Neighbourhood 15 APRIL 2018
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Whole in one
Blogger Cassidy Taylor-Memmory tells us how Silver Lakes Golf Estate has everything a resident could ever need, page 2
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SUBURB FOCUS: SILVER LAKES GOLF ESTATE
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THE ART OF WALLPAPER
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PROPERTY NEWS
15 APRIL 2018
Neighbourhood
Suburb focus
Silver Lakes Golf Estate Environmentally conscious blogger, Cassidy TaylorMemmory, tells us about her neighbourhood WORDS: BETSIE LOOCK-VAN DER MERWE IMAGES: SUPPLIED, SILVER LAKES GOLF ESTATE & GOOGLE MAPS *Map not to scale
Whenever I walk around the estate, I see people greet each other! I love it. CASSIDY TAYLOR-MEMMORY
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ilver Lakes Golf Estate resident Cassidy Taylor-Memmory says her blog, The Glam Green Girl, came about through her passion for living a more eco-friendly lifestyle. “It developed into a space for crueltyfree beauty, my travel diaries, lifestyle inspiration and, of course, eco tips.” Cassidy credits the recycling programme at the estate for inspiring her to adopt a more eco-conscious lifestyle and to share her journey through her writing. So much so that in 2014, she was a regional finalist for Gauteng in the Miss Earth South Africa pageant. She is as passionate about her neighbourhood as she is about life.
Home sweet home
Cassidy has lived in Pretoria her whole life and spent her childhood in the Pretoria East suburbs of Garsfontein PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING 1st Floor, Block H, Sable Square cnr Bosmansdam and Ratanga Roads Milnerton, Cape Town
and Faerie Glen. “My family and I moved to Silver Lakes in 2001 when I was a teenager. We’ve lived happily in the same house since then. I love this area so much that I plan on staying close by for as long as possible.” Cassidy says her parents chose to live in Silver Lakes Golf Estate because of its safety. “It’s such a secure estate and offers its residents a beautiful neighbourhood. We’ve been so happy and never looked back.” Cassidy’s favourite time of the day is when she heads home and drives down the palm-tree-lined streets welcoming her into Silver Lakes. “Another reason I love it so much is that I can go for long walks around the golf course and enjoy the views in the late afternoons.” She says the area’s warm and friendly residents are an added bonus. “As far as hobbies and work go, I tend to stay as close to Silver Lakes as possible – my office is next to Silver Lakes and I can see my future being in this area,” she adds. EDITORIAL TEAM:
ADVERTISING SALES:
Group Editor: Charis Le Riche charisl@yourneighbourhood.co.za Senior Sub-Editor: Mlungisi Mthembu Designers: Anja Bramley & Samantha Durand
Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za or call 087 828 0423 Sales & Marketing Manager: Michèle Jones michele.jones@thecreativegroup.info Production (Editorial & Property Advertising): Lucea Goosen pretoria@yourneighbourhood.co.za Online coordinator: Sasha Burgess sasha@augmentcreative.com
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Neighbourhood
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PROPERTY NEWS
Hidden gems
Cassidy also has a normal full-time job. “I then spend my free time either creating content for my blog, freelancing or planning my next trip.” Cassidy’s bedroom is where all of this happens and it’s also her favourite place at home. “It’s where I do most of my writing and where I get to be most creative.” But Cassidy’s life is not all about work. She also likes to chill out at a few of her favourite places in the neighbourhood. Cafe 41 – overlooking the golf course, the lakes and gorgeous gardens at Silver Lakes Clubhouse – is her favourite spot for a mouthwatering breakfast on the weekends.
SHOP: • Silver Oaks Crossing, Willow Acres Estate • Six Fountains Lifestyle Centre • Hazeldean Square • Chamberlain Centre, Silver Lakes • The Grove Mall, Equestria
Cassidy highly recommends Aroma Gourmet Coffee Roastery at the In Shere Lifestyle Centre for a delicious
cup of coffee made from freshly roasted and ground beans. She says it’s a great place to meet up with friends and enjoy light gourmet meals, pastries and cakes. A little further afield (to the east), just off the Boschkop Road, is another of Cassidy’s favourites: Tin Roof Cafe, which serves delectable country cuisine in a laid-back countryside setting. On weekends the place to be is the nearby Cowhouse Market offering great food, arts and crafts, a kids’ play area and a host of entertainment for young and old.
Perfect Sunday Cassidy says the heart of a home is the people living in it. “My family and I are very close and we love spending time at home. I love relaxing on the weekends with them and my friends, and always try to encourage them all to be as green as possible. “My favourite thing to do on a Sunday is to lie in my bed and read a book. I also love being in the pool during summer and we spend most of the weekends on the patio. When I’m not at home, I’m usually travelling because it’s such a passion of mine.”
EAT: • Dros, Silver Lakes: for familyfriendly dining • Doppio Zero, Hazeldean: for a delectable mix of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine • Mo-Zam-Bik Restaurant, Silver Lakes: for great seafood • Papachinos, Silver Lakes: for delicious pizza and pasta • Cafe 41, Silver Lakes Golf Estate: conveniently around the corner
SEE: • Cedar Junction: with breathtaking views over the lake and the Bronberg mountains, this train theme park offers a memorable outing for the whole family • Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum: featuring historic agricultural implements, farm animals and horse riding • Hedianga Farm: offering off-leash dog walking, hiking, trail running, mountain biking and great outdoor adventures
For sale in Silver Lakes Golf Estate
For rent in Silver Lakes Golf Estate
Median asking price:
Median asking price:
R4,65m
R35,000
Monthly bond repayments
For a typical property (four-bedroom house)
R3,2m
R4,4m
In a complex
For a house
For a typical property in this area You’ll pay
R44,874
For a typical property (four-bedroom house)
R21,000
R15,000
R30,000
In a complex
For an apartment
For a house
per month
Property Type:
98% house
Property Type: Based on
86% house
R4,65m
10%
median asking price
2%
complex
over a period of 20 years at 10% prime
apartment
4%
complex
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PROPERTY NEWS
15 APRIL 2018
Neighbourhood
My business neighbourhood The Imaginarium of Ms Smith is an art studio in Equestria where amazing artwork and designs are created and shared WORDS: ZENA LE ROUX
IMAGE: SUPPLIED
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he Imaginarium of Ms Smith is Lizelle Smith’s home studio where she paints for a living. When she noticed that most people couldn’t afford quality, local art, she decided to create art that’s affordable and accessible to all income brackets. She tells us more about her business. Q: How did your business start? A: I’ve always wanted to give life to my creative side but was also aware that painting for a living can be a gamble financially. I worked in the law industry most of my life and in November last year I stopped and took a leap of faith. I started up small in my home. I would paint in the evenings and post my work on Facebook and Instagram. I received amazing feedback and had people requesting commissions. In December, I officially named my studio The Imaginarium of Ms Smith and opened a Facebook page for it. Since then, I’ve been painting non-stop! Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop? A: A s it’s a start-up business, I wanted to save on costs and decided to work from home. We live in Equestria and we specifically chose this area as it’s close to my husband’s law practice
and our son’s school. We also love Equestria because it’s so beautiful and I have everything I need within 2km of my house. It’s close to main roads such as Lynnwood Road and Atterbury Road, and the N4 is just down our street. Equestria is also accessible and affordable. We have lovely schools and fantastic preschools nearby. It’s also a familyoriented area. Most restaurants cater for kids and have massive play areas. We also have Bester Birds & Animals Zoo Park a block away from our house. Q: How did you find your premises? A: I just took up a place in our house and transformed it into a studio with a wonderful view, books by the dozen and perfect natural light! Q: Why are the premises ideally suited to your business? A: Pre-school is just around the corner, which makes it all very convenient. I’ve also noted that Pretoria East has over the last few years become a booming arts and culture hub, with new galleries and start-up businesses all around. Q: Who are your neighbours? A: A s my business is mainly run online via Facebook and Instagram, I have “online” neighbours or businesses who have supported me and put me in contact with new clients.
are also loads of smallholdings in the area which offer office/workspace on their premises. Rent per month for a small studio would be around R5,000 to R7,000 per month. The price will increase if you’re looking at the newer buildings going up. Q: How many people visit your business each day? A: I get a minimum of three page visits per day on Facebook. Q: Do you have any expansion plans? A: I have many ideas and creations that I want to commence with in the near future! I’m planning on producing installation art and artistic home decor soon. I’m lucky enough to have access to a warehouse in Midrand, which can produce laser-cut pieces and products. If luck stays on my side, I’ll also move into a bigger studio where I can have more creative space. Q: Do you operate online as well? A: I only operate online. All my work is available online and can be ordered or commissioned from there. I am, however, planning an exhibition for the end of the year. Q: What’s your most popular item? A: My paintings are definitely the most popular. I also design and draw.
SEE FOR YOURSELF: Q: What are the shop rental/sales prices like in this area? A: Renting a studio will be a bit on the pricey side as most office buildings around the area are new. But there
The Imaginarium of Ms Smith 071 57 91794 facebook.com/smith.imaginarium
19880
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HOMEOWNERS
15 APRIL 2018
Neighbourhood
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Off the wall
Wallpaper is making a comeback as an artistic decor item WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
IMAGES: SUPPLIED & SHUTTERSTOCK
“W
allpaper is here to stay,” says Karen Nelson-Palmer, owner of Wall-paper. And although wallpaper is more expensive than paint, Karen says you can’t compare the two. “Paint application is a single texture; wallpaper can be so many. And the materials it’s made from vary considerably. It can be vinyl, paper, embossed, flocked, metallic, wooden veneer, cork, grass cloth, have Swarovski crystals attached – the possibilities are endless!”
Today’s wallpapers
Yesteryear’s wallpapers had a certain formality to them, but today, they can create or contribute to any mood you choose. From world maps to black-and-white images or newsprint, there’s a wallpaper for every purpose. A single wall wallpapered with monochrome images of vintage telephones turns a beautiful, cool home office from clinical to classic.
Local and international
Internationally, wallpaper has exploded and become exciting for interior designers and decorators. “We import mainly from the UK, Belgium
Polk Sunday Times Neighbourhood Ad 12 April 2018 curves.indd 1
and the US, and they’re surprisingly affordable,” says Karen. South African brands are also growing in popularity. “Some South African fabric designers, image gurus or distributors, like Robin Sprong or Clinton Friedman, are very popular,” she adds.
Walls and ceilings
Wallpaper can also create the illusion of changing the room’s dimensions, like the effect of pale or dark colours bringing a wall forward or pushing it back. Wallpaper with thin vertical stripes can seem to raise the ceiling in a cramped space. Wallpapers can even accentuate a surface. Karen says, “We’re papering a lot of ceilings. From classic pressed ceiling designs to artificial brickwork, papered ceilings can be fun, creating a fantastic textured area.” Karen also considers cleverly chosen wallpaper on a feature wall to be a really affordable alternative to changing curtains or scatter cushions.
Local trends
South Africans are still riding the wave of local imagery and nature, with the escape it represents from today’s
techno world featuring strongly in wallpaper choices. The “back to nature” trend isn’t exclusively South African, of course, nature motifs are huge globally, even if there’s been a maturing of the trend with the introduction of genuine texture, metallic touches and fresh takes on older themes. Natural wood grains and plant patterns continue the story, but once again, with a twist. Botanical prints have also been incorporated into sensational fabrics and wallpapers, some with dark and mysterious animal prints, and others with lighter and more quirky designs. Karen says, “I’m seeing leafy designs not in natural shades, but rather in new vibrant colours, with strong geometric designs coming through for 2018.”
Last word
Wallpaper, like art, has the dual purpose of making the home more visually appealing and allowing visitors to gain insight into the homeowner’s life experience. The wide range of wallpapers available locally and internationally allows homeowners to be brave and play a little. If it no longer works in a few years, you can change it. It’s that simple.
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Bronkhorstspruit Rd, Pretoria East