Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2018 i House and Leisure

About four months ago my wife and I – with our son Raf, of course – moved into a new house, a change prompted by the fact that we wanted a bigger garden for Raf but, equally importantly, it was a move into a place that embraced its garden and allowed for greater outdoor entertaining. Our previous home, a typical post-war Parkhurst cottage, was perfect in every way, except for the fact (one we realised only after renovating it) that we more or less ignored the patio and garden completely. The patio was beautiful – with its herringbone-laid slate floor and the carefully curated pots of herbs – but overall it lacked personality as well as proper space in which to live outdoors. It was also way too late into…

I’ve lived in four South African cities. As a student I stayed in Port Elizabeth, East London, and then Johannesburg all in fairly quick succession, before choosing Cape Town as my home towards the end of 1999. Then there was a time when Cape Town and I almost broke up. In 2007 I decided to move back to Joburg to work at the head office of a major clothing retailer. I’d visited Johannesburg a few times in the years since I left it in 1999, and had a somewhat romantic, nostalgic recollection of the couple of years I spent there as a student, living in mid-to-late-’90s Yeoville, and later, Norwood’s Grant Avenue. But something in me was different when I landed on 16 July 2007. Years of coastal living and…

‘Timeless’, as an adjective, is often casually thrown around in writing about design, but how else do you describe the work of Italian architect, furniture designer and gallerist Vincenzo de Cotiis? His Milan-based practice combines old and new in pieces that redefine the ‘timeless’ by carefully crafting a new design language that celebrates every stage of a material’s life. ‘The objects are a new iconographic and morphological alphabet composed of signs that take hold of the past, just as they do the future,’ says De Cotiis. In September, he will open an exhibition, En Plein Air (Outdoors), at Carpenters Workshop Gallery in London, where 20 ‘furniture-sculptures’, all of which are handmade by Italian artisans, will be displayed in the same space that has showcased work by greats such as Rick…

With premium bubbly and wine in hand, invited guests shared an intimate evening at Alice Lane’s elegantly appointed Berman Contemporary gallery in Sandton, taking in the vibrant paintings of French fluid artist Elsa Duault. The accompanying beautifully plated cuisine was prepared by chef Wandile Mabaso – a sublime pairing with the bold art on show. Hosted by owner Candice Berman, Elsa Duault’s explorative exhibition Spectrum of Life left guests filled with the sense of infinite energy that her art evokes. Her circular canvases, with their signature swirling colours, interesting textures and intricate patterns defy all notions of restraint. She describes her technique as molecular painting. The result? A dynamic manifestation of form and colour captured at a point in time. Patrons were also introduced to Artivive, an app that brings…

Nothing ever stays in place for long in art director Jean-Christophe Aumas’ apartment. ‘Things are never fixed,’ he says. ‘It’s always a work in progress. That really is my leitmotif.’ More than anything, Jean-Christophe sees his interiors as a ‘laboratory’, a means of experimentation. His approach, he says, is intrinsically linked to his profession: ‘I can’t disassociate my work from my home.’ Jean-Christophe specialises in organising ephemeral events and special projects for luxury brands. Before setting up his own firm, Singular, he headed up the visual identity department at Louis Vuitton under Marc Jacobs. Today his clients include the likes of Céline, Dior and Boucheron. Ask him about his most over-the-top installations and he’ll mention the time he set a flock of sheep loose in the Printemps department store in…

1. BELLA CASA TRATTORIA Each room in the City of Roses’ favourite trattoria offers a different dining experience. Book a table next to the fireplace in winter or bask in the courtyard in summer. Whether it’s Pecan Brittle pizza or Black Beast steak, there’s a recommended wine pairing for each dish. 31 President Steyn Ave, Westdene, 051-448-9573. Bella Casa Trattoria Restaurant 2. BLOEMFONTEIN AUTHENTIC BARBERS This intimate three-seater barbershop sports replica AJ Rollert chairs on which Bloem’s beaus are groomed. The organic Bad Ass Beard oil made by owner Annorien Geyer is the perfect after-care for her popular DKW (dans, kerk, werk) haircut. Check in on Facebook and receive a free beer while you’re pampered. 32 Louw Wepener St, Dan Pienaar, 074-583-3218. BAB Barbers 3. BOUDOIR BOUTIQUE BAR Quirky decor…

LAYERED GREEN SLAW WITH COCONUT AND LIME DRESSING For the dressing 250ml coconut milk Juice and zest of 1 lime 1T soy sauce 2t honey 62.5ml good-quality coriander pesto ½t chilli flakes 1T shredded, peeled ginger For the slaw ¾ Chinese or regular cabbage, finely sliced 1 fennel bulb, shaved 2 green apples, cut into matchsticks 2 cups micro whole radishes 1 cup finely shredded purple kale ½ cup mint leaves ½ cup coriander leaves 1 cup sprouts ½ cup roasted peanuts ½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds ¼ cup toasted sesame seeds Mix the dressing ingredients and pour into a large glass container. Layer the slaw components one on top of another, ending with the nuts and seeds. Toss to mix at the table. SERVES 4 For a more substantial…

GRAPHIC INDUSTRIAL Get inspired by industrial kitchens with gleaming silver-toned finishes and appliances. SOFTLY SCANDI Update traditional cabinetry with a subtle shade of blue and then add a classic cooker for a kitchen that will look chic for years to come. THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT Unexpectedly easy to use in the kitchen, tones of green – from deep forest to bright lime – instantly add a contemporary touch. TIMBER LAND Wood is a favourite material for modern kitchens, and no wonder: it imparts a soft warmth and organic texture. FOR SUPPLIERS' DETAILS PLEASE SEE THE STOCKISTS PAGE…

LOOKING FOR A RUG THAT FITS IN ALMOST ANYWHERE? THE TASSEL JUTE CARPET IN BLACK WITH HANDLOOMED FINISH (R2 595; 1.7×2.4M) HAS YOU COVERED. WEYLANDTS.CO.ZA THIS WAY AND THAT In a soothing neutral palette, the Clancy reversible duvet set (from R1 295; three-quarter) makes a subtle contribution with embroidered pastel stripes, leaving room for a bright throw or scatter. Turn it over for a fun geo embroidery-look print in yellow. linenhouse.co.za BEST OF THE BUNCH So much more than just a lighting fixture, the iron and glass Parabola lamp in Smoke Grey (R22 995; 50×65cm) becomes a striking focal point in any living space. weylandts.co.za PAPER PLANES Part of the Chic Structures collection, this contemporary-luxe vinyl wall covering in CH4008 (R1 098/ roll; 53cm×10m) marries subtle lines of gold with…

I am the founder and creative director of the lifestyle brand The Storer, an artisanal concept store based at 44 Stanley in Milpark, Johannesburg. We stock beautiful pieces from artisans and community projects around the world. Each piece carries the story of its maker and the journey it has taken to reach the store. I believe a store needs to engage all the senses. Our main drive has been to focus on reigniting the customer’s tactile experience. A store should also have an ever-evolving personality. I like what I do because I get to travel to remote villages around the world and sit with inspiring artisans who tell me their centuries-old stories over a traditional meal with their community. Their tales are both humbling and inspiring. The worst aspects of…

A historical horticultural show garden, built at the highest point in Johannesburg, has found new life in the hands of Jonty Mark, a sports editor, and husband Vincent Truter, a curator and creative director. The immense property includes a manor house, two charming stone cottages – built from the stone of the quarry below it in Bezuidenhout Valley – and, at its acme, a pale-pink 1950s ‘summer pavilion’. Today, Lightning’s Nest seamlessly combines the couple’s love for nature and design into a creative living environment where an extraordinary collection of natural objects lives comfortably alongside high design. When it was opened to the public in 1905, this site boasted one of the city’s most exquisite gardens, famous for its rare plants and spectacular views. But, after years of neglect while…

SUN’S OUT… Meet your new fridge accessory: the Veuve Clicquot pencil magnet, which commemorates the brand’s sunburst-yellow limited-edition bottles. R549 (750ml), veuveclicquot.com ACTION STATION Weekend trips to Elgin just got more tempting thanks to the Elgin Railway Market. Located in an old apple warehouse that has been converted into a bustling station market, it’s the new home of a variety of edible treats. The best part? You can get there by steam train from Cape Town. Friday–Sunday, Oak Ave, Elgin, 021-204-1158, elginrailwaymarket.co.za ANATOLI AT HOME If you’re mad about this Cape Town gem, you can try making Turkish food at home with help from owner Tayfun Aras’ cookbook Anatoli: Authentic Turkish Cuisine (Human & Rousseau, R375). BBQ FLAVOUR Chef PJ Vadas (left) has brought his expertise to Spier Wine Farm…

All around the old, historical city of Porto, seagulls wheel and cry in the skies above – Porto is situated along the estuary of the Douro River, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. The city is one of Europe’s oldest, and it isn’t very large (fewer than 250 000 people live in the central metropolitan area). And, of course, it’s the home of the Port wine ‘lodges’, where for hundreds of years, the renowned fortified wines created upriver have been aged and stored before being exported around the world. With the growing popularity of Portugal in general as a tourist destination, it was perhaps only a matter of time before everyone’s attention turned northwards towards Portugal’s second city. But Porto is much more than a mere alternative to the country’s…

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FUTURE CLASSIC Louis Vuitton's Spring Summer 2018 catwalk looks serve as inspiration for our interiors line-up, which features moody blues and pinks, faceted metallics and embroidered brocades, counterbalanced by sporty accents in black and white. PRETTY SPORTY Go bold – juxtapose textural, romantic pinks and ornate embellishments with angular edges, graphic lines and bold forms. BLUE MOOD Who’d have thought intricate designs would contrast so beautifully with graphic shapes and high-sheen surfaces?…

HOW WERE YOU INSPIRED TO OPEN YOUR FIRST GALLERY? I was accepted into Wits School of Arts for a BA in Fine Arts, but decided to pursue a BA and then Honours degree in Philosophy and English Literature. I opted against the academicism of my art because I didn’t want to lose my raw creativity. During my studies, I worked at a gallery and was later offered a partnership that didn’t materialise. Instead, I opened up my own gallery. Today, I enjoy the rewards of self-fulfilment and independence. WHAT SORT OF WORK DO YOUR GALLERIES REPRESENT? I want to play a role in building the careers of young, local artists, and supporting the careers of professional artists. I enjoy witnessing the evolution of content and application, with the artist’s signature…

The home’s fluid flow is an ode to the Japanese philosophy of functional movement resulting in personal comfort. When Dicey and Tom du Toit swapped their Bauhaus home in Paarl, in the heart of South Africa’s Cape Winelands, for a 1970s house on the southern coast of the country in Port Elizabeth, it came with some celebration for Dicey. The self-taught designer and decorator was relieved that she could finally allow her own interior style to flourish. ‘Tom is an engineer, so he loved the Paarl house,’ she says of their former home, which was built by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe protégé Pius Pahl, the last architect to qualify at the Bauhaus, Germany’s influential art and design school. ‘It was an enormous glass house with only three solid walls.…

Chris Myburgh needed a break from suburban Pretoria. He was a student in radiology, working as a GP in Joburg, and had an urge to get out of the capital city. So he got into his car and drove down to Mpumalanga – where, in the middle of the mists of Sabie, he saw a plant that would change his life. ‘I just thought “Wow, I must have one”,’ he says. After going to a local nursery and asking around, he discovered that the plant in question was an indigenous tree fern called Cyathea dregei. ‘I bought three and they all died,’ says the man who is now standing in what can only be described as an enclosed tropical fern paradise out on Lynnwood Road on the eastern side of…