we fertilise it with LAN. Unfortunately, we have lots of moles that make mounds on the lawn. I’m still trying to find a solution for them! Larisa loves hedges (right and below), whether they’re in straight lines or trimmed into interesting shapes. They give the garden structure and look good all year round. The hedges are pruned when they become untidy or if they grow too tall and block the view.
[ PIETMAN SAYS... ] “Larisa’s garden was inspired by the work of Australian designer Paul Bangay. His gardens – with their traditional layout and formal elements such as level surfaces, straight lines, lawns and mass plantings – work very well with the architecture of the Brodys’ house. “Although the layout is formal, it is softened by the trees and the exuberant and informal mass plantings, giving it a more natural look. The garden is still young and will be even more impressive as the hedges grow and the various garden rooms become more defined. “This was an amazing project and Larisa was a dream client. It felt as if I had helped her to ‘build’ her garden and now she can beautify it further.”
Indigenous pambati tree (Anastrabe integerrima) was used for this clipped hedge, while Japanese privet hedges (right) frame the rose beds.
I love Paul Bangay’s style but I think it’s sometimes a bit too formal. I told Pietman he had free rein with the planning of the garden but he had to keep that in mind. On my wishlist was a rose garden, a chamomile lawn, a water feature and orderly mass plantings. – Larisa
Garden rooms
Pietman divided the garden into different rooms, each with a unique character and plant selection. He used mass plantings for large sections and chose plants in consultation with Larisa for their interesting textures, colours and ease of maintenance.
1 Parterre
A parterre was created at the front door – this is a formal bed with neatly trimmed knee-high Japanese privet (Ligustrum ibota) hedges forming a pattern. Initially, Larisa planted black mondo grass and lamb’s ear in-between but they failed to thrive. Now she is trying to create diamond-shaped hedges in the middle. A simple water feature with copper pipe spouts completes the picture; the fountain was already in the garden and was left unchanged. >>
Japanese privet April 2020
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reader garden
2 Driveway, pavement garden and woodland garden This part of the garden needed a lot of work. The retaining walls in the driveway were constricting the roots of the white stinkwood, while unsightly grey retaining blocks were keeping the pavement soil in place. Larisa replaced the blocks with gabions filled with rubble from low walls that had been demolished. Brown sandstone from Stonehenge Marble & Granite was used on the top and sides of the gabions to make them look as if they were constructed from rocks. Trees in the woodland garden around the tennis court were removed to let in more light. Shade-loving plants are grown here, most of which have white blooms – such as hydrangea, Azalea alba, Japanese anemone (Anemone hybrids), spur flowers (Plectranthus spp.) and common snowball (Viburnum opulus ‘Sterile’). Larisa transplanted large wild iris (Dietes grandiflora) from elsewhere in the garden to use on the pavement.
3 Large olive grove Larisa was inspired to plant an olive grove when she did the Wellington Wine Walk and has decided she wants to start making olive oil. She plans to name it ‘Spook Hill’ after the upper section of Parel Vallei Road near their home. “Somerset West’s climate is ideal for olives and we have more than enough space. The drought at the time also motivated me to plant something more waterwise. The olive trees and mass plantings around them are all happy with little water. We have ‘Frantoio’ and ‘Coratina’ olives, both of which are suitable for making oil.” >>
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Stone pathways wind through the woodland garden; the texture of the rocks and foliage adds interest throughout the year.
A group of low-growing plants beneath a thicket of trees is always striking. It gives the trees a more dramatic look and completes the picture. – Pietman
The chamomile lawn with eabane and carpet geranium in between.
reader garden
4 Small olive grove with chamomile lawn
Larisa wanted a lawn of chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) plants; this is one of her favourite parts of the garden. The chamomile has been planted beneath 36 ‘Frantoio’ olive trees, with fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus), thyme (Thymus doerfleri ‘Bressingham‘), and indigenous carpet geranium (Geranium incanum) in-between. This mass planting gives the orchard impact, provides wonderful fragrance and has a soft feel underfoot. From this garden room, a Viburnum tinus ‘Compacta’ hedge leads you to a stone boma where a paperbark tea tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia) with its gnarled bark adds loads of character. A large grouping of Pennisetum ‘Tall Tales’ and P. ‘Cream Falls’ ornamental grasses provides movement.
5 Rose garden and mixed border
Larisa has a beautiful rose garden near the house with four beds framed by neatly trimmed Japanese privet hedges. Here, she’s planted some of her favourite roses, such as ‘My Granny’, ‘Antique Silk’, ‘Roberto Capucci’, ‘Magaliesburg Rose’ and ‘Rina Hugo’ – all in shades of pink and cream. A broad grass pathway with mixed beds on either side leads away from here. These beds, framed by orange jasmine, are planted up with large groupings of Salvia leucantha, gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) and garden heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) which provide an abundance of colour in summer and autumn.
I’m not sure I’ll plant roses again. Growing them in the dry, windy Cape is not the same as in Gauteng where it rains in summer. – Larisa
Plane trees provide shade in summer; they have been pollarded (the top and branches are cut off) so that they don’t get too big for the space.
Builder JDM Construction (jcon@live.co.za); irrigation Rootwize Irrigation (rootwizeirri@gmail.com)
The shape and appearance of a plant is much more impactful when lots of the same kind are grown together. - Pietman
6 Walled garden What was once an outbuilding is now a beautiful walled garden with a koi pond in the middle. “This structure was too far from the house to be properly utilised as an entertainment area and the roof impeded the beautiful view of Landdroskop, so we decided to demolish it,” says Larisa. “The day before we were due to do so, Pietman called me in a panic to say the roof and window frames can go but the walls must be kept. He suggested that we allow the rest of the structure to be overgrown with Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) and that we build a koi pond in the middle. It was definitely the right decision!”
CONTACTS AND STOCKIST DDS Projects ddsprojects.co.za Pietman Diener 072 376 5632 Stonehenge Marble & Granite stonehenge.co.za
In autumn, the Boston ivy takes on hues of orange and yellow and in summer the entire structure is green. This creates an interesting garden room with a unique character. Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) has been planted around the walled garden, while giant trumpet creeper (Beaumontia grandiflora) and Chilean jasmine (Mandevilla laxa) cover some of the interior walls. White Japanese anemone, arum lilies (Zantedeschia ‘Green Goddess’) and orange jasmine (Murraya exotica) bloom in shades of white and green. Water lilies adorn the koi pond.
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With mass plantings, large groups of plants can be interspersed to create an interesting look, as in this border. Here, gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) and Cape scabious (Scabiosa africana) have been planted in alternate blocks.
IT’S A numbers
game
By Marié Esterhuyse • Photographs Francois Oberholster, Kosie Jansen van Rensburg, Deryck van Steenderen and Martin Bester
Create interesting visual effects with large groups of similar plants – even if your garden is small.
plants of the month
gardens
Wild garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) and mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) planted in a circular design add visual impact.
A
large group of one type of plant in a bed or garden room adds impact to your garden and also requires less work. Stellenbosch garden expert Pietman Diener explains: “Mass plantings have many benefits and can be used in both large and smaller gardens. In a big garden like Larisa Brody’s (see page 90), it can become quite overwhelming if you have too great a variety of plants in all the different sections or rooms. By using a group of just one type of plant in some of the areas, you create a more tranquil effect that has bigger impact. It allows you to really see the plants,” says Pietman. >>
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Maintenance
Another benefit of mass planting is that it reduces your workload and ensures a more economical and waterwise garden. Since the entire bed has the same water requirements, you can irrigate accordingly without wasting water. “Maintenance is also easier,” says Pietman. “All plants require the same attention at the same time. It’s also more economical to fill up the bed – simply divide the existing plants or take cuttings of them.” Many plants that are suitable for mass planting require very little care after Pietman Diener they’ve been planted. Ornamental grasses are an excellent choice and only need to be cut short once a year. With agapanthus, you simply trim off spent flower heads. Dietes need no maintenance and a groundcover such as mondo grass always looks good with the minimum of care. Some plants can be planted in rows and pruned into a hedge. Although they should be pruned from time to time, which requires more work, they look good with relatively little effort. Mass plantings are also a good way to draw attention to garden ornaments such as statues or urns, says Pietman. “By having one type of plant around such an element, you notice it rather than the plants around it.” If your garden is small, large groups of plants can be grown on a smaller scale. “For example, by grouping five to seven plants of the same type together, you not only create an impression of abundance in a small space, but also one of simplicity. And if you only have a stoep or balcony, plant a few of the same plants in pots and group them together. Good choices for this purpose are pelargoniums for a sunny balcony and fuchsias for a shady patio.”
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Carpet geranium (Geranium incanum)
Suitable plants
1 For an
Agapanthus
indigenous bed
Plant guide
Agapanthus Agapanthus is always a dependable plant perfect for mass groupings and these days there are many different varieties from which to choose. Larger plants with showy flowers such as Agapanthus ‘Blue Flare’ and A. ‘Purple Delight’ are perfect for mass plantings in a large garden, while the smaller Agapanthus ‘Barley Blue’ and A. ‘Double Diamond’ work well in smaller gardens. These indigenous plants are waterwise, easy to grow and bloom all summer long. Plant them about 30cm apart in compost-rich soil that drains well and water them regularly until established; thereafter they need little water. Agapanthus grows quickly and multiplies readily. Divide the plants if they form a too-thick clump and transplant where necessary. Trim off the dead flower heads regularly, but at the end of the season leave some of the flowers to form seeds. The spent blooms are also beautiful and will complement your autumn garden.
Full sun to semi-shade Waterwise Fairly frost-tolerant Perennial Height and width varies
Location Rustenberg Wine Estate (rustenberg.co.za)
The following plants work well for mass plantings, each for a specific purpose.
Clivia
Wild iris (Dietes grandiflora) and yellow wild iris (D. bicolor) are waterwise and bloom all summer long. Although the flowers don’t last long, they bloom so abundantly that there are flowers on the plant virtually throughout the season. The indigenous ornamental grass Aristida junciformis makes a lovely display and adds movement to a bed. Clivias (Clivia miniata) and spur flowers (Plectranthus spp.) are lovely under trees or on the shady side of the house.
Location Babylonstoren (babylonstoren.com)
[ MORE TO CHOOSE FROM ]
Plant guide Full sun Average water needs Fairly frost-tolerant Annual Grows about 30cm tall
2 Annuals Poppy (Papaver varieties) If you’d like to change the look of a bed in a relatively short space of time, sow annuals such as cheerful red poppies. They are easy to grow from seed and flower abundantly in spring and early summer. Sow in autumn in compost-rich soil and keep moist until the seedlings are well established. Since poppy seeds are so small, it is difficult to sow them individually. The seedlings will thus germinate very close together in some spots; thin out or leave as is for a mass of blooms. Leave the plants in the bed after blooming so that the seedheads can dry out – they also make a lovely display. Cut off the seedheads carefully when dry and then pull out the entire plant. Shake the tiny seeds into a paper bag or bowl or store them, seedhead and all – the seeds will drop into the container. Sow again in autumn. Poppies are not good cut flowers, so just enjoy them in your garden. Some poppies bloom at other times of the year – check the back of the seed packet for each one’s sowing and flowering time.
[ MORE TO CHOOSE FROM ] Other spring-flowering annuals to sow include Californian poppy (Eschscholzia californica), cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) or Namaqualand daisy (Dimorphotheca aurantiaca). The latter is a good choice for hot and dry regions. For summer blooms, sow annuals such as zinnia (Zinnia elegans), cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus); do so after you’ve lifted the poppies.
Poppy
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3 Perennials
In all their summer glory, gauras resemble a mass of fluttering butterflies.
and shrubs Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) A mass of these plants together makes a beautiful show with their dainty white and blush-pink flowers on thin stems. If even a light breeze is blowing, they look like butterflies dancing in the wind. These plants are hardy, happy with little water and flower all summer long. Plant them about 30cm apart in well-drained, compost-rich soil. They require little maintenance; cut back lightly after the first abundant flowering season to encourage them to produce more blooms. In early winter, they can be cut back hard. They self-seed readily; or multiply them by dividing the clumps. Gauras make excellent cut flowers. Plant Oenothera lindheimeri ‘Belleza’ if you prefer the dark pink gaura.
Plant guide Full sun Waterwise Frost-tolerant Wind-resistant Perennial Grows 50cm tall
[ MORE TO CHOOSE FROM ] Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), spur flower (Plectranthus spp.), a variety of ferns or Japanese anemone all make a great display under trees. Day lilies (Hemerocallis hybrids), lavender, salvias such as Salvia leucantha and aloes are suitable for a sunny bed. Shrubs such as hydrangeas and azaleas, and a rose such as ‘My Granny’ are perfect for mass plantings.
gardens
plants of the month
The shape and appearance of a plant is much more impactful when lots of the same kind are grown together. – Pietman
Smelly spur flower is a great lowmaintenance, waterwise option for mass planting.
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Echeveria
Location Eenuurkop Guest Farm (eenuurkop.co.za)
Arctotis hybrids
Plant guide Full sun Waterwise Frost-tolerant Grows 30cm tall
4 As a groundcover Arctotis hybrids Indigenous arctotis has much the same appearance as well-known Gazania hybrids, but grows slightly taller with longer flower stems. They bloom in spring and early summer and have greyish foliage. There is a wide variety of hybrids available with pink, red or yellow blooms. Plant them in full sun in well-drained soil. Choose coast arctotis (A. stoechadifolia) for a coastal garden; it does very well in sandy soil. The plant is drought-resistant and will quickly cover an area.
[ MORE TO CHOOSE FROM ] Other groundcovers suitable for mass plantings are fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus), smelly spur flower (Plectranthus neochilus) and carpet geranium (Geranium incanum). Or plant rock roses (Echeveria hybrids) for their gorgeous foliage. For a shady spot, fairy crassula (Crassula multicava) is a good choice; it flowers in winter. Ivy (Hedera helix) thrives in sun and shade and is ideal if you want to cover a very large surface area. Sources Gardening with Keith Kirsten by Keith Kirsten; The South African What Flower is That? by Kristo Pienaar; Cape Garden (021 988 4137, capegardencentre.co.za); gardenia.net; gardenerdy.com; thespruce.com
food
eggs
BOBOTIE
Recipe on page 115.
Cheaper by the dozen Don’t skip a beat with these delicious, nutritious egg dishes!
By Johané Neilson Photographs Francois Oberholster
BACON-AND-EGG OPEN SANDWICHES
Recipe on page 115.
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food
eggs
Curried potato eggs
This recipe is a combination of a Scotch egg (a boiled egg wrapped in sausage, crumbed and fried) and my favourite curried potato dish by Australian chef Bill Granger. Serves 6 • Preparation time: 1 hour Cooking time: 30 minutes • 6 medium eggs • a pinch of bicarbonate of soda • 500g baby potatoes, quartered • 15ml butter and oil • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 2cm fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated • 3ml black mustard seeds • 3ml turmeric • 5ml curry powder • 3 spring onions (white bits only), chopped • 1 green chilli, chopped • 6 curry leaves • 2 baby marrows, grated • about 125ml flour • 2 eggs, beaten • about 200ml panko breadcrumbs • oil for deep-frying • lemon and yoghurt to serve 1 Put the eggs in cold water in a saucepan, add a pinch of salt and bicarb, and bring to the boil; cook for 4 minutes. Drain and place immediately in ice water to halt the cooking process. Shell the eggs and keep in the fridge until needed. 2 Boil the potatoes in salted water until done. Melt the butter and oil in a pan and sauté the garlic, ginger and mustard seeds until fragrant. Stir in the cooked potato, turmeric, curry, onion, chilli, curry leaves and baby marrows and fry for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and mash the stir-fry with a fork to form a chunky mash. Flatten the mixture on a plate and refrigerate to cool quickly. 3 Divide the cold curried mash into 6 equal portions. Flatten the first portion in the palm of your hand, put a boiled egg on top and carefully shape the potato around the egg until completely covered. Make sure there are no holes. Repeat with all 6 eggs. 4 Dip the eggs first in flour, then in the beaten egg and finally roll them in the breadcrumbs. Heat about 3cm of oil in a saucepan and fry the eggs in it until golden-brown on the outside and heated through (the filling is cooked already). Enjoy with a few drops of fresh lemon and yoghurt.
Bobotie
Fill your home with the aromas of the Bo-Kaap! Don’t be put off by the long list of ingredients – it’s really easy once you have assembled them all. Makes 8–10 generous servings Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour, 30 minutes Oven temperature: 180°C
Accessories @home (086 083 4834, home.co.za)
• 5 thick slices day-old white bread • 250ml milk • 15ml olive oil • 30ml butter • 2 large onions, chopped • 3 plump cloves garlic, chopped • 30ml masala • 10ml ground turmeric • 10ml ground cumin • 10ml ground coriander • 3 cloves • 2cm fresh ginger, peeled and grated • 1 red chilli, finely chopped • 30ml chutney • 30ml apricot jam • 125ml sultanas or soft dried apricots, chopped • 125ml almond flakes, toasted • a generous pinch of dried herbs • 5ml sea salt flakes • freshly ground black pepper to taste • 1kg lean mince CUSTARD TOPPING • 5 eggs • 300ml double-cream yoghurt • 8 lemon or bay leaves • thinly sliced lemon (optional) • sliced banana and coconut to serve 1 Soak the bread in the milk. Once the bread is soaked, use a fork to mash the bread in the milk and set aside. 2 Heat the oil and butter together and sauté the onions until glossy. Add the garlic, masala, spices, ginger and chilli and fry for a few minutes until fragrant. Stir in the rest of the main ingredients, except the mince, as well as the bread-and-milk mixture, mix well and remove from the heat to cool. 3 Preheat the oven. Mix the cooled onion mixture through the mince and place in a large ovenproof dish. Beat the eggs and yoghurt together, season with salt and pepper and pour over the mince mixture.
4 Garnish with lemon or bay leaves and, if desired, some thinly sliced lemon. Bake for about 1 hour; increase the oven temperature to 200°C and give the custard topping another 5–10 minutes in the oven to brown nicely. Serve with yellow rice, sliced banana, extra chutney and coconut. Tip The mince mixture can be prepared a day ahead.
Bacon-and-egg open sandwiches
When we were kids and friends stayed over, my mom always treated us to a simple version of these open sandwiches for breakfast. My version has more bacon and sometimes I top it with a fried egg. Serves 8 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Oven temperature: 200°C • 300g Cheddar, coarsely grated • 100g mozzarella, coarsely grated • 3 eggs, beaten • 5ml Dijon mustard • a pinch of chilli powder • 80ml milk • 8 rashers streaky bacon, halved • 5ml olive oil • 5ml honey • 8 thick slices ciabatta, toasted and spread with butter 1 Mix the cheese, eggs, mustard, chilli powder and milk. If you have time, leave the mixture to stand for an hour. 2 Fry the bacon in the oil until crispy then glaze with the honey. This step is optional, but I love the hint of sweetness. 3 Preheat the oven. Arrange the slices of bread on a greased baking tray (I use baking paper as well) and place two pieces of bacon and a generous dollop of the cheese mixture on top, from edge to edge. Bake the loaded open sandwiches for 10–20 minutes or until cooked and puffed up. If necessary, after the first 10 minutes, scoop any cheese that has melted off the edges back onto the bread before baking some more. These sandwiches are delicious as is, or serve with a fried egg on top for a hearty breakfast. >>
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TIRAMISU MERINGUE ROULADE
Recipe on page 119.
A hen’s egg is, quite simply, a work of art, a masterpiece of design and construction with, it has to be said, brilliant packaging! – food writer Delia Smith
CHIFFON CAKE WITH CREAM AND JAM
Recipe on page 119.
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Chinese omelette Small parcels of flavour with a surprise in every bite – a delicious way to use up the last few veggies in your fridge. Makes 12 omelettes • Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: a few minutes per omelette • 125ml cooked chicken or pork, finely chopped • 125ml raw prawn meat, chopped • 2 carrots, coarsely grated • 5 mushrooms, coarsely grated • 2 baby marrows, coarsely grated • 1 red chilli, finely chopped • 3 spring onions, chopped
• • • • • • •
60ml bean sprouts 15ml cornflour 15ml soy sauce 10ml oyster sauce salt and pepper to taste 5 eggs, beaten vegetable oil for shallow-frying
1 Mix all the ingredients except the oil in a large mixing bowl to form a batter. 2 Heat a generous splash of oil in a non-stick pan – use enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Now add one soup ladle of batter to the oil at a time to make flap jack-sized omelettes (try to scoop filling and egg together and stir the batter regularly). Bake each omelette for a minute or two on each side until the egg is cooked; keep the temperature of the oil moderate and top up as necessary. Repeat with the remaining batter. You can make more than one omelette at a time if your pan is large enough. Delicious as an alternative breakfast or with steamed rice as a meal. Tip Feel free to substitute the prawns and chicken with leftover braai chicken or cooked mince.
eggs
Chiffon cake with cream and jam
This feather-light cake is so versatile, and can be garnished with anything from butter icing to chocolate ganache. Makes 1 x 23cm double-layer cake Preparation time: 20 minutes Baking time: 30–35 minutes Oven temperature: 160°C • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
280g (500ml) cake flour 40g (60ml) cornflour 15ml baking powder a pinch of salt a pinch of cream of tartar 5 eggs, separated 150g (180ml) castor sugar 180ml lukewarm water 125ml oil 15ml vanilla essence about 80ml jam of your choice 250ml cream, whipped 5ml castor sugar (or to taste), extra fresh fruit of your choice
1 Preheat the oven and line the bottom of two 23cm cake tins with baking paper. Don’t grease the tins: this cake rises best when the batter can ‘stick’ to the tin as it bakes; a greased pan will let the batter slide down and make the cake denser. 2 Sift the flour, cornflour, baking powder and salt together twice. This captures extra air in the batter and ensures a lighter cake. 3 Add the cream of tartar to the egg whites and beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Add 125ml of the sugar, a spoonful at a time, beating well after each addition until the egg whites are stiff and look shiny like meringue. Using the same whisk, beat the egg yolks, the remaining 55ml sugar, water and oil, and 5ml of the vanilla essence until mixed. Then immediately beat in the flour mixture until just combined. It must be smooth, but not beaten unnecessarily. 4 Add a spoonful of the stiff egg whites on top of the batter and fold in quickly. Add the rest of the egg whites and fold everything in with a large metal spoon until just combined. Divide the batter between the two cake tins and bake in the middle of the oven for 30–35 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Turn the tins over on a wire rack and cool completely.
5 To assemble, remove the cakes carefully from the tins and pull off the baking paper. Spread the bottom cake layer with your favourite jam, place the second cake on top and garnish with whipped cream flavoured with the remaining vanilla essence and 5ml sugar. Top with fresh fruit of your choice as a final flourish. BAKING TIPS • Don’t open the oven door while the cake is baking, until at least half of the baking time has expired. The cake may collapse due to the temperature fluctuations. • Did you know that fresh eggs will not get sufficiently stiff with beating? Store-bought eggs are usually a day or two old but if you use farm eggs, they must be left for a day or so before using them for baking. • Use eggs at room temperature when you bake, but store them in the fridge to keep them fresh for longer. • Check your oil before baking. The taste of old oil may affect the end result. Olive oil tastes rich and delicious, while rancid vegetable oil can give cakes a bad taste. • Egg whites will not get sufficiently stiff with beating if they come into contact with any grease, oil or egg yolk. Make sure the mixing bowl and whisk are clean and dry before you start beating.
Tiramisu meringue roulade
This gluten-free cake is ideal for spoiling someone who can’t eat flour. Makes 1 roulade Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes Oven temperature: 170°C • 60ml peanut sprinkles • 5 large egg whites • a pinch of cream of tartar • a pinch of salt • 5ml instant coffee or vanilla essence • 210g (250ml) castor sugar • cocoa or dark chocolate to garnish FILLING • 5 egg yolks • 30ml castor sugar • 30ml brandy • 1 tub mascarpone or full-fat cream cheese
food
1 Preheat the oven. Line a rectangular baking tray (23 x 30cm) with baking paper and sprinkle a layer of nuts on the paper. 2 Place the egg whites in a clean metal, glass or ceramic mixing bowl, add the cream of tartar and salt, and beat until the egg forms stiff peaks when you lift the beater. Stir the coffee into the sugar and whisk a spoonful of it at a time into the egg whites until the meringue is stiff and shiny. 3 Spoon dollops of the meringue onto the nuts in the prepared baking tray and spread carefully to form an even layer on top of the nuts. Now bake for about 20 minutes or until firm. Cool for at least 10 minutes. 4 Make a double boiler: pour 2cm boiling water into a small saucepan and place a glass or metal mixing bowl on top. Make sure the bowl fits snugly in the saucepan, sealing the gap without touching the water. Place the water on the stove. Remove the mixing bowl and beat the egg yolks, castor sugar and brandy together in it with an electric beater until it starts to thicken. Place the bowl over the boiling water (keep a potholder handy; the bowl will be hot) and beat for 8 minutes until very thick and cooked. Remove the mixing bowl from the heat, put it in ice water and beat until cold. Beat the mascarpone (in a separate bowl) until smooth then mix with the cooked egg mixture to make the tiramisu filling. 5 Spread the filling over the baked meringue and place in the fridge or freezer until the mascarpone layer is set. Using the baking paper to assist you, roll the meringue and filling up carefully so that the nuts are on the outside and place it, seam side down, on a serving platter. Garnish with sifted cocoa or grated dark chocolate and serve in thick slices. Store in the refrigerator.
[ BANOFFEE VARIATION ] For an easier banoffee filling, beat 160g melted dark chocolate, 125ml cream and 125ml caramel together and spread it over the meringue. Arrange a layer of thinly sliced banana on top of the caramel layer and roll up the cake as above with the nuts on the outside.
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food
eggs
Greek chicken soup with lemon and egg
Classic avgolemono is goodness in a bowl. Traditionally, the broth is served first, followed by the chicken and vegetables as a second course. I like to shred the chicken and serve it with the soup. Serves 8 • Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours • 15ml olive oil • 30ml butter • 1 large chicken, cut into pieces • 1 onion, halved and chopped • 2 stalks celery with leaves, chopped • 2 leeks (white parts only), washed well and chopped • 3 medium-sized carrots, cut into quarters • 2 bay leaves • 5ml peppercorns • 3 sprigs each parsley and thyme • 125ml long-grain rice or orzo • 3 eggs • juice of 2 lemons 1 Melt the oil and butter in a large saucepan and fry the chicken until well browned. Stir in the vegetables, bay leaves, peppercorns, parsley stalks (keep the leaves for later) and thyme and cover with water (about 2.5L). Bring to the boil and simmer slowly for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. 2 Skim off any foam and strain the soup through a colander. Pour the soup back into the pot, season with salt, stir in the rice and simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is al dente. The longer the soup stands, the thicker it will become as the rice swells. 3 Shred the cooked chicken and remove the skin and bones. Cut the vegetables smaller if preferred and place them with the chicken back in the pot, but discard the bay leaves, peppercorns and herb sprigs. Turn off the stove and let the soup cool slightly.
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4 Whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Now add a ladleful of soup to the eggs and beat together. Beat in about another 4 ladles of soup, then beat the egg mixture into the pot of soup. The reason for the back-and-forth beating is that the eggs mustn’t curdle and become stringy. Lastly, season the soup to taste with lemon juice (the amount depends on the acidity of the fruit). Garnish with a slice of lemon and sprinkle the chopped parsley leaves on top (although the latter is not done traditionally) and serve with bread for dipping. Note Because there is no premade stock or stock powder in the soup, the taste is very clean – season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
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food
step by step
Potstickers
We show you three ways to fold these Chinese dumplings, using store-bought wonton wrappers.
1
Prepare the ingredients Makes about 24 wonton wrappers FILLING Mix the following ingredients in a bowl, ready for use: • about 200g pork mince* • 2 spring onions, chopped • 1cm fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated • 15ml soy sauce • pinch of white pepper • 15ml sesame oil • fresh chilli, to taste
2
Fill and fold Cover the prepared potstickers (and extra dough) with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out while you work. Make sure there are no air pockets around the filling; the dough must be snug against the filling to prevent the wontons from bursting during cooking.
In a triangle
Place a teaspoon of filling on a dough square. Use a brush or your finger to wet the edges. Fold into a triangle and pinch the edges gently to seal the filling inside. Wet the long side of the triangle then fold the corners across each other and pinch together.
Triangle
* Shredded cooked rotisserie chicken, prawns, mashed potatoes, cream cheese or cooked mushrooms are great substitutes for pork mince.
+
A bowl of water is the ‘glue’ that seals the dumplings.
+
24 wonton wrappers
In a semicircle
Place a teaspoon of the filling on a dough circle (if you only have squares, use a cookie cutter to make circles). Wet the edges and fold into a semicircle. Start off by only pinching the middle together. To create the pleats, work on one side at a time and pleat just the side facing you. Fold over the right front edge of the dough to form a pleat towards the left (see photo); pinch closed. Make another pleat to the right of the first one; pinch to seal. Repeat on the left.
By Johané Neilson Photographs Francois Oberholster
Semicircle
In a square
Once again, place a teaspoon of filling on a dough square and wet the edges. This time, fold all four corners over the middle of the filling towards the centre. Pinch the edges together to form a cross. Remember to make sure that there are no air pockets around the filling.
Square
Note Wonton wrappers are usually sold at Chinese supermarkets. You should also find them at your local deli or check in the freezer at smaller speciality stores.
3
Steam
Heat a generous splash of sunflower oil in a large flat-bottomed pan or pot with a lid. Fry your wontons in a single layer until golden-brown on the bottom (about 1 minute). Add about 125ml water to the pan and immediately put the lid on. Let the wontons steam for about 3 minutes. Remove the lid and let the excess moisture evaporate. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce – store-bought chilli sauce or hoisin sauce, or a combination of soy sauce and sesame oil flavoured with chopped chilli, ginger and fresh coriander is delicious!
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We’ve got supper sorted! Four family favourites, fast. By Johané Neilson • Photographs Francois Oberholster
Stuffed squash
Under R130 • Serves 4 Preparation time: 20 minutes • Cooking time: 20 minutes • • • • •
4 large gem squash 400g lean mince 15ml olive oil 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 red chilli, chopped
• 250ml frozen mixed vegetables • 200ml ready-made cheese sauce • 250ml grated Cheddar
1 Cut the squashes in half and cook in salted boiling water for 10 minutes or until tender. Remove from the water, drain and scoop out the seeds. Place the squash ‘cups’ in a roasting tray. 2 Heat the oil in a pan and fry the mince, garlic and chilli until fragrant and cooked. Stir in the veggies and season to taste with salt and pepper; put a lid on the pan and steam for 5 minutes. 3 Preheat the grill. Fill the squash cups with the meat mixture, top with cheese sauce, and finish with a sprinkling of cheese. Bake for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling. Serve with a large side salad.
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Pea, mint and feta bulgur wheat salad
Under R85 • Serves 4 Preparation time: 5 minutes • Cooking time: 20 minutes • • • • •
1 small red onion, chopped 15ml olive oil 250ml bulgur wheat 250ml frozen peas 2 rounds feta, cubed
• 12 mint leaves • ±125ml pomegranate rubies DRESSING • 30ml olive oil • 15ml white balsamic vinegar
1 Heat the oil in a small saucepan and fry the onion until glossy. Add the bulgur wheat followed by 500ml water and bring to the boil. Boil for 5 minutes. 2 Turn the heat off. Add the peas to the bulgur wheat, put the lid on the pot and steam for another 5 minutes or until the peas and bulgur wheat are cooked and all the water has been absorbed. 3 Season the bulgur wheat with salt and pepper, and dress with the additional olive oil and vinegar. Stir in the feta, mint and pomegranate rubies and serve at room temperature as a refreshing vegetarian meal, or add roast chicken if you prefer.
quick food
Creamy pork korma curry Under R125 • Serves 4 Preparation time: 15 minutes • Cooking time: 20 minutes • ±300g pork neck, cut into strips • 30ml oil • 1 bunch spinach • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 2cm piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated • 1 sweet potato, finely diced
• 15–30ml korma curry paste • 250ml cream • 1 bunch spring onions, chopped • 50g slivered almonds, toasted • fresh coriander and steamed rice to serve
1 Heat the oil in a pot and sear the pork quickly over high heat until nicely browned. Spoon out the pork but keep the oil. 2 Trim the white veins off the spinach leaves and finely chop the veins and leaves separately. Fry the veins with the garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add another dash of oil if needed. 3 Stir in the korma paste (check the heat intensity of your brand before adding it) and the sweet potato. Fry for about 2 minutes before adding the cream. Put a lid on the pot and cook for a further 5 minutes. 4 Stir the spinach leaves, pork and toasted almonds into the curry. Simmer gently until the meat and veg are just cooked and fragrant. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with the fresh coriander and rice.
Carrot and lentil soup Under R85 • Serves 4 Preparation time: 15 minutes • Cooking time: 30 minutes • 30ml olive oil • 1 onion, chopped • 6 carrots, peeled and chopped • 2 large potatoes, cubed • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 1 tin (400g) lentils
• 2cm piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated • ±750ml stock • 15ml garam masala • 60ml toasted pumpkin seeds • double-cream yoghurt to garnish
1 Heat the oil in a pot and fry the onions and carrots until they become glossy and start to colour (about 10 minutes). Stir in the remaining ingredients – except the garam masala, pumpkin seeds and yoghurt – and bring to the boil. Then turn down the heat and simmer gently for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. 2 Use a stick blender to puree the soup until silky smooth or lightly textured, depending on your preference. Season with salt, pepper and garam masala and garnish with the pumpkin seeds and a spoonful of yoghurt in each serving. April 2020
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food & drinks On the hunt for Easter treats! By Johané Neilson • Photographs supplied
On board The 40cm Salt & Pepper Raffia serving board made from acacia wood (R699, home.co.za) has been designed using multiple panels of wood for a unique look inspired by parquet flooring patterns. Stunning!
Family food
The quick food section in Home has become the goto source for whoever is the home cook on weekdays. With these tried-and-tested recipes, providing meals for your family is foolproof and, of course, quick! Due to the popularity of these recipes over the years, we’ve decided to select the top 200 and compile them in one handy bookazine: stunning magazine content in a hardcover format that will be right at home on your cookbook shelf. Look out for Home Quick Food (R195, includes a free peeler) at selected retail outlets nationwide from 3 April.
MEET ME AT THE GARDEN GATE Enjoy an enchanting experience on the lawns of The Cellars-Hohenort in Constantia, Cape Town with three picnic basket options with set menus to choose from. Picnic baskets start from R185 per person and offer a selection of freshly made artisanal treats. Bookings are essential and must be made 24 hours in advance. For more information and to book your picnic, email restaurantres @cellars-hohenort.co.za.
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In the mix
Set of four mixing bowls R199.99, mrphome.com
GINGER NINJA Opihr’s ready-to-drink Gin & Tonics (R149 for a 4-pack, major retailers nationwide) come in three delicious flavours: classic, a twist of orange or a dash of ginger – all with a handy twist-off cap.
SOMETHING SPECIAL The Stellenbosch Hills 2018 Anna Christina MCC (R215.70, stellenbosch-hills.co.za) is produced in small volumes from a single vineyard. Made from Chardonnay grapes, the bubbly is elegant and combines aromas of fresh Granny Smith apples and citrus blossoms, a nutty yeastiness on the nose and an explosion of bubbles with every sip. Delicious!
TELLING TALES
Easter bunny
This cute bunny water bottle (R79.99, woolworths.co.za) comes with three chocolate-coated mallows (not pictured). Yum!
Tales, a Journey’s End range of wines, boasts a stylish new look and each label tells a different story. The Haystack Chardonnay 2019 (R99, journeysend.co.za) is named after the age-old practice of planting wheat between the rows of vines, which encourages aphids and flies to land on the crop instead of the vines. The wine is foodfriendly with notes of lemon and melon and a hint of creamy oak.
E cutter and stripper (R169, yuppiechef.com) V O The Chef’n 2-in-1 leafy greens and herb
the leaves off everything from kale to B thymestrips A in seconds. Simply thread the stalk into the T U right-sized opening and pull through to separate the A C leaves from the stem. The built-in stainless-steel shears make preparing the fresh herbs from your garden quick and easy.
Easy as pie The Checkers Gourmade range of premium frozen meals includes decadent Pulled Beef and Chicken a la King pies that are opentopped and made with real butter. To lock in freshness, these dishes (available from selected Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores in Gauteng and Western Cape) are blast frozen within minutes of cooking, which ensures preservation and nutrient retention – plus they’re ready to enjoy in under an hour.
Skinny laMinx tea towels (R220 each, skinnylaminx.com) are screen-printed with water-based inks on absorbent cotton – perfect for drying dishes in style!
A SOUTH AFRI-CAN!
As South Africans, we’re accustomed to drinking all kinds of beverages in cans, so why not wine? Aluminium cans are light, easy to chill, safe to transport, they fit into coolers and you don’t need cups or glasses. The CanCan wines, La Goulue Chenin Blanc and Satine Mourvèdre Rosé (R40/250ml, cybercellar.com), are from the Swartland region and they’re perfect for picnics, at the poolside or in the comfort of your own home.
BOOST the nutritional value of your favourite smoothie with Natural Herbs & Spices’ new rooibos and matcha smoothie booster range (R49.95 for 12 5g servings, Dischem stores nationwide). Check out naturalherbsandspices.com.
SHOP WINDOW
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The Office in a Cupboard is the perfect solution for a student apartment, a small space, or a home — with this unit you can ‘close’ your office, neatly and stylishly, so that it is out of sight and mind until you need it again.
Go to milestonekitchens.co.za for more information, email info@milestonekitchens.co.za for a quote.
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128 home April 2020
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Of cannons and
turtle doves It’s five o’clock in the morning – the day is yet a distant promise – and I wake up with murder on my mind. I need a slingshot. No, a gun. And it doesn’t have to be a small one either. A cannon will do just fine. Anything with a bang loud enough to blast an annoying bird to kingdom come. The male turtle doves in my tree-lined neighbourhood wake up at 5am – especially the one in the tree below my bedroom window, who instantly needs to broadcast the fact far and wide. With unrelenting urgency. At the same, monotonous pitch. Top volume. All day long. He can keep it up for a full 12 minutes (yes, I have timed him), pausing briefly only to gather spit for the next volley. On cue, another male about three trees down joins in. Two-and-a-half trees on, there’s a third. I pile pillows onto my head, close the bedroom windows, turn on the radio. But that insistent little trumpet cuts through everything. In the end, I have to go outside and physically chase him away. And he doesn’t go easily. No clapping of hands, no shouting or arm-flailing will make him skedaddle. At best, he will hop to another branch, cocking his head and fixing you with a condescending stare, as if you’re the one who’s cuckoo. And promptly start all over again. Would a really loud bang do the trick, I wonder. In the absence of a shotgun, I have found that a book does the job rather nicely. Two books, in fact. You smack a sturdy hardcover, preferably a coffee table book, with a big fat paperback and boom! You have your cannon. Elena Ferrante is ideal for the soft cover. I keep a copy of The Story of the Lost Child along with a picture book of Rembrandt’s etchings near the front door. Smash those two babies together and you may as well fire an elephant gun. Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend is at the ready at the back door along with a book on the grass species of the Kalahari. Whenever that scoundrel starts his cacophony, I charge outside and blast him with the heavy artillery of b(l)ooming good literature. And Ferrante is a blast, both as writer and bazooka.
130 home April 2020
Not that Mister Streptopelia capicola, aka the common Cape turtle dove, is defeated easily. He’ll flutter off with a snort, settling in another tree until my arms are whacked. Upon which, he coolly returns. But I’m something of a diehard myself. Doesn’t matter where I am in the house, when I hear him, I crack my literary thunder. He strikes back: try harrrder, try harrrder, he calls. I turn to the internet for advice on pesky pigeons, and make a nasty discovery: there’s a chance that the problem lies with me. Imagine. Yes, the ever-wise World Wide Web declares, people with a serious intolerance for certain sounds may have a condition called misophonia, often caused by stress and anxiety. Yeah right, I think. The angel Gabriel would develop stress and anxiety if there was a randy dove outside his bedroom window. But it could also be a brain tumour, I continue reading. Or a head injury. Oh, for heaven’s sake, I think, annoyed. I’m not the dysfunctional one! But the internet insists: if certain sounds drive you crazy, that’s what you have – misophonia. Do you become irate at the sound of someone slurping their coffee? Of clattering keyboards? Cellphone clicks or rustling candy wrappers? You’ve got it. The incessant buzzing of the cicada? Oh, boy. I keep broomsticks near the trees in the yard where these long-winded scoundrels sit shrilling all day long. At the end of my tether, I rattle the branches with the broomsticks. And it works. The critters put a sock in it straightaway! I surf the internet for more information. People with this “syndrome”, it is claimed, become emotionally disturbed and even aggressive when they hear certain “ordinary” sounds, such as chewing and swallowing, or coughing, sniffing, fingers drumming or… yes, repetitive animal sounds. And the remedy? Sound distraction is one view. Turning on the radio, for example. What rubbish. I keep scrolling. Psychotherapy, opines another. Take a flying leap, I decide and turn off the computer. It isn’t me. It’s the blasted bird. Don’t you think?
Illustration Paula Dubois • Translation Annelize Visser
Perhaps one shouldn’t delve into the causes of everyday irritations, Karin Brynard muses. You may just stir up a nastier nest of maladies.
