Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2015 i SA Garden and Home

The September issue, which marks the beginning of spring, is always one of my favourites. It’s so nice after a long, cold winter to open the doors and let the sunlight in even if it’s only metaphorically. One of the quirks of working in magazines is that with our long deadlines we never work in real time. We’re busy on winter issues with the aircon going full blast and long before shopping malls add The Little Drummer Boy to their playlists, our Christmas table settings have been styled and photographed. This issue is no exception. I’m typing this, wearing gloves, on one of the coldest days this winter. But the content of this issue – lovely renovated family houses and some of the prettiest gardens – has been a wonderful…

The vibrant blue of Atlantic Beach forms part of the Connect palette from the Plascon Colour Forecast 2016. Inspired by the coastal energy of Brazil this intense blue is playful and optimistic yet promotes focus and concentration, ideal for any home or work environment. Without being focused on clean lines, this blue embraces the playful spirit of optimism. STYLISH MATT FINISH Plascon Cashmere has a plush matt finish with Triple Action Bead Technology™ that hides imperfections on your interior walls. It also comes with a 15-year product quality guarantee*. SUBMIT AND WIN Show us a photo of a room that needs a little love and it could be featured on our website. You could also be chosen to receive colour advice from a Plascon Colour Consultant and one lucky winner…

1. Tapas bowls , R45 each, Woolworths. 2. Lindo screen , R9 995, La Grange Interiors. 3. Wooden disc mirror with metal cladding, R3 995, Weylandts. 4. Shanshui Cobalt Designers Guild cushion , R2 859,12, Home Fabrics. 5. Winter birds scatter cushion , R199, Woolworths. 6. Bamboo ladder , R399, @home. 7. Ornamental bird cage , R1 295, Weylandts. 8. Potted bamboo , R1 299, @home. 9. Grasshopper bench , R6 600, Vintage Vista. 10. Shandong dining chair , R3 595, Weylandts. SOURCES @home home.co.za Home Fabrics hf.co.za La Grange Interiors lagrangeinteriors.co.za Vintage Vista vintagevista.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za…

As the world becomes more frenetic and downtime becomes increasingly rare, we’re all looking for ways to save time and effort. Whirlpool has come to the rescue with their new PowerDry dishwasher with 6th Sense. It not only has an A+++ energy efficiency rating, very important in these days of soaring electricity costs, but it also power cleans a full load of dishes in just an hour. The PowerDry feature, enabled by the innovative 3D airflow system, extracts and drains steam from inside, so when you open the door after the final cycle, there’s no humidity and your sparkling clean crockery and glassware can simply be packed away. What could be easier? Whirlpool PowerDry dishwashers are available at leading retailers countrywide. For more information, visit 1hourback.co.za WINNING IS EASY –…

COUNTRY FRESH Loosely arranged flowers take on a romantic air in a ceramic jug. Start with taller flowers like stocks, delphiniums and snapdragons to add structure and height. For weight, add clusters of delicate Queen Anne’s Lace, which splay outwards from the lower and upper half. To complete the look, you can fill the gaps with small flowers like wild daisies. I love how the bright spring shades of blue and yellow are offset by the soft greens of the Queen Anne’s Lace. TIME FOR TEA For the perfect accompaniment to a tea party, cluster white garden roses in a vintage teapot and use lavender blooms for a dash of colour. Instead of roses you can use peonies or lisianthus, and fragrant herbs like rosemary or thyme make a good…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED 2 metal wheelbarrow frames (old wheelbarrows can be salvaged at most building sites) Angle grinder with a steel cutting disc Welder A plank of wood to your specifications A drill 10mm steel drill bit Square tubing to be used as spacers Carriage bolts Paint or wood treatment (optional) MAKING THE BENCH 1 Cut the handles and front ends off the wheelbarrow frames with the angle grinder, leaving two U-shaped pieces. 2 Weld together two U-shaped frames for each side of the bench. 3 Set the frames up with your wooden plank on top, using a spirit level to make sure it’s level. TIP: If you’d like a taller bench, use square tubing, or the pieces of the frame you cut off, as spacers. 4 On the frame,…

Many of the country’s leading garden centres belong to the Garden Centre Association (GCA). The aim of the competition is to improve the standards of all GCA members. Winning one of the awards is regarded as a great honour in the industry. All GCA members (unless they have excluded themselves from adjudication) are visited by two accredited evaluators, at a time unknown to the centre so there is an element of surprise. The awards are based purely on quality standards, and centres are evaluated not only on products, departments and displays, but also on staff, service and surrounds. GARDEN CENTRE OF THE YEAR: Plant Paradise Garden Centre HOME STORE OF THE YEAR: Builders Warehouse Port Elizabeth MOST IMPROVED: INDEPENDENT GARDEN CENTRE Green Africa Nursery - KZN MOST IMPROVED: HOME STORE…

Everyone knows about the fruits, herbs and veggies that are essential in the kitchen garden. But how many know there are versatile annuals that not only add colour to gardens, but also offer an unusual taste or decoration for everyday meals? Here’s how to spice up the menu and decorate your food with some lesser-known edibles. CHOOSING FLOWERS Before raiding your garden for these edible plants, here are a few precautions to keep in mind: Don’t just pick any flowers in your garden, even if you think they’re edible. Many flowers look very similar to edible gems but could be poisonous. Always make sure you are absolutely certain what kind of plant it is you’re eating. Don’t buy flowers from a supermarket or florist for consumption. They are beautiful to…

My cooking style is honest, simple and full of flavour and love. The kitchen gadget I couldn’t live without is my chef’s knife and blender to make quick soups, smoothies, dips and purées. If I had just one recipe book, it would be Seasons by Donna Hay (Harper Collins) for absolutely delicious seasonal recipes with the most beautiful photographs. I can page through it all day long. My store cupboard staples are extra virgin olive oil and lemons. My favourite comfort food is Nutella, dark chocolate and macaroons – I have quite the sweet tooth! The best thing I ever ate was a chickpea soup I had at a family-run restaurant in the heart of Tuscany; it was the whole experience that added to that meal. If I was stuck…

winning letter OUT OF AFRICA After reading Dylan Thomaz’s expert advice on arranging accessories in your July 2015 issue, I went straight to my garage to rescue boxes of knick-knacks collected while living in Zimbabwe and Botswana. I love all things African, but as our home is rather small I kept it minimalist and stored my collectables. Out came baskets, glassware, pictures and long-forgotten books. What a difference a few accessories make! I love seeing all my old plates and baskets (one of the bigger ones now houses two blankets next to my chair) and the glassware adds a real pop of colour, so thank you for the tips. Alida van der Walt, via e-mail PENNY PINCHING My kitchen is stuck in the ‘80s and I’ve been thinking of giving…

Where did your love of art develop? As a child, I would use charcoal from the fire and draw everywhere – even on the walls and floors. I mainly drew houses and cars and it was just something I did every day for fun. Around the time I was in Grade 7, I realised it was a gift and I began to take it more seriously. How did your family influence your work? My older brother introduced me to Trevor Makhoba, who became my mentor through his Philange Art Project in Umlazi, where he had a small studio behind his house. Every day after school, I would go and work with Trevor who taught me to notice things, and to use oil and acrylic paint instead of the crayons, pencils…

The PnP Green range of household cleaning products gives you the same sparkling results as conventional cleaning products, while also caring for the environment. This range is unique because every stage of production, transportation and delivery has been carefully considered to reduce its ecological impact. It gives you the opportunity to play environmental superhero. SAFE INGREDIENTS All the ingredients in the PnP Green range are certified cruelty-free and veg and no animals are harmed in its production. The detergents that remove those stubborn stains are also petrochemical-free and manufactured using renewable plant-based biotechnology. Plus the active ingredients are mineral-based and nontoxic making them safe for your whole family, including your pets. Forget harsh chemical fumes, this range cleans effectively, yet gently. South Africa enjoys some of the cleanest tap water…

Who lives here A family of four and their two dogs, a beagle and a Labrador. The house A newly renovated six-bedroom multi-storey house with an open-plan kitchen, dining room and living area plus two TV rooms and a playroom for their two young daughters. With its peaceful atmosphere, one could be forgiven for thinking this six-bedroom home is miles from a bustling city. One look at Table Mountain in the distance, however, and you know exactly where you are. When they purchased the property, a tired, outdated B&B, the owners enlisted interior designer Sue Lloyd-Roberts of Mint Designer Renovations to completely renovate it. The original house consisted of two structures: a double storey, as well as a single one. “It was a rabbit warren of passages and rooms, which…

“Nalina on the bed throw is an overblown extravagance of exotic flower heads combining 20 different tropical colours, which is framed beautifully by the same design on the wallpaper in silhouette form,” says Stephen Black of Black Fabrics. Harlequin, Amazilia collection, Nalina wallpaper , Lagoon 111049, R2 458/roll, Black Fabrics. Harlequin, Amazilia collection, Nalina fabric , Flamingo/Papaya/Loganberry 120331, R2 458/m, Black Fabrics. “The florals we’re seeing today have a freshness and vibrancy of colour like never before.” Stephen Black, Black Fabrics HOT Petals 1. Manuel Canovas, Eze fabric , Rose Indien 04851/04, R4 027,05/m, Mavromac. 2. Harlequin, Amazilia collection, Kabala fabric , Papaya 120346, R2 458/m, Black Fabrics. 3. Fandango collection, Andalucia Floral fabric , R1 361,16/m, Mavromac. 4. Couture collection, Zen Garden fabric , Darjeeling, R843,60/m, Hertex. 5.…

FROSTY RECEPTION To lighten her somewhat gloomy entrance hall, interior decorator Donna Tanner replaced the solid wood front door with a set of French doors fitted with frosted glass. This gives privacy while letting the light flood in. This idea works particularly well for doors in a bedroom or bathroom where more light is required but privacy is a must. TURN THE TABLES Give tabletops, shelves and mantels a new look by reshuffling existing accessories. Here Monique Mann of Patina Interiors paired gleaming glassware with crisp, green foliage and a whitewashed ornament to create a fresh, nature-inspired vignette. SHEER DELIGHT Swapping heavy lined curtains for sheers definitely helps to update a room. “Sheer textured linen drapes give privacy without cutting out the sunlight,” says interior designer Dylan Thomaz, who worked…

Whether you’re faced with grimy terraces, mouldy decking, mud-encrusted cars and bikes, even the grubbiest boats, Kärcher pressure washers can tackle whatever dirt you’re dealing with. The washers are easy to set up and use, but hard on dirt. They’re also surprisingly energy and water efficient, using 80% less water than a standard garden hose. Each cleaner boasts a 300w motor, 20–160 bar pressure, and a water flow rate of 600l per hour. Three lucky readers can win a Kärcher K7 high-pressure washer with easy pressure adjustment, a 10m high-pressure hose and a host of accessories, like the trigger gun with quick connect, vario-power spray lance, dirt blaster and universal cleaner. For more information, visit karcher.co.za SUBSCRIBING IS EASY – CHOOSE FROM THESE 5 OPTIONS: SMS the words “CAXTON GH”…

A FACTOR 8x8 SHED WORTH R 15 990 Get summer off to a great start by organising your garden equipment, spare pots, fertilisers and seeds and storing them in a Factor 8x8 Shed. A wood-like texture with a stylish window and skylight for natural light and added visibility, make it an attractive garden feature. It’s also large enough to store bicycles, a wheelbarrow and your outdoor furniture. With modern, high-arched doors, the shed is steel-reinforced, durable and virtually maintenance free. It’s also easy to assemble with regular household tools and has added features like two shelves, a heavy duty floor panel and built-in ventilation. Call 0861 866 766 or visit keter.co.za ENTRY CODE: FACTOR FOUR SETS OF FOUR ECLIPSE CHAIRS IN TWO DIFFERENT STYLES WORTH R4 665 PER SET Want…

MEADOW GARDENS –CLARE BURGESS Thanks to a greater awareness of the necessity of natural sustainable landscapes, self-seeding meadow gardens are growing in popularity. Leaving areas of grass uncut and allowing nature to do its own thing works in any situation and scale. I’m involved in the upgrade of the Papenboom meadow, a community-based project developed by the Newlands Residents Association in Cape Town and it’s wonderful to witness the natural emergence of wild flowers and grasses combined with newly planted, locally indigenous bulbs and annuals. And if there’s any water, like a boggy section next to a pond, an even larger variety of plants will establish themselves and attract more wildlife. BEE-FRIENDLY GARDENS –MARTINE DE LA HARPE The decline in the bee population is cause for concern and gardeners are…

CALIBRACHOA HYBRID ‘CABARET ’ Don’t even try to count the hundreds of mini petunia-type flowers that cover this plant when it’s in full bloom, from late spring and throughout summer. A single plant easily fills a small hanging basket, but two or three in a large basket are simply spectacular. The compact, well-branched plants (15–25cm high and 25cm wide) produce neat, round balls of flowers. Look out for the new white and rose varieties, both with bigger flowers. Place these baskets in the sun with some afternoon shade in summer. BACOPA (SUTERA CORDATA) ‘BETTY’ Indigenous, sun loving and tough, Bacopa ‘Betty’ has dainty, single blue, pink or white flowers that cover the plant and don’t fade in hot summer sun. Just one plant will fill a gap because they form…

Asparagus is a plant that teaches you patience – it takes four years from planting until the first good harvest. But it’s worth the wait. Once established, they yield for up to 20 years, with each plant producing nine to 12 spears per cutting season. Asparagus is a hardy perennial with edible shoots that develop from underground rhizomes. If you harvest spears during its first four years, the plant won’t develop a strong crown underground. Once mature, the spears are harvested for the first six to eight weeks and then left to develop. They grow up to 1,5m tall, and by midsummer, they’re an attractive addition to the garden with their feathery, fern-like foliage. Carbohydrates and other compounds necessary for plant growth are produced in the ferns throughout the growing…

Get Grilling From the man that took the humble braai to new heights, comes The Democratic Republic of Braai, R295, from Bookstorm.co.za. Find the recipe for the Left Wing Steak Salad (pictured above) on our website gardenandhome.co.za WIN! We’re giving away a copy of this book. To enter, SMS JANBRAAI , your name and e-mail address to 48406. An SMS costs R1,50, errors will be billed and free SMSes don’t apply. For full Ts&Cs, see page 86. Keeping it GREEN For a healthier environment, keep your kitchen spotless with new non-toxic, biodegradable products from the PnP Green range. Visit picknpay.co.za ADD MORE FLAVOUR Local is lekker with these tempting marinades, bastes and sauces from Boytjie Braai Sauces. Find the recipe for this delicious Moroccan kebab on our website, and for more…

Italy is a place of romance, from the food to the art, the people and the landscapes. This is why we chose it as our once-in-a-lifetime overseas holiday. We aren’t the kind of tourists who need to tick off a list of notable sights. We’re travellers who want to taste the food, immerse ourselves in the lifestyle and drive aimlessly around seeing what happens. Fate picked Solimbergo as our base when our good friend Tatjana offered us her family’s holiday house to use for as long as we wanted. Tatjana’s grandmother grew up in the village so we were given detailed instructions on what to do, where to eat and where to shop. Out in the countryside of Friuli-Venezia Giulia where we were headed, the only way to get around…

Could you please tell me something about this train lamp and what it’s worth? Linda Graskie, via e-mail Justine Ferrigno of Le Brocanteur says, “Locomotive lights served a very important function which was to warn anyone on the track and other trains of its approach. Yours was manufactured in Newcastle England around 1931 and has the number 323. The value would be between R1 500 – R2 000.” This plate, which came from my grandmother’s home, must be over 60 years old as she passed away in 1954. I’d like to know its age and value should we wish to sell it and is there any market for this type of article? Dorothy Allen, via e-mail Ingrid Aron of Kalk Bay Antiques says this is a John Maddock & Sons…

As the graphic designer of Dokter and Misses, Katy Taplin has won acclaim for bringing a strong visual twist to the brand’s impressive range of quality furniture. She frequently draws inspiration from the striking patterns found in traditional African fabrics, architecture and art as well as other skills such as weaving. This influence has found expression in a large-scale collection of furnishings, Kassena Town, part of a Southern Guild exhibition at New York’s prestigious R & Company earlier this year. The collection of quirky cabinets was motivated by West African Gurunsi architecture and features striking zigzags, stripes and squares used by the Kassena tribe. Katy is as passionate about quality local design as her own work and has an appreciation for thought-provoking artworks, citing the likes of Cameron Platter, Nico…

PENDANT LIGHTS “Whether in the centre of a room, over a kitchen island or a dining room table, clustering and grouping pendant lights is very trendy at the moment,” says Eli Kalmi, owner of K. Light Import, who has these tips: When grouping pendants together, you can combine different sizes and shapes as long as they belong to the same range or ‘family’. When hanging pendants over a table or kitchen island, look at the size of the surface and choose pendants that are in proportion. Keep in mind the function of the lights. Do you want task lighting for food preparation, or ambient lighting to create an atmosphere? Don’t hang lights too low over an area used for dining, or guests won’t be able to see each other. Leave…

"When planning an alfresco lunch, look no further than your surroundings for table setting inspiration,” says Bernice Morrell (above right) of Morrells Boutique Venue in Jo’burg. When her wisteria burst into bloom, it formed a romantic canopy ideal for a spring lunch. “The gorgeous scented flowers set the colour theme,” she explains, “and as there are such wonderful flowers available at this time of the year – pansies, sweet peas and irises – it grew from there.” In keeping with the garden theme, she introduced textured rustic elements like terracotta pots planted with herbs, woven grass placemats and linen napkins. “Make each setting more interesting by tying the cutlery up in the napkin with string and popping a flower on top,” she says. Then, to keep the effect light and…

1 GLASS CEILING “I love how the glass ceiling illuminates the bath area of this Jo’burg bathroom with natural light,” says Stasia Behr of Nicole Davis Interiors. The addition of mirrors and marble walls further accentuate the bright, lofty effect of the design. “Bathrooms are for relaxing and unwinding and this certainly creates the right atmosphere.” 2 LIGHT THE WAY “The owners didn’t want the staircase in their newly renovated home to look heavy, so a delicate glass pendant light resembling floating bubbles was top of their wish list,” recalls Cindy Talbot of Sins Talbot Décor and Design in Durban. “This one from Q-Lite doesn’t dominate the space and combined with a glass balustrade, gives the airy look the owners had in mind.” Renovations by Proud Construction. 3 DISAPPEARING ACT…

“MY BEDROOM WAS decorated in blues and creams but was starting to look quite outdated,” says Carol van Loggerenberg of Durban. The space desperately needed some freshening up to make it more contemporary, but she didn’t want to get rid of everything and buy new furniture. “I’m especially fond of my dark wood pieces and it was important to me to keep them,” she explains. HOW THIS SPACE WENT FROM DATED TO DREAMY Carol enlisted the help of interior decorator Kirsty Lindley to achieve her new look without having to start from scratch. “Carol wanted a bedroom that was both serene and inviting," Kirsty says, adding that choosing a contemporary palette of grey and white was the starting point. "Kirsty suggested adding a deep-buttoned wingback headboard which completely transformed the…

STYLE RULES Interior designer Sumari Krige of La Grange Interiors shares her tips on how to give your patio a similar look: Start off by choosing a comfortable, modular outdoor sofa – this allows you to reconfigure the units to suit the occasion. If you go the timber route, the sofa should be teak or a timber that’ll withstand the elements. When selecting fabrics, I usually mix things up. Here I fell in love with a graphic swizzle monotone print and then worked in some colour and texture. Only consider outdoor fabrics, even if your patio is covered. The African sun will destroy regular fabrics in no time. I love to layer contrasting materials. This helps to create substance. Here I combined rustic wood and metal coffee tables with a…

Who lives here Sam and Cathy Knox and their four dogs Bongo, Twiggy, Midge and Tinker. The garden A large 20-year-old English country garden with mixed borders and woodland areas in the little town of Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal. In spring, Cathy’s Knox’s garden is a flower-filled paradise. Vibrant rhododendrons and Azalea mollis add welcome colour after a cold, drab winter. Many rose bushes and other scented plants fill the air with sweet perfume while masses of flowering perennials and annuals such as lupins, poppies and forget-me-nots burgeon from the wide borders. Looking at the lush, colourful display it’s difficult to imagine the dry, neglected garden the Knoxes inherited when they moved here 20 years ago. A lot of clearing out had to be done before Cathy and her full-time gardener,…

10 must dos this month Contributing garden editor Marianne Alexander’s handy checklist of essential chores to do in September 1 Feed the whole garden with an organic, slow-release balanced fertiliser like 2:3:2 or 3:1:5. For foliage plants, hedges and topiary, use high-nitrogen 5:1:5. Mulch camellias and azaleas with an acid-based compost and feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser. 2 Sow seed of summer annuals. In seed trays: salvias, zinnias and lobelias; in situ: lavateras, cleome, candytuft, cosmos, agrostemma, marigolds and viscaria or buy punnets of ready-grown seedlings of petunias, begonias, nicotianas and asters. Discard bulbs of ranunculus, tulips and anemones and make room for planting of summer annuals. 3 Collect seed of spring flowers like indigenous Namaqualand daisies, blue flax, kingfisher daisies (Felicia spp.), ursinias and purple senecio, exotic linaria, calendulas…

Step into Spring at this year’s The Witness Garden Show. Now in its 40th year, the show is still the biggest horticultural event in South Africa and this year is shaping up to be the best ever. Whether you are looking for that special plant to add to your collection or a stunning orchid to take home for the table, this show is for you. Just about anything and everything will be on offer, with some wild rides and gourmet food to make it a thoroughly enjoyable day out. The new management team, headed by TV personality Tanya Visser, will bring a brand-new look to the show, with a number of new attractions to complement the existing drawcards. Visitors can look forward to the following highlights: A Gourmet Food Hall…

MENU ROASTED BEETROOT HUMMUS PECAN NUT, PEAR AND FETA SALAD ROASTED BUTTERNUT AND QUINOA BROCCOLI, AVOCADO AND CHICKPEA SALAD WITH ROCKET PESTO UNCOOKED CHOCOLATE BROWNIES PEANUT BUTTER BANANA ICE CREAM Affectionately known as ‘Beans’, Jacqueline van Zyl is a foodie turned blogger and now a new mother. As a vegetarian often opting for an even stricter vegan diet, Beans has always believed in eating healthily. After studying teaching at Stellenbosch University and travelling for a while, she married her husband, Grant, a financial planner, and settled in Somerset West. It was around this time that she started BakedBean, a small artisanal bakery supplying a few restaurants and wine farms in the area. “Grant suggested I do a financial breakdown for the business, and then having read it, pronounced that it…

ASPARAGUS AND FETA QUICHE (Serves 6) 1 packet ready-made shortcrust pastry, thawed FOR THE FILLING: 200g asparagus spears, cut into bite-sized lengths 30g butter 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 bunch spring onion, finely sliced 15ml parsley, finely chopped 5ml chives, finely chopped 50g mature Cheddar cheese, grated 100g feta cheese, crumbled 200ml crème fraîche 250ml cream 3 eggs, whisked salt and ground black pepper, to taste TO SERVE: fennel fronds, to garnish (optional) lemons, quartered (optional) 1 . Preheat the oven to 190°C. 2 . Roll out the pastry onto a lightly floured surface and line a 25cm fluted quiche tin. Use a fork to lightly prick the base of the pastry. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes. 3 . Line the pastry case with baking paper and fill…

“There’s a fine line between being an antiques dealer and a collector,” says Paul Mrkusic, CEO of SAADA (The SA Antique, Art and Design Association). “Over the years I’ve found many cufflinks while shopping for the family antiques business and have on occasion bought a pair for myself. I’m a big fan of Art Deco and Scandinavian Mid-century jewellery. I have a vintage jewellery dealer in London who knows what I like and keeps things aside for me. But for me the joy of collecting cufflinks doesn’t come from acquiring them, but rather from the associations the cufflinks hold. Each pair represents a special time in my life.” Paul’s interest in these classic men’s jewellery pieces started at school and has continued into his adult life. He opens a small…