Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2018 i House and Leisure

I have always been fascinated by designer Rick Owens and his eccentric wife Michèle Lamy, and have spent many an evening scouring YouTube for obscure video interviews of these two talking about their lives as designers and their unique relationship. He is usually calm and draped in black (naturally, dressed in Rick Owens, the fashion label) and she is smoking cigarettes excessively while gesturing with her hands, which are stacked with bold jewellery, fingertips smeared with dark henna. Then, one morning at a breakfast brainstorm in Cape Town I asked the team, knowing that it might be an impossible task, to work on a feature on the Rick Owens furniture line as a design story that I knew would be perfect for our annual ‘Back to Black’ Transformations issue. Owens’…

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STELLAR DESIGN World-renowned British designer Lee Broom revealed Lens Flair, the latest instalment of his Observatory lighting collection, at NYCxDESIGN in New York in May this year. Inspired by telescopic lenses, Lens Flair seamlessly combines the solid and the transparent. A detailed cross-cut lens emits a soft, deflected light, which is juxtaposed by a solid contemporary casing in Matt Black (pictured) or Brushed Brass. Hang the pendant light versions in multiples to create a bold statement, or for stylish surface illumination, there’s a table lamp, too. LEEBROOM.COM , CREMADESIGN.CO.ZA…

To try to express the magnitude of the Mother City’s new Norval Foundation in Tokai by simply cataloguing its many parts would be doing a great disservice to the whole. It’s not simply a high-profile art museum adjoining a sculpture garden, restaurant and bar, amphitheatre, gift shop and research library. There is something much bigger and more significant at play here: a unifying thread rooted in custodianship and conservation – of art, of nature and of heritage. It’s a cultural and ecological sanctuary of sorts, and you sense this from the moment you step inside the foundation’s monumental pavilion, flanked on one side by the urban whir of a main road and the other by the surprising stillness of a revived wetland. ‘When I visited for the first time, there…

ACHINGLY HIP ASIAN BLENDED MALT KAMIKI HAS JUST REACHED OUR SHORES: IT’S THE ONLY JAPANESE WHISKY FINISHED IN AROMATIC YOSHINO SUGI CEDARWOOD CASKS (CUE UNUSUAL WOODY PALATE). EXPECT HINTS OF TROPICAL FRUITS ON THE NOSE. R799 FOR 500ML. BOTTEGAWHISKY.COM WHAT’S BREWING? While Franschhoek will always be known for its wine, the Winelands town is now a beer-lover’s destination, too. Franschhoek Beer Co recently unveiled its airy tasting room and restaurant, Tap/Eat, the work of Cape Town’s Inhouse Design Studio. On offer are craft brewery tours, tastings and leisurely lunches. franschhoekbeerco.co.za HIT REFRESH CHEF BRENDAN STEIN BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO THE RESTAURANT AT NEETHLINGSHOF ESTATE IN STELLENBOSCH, WITH A LINE-UP THAT LEANS TOWARDS THE TIMELESS: CLASSIC DISHES WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF CONTEMPORARY TWIST. DO TRY THE WINE PAIRINGS, TOO.…

BRING AMBIENCE INTO YOUR LIVING SPACE WITH THE NON RANDOM PENDANT LIGHT IN BLACK (R17 400) BY DUTCH DESIGNER BERTJAN POT, CREATED FROM CRISSCROSSED RESIN YARN. MOOOI.COM BLACK BEAUTY The picture of versatility, a Lancaster Double Chaise Leather sofa in Coal (large; R55 500; 0.88×3.92m; available in fabric or leather) can be configured to adapt to any interior. shf.co.za GOLDEN OLDIE With its attractive curved shape and gleaming brass shade, the 9464 wall light (R8 901) is a perfect example of how Finnish designer Paavo Tynell turned illumination into an art form for Danish brand Gubi. cremadesign.co.za SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED Entertaining is effortless with the compact Quinita small bar cart (R9 500). dark-horse.co.za ICE AGE Housing six trays in 8mm-thick clear glass, the two-door Snow China unit (R108 180; excludes…

WARM & FUZZY Me-time calls for a relaxing read and a hot soak, followed by the cuddly comfort of a fleecy Mr gown in Black (R449). Cocoa, anyone? home.co.za OUT OF THIS WORLD Set the scene with this space-age-inspired Mirror Ball Pendant light by Tom Dixon in Gold (from R7 740; 25cm). cremadesign.co.za VANITY FAIR Jet-black faux fur lends whimsical interest to this Victorianesque Lammy Black stool (R3 995). lagrangeinteriors.com TOP OF THE LINE Flaunt your greenery in a Multi-Stripe Planter by Studio W (R161). woolworths.co.za HIGH AND DRY Luxuriously soft and super absorbent, the Talle bath sheet in Pale Grey by Country Road (R453; 91×165cm) brings a spa feel to the bathroom. woolworths.co.za ALL THE FEELS Silky smooth and warm to the touch, the generously sized Victoria & Albert…

I just checked on one of those random internet calculators, and counting from the day I was born, this is the 14 430th day of my life. But there are some mildly remarkable things about this particular 24-hour cycle that set it apart from other recent days… so, here goes: I don’t watch very many series or movies. My ability to view anything for longer than 10 minutes has almost disappeared over the years as I’ve become more and more dependent on social media for on-screen entertainment. But last night, I happened on a Netflix series and couldn’t stop until I had seen all eight episodes. I went to bed way after midnight. And that had consequences, because I woke up late this morning and missed my session with my…

For Nick and Robyn Gluckman, a calm and serene environment to come home to at the end of each day is of utmost importance. As soon as you step into their five-bedroom house at the base of Signal Hill in Cape Town, it’s evident that they have got their wish. Light streams in from the floor-to-ceiling steel-framed windows that encircle the lower floor of the abode. The space flows seamlessly from the open-plan kitchen to the lounge below and out onto a sunny deck at the rear, which is enveloped by a lush garden. Nick, who is the owner of Oggie Hardwood Flooring, was immediately drawn to the house when he saw images of it on a property site seven years ago. On a whim, he decided to buy it…

Tucked away in a leafy complex in Joburg’s Inanda, there’s a pleasing dichotomy to this compact garden. For starters, there’s the low-rise entrance – simple wooden gates set into a slate wall – which is flanked by two vast charcoal planters. It’s the antithesis of the triple-garage arrival often associated with estate living. By contrast, it says, ‘Come on in, the gates are only here to keep the pets inside.’ ‘We wanted to create a sense of welcome,’ says landscaper Gregory Mark. ‘From the driveway, you head towards the residence via a timber-decked courtyard. The overscaled pots are repeated at the front door, and it’s here that the full indoor-outdoor impact is revealed.’ Designed by architect Joe van Rooyen, the abode has a timeless glass-and-steel simplicity. Timber cladding and a…

WATCH AND LEARN I’ve mentioned my obsession with YouTube tutorials and online courses before. But in case there’s still someone who doesn’t know, lynda.com is an amazing source of digital tutorials that’s definitely worth checking out. TREAT YOURSELF Do your own research to make sure (full disclosure: I’m not a health professional), but according to some of the latest studies, moderate coffee consumption may have multiple health benefits. Who knew something so good could be... good for you? ESSENTIAL VIEWING It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you were wondering, the Netflix series that ruined my life for a day is called The Rain. The set-up: a viral rain comes down heavily on a Scandinavian town, killing on contact.…

For Patrick Bongoy, the zero-waste movement and social consciousness take an unusual form. Creating things from discarded rubber, bound together by hand and curated to make work that is at once gripping and gentle, the Cape Town-based artist is shifting the way art, environment and society come together. Far from his native Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where he obtained two fine arts qualifications, and from which he fled after staging a work of protest art, Bongoy continues to push the limit of form and function to give his viewers a new perspective on often-recycled themes (pun intended). At 38 years old, Bongoy is in a liminal space between being well known and still having a long career ahead of him. The nature of his sculptural work requires significant…

Together with the simple galley kitchen, the many bespoke furnishings and touches of granite and marble, the result is a bit like a sleek Milanese apartment. As far as townhouse complexes go, few can be more sought after than Walkways in Joburg’s Craighall Park. Designed by the iconic South African architect Michael Sutton and completed in the late 1970s, this suburban gem defies any retro pigeonholing, remaining resolutely timeless in the way of a genuine classic. Interiors can be far less enduring, though, often seeming almost date-stamped with the trappings of a particular era. When the owner first saw this unit – a heady clash of terracotta tiles and blue paint – she knew that a substantial amount of work was in store. ‘At the time, I lived nearby and…

‘It’s the abundance of light that makes the dark elements work in this house,’ says interior designer Ruth Duke of Chris and Ruth Haralambous’ Durban home in KwaZulu-Natal. The architecture in the two-bedroom house, by Dean Jay Architects, was designed to allow for true indoor-outdoor flow between the interior and garden spaces. Floor-to-ceiling doors that stack away completely let in plenty of light, ensuring that the palette of black, charcoal and white with timber accents doesn’t dominate. As the architecture was to be quite contemporary, Chris and Ruth realised that much of their collection of furniture would not work in the new space. Their brief to Duke was to create an interior that sits comfortably within the architectural design. Showcasing their collection of art was essential, too, and Duke explains…

BOTANICAL GIN FIZZ 60ml helichrysum gin (or botanical gin of your choice) Juice of 2 limes 300ml soda water 300ml tonic Mix the gin with the lime juice. Pour the mixture into four glasses filled with ice. Add 75ml soda water and 75ml tonic to each glass. Stir with a cocktail mixer (or spoon) and serve immediately. SERVES 4 Helichrysum gin is a small-batch handmade fynbos gin made with helichrysum flowers. (Contact Caro de Waal for further details; carodewaal.com ) ENDIVES WITH BLUE CHEESE AND A BALSAMIC VINEGAR REDUCTION 100ml balsamic vinegar 30ml honey 200g fresh endive heads 100g creamy blue cheese, cut into thin slices 10g fresh baby salad leaves, such as red and green sorrel For the balsamic reduction, bring the balsamic vinegar and honey…

STRIPES AND CHEVRONS Explore bold patterns and graphic impressions in cool combinations of black and white, peppered with shades of grey. GRAPHIC PATTERNS Who says monochrome is monotonous? The choice is yours – from harlequin and houndstooth to designer dots and maze-like motifs. FLORA AND FAUNA For a touch of whimsy, bring nature inside with detailed botanical or animal illustrations. PAINT EFFECTS AND HANDMADE Creativity knows no bounds – dip into painterly patterns such as a watercolour look, batiks, ombrés or prints inspired by the East.…