Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2016 i SA Garden and Home

Although there are many good things about winter, such as log fires and being able to wear boots and jackets, one of the drawbacks is spending more time indoors. You suddenly notice that the dogs have made a large brown mark on the side of the sofa, the scatter cushions are looking rather flat and the curtains have seen better days. To give you some fresh ideas and the encouragement to get decorating, this month we feature some stunning renovations. Interior decorator Natalie Bulwer turned a dated Tuscan-style house into a chic, classic family home. We love her clever combination of old and new which gives the Bulwers’ home warmth and personality. Turn to page 24 to see what we mean. Another amazing makeover, featured on page 32, is the…

EXPERT TIPS Garden and Home’s decor stylist Jo Trappitt has the following tips for giving a summery bedroom a warm, cosy, atmosphere Shop for scatters with down inners for added comfort. Layer the bed with extra quilts and throws. Swap cool cottons for flannel bedlinen. Its texture is instantly warming. Use bedside lamps to create soothing ambient light. Put a soft rug next to the bed so you don’t have to step onto the cold floor when getting up. SOURCES @home home.co.za Biggie Best biggiebestwebshop.co.za Block & Chisel blockandchisel.co.za Boardmans boardmans.co.za Coricraft coricraft.co.za La Grange Interiors lagrangeinteriors.co.za SHF shf.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za…

Who lives here Helen Gibbs, owner of Helon Melon, and her Jack Russell pup, Lulu. The house A 300m2 apartment on three levels in the Old Castle Brewery in Woodstock, Cape Town. In the middle of last year, Helen Gibbs, the creative mind behind Helon Melon home accessories, was looking to diversify her offerings and find somewhere where she could both live and work. “I spoke to the Old Castle Brewery’s landlord and asked for a space of around 55m2 ,” she recalls. “And because I was starting afresh I asked for a space in the new side of the development – I needed a clean slate.” However, this cavernous 300m2 space was the only one available. “Because I never say ‘no’ outright to anything, I came to see it…

Think pink 1 Eijffinger Un Bisou II wallpaper , 365030, R1 731,60/roll, Dreamweaver Studios. 2 Designers Guild, Couture Rose collection, Orchidea fabric , Schiaparelli FDG247401, R3 258/m, Home Fabrics. 3 Élitis, Kandy collection, Tears From Paradise wallpaper , VP 752 04, R5 635,48/roll, St Leger & Viney. 4 Sanderson, Sojourn collection, Jamila wallpaper , Coral/Aqua 215434, R3 105/roll, Black Fabrics. 5 Harlequin, Sgraffito collection, Speckle fabric , Fuchsia 131867, R3 725/m, Black Fabrics. 6 Christian Lacroix, Incroyables et Merveilleuses collection, Malmaison wallpaper , Opiat FCL248601, R3 744/roll, Home Fabrics. 7 Digiflora collection, Daffodil fabric , Bouquet, R672,60/m, Hertex. Moody blues… and greens 1 Harlequin, Fauvisimo collection, Trattino fabric , 120517, R4 335/m and Floreale fabric , R4 335/m, Black Fabrics. 2 Eijffinger, Masterpiece wallpaper , 358061, R1 907,22/roll, Dreamweaver Studios.…

This contemporary Caesarstone fireplace was custom-designed by Darryl Croome Architects as a functional work of art. Drop-in gas fireplaces, such as this one fitted by Designer Braai & Fireplaces, are a good option for unique designs, as they can be insulated and placed in almost any material. Cost of a similar design varies between R60 000 and R140 000 depending on size and material. Chimneys or vents are optional for this type of fireplace, although it’s always good to include some form of vent extraction. Hand forged in carbon steel with a matt black finish, the Cone, R64 122 (recommended retail price) from Beauty Fires, is the first locally manufactured suspended wood-burning fireplace. Custom installation is recommended to ensure correct flue connections as well as the position best suited to…

EXPERT ADVICE Interior Decorator Lisa Walters, who decorated this courtyard, shares her tips A paved area is low maintenance and practical, but can look a bit boring so green it up with potted plants. Choose fragrant herbs like lavender and rosemary and lemon trees to make it a delight for the senses. Scale is important in a small space so choose larger pots or group a number of smaller items together to create impact. Stone cladding on the wall gives this courtyard a focal point and echoes the natural textures of the country setting. Decorate with practical accessories like a curlicue shelf and galvanised watering cans. Wrought iron chairs are timeless and durable. Pair their curvy lines with a contemporary table for a mod twist. SOURCES IronStone ironstone.co.za Lisa Walters…

These plants play a valuable role in linking areas and bulking up the garden. They complement their more permanent neighbours and provide seasonal interest with their flowers or foliage. They’re also ideal for reinforcing and highlighting a colour scheme, hiding the exposed ‘knees’ of taller plants and adding depth. Use them to cover bare soil while permanent shrubs grow. GAURA LINDHEIMERI (BUTTERFLY BUSHES) This has long sweeping stems studded with white or pink butterfly-like flowers which appear from spring to autumn. Try the new Harlequin and Butterfly series from Malanseuns. Height: 70–90cm. Growing tips: Frost-hardy, it can be planted in full sun, in well-drained sandy-loam soil. Remove old flower stems and feed in summer. Divide large clumps and propagate new plants from basal cuttings. Plant it with: Cistus (rockrose), Indian…

10 things to do this month Contributing garden editor Marianne Alexander’s handy checklist of essential chores to do in August 1 Sow seeds of fast-growing, summer-flowering annuals and keep seed trays in a warm sheltered place. Try ageratum, marigolds, phlox, alyssum, cosmos, scabious, gaillardia, and vinca hybrids. 2 Rejuvenate untidy groundcovers by lifting, dividing and replanting; ground huggers can be mown with the mower on its highest setting. Mulch with compost and feed with 2:3:4 or 2:3:2. 3 Dig broad-leaved weeds out of lawns or treat with herbicide. Remove weeds in beds and borders by hand or with a fork as soon as they germinate, or smother with thick mulch. Keep mowing winter grass in the Western Cape to prevent it from setting seed. 4 Scarify spongy kikuyu and buffalo…

Making your own lip products using ingredients such as shea butter, beeswax and herbal oils is a lot simpler than you think, and this way, you know exactly what you’re putting on your lips. WHAT YOU’LL NEED Shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax and essential oil are the basic ingredients. Rich and nourishing, shea butter and coconut oil are excellent moisturisers. Cocoa butter adds delicious flavour and is good for sensitive skins. It’s solid at room temperature, which makes it a good choice. Beeswax bonds everything and is a healing moisturiser. The essential oils add fragrance and flavour. Increase the yumminess by infusing fresh herbs in the coconut oil in a double boiler (or in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water) for three hours. Strain before…

BRINJAL AND RICOTTA STACK (Serves 4) 5ml + 45ml olive oil 2 red peppers 2 large brinjals, sliced into 1cm rounds salt and pepper, to taste 60g smooth cream cheese 45ml tahini fine zest of ½ orange 200g ricotta 45ml dukkah TO SERVE 60g pomegranate rubies 30ml mint, torn orange zest 1 . Preheat the oven to grill. 2 . Rub 5ml olive oil over the red peppers and grill them until the skin blisters, turning frequently. 3 . Carefully transfer the peppers to a heatproof bowl and cover with a plate. Leave to stand for 10 minutes. 4 . Peel away and discard the skin and seeds. Cut the cleaned, roasted peppers into pieces and set aside. 5 . Preheat a griddle pan until hot. 6 . Brush both…

FIND OF THE MONTH   My husband inherited this Lenci statuette from his grandparents who bought it in Italy. We would like to know its value. Sharlene Fine, via e-mail You may have a winner here, says Geoff Burr of Burr & Muir Antiques, specialist dealer in Art Deco and Art Nouveau. “This was made by the Italian company Lenci, as can be seen from the mark, and is called ‘Trofeo’ or ‘Trophy’ in English. Designed by Helen König Scavini in 1936, it’s 51cm high. Depending on its condition, it could be worth up to R50 000. The picture shows four armbands, which I think hide breaks and repairs, as the examples I have seen don’t have these.” Geoff Burr suggests you contact him, if you wish to sell it.…

After studying law and literature at Stellenbosch University, Magdel Kemp decided to see the world. “I worked in a marketing agency in London and waited tables at night. I also lived in Papua New Guinea for six months.” Back in South Africa and living in Stellenbosch, Magdel bumped into an old neighbour, Amelia van Zyl. “Amelia had started a market for handcrafted items which she was running from her home in Stellenbosch. It was so successful that she asked me to help.” That was nine years ago and today KAMERS hosts five national events a year. They’ve also published a coffee table book and launched a successful online shop. “We wanted to create a platform from which entrepreneurs could run their own businesses and focus on unique local products,” Magdel…

winning letter LESSONS from a garden While browsing through your latest issue, I realised how many lessons we can learn from our gardens. For instance, we learn patience. After sowing the seeds, we need to wait for the flowers to bloom in their season. So much of today is spent hurrying about, when sometimes we just need to slow down and let things take their course. My garden also makes me realise the importance of taking in the world around me. The colours of autumn and spring are something to write poetry and paint pictures about. I wish we could all be more awake, more alive, and more perceptive to the things around us. Thank you very much for all the inspiration in each issue. Annette van Tonder, Piketberg Thanks!…

AT A GLANCE THE ARCHITECT: Marco Bezzoli of archilab. THE CLIENTS: The original owner, a businessman and his family. THE BRIEF: A contemporary house that embraces the spectacular views and accommodates the mature trees on the steep site. THE HOUSE: A three-bedroom, three-bathroom house with exterior terraces and living areas that flow into one another, a spectacular main en suite opening directly onto the pool, two en suite bedrooms downstairs, staff quarters and a complete two-bedroom flatlet below the outside terraces. This house, in a private estate in Hout Bay, was designed by Cape Town architect and founder member of archilab, Marco Bezzoli, and built 10 years ago. “It was the second house I had designed for the owner in this estate, so he knew my work and had faith…

Who lives here Andrew and Natalie Bulwer, their teenage children Stella and Harry, Petra, a large schnauzer, Pebble, a miniature schnauzer and Betty, the cat. The house A renovated four-bedroom double-storey home in Cape Town with a Georgian-inspired façade and a contemporary classic interior. Transforming a double-storey Tuscan-style house into something that looks more Georgian was a massive undertaking, but for decorator Natalie Bulwer, it was also an opportunity to use her experience. “My first taste of a large-scale renovation was a five-storey Georgian house in Edinburgh,” says Natalie, who studied fine art and majored in sculpture and ceramics. “I spent many hours on a high scaffold remoulding and repainting ornamental details and friezes. It was a real eye-opener in terms of the quality of the restoration and the attention…

CHOOSING THE RIGHT NEUTRAL FOR YOU “I love working with a neutral palette as it timeless and has a soft, relaxed, inviting feel,” says Philip Pikus of Philip Pikus Fabrics, known for contemporary neutral fabrics. “Decide whether you want to use colour accents or layer the neutrals, then choose the scheme accordingly.” Here’s his advice for selecting the right shade: BONE/BEIGE Generally, these shades work best in traditional spaces, and are the calmest of the neutrals. They have an array of subtle undertones you’ll be able to pick up on with fabrics and accessories, so your scheme won’t look bland. Yellow-based beiges work well with turquoise and teal, while those with pink tones create a warmer feel that works well with darker furniture. BROWN/TAUPE This is the earthier, more welcoming…

SOURCES Aureum Design aureumdesign.com Country Road woolworths.co.za House of Sofia houseofsofia.co.za Mr Price Home mrphome.com Phlo Studio phlostudio.co.za Superbalist.com superbalist.com Weylandts weylandts.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za…

“Like the house, our bathroom was designed and built in the early 1960s and never updated,” recalls Trisch Barnard, an interior architect. “The discoloured grout on the walls and floors made the bathroom look and feel dirty. In addition, the original layout was cramped and impractical.” How this bathroom went from drab to fab: To create more space, the Barnards gutted it and extended it by a few metres. Both a shower and a bath were incorporated into what is now a large wet room separated from the vanity area by a glass door. The shower wall was fitted with Victorian-look encaustic cement tiles, and white mosaic tiles were used for the floors and the rest of the wet room walls. A niche, tiled with more Victorian tiles, houses toiletries.…

AHEAD OF THE CURVE When this house on a secure estate was built, all that was left for a garden was a narrow strip along the side. To disguise the odd angles and to create depth, circles and curves were incorporated into the design. The first step was to lift the lawn and lay the winding path. This draws the eye and detracts from the high boundary walls. Then the silver birch trees were planted. As often happens, the house and the walls create deep shade at certain times of the day. The planting, which is in spirals and circles, includes shade-loving plants like primula, azalea, aquilegia, foxglove and camellia on the shady side, and sun lovers such as gaura, roses, alyssum, echeveria, sweet William, Cape daisy (osteospermum) and arum…

Zantedeschia aethiopica (white arum lilies) are extremely versatile, growing prolifically in the wet Western and Eastern Cape winters, but also flowering in summer-rainfall regions. They grow equally well indoors and out and look beautiful in containers. The English name Arum is derived from its resemblance to the European Arum (Calla aethiopica), while the Afrikaans vernacular name varkore is a reference to the fact their shape resembles a pig’s ear. The lily-like flower is in fact a large, modified leaf called a spathe that protects masses of tiny flowers, densely packed on a central spike or spadix. The faintly scented flowers attract pollinators, and you’ll often find little insects and even a small frog or two nestled next to the fleshy spadix. WHITE ARUMS Z. aethiopica is described as evergreen, but…

MENU ROASTED SWEET POTATO AND BUTTERNUT SOUP WITH COCONUT AND CORIANDER SAMBAL ROAST LAMB WITH SALSA VERDE AND ROAST POTATOES BROAD BEANS AND BROCCOLI SPEARS WITH TOASTED FLAKED ALMONDS AND PARMESAN SHAVINGS BAKED CAMEMBERT WITH SPICED POACHED PEARS AND ROASTED WALNUTS When Siphokazi Mdlankomo left her home town of Tsolo near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape 15 years ago, she had no idea that a childhood interest in cooking would evolve into a talent so accomplished she would be runner-up in SA Masterchef 2014. “I have my mother to thank for teaching me the basics and for emphasising the importance of using fresh ingredients. In cities, you pay a premium for organic produce, but in rural areas it’s usual for most families to have their own vegetable patch,” says Siphokazi.…

Join Garden and Home and Home Fabrics for a morning of beautiful spring things. Garth Wastie of Home Fabrics will take you through all their latest collections, and botanical artist Kelly Higgs will be discussing her artwork. The ticket price includes refreshments, a goodie bag and a three-month subscription to Garden and Home . COST: R150pp DATE: Saturday, 3 September 2016 TIME: 10h00 for 10h30 VENUE: Home Fabrics showroom, 8 Desmond Road, Kramerville, Sandton BOOKINGS: Visit caxtonevents.co.za for details…

Designer’s Choice Nicki Ellis, owner of Love Milo, is a fan of this copper-plated cutlery set, R399, from Woolworths. “It definitely adds a fresh feel to a dining setting,” she says. “While the look is decadent and warm, it works so well with most table accessories and colours. I love the shapes and the fact that these are matt rather than shiny.” woolworths.co.za Cool COLLECTION Local fabric house Tambeau Fabrics has just launched a new collection. “I decided to create a number of totally individual designs with no links to each other, other than their colours,” says owner Tamsin Arlow. There are two colourways – the Blue, which lends itself to beachy or more masculine settings, and the Grey, mixed with yellows, greens and blues, which is a softer version…

SOURCES Esque esque.co.za Hertex hertex.co.za Papilio papiliorugs.co.za Reclaim Design reclaimdesign.weebly.com SHF shf.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za…

CREATE THE EFFECT OF A PANELLED WALL “Panelling adds depth and interest to a room,” says decorator and curator Dylan Thomaz, who used this effect in the living room and passage of the apartment featured on page 32. It’s also a good way to disguise a cupboard. While he recommends having this done by a professional carpenter, you can do it yourself provided the wall is completely smooth. First measure carefully, then have the moulding cut to size and mitre the edges. Use a spirit level to make sure that each piece is straight and level, and attach the moulding to the wall with clear silicone. Hold it in place with a piece of masking tape while it dries. Fill in any gaps on the sides with a silicone gun,…

Who lives here Clare and Andrew Mitchell with their two daughters and their dachshund, Zinzan. The garden A 1 700m² garden with English-style herbaceous borders and different levels and ‘rooms’. “This is a gardener’s garden,” says Clare Mitchell, who together with her husband Andrew, has lovingly shaped and perfected their Jo’burg property over the past 28 years. Thanks to her passion for all kinds of plants, especially unusual species, Clare has never planted according to a definite plan. The result is a garden with an English cottage feel filled with varied colours and textures. “If I see an unusual plant, I buy it or take a slip and then find a place for it,” she says. There’s an orderliness to the profusion of flowers and foliage, however. The garden is…

1. FIND FOCUS An effective way to give a garden interest is to create focus and punctuation with focal points. They allow you to manipulate how the garden is experienced by leading the eye in a preferred direction. In this garden, Carrie placed a water feature on the main axis between the house and the garage so it catches the eye and the garage doesn’t become the focus. “Keep the number of focal points in proportion to the size of the garden. Too many and they’ll be distracting,” says Carrie. “And remember, a gorgeous view is as much a focal point as a feature tree, sculpture or water feature.” 2. PLANT FOR LIFE Nothing spoils a design like sickly, sad plants. “It’s essential to select those that do naturally well…

WINDING WAYS Curved and winding pathways draw the eye into the garden and entice you to explore further to see what lies around the bend. They cleverly draw attention away from compact proportions and odd angles. Garden design: Garden Diva. GOING UP Arches and pergolas are useful elements in a small space as they draw the eye upwards. They also provide a support for climbers like roses, gelsemium, mandevilla, clematis montana, jasmine and sweet peas (pictured here) giving you more space for plants. POTTED PLEASURES The easiest way to green up small space is with containers. First establish the areas of sun and shade and plant accordingly. There are many pretty plants that enjoy the shade, but if the area gets around six hours of sun a day, you can…

You don’t need acres of land to satisfy your inner gardener. All you need is a courtyard, windowsill, patio, balcony or blank wall and you are all set to grow. Think containers set on the ground or placed on a jardinière, or set your sights high with creepers, vertical gardens and wall-mounted containers. USING CONTAINERS One of the easiest ways to garden in limited space is to plant up containers. Choose these according to the space available; not all pots are round, there are rectangular and square containers so use the ones that suit the area. WHAT TO PLANT For practical purposes, choose edibles like strawberries, herbs, tomatoes, peppers (remember to stake them) and even dwarf citrus trees. Or go for colourful annuals, long-lasting perennials or small shrubs that can…

FIRE and SPICE Filled with recipes for traditional and modern dishes, Cariema Isaacs’, My Cape Malay Kitchen, R244, Struik Lifestyle, also includes recollections of her childhood in Bo-Kaap. Find the recipe for these pumpkin fritters (pictured) on our website.gardenandhome.co.za BLENDED TO Perfection Try one of these Shiraz dominant reds with winter casseroles and stews. Lismore Syrah, 2015 , R320. Haskell II, 2011 , R180, a Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Savage Red 2015 , R220, a Syrah-led blend with Grenache, Touriga Naçional and Cinsaut. Make it ITALIAN A large dollop or two of Galbani Mascarpone Cream Cheese will add creamy richness to mashed potatoes, creamed polenta and pasta sauces. It’s available at selected retailers nationwide. We’re giving away two bottles of Laszlo Fleur du Cap wine worth R750; the…

“Sadly, handwriting seems to be a dying art,” says Pretoria fountain pen collector Wouter van der Merwe. “All my life I’ve loved owning a nice pen and my first really special one was a Parker 51,” he explains as he opens one of his pen cabinet drawers, each of which is filled with a rainbow array of writing instruments, mostly fountain pens. He carefully selects one. “I remember how good I felt when I slipped this very Parker into my pocket on the first day of work on 12 December 1960 – I felt like a million dollars.” Wouter mainly collects Parker, Conway Stewart, Pelikan, Waterman and Schaeffer brands. He also has a smaller selection of Victorian pens, inkwells, mechanical pencils and other writing paraphernalia. “I worked at the Department…