Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2014 i SA Garden and Home

“For me Christmas is about enjoying long summer evenings with friends and the scent of star jasmine everywhere.” MARY JANE HARRIS, EDITOR “I welcome the chance to get creative with decor, table settings and gift wrap to make my family and friends feel special.” CANDICE BOTHA, KZN CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, DECOR “I enjoy putting up decorations with the family, if I had it my way, they would be up months before. I’m also a sucker for Christmas music and the decorations in the malls.” MANDY BUCHHOLZ, EDITOR’S PA “I love having the whole family together and taking time off to relax in our wonderful Cape summer weather.” MARIANNE ALEXANDER CAPE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, GARDENING “I love the weather and the heady feeling of freedom that comes with the end of the year.”…

4 – 6 December Pop in to the Parys Christmas Festival at the Afridome for music, food and entertainment. Aside from horse displays, a six-a-side-soccer tournament, a concert by Willem Botha and a vintage car exhibition, Entyce Beverages and Vrouekeur magazine will host a special women’s programme and a Christmas market where you can pick up affordable stocking fillers Visit caxtonevents.co.za Until 6 DECEMBER The Standard Bank Gallery in Jo’burg presents Exact Imagination: 300 Years of Botanically Inspired Art in South Africa. Detailed images range from 18th-century etchings to delicate watercolours and books. Standardbankarts.com/gallery 6 DECEMBER – 31 JANUARY The Gallery in Riebeek Kasteel presents Summertide, featuring a contemporary mix of landscapes, seascapes and figure studies. Visit galleryriebeek.co.za 12 and 13 December Enjoy a day of festive outdoor shopping at…

SOURCES Anatomy Design anatomydesign.co.za Dokter and Misses dokterandmisses.com Douglas Jones douglasjones.co.za Gonsenhausers finerugs.co.za Kartell afritaly.com Mr Price Home mrphome.com Pezula Interiors pezulainteriors.co.za Studio No 19 miawidlake.com The Lighting Warehouse lightingwarehouse.co.za Vogel Designs vogeldesign.com Weylandts weylandts.co.za…

Into the woods Janette Smit, owner of Jo’burg decor and gift shop Spaza Gabor, and her good friend Errol Gobey, owner of Bellgables Country Restaurant, created a Christmas table with a distinctly local feel. “Our thinking was why do we so often turn to styles such as French, when the beauty of our country offers just as much inspiration,” explains Janette. Choosing a wild outdoor setting under a cool canopy of trees, the pair composed a refreshing nature-inspired scheme. A metal birdcage with desert roses forms a focal point, while groupings of new and vintage glass bowls hold real and artificial aloe leaves and succulents as well as tealight candles. “The plants together with animal horns give the table a wonderful organic and indigenous quality, but by introducing elegant glassware…

Make Christmas easy this year with these stylish printables. Simply download the black-and-white designs you want from the Garden and Home website and print. They’re chic, cost effective and there’s a great selection including decorations, wrapping paper, tags and Christmas cards. Table runner, R395, white owl vase, R250, scatter cushion, R575, all from Vintage Vista. White ladder, R399, from@homelivingspace. Grey pouffe, R799,99, big frame, R129,99, small frame, R79,99, glass vase, R49,99, black-and-white vase R59,99 all from Mr Price Home. Chair, R1 024,86 from DP Plastics. Side table, R2 695, from Coricraft. SOURCES @homelivingspace home.co.za Coricraft coricraft.co.za DP Plastics dpplastics.co.za Mr Price Home mrphome.com Vintage Vista vintagevista.co.za LIKE THESE PRINTABLES? Visit our website gardenandhome.co.za to download them. Best of all they’re free.…

COURTYARD TRANSFORMATION Interior designer, Cheryl Herweg of Changing Spaces, shares her tips: Design the space so that it’s sheltered from the wind and harsh afternoon sun. Have a focal point such as trellises – and work around that. Tall wooden trellises also provide privacy in urban areas. Add large pots with climbing plants – greenery provides a sense of nature and makes a pretty view. Comfortable all-weather loungers with weatherproof UV-resistant upholstery make it possible to enjoy this area in comfort all year round without the hassle of putting furniture away. On balmy evenings, bring out the lanterns and light the candles for a romantic atmosphere. SOURCES ArtLab 021 448 1421 or artlab.co.za Ashanti Design 021 461 0367 or ashantidesign.com Baraka 021 425 8883 or barakashop.co.za Boardmans boardmans.co.za Changing Spaces 021 557 2070, 083…

Versatile and varied, there’s a pelargonium for every purpose: hanging baskets, containers, window boxes, sunny borders and even for the kitchen garden. Although the peak flowering season is from spring to summer, many flower on and off right through until winter. There are over 220 species indigenous to South Africa, many of which have been used in the development of hundreds of cultivars. South Africans are always amazed by the eye-catching displays of ‘our’ pelargoniums (not to be confused with geraniums, see box on page 99) in window boxes and hanging baskets in Europe. These hybrids are now readily available locally so you can have an equally stunning show. Ideal for Mediterranean gardens, pelargoniums are also suitable for cottage gardens, as companions for roses and look stunning massed in contemporary…

10 must dos this month Contributing Garden Editor Marianne Alexander’s handy checklist of essential chores to do in December 1 Continue deadheading, feeding and watering bedding plants and groundcovers. Nip out the flower buds of plants like the new sweet potatoes ( Ipomoea batata ) , polka-dot plant ( Hypoestes phyllostachya ), Joseph’s Coat ( Amaranthus tricolor ), coleus and basil which are grown mainly for their foliage. 2 Don’t let summer-rainfall bulbs dry out especially in arid regions and winter-rainfall areas. 3 Water hydrangeas regularly and keep them well mulched. When picking them, cut below the woody part of the stem only when the true blossom in the centre of each colourful bract is open. Revive wilted blooms by immersing them in water overnight. 4 Green up your lawn…

Just DESSERTS For an easy yet stylish end to a Christmas Eve dinner, try this refreshing Litchi Sorbet served in a glass of bubbly. The slightly sweet J.C. Le Roux La Vallée Méthode Cap Classique, R80, complements the flavour perfectly. You’ll find the recipe on our website gardenandhome.co.za GOING FOR GOLD For the cook who has everything, the Smeg Gold fridge comes complete with the logo in Swarovski crystals. If you’d prefer it without the bling, this retro fridge is also available in other colours. Visit smeg.co.za Coffee Fashionista The Nespresso Lattissima, R7 500, whips up the creamiest latte macchiatos and cappuccinos at the touch of a button, plus it has simple touch-screen technology and an hygienic self-clean function. Visit your nearest Nespresso Boutique for a…

“ I’m not really religious, but I’m devoted to celebrating Christmas,” explains bubbly interior designer Gi Alston. “Decorating the tree is serious business in our home. Even with the help of a grandchild, it usually takes me about eight hours to get the tree just right.” Born in Germany of Polish parents, Gi celebrates Christmas every year with a generous serving of traditional pomp and circumstance and a side dish of tongue-in-cheek fun. “I don’t know when I officially started collecting Christmas decorations. Along with the wonderful ones I inherited from my parents and grandparents, I’ve collected decorations from all the places my husband and I have visited. Each piece reminds me of a certain time in my life and different place in the world.” With cups of tea in…

winning letter GARDEN BLISS We’ve always had a very good gardener so we never needed to know much about gardening until he left. For the first time my husband and I and our two children (aged 8 and 5) had to look after the garden. We didn’t want a dry, brown lawn and aimed to keep it green and tidy. But it was hard and led to a lot of frustration, arguing and shouting until we started reading Garden and Home and began working as a team. To quote Patience Strong: He who makes a garden makes a kingdom of his own conjuring a little Eden out of earth and stone. Thank you so much Garden and Home for helping us reach our goal. We now use our garden for…

GET THE LOOK Sarah Colepeper, editorial coordinator, Mr Price Home, offers this advice on creating a festive mood these holidays: Pick a theme or colour scheme. Then choose your Christmas decor, table settings and gift wrap to match so that everything’s coordinated. Trendy themes are traditional red and white, contemporary metallics and fun brights. Introduce lighting: solar lights, LEDs and candles add sparkle to your home. Don’t neglect outdoor areas. String fairy lights through your trees and hang lanterns on your patio; the more the merrier this time of year. Christmas trees made from recycled materials are big news. Turn dried branches and salvaged wood into a ‘tree’ and drape it with fairy lights. Make sure to compile a great playlist leading up to Christmas. Music is the best way…

FOR THE DECORISTA 1. Herringbone jar, from R480, Studio No 19. 2. Luca desk lamps, R249,95 each, The Lighting Warehouse. 3. Sugar Coated scatter, R575, Vintage Vista. 4. Clay geometric pot, R850, Vintage Vista. 5. Parrot planter, R550, Ceramic Factory. 6. Midi buck beakers, from R220 each, Liesl Trautmann. 7. Assorted blankets, R880 each, Sprout Design. 8. Cabana stripe frame, R69,99, Mr Price Home. 9. Geometric metal lantern, R199, Mr Price Home. FOR THE ENTERTAINER 1. Lala cake dome, R1 490, Isabelina. 2. Chill sticks, R280 each, Kitchen Passion. 3. Lodge Red Dutch oven, R2 500, Boardmans. 4. Cuispro herb keeper, R370, Kitchen Passion. 5. Corkatoo corkscrews, R219 each, LiVin. 6. Cylinder ball jugs, R250 each, Ceramic Factory. 7. Clear dispenser, R405, Next at Spree. 8. Olive jar and fork,…

1 “For a romantic atmosphere that’s suitable for Christmas in summer stick to pale shades and natural textures,” advise the Muse team. Cover the table with a white cloth, use your best silver and glassware and lay on the candles and fairy lights. A chandelier adds the final touch. 2 “We made these Christmas trees from unwanted paperbacks. Make your own by folding a page in two and cutting out the shape of half a tree. When you open it out it forms the whole tree. Cut four to eight sheets depending on how full you want your tree to look. Place them on top of each other, staple down the middle and open out the sections so they stand on their own.” 3 For each setting start with a…

Who lives here Deon, a chemical engineer, and British-born Katie, who works in public relations, as well as her daughter Daisy (13) and Deon’s son Karl (23) who visits from Durban. Golden retrievers Scooby and Snoop and Lola the Dachshund make up the rest of the family. The house A 1970s house in Bakoven, Cape Town converted into a double storey, with an open-plan living area that spills onto a deck upstairs. Downstairs are three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a TV room. A free-standing annex is all that remains of the original structure. When Katie Horne and Deon van Zyl bought their drab, viewless 1970s home in 2009, the couple had clear ideas about how they were going to realise its hidden potential. The original home had few redeeming features…

These days home security is not an option, it’s a necessity. Security expert Gary Tintinger of Enforce Security believes that, much like Australians understand they need to wear sunblock because of their UV issues, we need to accept security as a payoff for the lifestyle we enjoy here. “South Africans need to change their mindsets,” says Gary. “Home security should be designed around our lives. Most security is common sense. Once you’ve changed your thinking, it becomes second nature. “In my family, we don’t think about half the security actions we take, we just do them – locking doors, setting the alarm before we go to bed. It needs to be like that.” TALK TO THE EXPERTS You can walk around your property looking for weak spots, but often what’s…

One of the best things about summer are the long lazy evenings spent in the garden, and with lighting, you can make them even more enjoyable. Lighting isn’t just about safety and security – it can give even the most ordinary garden a magical quality, and if done correctly, will also increase the value of a property. Elements to consider are decorative or feature lighting, practicality and security. “ Feature lighting accentuates focal points in your garden and can also be functional such as illuminating steps,” says Digby Spearpoint of Spear Electrical in Nelspruit. Consider putting garden lighting on different circuits so certain practical lights like those adjoining the driveway and at the entrance come on automatically every day, while others that have a more decorative function, can be switched…

POSITION: Most prefer full sun but in very hot gardens regals prefer partial shade while zonals can tolerate some shade. Plants in containers prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. SOIL: Well-drained fertile soil. PLANTING: Allow space between plants so the air can circulate, especially in humid areas. WATER: Don’t overwater. Most come from areas with dry summers; plants may rot or produce leaves rather than flowers if given too much. Water in the early morning, especially in midsummer; wet leaves can lead to fungal outbreaks like rust in zonals. FERTILISE: In spring (September), feed with potassium-rich fertiliser like Vigorosa, slow-release 3:1:5 or an organic equivalent, to encourage flowering. An excess of food encourages leaf growth at the expense of flowers. PRUNING: Prune to stimulate new growth. Cut back by a…

After three or four years, as each plant produces more and more rhizomes, clumps of bearded irises become overcrowded and flower production declines. The simplest option is to thin out congested clumps by pulling out some of the older rhizomes then fill the gaps in the mother clump with fresh compost. However, it’s better to lift the entire clump every 3–5 years, enrich the soil and then replant young vigorous rhizomes. WHY DIVIDING IS NECESSARY To discard old, woody portions, especially those that have produced flowers, as they won’t flower again. To revitalise plants. To thin out the rhizomes so they’re exposed to more sun. To give you an opportunity to enrich the soil around them. WHEN TO DO IT About 4–6 weeks after flowering so they can put down…

All ardent juicers know that one glass of juice requires plenty of fresh produce, which is expensive to buy. Growing them yourself guarantees a healthy and pesticide-free daily fix. THE BENEFITS Nutritionist Bev Wium, author of the book Organicflexitarian – Sneak up on Yourself in 365 Days (self published), says, “Juiced vegetables reach the blood stream more slowly and evenly. The body is able to use both water and minerals much more effectively.” Other advantages are: Juicing breaks down the cell walls of food that’s difficult for the body to digest, such as carrots, making it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients. Juice requires less energy to digest than whole food, giving digestive organs a rest. SUITABLE VEGGIES LEAFY GREENS Full of vitamins and minerals, these are the…

VIETNAMESE CRAB AND VEGETABLE ROLLS (Makes 6) 1 x 200g tin crab meat, drained 5ml fresh ginger, finely grated 20g fresh mint, chopped 20g fresh coriander, chopped 5ml lime juice 1 red chilli, deseeded and diced 2 Mediterranean cucumbers 6 Vietnamese rice wrappers* 1 carrot, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into thin strips 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced into matchsticks 50g bean sprouts, optional FOR THE THAI DIPPING SAUCE:** 25ml fish sauce 30ml soy sauce 15ml soft brown sugar 10ml lime juice 1 red or green chilli, thinly sliced, optional TO SERVE: lime wedges 1 . To make the crab filling: place the crab meat in a mixing bowl and fluff it up with a fork. Add the fresh ginger, mint, coriander,…

We inherited a pair of lovely glass vases from my parents, of which this is one. They’re quite old and have two sections that are bolted together. Can you tell me anything about them and if they’re worth anything? Gail Carter, via e-mail “These vases are porcelain not glass,” says Ingrid Aron of Kalk Bay Antiques Centre. “I’m guessing they’re Italian from the late Victorian period. “They seem to be in good condition and surviving as a pair, I would retail them at about R2 500. “They’re definitely hand-painted, very bold and bright and in the typical style of the Victorian period when every surface was decorated.” Can you please shed some light on the age, origin and value of this incense burner we purchased from a car boot sale…

Shay knew from her school days that she’d choose a creative career. After studying Interior Design at Natal Technikon, she worked in kitchen design, shopfitting and retail and even owned her own decor store before joining SHF. In her position as lifestyle manager she’s responsible for the aesthetics side of the business. “It’s up to me and my design team to make sure that when you walk into a SHF showroom, you’re inspired,” she explains. Shay spends her days working on product design and creating room settings which will eventually come to life in SHF’s six showrooms around South Africa, including their new store in Kramerville, Johannesburg. “Interiors are my passion and I love my work,” she says. “Every day is different; trends, colours and seasons are constantly changing and…

Golden glamour “I’m all for gold ever since a mid-year buying trip to Paris where everything seemed to glitter and gleam,” says Ben Theron, co-owner of Hoy P’loy, the long-standing Hyde Park florist which moved to a double-storey gallery space in Jo’burg’s Parkhurst earlier this year. Breaking from tradition, Ben chose a palette of gold, green and white for this classical hallway. To maintain focus on the balustrade, he wove fynbos foliage together and attached it to the top of the wooden rail along with gold baubles. He draped the entrance hall table with Spanish moss and peace-in-the-home, and included gold ceramic apples. For added drama, Ben filled two large gold planters with white hydrangeas, a convenient summer flower. As this space demanded an element of height, he chose tall…

Who lives here Mike and Careen, a professional medical couple, with their twin sons Tristan and Julian (9), daughter Aurea (6), Waffles, the Golden Retriever and their cat, Kitty. The house A spacious Palladian-style house built about 60 years ago with a traditional linear layout. Every time Mike and Careen drove through the leafy Jo’burg suburb of Dunkeld they made a point of passing a house they admired for its grand façade. When the property came onto the market, they snapped it up and began considering how they could create a comfortable, contemporary home within the classical framework. One of the main objectives was to keep as much of their existing furniture as possible. “What we needed wasn’t an entirely new decor scheme, but some practical guidance on how to…

1 Starting point “Always start with the bigger furniture pieces,” says Ockert, who decorated this home in Westcliff, Jo’burg, in a combination of whites, creams and neutrals. “After creating the ‘framework’, begin adding texture and pattern to ensure depth and dimension. I like to use natural linens and cottons like this Roma linen from St Leger & Viney teamed with cushions in damask linen, also from St Leger & Viney.” 2 Set the tone “When decorating with white it’s important to work with warm tones to prevent the room from looking clinical and sterile. Choose whites like Plascon Double Velvet Dried Leaf (EC25) or Frothy Milk (EC7). Don’t restrict yourself to one shade, use a combination of pearl, alabaster, snow and warmer tones of ivory for a balanced look. Here,…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Turpentine, clean cloth, paint stripper, putty knife, 100-grit sandpaper, sponge roller, INCdecor non-drip enamel paints of your choice, INCdecor wallpaper of your choice, craft knife, metal ruler, cutting board, Alcolin wallpaper adhesive, clean paint brush, sponge, cabinet handle, gold spray paint, electric drill/Hilti, screws, screwdriver. PREPARING AND PAINTING THE CABINET: 1. If your side table has been painted previously, wash down the entire unit using turpentine and a cloth. 2. Apply the paint stripper and once it has activated, remove the old paint using a putty knife. 3. Sand down the side table with 100-grit sandpaper. 4. Wipe the dust off with a damp cloth. 5. Using a paint roller, apply a darker shade of non-drip enamel to the top part of the side table. We chose…

Who lives here Landscaper Meleney Bruwer, her husband Braam, Toitoi the tortoise and Benjamin Button the rabbit, joined occasionally by children and grandchildren. The garden A formal garden divided into rooms by low clipped hedges, in the leafy suburb of Greenside, Johannesburg. Meleney Bruwer’s love of gardening started at a young age on a sugar farm near Pietermaritzburg. Under the tutelage of her plant-loving mother, she discovered the joys of coaxing roots from a slip and the excitement of watching seeds sprout, grow and eventually burst into bloom. She subsequently became a successful florist and then a respected landscaper. When Meleney and her family moved to Greenside, Jo’burg 10 years ago, she realised it would take a lot of hard work to achieve her dream of a calm, serene formal…

1. NATURAL CHARM For someone with a busy lifestyle, a selection of low-maintenance succulents is ideal and very on trend. Vary the colours, sizes and leaf textures to add interest to the arrangement. Plant them in a plastic container with drainage holes before placing them in the basket. The recipient can then either mist them or take the container out of the basket before watering. 2. PICK OF THE PATCH You can’t go wrong with a container overflowing with herbs. Look for those with similar water and light requirements and choose herbs that’ll appeal to the recipient. A cook will love this combination of frilly ‘Lolla Rosa’ lettuce, ‘Silver Posie’ thyme and rosemary. Or plant a mix of Italian herbs such as basil, oregano and Italian parsley for a pizza…

1. GO A LITTLE WILD Leave a corner of your garden to its own devices by planting species of wild grasses such as aristida and Natal red top (Melinis repens). You can also plant clumps of bulbs, wild flowers and perennials. Easier still, go out and buy a pack of meadow mix seed, scatter the seeds, water and wait. If you choose species endemic to your area, your meadow, once matured, will survive on rainfall alone and require no looking after. “Grassland plantings are a big trend at the moment with the move towards eco-friendly and water-wise gardening,” says landscape designer Jan Blok of Blok Designs. 2. GET THE EDGE A simple way to keep your beds looking tidy is to put down edging. This can be in the form…

MENU SEAFOOD CELEBRATION SALAD WITH TROPICAL FRUIT SPARKLING ROSÉ WINE GRANITA OVEN-ROASTED SAGE CHICKEN BREAST WRAPPED IN PROSCUITTO, WITH FIGS MINTY BABY POTATO SALAD ASPARAGUS, FETA AND TOMATO SALAD WHITE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE WITH SEASONAL BERRIES AND MERINGUES “ Ever since we met 15 years ago working on the legendary Rovos Rail, Pieter and I plan a get-together at Christmas and invite close friends and family to enjoy delicious food at a beautiful table,” says Stephanie, a seasoned chef and hotel manager who’ll be running the soon-to-be-opened Kimberley Anne Hotel in the Northern Cape. Although they’ve both worked in five-star establishments around the world and often pair up to host exclusive private dinners, Pieter and Stephanie share a down-to-earth, unfussy approach when it comes to entertaining at home and Christmas is…