Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2015 i SA Garden and Home

I was recently asked to fill in a questionnaire and one of the questions was “What do you like most about your job?”. Well, I didn’t hesitate – it’s experiencing and enjoying the creativity of designers, homeowners and gardeners and benefitting from their great ideas. I love receiving the photographs after a house or garden shoot and poring over them to choose the best. I see so many great ideas that by the end of the day, I’m itching to get home and make some changes. And that’s the aim of this issue. We’ve rounded up some great ideas to put into practice whether you’re renovating, redecorating or just want to give your home a quick update. Often just changing the accessories, cushions, adding a new lamp and perhaps painting…

What is your background? I grew up in Holland where my father was an antique dealer so we were surrounded by beautiful things: gorgeous furniture and art by the Dutch masters. I was always artistic – I was the child who would do other kids’ projects – but my parents insisted that I learn a trade so I became a hairdresser. Why did you come to South Africa? When I turned 18, I had to serve in the army. I wasn’t quite ready for that so I decided to try South Africa. Why did you start painting? My wife worked in a gallery and they needed a window display. I painted something and it sold, so I continued to paint, mainly as a hobby. When my wife was expecting our…

Are you South Africa’s next up and coming interior and decor designer? Enter the inaugural 2015 Homewood Emerging Interior Designer competition if you have what it takes. You could win R50 000’s worth of Homewood furniture and be featured in Garden and Home , among other exciting prizes. A world of crafted luxury is available at Homewood, where you can choose from their existing range of hardwood furniture or have items custom designed to suit your specific requirements. Homewood is inviting emerging designers to submit a portfolio of their work. Six selected finalists will be invited to plan, design and assemble a living space at Homewood’s Johannesburg showroom, using Homewood furniture and an additional R5 000 decor budget. Each living space will be displayed for one month before an overall…

Who lives here Entrepreneur Vasili Manelis, his wife Georgia and their three-yearold son, Pano. The house Originally a three-bedroom house, it underwent significant renovations and the addition of a second storey. It now has five bedrooms and expansive open-plane living and entetaining areas. When Vasili and Georgia Manelis bought their house 10 years ago in Alberante, south of Jo’burg, they had no intention of renovating. “At that stage three bedrooms seemed perfectly adequate for us and because Vasili had grown up around the corner, this 2 700m2 property with its garden and magnificent trees felt just like home to him,” says Georgia. However, after experiencing their first summer rains, the couple had a change of heart. “We were invaded by mushrooms and mould,” recalls Georgia. “It was clear the roof…

Practical elegance Interior designer Tiggs Crozet created just the right balance of comfort and luxury in this lounge-cum-TV room in Johannesburg STARTING POINT “When it came to decorating this new home in Helderfontein Estate, I collaborated closely with my clients Michelle and Greg Henderson,” says Tiggs Crozet of Indigo Interior Design. “For their lounge we wanted to create an inviting conversation area, as well as the perfect TV-viewing space. They both love the natural texture and feel of wood, so the room really began with the coffee table which illustrates this beautifully.” ACHIEVING THE LOOK The layout evolved from this central piece, taking into account the wall-mounted TV placed opposite the main windows. “It was important to maximise the seating space without cluttering up the room,” explains Tiggs. “Michelle found…

“THE MAIN BATHROOM WAS QUITE CHUNKY LOOKING with small, thick marble tiles. We wanted a lighter, more contemporary feel,” says the owner, a Johannesburg businessman who holidays frequently with his wife and two little girls in this Clifton penthouse. HOW THIS SPACE WENT FROM DRAB TO FAB They asked Lisa Millbacher of Bespoke Bathrooms to undertake the upgrade. “Overall the bathroom needed to be simplified, which meant removing the busy grid of the small tiles on both the floor and the walls,” explains Lisa. “The aim, too, was to use a lot of reflective surfaces such as mirrors and glass and to layer the lighting in a softer more gentle way rather than restricting it to one central light.” As was the fashion in the past, a nib wall delineated…

LOOSE PLANTING -JO CLINTON I’m a big fan of clean lines and straight edges in gardens, but this year, I think the trend is shifting to a more natural feel that’s less defined by neatly clipped hedges and perfectly manicured lawns. I’m working on a couple of projects where the garden is almost entirely dominated by wide meandering paths which take you on a journey of discovery among undulating planted mounds. I think we’ll see a vast increase in the number of gardens that include indigenous grasses, wild flowers and looser planting that peaks at different times of the year. COLOUR TONES –CARRIE LATIMER This year colour is about feeling happy, safe and comforted. In fashion and interiors, shades are more gentle this season, and while I’m sceptical about colour…

Many plants have developed defence mechanisms to avoid being eaten and damaged by grazers, insects and even man. These include thorns, spines, barbs and prickles. A lot of these ‘armed’ plants are also highly attractive and can be used to form dense, impregnable barriers to deter intruders. They’re a relatively cheap alternative to razor wire and electric fences and far more pleasing to the eye. As living boundaries, they also provide shelter and nesting for birds and other wildlife. Whether you’re looking for indigenous or exotic plants, there’s something suitable for every climate and area. TOP CHOICES Indigenous 1 ACACIA KARROO (SWEET THORN OR SOETDORING) Now known as Vachellia karroo, this thorny tree with its rounded crown is a perfect substitute for an electric fence thanks…

SALMON IN WHITE WINE SAUCE WITH FENNEL SALAD (Serves 4) FOR THE FENNEL SALAD: 2 baby PnP Fennel Bulbs, julienned 1 PnP Apple, thinly sliced 1 Israeli cucumber, sliced into ribbons 3 fennel fronds, roughly chopped 1 PnP Orange, peeled and sliced into rings 10ml PnP Lemon Juice PnP Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling FOR THE SAUCE: 3 PnP All Grain® Eggs, yolks only salt and ground black pepper 30ml PnP Lemon Juice 30ml PnP Butter 125ml PnP Chardonnay FOR THE FISH: 4–6 salmon fillet portions 15ml PnP Butter 15ml PnP Extra Virgin Olive Oil salt and pepper handful herb and baby salad leaves, to serve 1 . Combine the ingredients for the salad. Toss in a bowl and dress with lemon juice and olive oil. Set aside. 2…

Sherry ON TOP A sizzling steak is one of the most enticing meals and with Sedgwick’s Original Old Brown you can add incredible flavour with just a few drops. You’ll find the recipe for this steak and delicious saucy mushrooms on our website gardenandhome.co.za. Keep in mind that Sedgwick’s Old Brown is the ideal drink with tapas or serve it with a rich fruitcake. Slim chance Swap carbs for vegetables with an easy twist, of the GEFU Spirelli Spiral Julienne Slicer, R389, from yuppiechef.com. It turns carrots, marrows and cucumbers into ‘spaghetti’ in a matter of moments. Serve raw or cook as you would pasta and enjoy it with meat or fish. EASY DOES IT The multifunctional Bosch Styline Colour Kitchen Machine, R4 799, shreds, grates, cuts, whisks, beats, kneads,…

SIX KETER DYNAMIC COMPOSTERS VALUED AT R2 200 EACH Six lucky readers stand a chance to each win a Keter dynamic composter to speed up the production of nutrient-rich compost. The wide detachable door makes it easy to fill up, and the positive locking latch keeps it securely closed. To make turning easier, the composter has an innovative gear design to allow effortless tumbling, even when full, and a unique locking gear ratchet to prevent reverse drum movement. The drum’s controlled ventilation and heat-absorbing dark colour improve composting, and the elevated drum keeps unwanted pests and rodents out. Keter is a market leader in quality plastic home and outdoor storage solutions. The underlying premise behind every Keter product is to improve people’s daily lives – whether it’s saving time, or…

Southdowns Residential Estate in Centurion, north of Jo’burg, is situated within 200 hectares of idyllic farmland, half of which remains pasture dedicated to sustaining the area’s 110-year legacy of dairy farming. The estate’s design philosophy is therefore an understandably simple one: architecture must retain the sense of place. It’s a twofold objective which requires the homes to reflect a farmhouse heritage character within a contemporary context as well as encourage the openness of the natural environment. Stehan and Yda van der Post’s house meets their requirements in a way that is as sensitive as it is dramatic. “Instead of a more conventional take on a farmhouse, I steered my clients towards a clean, modern design that would serve as a neutral backdrop for an interior that could be adapted to…

Get the look Sue Hamilton, owner of CA Interiors in Cape Town, has these tips for successful accessorising: Accessories can either make or break a beautiful setting. If they don’t add a magic touch to your space, don’t use them. Keep to the same look and feel when choosing ornaments. Grouping is very important. Keep the arrangement interesting with different heights, shapes and textures. Mix patterns with textures and combine old pieces with new. SOURCES CA Interiors 021 790 3370 Country Road countryroad.co.za Gister 021 852 4827 Loft Living loftliving.co.za Mr Price Home mrphome.com Trade Secret trade-secret.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za…

Who lives here Dylan Thomaz, visual merchandising and trends manager for @home, his partner Kevin Weller, who works in financial services, and their Golden Retriever, Bella. The apartment Dylan’s home is a well-proportioned, sixth-floor 190m2 Sea Point apartment. It has two bedrooms, one bathroom and boasts wraparound verandas (one of which has been enclosed and serves as a sun room). It enjoys both mountain and sea views. When you own your home it’s easy to put your personal stamp on it by painting, wallpapering and renovating. It’s not as easy to do this with a rented property but Capetonian Dylan Thomaz proved that with ingenuity and a good eye it can definitely be done. Dylan and his partner Kevin have rented several apartments in Cape Town and let out apartments…

SOURCES Coricraft coricraft.co.za Homewood homewood.co.za Klooftique klooftique.com La Grange Interiors lagrangeinteriors.co.za Leonardo Design leonardodesign.co.za LIM lim.co.za Loft Living loftliving.co.za SHF shf.co.za Sofaworx sofaworx.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za…

What you’ll need 100ml of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint per curtain mixed with 1› of cold water Old white cotton curtains Large metal tub Wooden stick, for stirring Rubber gloves (optional) To dye your curtains 1 Carefully pour the paint into the tub – I did this outside where it didn’t matter if I spilt some. Gently mix in the water (roughly 1 part paint to 10 parts water, but you can adjust this depending how light or dark you want the colour to be) with the stick. Leave the curtain to soak for about 30 minutes. 2 Remove the curtain from the tub and hang it outdoors in the sun to drip-dry. 3 Tumble dry the curtain on high heat for about 30 minutes or iron on high heat…

The garden pond has evolved over the years from a purely natural element into a more glamorous version. It usually has a geometric shape and a still surface that reflects its surroundings, including architecture and of course the cloudscape above. Another purpose of these ponds and pools is to double the effect of plantings like a colourful bed of annuals or a particularly attractive treescape. These reflecting pools aren’t home to fish or ducks, which would disturb the water’s surface, but could accommodate a water lily or two, preferably on the side where there’s nothing interesting to reflect. THE STYLE The style of the pool should be in keeping with the architecture of the house and the design of the garden. If you have an Italianate garden filled with statues…

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as seeing seeds you’ve collected germinate, grow and bloom. Not only does saving seeds cut the cost of gardening, it also ensures a supply of your favourite flowers should seed companies stop stocking them. You can also safeguard the survival of rare and heirloom flowers. It’s important to establish which plants are hybrids, as seeds collected from hybrids may not come up looking the same as the parent plant. This is because hybrids are a cross between two different plant varieties bred to reproduce desirable traits. Hybrids are often protected by patents which means you aren’t allowed to propagate them for commercial use. But you can collect seed freely from open-pollinated or heirloom plants. SEED PRODUCTION Seeds are produced in different ways, for example, some…

MENU LEMON CORDIAL ROASTED RED PEPPER AND TOMATO SOUP CREAMY LEMON LANGOUSTINES WITH SPINACH PASTA MERINGUE ROULADE WITH LEMON CURD, CREAM AND GRANADILLA While most city dwellers dream of moving to the country, Shelley and Dave Higgs did just the opposite. They recently swapped the picturesque Natal Midlands for Johannesburg, bringing their gourmet food business with them. “As our children and grandchildren and my sister live here it made perfect sense. We now live in a beautiful cottage in the garden of our daughter and son-in-law’s home in Bryanston so we’re able to be actively involved in our grandchildren’s lives.” Five years ago Shelley and Dave started The Midlands Gourmet Food Company specialising in frozen home-cooked food made with the freshest ingredients they could find or grow and no additives…

JAPANESE SALMON SALAD (Serves 4) 15ml white and/or black sesame seeds 200g fresh micro salad leaves and herbs ½ red pepper, deseeded and sliced 6 red spring onions, thinly sliced 1 Mediterranean cucumber, halved, deseeded and cut into thin strips 100g asparagus tips, blanched and drained 30g pickled ginger slices 3 radishes, thinly sliced 20g fresh bean sprouts, optional 16–20 slices salmon sashimi* FOR THE WASABI VINAIGRETTE: 1 garlic clove, crushed 3–5ml wasabi paste, according to taste 5ml caster sugar 30ml rice wine vinegar 30ml light soy sauce 30ml olive oil salt and ground black pepper, to taste TO SERVE: lime wedges 1 . To make the wasabi vinaigrette: combine the garlic and wasabi paste together in a small bowl. 2 . Whisk in the caster sugar and rice wine…

Leading South African digitabulist (thimble collector) and amateur historian Jenny Bockel certainly has more than a thimbleful (if you forgive the pun) of passion for these interesting, useful objects. On arrival I’m escorted into the Thimble Room. Yes, an entire room in Jenny’s Johannesburg home is devoted to thimbles and other sewing-related memorabilia. Her impressive collection is beautifully displayed in bespoke cabinets and each tiny piece is researched and catalogued. Jenny, who’s the international representative of the TCI (American-based Thimble Collectors International) started collecting them back in 1983. “On a trip to the UK I bought a souvenir thimble which commemorated the birth of Prince William. When I got back home I started looking for other thimbles and was astounded by the variety available locally. The bug had bitten and…

When Frances White left her nine-to-five job as a graphic and layout designer, she decided to embark on a career that would bring a rainbow of colour to peoples’ homes. “I’ve always loved simple pattern and bright colour. Even as a child, patterns made a strong impression on me,” she recalls. The product range from her company, My Favourite Colour, has expanded from scatter cushions, which she launched at the 2012 Design Indaba, to include prints, a colouring-in poster for children, melamineware and a fabric range. In 2014 she created a limited-edition range of bedding, towels, rugs and scatters for Mr Price Home’s COLAB collection. Having recently moved from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Frances is enjoying spending time with family and rediscovering the city where she was a student. “Nature…

SOURCES A+I Unlimited Design afritaly.com Art in the Forest artintheforest.com Classic Revivals classicrevivals.co.za Dulux dulux.co.za Frank Böhm Studio frankbohmstudio.co.za Leon at CCXIX leonat219.com Ligne Roset ligne-roset.com Studio Number 19 studio19.co.za Tile Africa tileafrica.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za Willowlamp willowlamp.com…

Who lives here A young businessman and his girlfriend along with their four dogs: two Weimaraners and two Dachshunds. The house Entry to the double-storey house is through an entrance hall with a sweeping double staircase leading up to four bedrooms. Downstairs, an open-plan living area with a bar and separate TV lounge leads onto a large entertaining area and swimming pool. It’s the elegant façade of this house that has passersby stopping to peer through the fence, amazed at the transformation this property has undergone. The symmetry and lofty columns give the home a sense of grandeur which is quite unusual in its seaside location. “I have always loved this architectural style so it was the obvious starting point for our renovations,” explains the owner who took nine months…

INSIDE OUT Covered patios are often the most lived-in area of your home, so decorate them just as you would your living room – with lamps, flowers and accessories. Decor by Marian Nazar. Hang pictures on the walls but make sure the framer seals them for use outdoors. Install a ceiling fan to keep cool when there’s no breeze. Glass stacking doors let you use the veranda even when it’s cold and rainy. Include a few ottomans which can double as foot rests and extra seating. Outdoor living areas 1 COVER UPS If your patio is furnished with mismatched furniture, give it a more unified look by slipcovering chairs, sofas and even coffee tables in a hardwearing, washable fabric. 2 AT YOUR SERVICE If your kitchen adjoins your patio, a…

1. PICTURE PERFECT THE TREND: Photorealism THE LOOK: Thanks to new technology, rug companies can now offer custom-print facilities, transferring photographs onto carpets. Looking to make a style statement in a neutral-hued living room? Pair a wood-print rug with a slipcovered linen sofa, faux fur throws, blonde wood, reflective chrome and beaten metals. Photo Realistic Rug 12, 250cm x 150cm, R2 495, Robert Thomson; tripod floorlamp, side table, beaten-copper vessels, sofa and throw, all Leon at CCXIX. Shot on location at Leon at CCXIX. 2. OVER AND ABOVE THE TREND: Layering THE LOOK: Why settle for one rug when you can layer two or more? Here, interior designer Evi Elsner of Home Concept placed a smaller grass reed mat underneath a black and white check-pattern rug. The unexpected contrast adds…

GOOD, CLEAN FUN Jeanine and Adrian Steven of Jo’burg give their tips on establishing an outdoor bathroom: If possible, use what you already have. This old steel bath was discarded during a previous renovation and it set the vintage Karoo chic theme Jeanine loves and inspired her to create a basin from an old chair and steel bucket. Choose the right location. We picked this area outside our bedroom, as it’s secluded and there was easy access to the plumbing which we decided to leave exposed on the exterior wall. Don’t waste water. Lay the waste pipe so that it waters the lawn and the shower irrigates the flower beds. Plant a scented climber nearby to add to the atmosphere. Accessorise with plenty of candles and lanterns. SOURCES Block &…

1. DAHLIA This tuberous perennial is the colourful backbone of the mixed border and flowers throughout summer right through to autumn, when it becomes dormant. The different varieties grow to various heights and flower sizes vary from the pompon and single miniatures to the huge dinner plate dahlias with the popular cactus types in between. Height 30cm–1,5m. Make the most of it: Dahlias can be planted at the back, in the middle or at the edge of the border, depending on their size. Smaller and miniature varieties also look good in pots. If you’re too late to plant tubers (best done before August and early December), you might find fully grown ones in flower at garden centres. Growing tips: Plant them in full sun or dappled shade. Stake at the…

10 must dos this month Contributing garden editor Marianne Alexander’s handy checklist of essential chores to do in March 1 Sow seeds of spring annuals in seed trays. Stocks, Bellis perennis , calendula, sweet William , Iceland poppies, violas and pansies, foxgloves and larkspur love the sun; primulas and cineraria are good for shade. Scatter seeds of easy-to-grow annuals like Virginian stocks, candytuft, Californian poppies, linaria and forget-me-nots. Towards the end of the month, sow indigenous varieties like Dimorphotheca spp . (Namaqualand daisy), Felicia spp . ( Kingfisher daisy), ursinia and Steirodiscus tagetes in a sunny bed. 2 Prepare beds for sweet peas. Establish trenches 60cm deep with added manure, compost and bonemeal; add a few sheets of crumpled newspaper to retain moisture. 3 Plant rooted strawberry runners into beds…

Forget boarding school memories of overcooked, watery cabbage. Grow your own and you’ll discover that cabbage is sweetest when eaten fresh and raw. Some varieties are delicious in salads and stir-fries, while others stand up to longer cooking. If cooked properly with the lid off and in plenty of salted water, or steamed then drained, tossed in butter with black pepper and salt, the result is a gourmet veggie of simplicity and style. And it’s healthy. Cabbage is one of the 10 most nutrient-rich vegetables. It’s high in vitamins A and C and essential minerals as well as phytonutrients which help detox and protect the body from free radicals that cause cancer. Another reason to grow your own is that commercial cabbage growers often resort to systemic pesticides to eradicate…

Stoves and ovens have a great appetite for energy, and cooking accounts for eight percent of the power used in the average South African household. So, why not trim your energy bill this year by choosing electricity-smart dishes? Making electricity-smart meals not only reduces the cost of electricity, it also cuts down the time and effort you spend in the kitchen. The 49M Energy Efficient Cookbook , in collaboration with The Star newspaper, offers recipes for an electricity-smart lifestyle that’s light on electricity as well as time. THE RECIPES INCLUDE: ONE-POT PRAWN AND NOODLE STIR-FRY – a fun, summer dish that needs no more than five minutes of electricity to prepare. PRESSURE-COOKER CHEESECAKE – an everyday favourite made in 15 minutes. SAVOURY PAP – a classic that only needs 10…

I bought this bowl from an antique shop in Cape Town in the 1980s for about R200. Can you tell me more about it and how much it’s worth today? Rose Kopfer, Scarborough According to Clyde Terry of Clyde on 4th, “This hand-painted French faience (glazed ceramic earthenware) has been manufactured in Brittany, France for over 300 years. The pottery adopted its name from the town of Quimper (pronounced kem-pair) in Locmaria where potter Jean-Baptiste Bousquet built his kilns and was given the royal manufacturing licence by King Louis XIV in 1699. “During this time, artists painted with their fingers creating simple floral patterns. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that Breton country life featuring French peasants in their traditional costumes, notably the women in their conical lace hats, became…