Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2015 i SA Garden and Home

Making a wreath, lighting lots of candles and decorating the tree are a few reasons, but top of the list is the gorgeous Highveld evenings. Mary Jane Harris, editor I love the holidays for the long, lazy days with family and friends enjoying good food and lots of laughs. Candice Botha, KZN contributing editor Searching for something unique and environmentally friendly to use as a Christmas tree, then decorating it with the grandchildren. Marianne Alexander, Cape contributing editor Being able to spend quality time with the people I love, and travelling. Kyle Shoesmith, designer It’s a great time to watch movies, sleep in and relax in the garden with family and friends, and there are always lots of decent leftovers, chocolates and mince pies. Diane Peacock, chief sub-editor Eating, drinking…

Tell us about your background. I studied Fine Art at the then University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg and obtained a teacher’s diploma through Unisa. I was an art teacher until the end of 2011, when I took early retirement in order to pursue art more seriously. You paint mainly portraits, many of them nudes. How do you select your subjects? I have two methods: either I have an idea and look for someone who fits into that, or I paint someone I know, who I find interesting. I generally take photographs to use as my primary visual reference. Although most of my nude subjects understand something of the role of the nude in art, it’s heartening when they agree to pose without their clothes. I believe they trust that I’ll…

FESTIVE INSPIRATION We asked Jo’burg interior decorator Susan Hughes for her tips on adding holiday sparkle to an entrance: At the front gate, weave waterproof solar fairy lights into the pot plants so they light up at night. They come in different colours, so if you have a theme (I love blue), you can carry this through here. Place a wreath on your street gate or front door. I have one made out of twigs painted a light duck-egg blue. Every year I add decorations in whatever colour scheme I’m using that season. Hide battery-powered fairy lights in amongst the twigs to add some magic. I like to add a Christmas topiary tree on either side of the door decorated with baubles in the theme colours. This year I’ll be…

SOURCES @home home.co.za Boardmans boardmans.co.za Mr Price Home mrphome.com SANTOS santos.co.za SHF shf.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za…

WINNING IS EASY – ENTER NOW! To enter, SMS ABALONE , your name, e-mail and postal addresses to 48406. Each SMS costs R1,50. Errors will be billed. Free SMSes don’t apply. Treat yourself to a getaway out of the city at the five-star Abalone House & Spa. Situated in the charming seaside village of Paternoster, 160km north of Cape Town, the hotel blends old-world elegance with eclectic decadence. The Healing Earth Retreat spa offers African-inspired treatments and products in the soothing surroundings. With decor inspired by artist Vladimir Tretchikoff, the hotel features a rooftop deck with a Jacuzzi and an unhindered view of Paternoster beach. Luxuries like Reuben Riffel’s famous restaurant, Reuben’s, and the Healing Earth Spa will ensure your stay is indulgent and relaxing. In addition to a four-night…

There’s no better way to make a guest feel at home than a beautifully dressed bed. Start by investing in luxurious sheets. “Not everyone can afford down duvets and Egyptian cotton, but remember that linen with a higher thread count usually guarantees quality and therefore durability,” says Carien. Start with a neutral base like white linen, then add colour, pattern and texture with lampshades, scatters and throws. Throw from Loads of Living When planning your guest room, consider the things that will make their stay more comfortable and convenient. “Include items like padded hangers that you don’t necessarily travel with,” says Lizette. “Extra adaptors are also handy for chargers and other electronic equipment.” Hangers and towels from Biggie Best As a guest it’s a treat to find gorgeous scented candles,…

EXPERT ADVICE Sarah Shonfeld, owner of The Parkwood boutique hotel in Jo’burg shares her tips on entertaining outdoors: Always have lots of candles and fairy lights. A wood-burning fire creates fantastic ambience even in summer. A good sparkling wine and a fresh platter of oysters really seals the deal. Drape a few throws over the arm of the sofa in case it’s a bit chilly. If you’re sprucing up your outdoor living areas for the festive season, Plascon Wall & All is ideal for most exterior applications. Plus it’s dirt-resistant, anti-mould, low-sheen and has a 12-year product quality guarantee. SOURCES @home home.co.za Hertex hertex.co.za La Grange Interiors lagrangeinteriors.co.za Leornardo Design leonardodesign.co.za Loads of Living loadsofliving.co.za Plascon plascon.co.za The Parkwood theparkwood.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za…

Although there’s still a place for the huge hydrangeas that graced our grandparents’ gardens, the exciting new releases are irresistible. Hydrangeas have come a long way in the last few decades and to satisfy those with smaller gardens, breeders have produced new neat carpet varieties. The original hydrangeas from Japan were the mophead varieties with large flower heads. The Japanese were the first to cultivate new hybrids using the newly discovered sports or lacecap mutations with their flat, lacy flower heads. The stunning flowers now come in an amazing range of colours. Some are intense red, others are varying shades of blues and pinks while whites are often tinged with green. The flowers are in fact bracts surrounding tiny true flowers and come in bicoloured and delightful picotee-edged forms. LANDSCAPING…

GARDENIA VOLKENSII (TRANSVAAL GARDENIA) The evergreen to semi-deciduous Transvaal gardenia is a slow grower that can reach a height of 8m. The dense, rounded crown has an angular branching pattern. From July to October, the tree produces masses of white, sweetly scented flowers that age to creamy-yellow. These blooms normally open during the night, spreading their fragrance throughout the garden. The egg-shaped fruit are an added attraction and emerge from November to January. This tree makes a lovely focal plant and with its non-aggressive root system is ideal for smaller gardens. It can also be used for informal hedging and screening, as a container plant and is a wonderful bonsai subject. EUCLEA CRISPA (BLUE GUARRIE) The blue guarrie is a neat upright tree with a dense round canopy of blue-green…

STAYING AT HOME 1 Update your patio with new pot plants Containers filled with colourful plants are a simple way to brighten up an outdoor area. Buy ready-planted containers or select plants to create the desired effect. Add cottage charm with pansies, violas and roses, introduce sophisticated elegance with succulents, or for a cool effect, use green and white. Group pots in a corner or on a jardinière for more impact. 2 Create a shady area for entertaining Position a table and chairs under your favourite tree, or for something more permanent, make a level surface with pavers or cobblestones. If you don’t have large trees, choose a spot in a section of the garden out of the afternoon sun. Look for outdoor furniture that’s comfortable and weather resistant and…

Ideal for busy urbanites, an aquaponic system can easily be adapted to different environments. There’s even a small unit that fits on a balcony. Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (growing vegetables in water.) Singly, they both have their downside, but combined, they complement each other perfectly. In a hydroponic system, expensive nutrients are added to the water to feed the vegetables. And in aquaculture, the system has to be flushed regularly to keep it clean and to maintain the correct pH balance, resulting in a wasteful loss of water. By combining the two, the nutritious fish waste provides a rich food source for the vegetables, and the vegetable roots, in turn, filter the water. SETTING UP AN AQUAPONIC SYSTEM The two most commonly used aquaponic…

GRILLED SALMON STEAKS WITH PASSION FRUIT HOLLANDAISE SAUCE (Serves 4) FOR THE PASSION FRUIT HOLLANDAISE SAUCE 3 egg yolks, at room temperature 30ml ice-cold water 180g butter, cubed 45ml passion fruit pulp, whisked sea salt and milled black pepper, to taste FOR THE GRILLED SALMON STEAKS 4 x 200g salmon fillets 10ml sriracha* or Cajun spice 5ml paprika sea salt and milled black pepper, to taste 100g fresh watercress 100g asparagus spears, blanched 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced 3 radishes, thinly sliced 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 30ml vinaigrette dressing TO SERVE baby potatoes with sautéed fennel and onion 1 . To make the hollandaise sauce, place a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering heat, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn’t directly touch the water.…

Ardmore started 30 years ago in rural KwaZulu-Natal, the result of an artistic partnership between Fée Halsted-Berning, who’d moved to Ardmore Farm in the Drakensberg Mountains, and Bonnie Ntshalintshali, the daughter of the housekeeper. The two women developed the characteristic Ardmore style that combines the functional and decorative with a vivacious use of colour. The intricate and distinctive modelling of flora and fauna, that’s the quintessential element of Ardmore, owes its origins to Arts and Crafts traditions and majolica. The two broke with tradition and painted with Plaka paints, boot polish and oven blackeners. Later, American Amaco paints and transparent glazes were used. The fantasy and fun of the ceramic pieces helped ensure their growing popularity. In 1990, they were the first ceramic artists ever to win South Africa’s pre-eminent…

BERRIED TREASURE WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A twisted vine wreath base (available from florists’ shops and suppliers) Long-lasting foliage like ruscus, bay foliage and asparagus fern A glue gun and glue sticks Assorted artificial berries (available from florists’ shops and suppliers) A fabric bow HOW TO DO IT: 1. Use your hot glue gun to stick the greenery onto the vine wreath base, spacing it evenly. 2. Cut the berry stems to the same length and stick them to the wreath with the glue gun, working in a clockwise direction. Keep adding berries and moving the wreath around until the wreath is full and looks balanced. 3. Glue the bow on at the bottom. FRUITFUL OCCASION WHAT YOU’LL NEED: An artificial pine wreath (available from florists’ shops and suppliers) Fresh red…

1 HOME GROWN “As you can’t get floral foam rings this big, I made a wire base for this wreath using willow vine,” says Carolyn. “I chose predominantly indigenous, locally sourced plants such as brunia, kol kol and ming as most of them will last at least a week without water. Attach the foliage to the base in layers using thin florist’s wire and work in one direction. If you do want to include flowers or more delicate foliage, wire in some small plastic orchid tubes, fill them with water and pop the flowers in. Refill them every day to keep the wreath looking fresh.” See more easy-to-make wreaths on page 26. 2 A GLASS ACT For a sideboard or drinks table, group a collection of glass containers for impact.…

THE TRENDSETTER SOURCES @home home.co.za Arkivio arkivio.co.za Country Road woolworths.co.za La Grange Interiors lagrangeinteriors.co.za Mr Price Home mrphome.com Pezula Interiors pezulainteriors.co.za Quivertree quivertree.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za Zana zanaproducts.co.za WIN! For more info visit gardenandhome.co.za THECRAFTSFAN SOURCES Esque esque.co.za GardenShop gardenshop.co.za Homewood homewood.co.za Ignite Design ignitedesign.co.za Leon at CCXIX leonat219.com Metz Press metzpress.co.za Pezula Interiors pezulainteriors.co.za Sugarapple.co.za sugarapple.co.za Superbalist.com superbalist.com Weylandts weylandts.co.za WIN! For more info visit gardenandhome.co.za THE COOK SOURCES @home home.co.za Eetrite eetrite.com Le Creuset lecreuset.co.za Leg Studios legstudios.co.za SANTOS santos.co.za The Private House Company privatehouseco.co.za The Tea Merchant theteamerchant.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za Yuppiechef.com yuppiechef.com WIN! For more info visit gardenandhome.co.za THE PET LOVER SOURCES Cool Paws coolpaws.co.za Le Pawtique lepawtique.co.za Mr Price Home mrphome.com Rogz rogz.com Spree.co.za spree.co.za WIN! For more info visit gardenandhome.co.za THE GARDENER SOURCES Ceramic Factory ceramicfactory.co.za Garden Glam gardenglam.co.za GardenShop gardenshop.co.za Makro makro.co.za Patio Warehouse patiowarehouse.co.za Polish Nail Spa polishnailspa.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za WIN! For more info visit gardenandhome.co.za LOOK OUT FOR THE WIN! Enter online…

Who lives here A young professional couple, Sandra and Brenden Harmse, their four-year-old son, Jayden, and Brooklyn the Chihuahua The house A four-bedroom, single-storey home with a double-volume entertaining area, open-plan kitchen and wraparound garden. As they loved the lifestyle Copperleaf Estate offered, and knew it was the perfect environment in which to raise their growing family, Sandra and Brenden Harmse bought a stand adjoining a green belt with views of the lake and surrounding farmlands. “This is the second home we’ve built here,” says Sandra, who’s involved with property sales on the estate. “It made sense to finally invest in the lifestyle I’ve been selling to my clients.” Their new home, designed by architect Tanja van der Westhuizen of Gi-Roch Designs CC, has a modern, urban loft feel and…

“OUR KITCHEN WAS really difficult to access. Although it formed part of the apartment’s living area, a bulky corner counter and a low dividing wall leading to the passage made it feel totally separate. Plus it had old-fashioned wall tiles, and melamine cupboards and countertops, which all had to go,” says Cleonice da Silva of C&S Interiors. HOW THIS SPACE WENT FROM DRAB TO FAB: First, the wall between the kitchen and living area was demolished, then a section of the wall between the entrance and the kitchen was removed along with the original counter. “This immediately opened it up, enabling me to design a new counter with a Café Quartz top and a built-in hob,” she says, adding that the arrangement makes entertaining so much more enjoyable now that…

1. All natural “We wanted a low-maintenance water feature that would double as a plunge pool,” explain Barry and Val Cleveland of Marina da Gama in Cape Town. “We travel frequently, so an EcoPool® that’s filtered by plants and needs no chlorine or salt is ideal.” Situated at the end of their deck, the pool attracts a variety of wildlife while also providing the Clevelands with sparkling clean water in which to cool off. 2. Decked out “With the proliferation of smaller properties, pools now have to fit into compact spaces and enhance the entertaining area,” says Zania Grobellaar of Dear Zania Interiors. To maximise the living space in this outdoor area in Somerset West, the pool was placed against the boundary wall which has a built-in planter for screening…

Who lives here Two business professionals and their three children. The garden A contemporary garden defined by the strong lines of the architecture. Designing a garden for a home in the throes of construction gave Neville Orsmond of Create a Landscape the opportunity to introduce not only an entirely new landscape, but one that that would connect with the architecture. “When we first arrived on the site and saw the strong contemporary character of the house, we knew the design of the garden had to reflect this,” says Neville. “Fortunately our clients shared our vision and their only requests were for a firepit and an area of lawn large enough for their children to play ball sports on.” Using the pool as a starting point, Neville and his team levelled…

Most of us have childhood memories of a treehouse – a place to escape the world and enjoy imaginary exploits. Treehouses are also a great way to teach children about nature and are a healthy alternative to digital games. LOCATION Whether you’re building a treehouse yourself or employing a professional, you need to find the right location. “Most South African gardens don’t have big trees strong enough to house the traditional storybook treehouses,” says Mike Schwartz of Rustic Timber. “The answer is to build one on stilts, incorporating the best tree in the garden into the design, as much as possible.” “A tall tree with a straight trunk isn’t ideal because it’s difficult to climb. Rather opt for one that has branches at a bit of an angle but is…

MENU SALMON AND CUCUMBER MOUSSE HONEY AND PORT-GLAZED GAMMON WITH MUSTARD SAUCE POTATO GRATIN CRUNCHY BROCCOLI SALAD WITH BALSAMIC GLAZE CHRISTMAS BERRY, HAZELNUT AND WHITE CHOCOLATE TIRAMISU “Cooking is a passion and writing a cookbook was a lifelong dream,” says Durban’s Janet Kohler, author of Perfect Parties (Struik Lifestyle). “My family and many of my parents’ friends still have recipes written in my childish writing and I loved nothing more than spending time talking recipes with my mother and grandmother.” However, this passion didn’t translate immediately into a career and Janet initially qualified as an economist and became a university lecturer. During this time, she completed a Cordon Bleu cooking course at the Christina Martin School of Food and Wine in Durban and when her sons were young, ran cooking…

1. Wall-leaning bookshelf , R1 499, @home. 2. Madrid chair , R1 200, Mr Price Home. 3. Present Time alarm clock XS, R99, Superbalist.com. 4. Metal pendant , R540, K. Light Import. 5. Pichulik tassel earrings , R119, Superbalist.com. 6. Embroidered scatter cushion , R225, Woolworths. 7. Studio. W looped felt scatter cushion , R350, Woolworths. 8. LK’s enamel potjie pot , R1 199, Yuppiechef.com. 9. Moooi Common Comrades Emperor table , POR, Créma. 10. Felt fractal place mat , R19,99, Mr Price Home. SOURCES @home home.co.za Créma cremadesign.co.za K. Light Import klight.co.za Mr Price Home mrphome.com Superbalist.com superbalist.com Woolworths woolworths.co.za Yuppiechef.com yuppiechef.com…

Tradition with a twist “Shimmering shades of gold – especially rose gold – are really trending this season,” explains Tamyrin Lipjes of Bespoke Blooms, who worked with Phern Calvert of Buitengeluk in Broadacres, Jo’burg, to give the traditional Christmas table a revamp. “The modern sequined rose-gold tablecloth is subdued by the inclusion of wood and greenery,” she says. “A setting like this is really easy to put together using flowers from your garden,” adds Phern. “We used potted ferns, chrysanthemums and carnations to bring this table alive.” “The interest also comes from randomly placed items that create a slightly unbalanced look, with flowers spilling out from unexpected places,” Tamyrin says. The duo both advise choosing items that you love for your festive table, and simply letting your creativity run wild.…

EXPLORE THE WEB Open up a world of endless possibility for any teenager with the Galaxy Tab S2, RRP R8 999. It boasts a new design for easier reading and scrolling that will make the internet their playground. SURROUND YOUR SENSES The Samsung Curved PC Monitor, 34 inch, RRP R21 995, allows you to enjoy immersive viewing with optimised design and incredible picture quality. It would make the perfect gift for that special gamer in your life. KICK IT UP A GEAR Keep the fitness fanatic in your family up to date with the Samsung Gear S2, RRP R4 799. It will help them to take charge of their health, track their daily activity levels, heart rate and even water vs caffeine intake. BEAUTIFUL NOISE Let the whole family experience…

TWINKLE TWINKLE As an alternative to glitzy baubles, cut out star shapes from paper or cardboard. Punch a small hole into one of the points and thread cotton or twine through it to make a loop to hang on the tree. TIP: Stick to one shape and colour to keep the look clean. For something a little more three-dimensional, add stars made from twigs glued together. CRAFTY TAGS Give plain tags a facelift by glueing on twigs in the shape of a Christmas tree. A bit of glitter on printed tags also adds sparkle and a personal touch. TWIGGY CANDLES Create beautiful candleholders by tying twigs around an ordinary drinking glass with craft string or rope. The twigs cast interesting shadows which liven up a Christmas table. EASY WRAPPING For…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED An old mirror with a thin frame (this one had a rubber trim) 1 pack of kebab skewers 1 pack of paper straws 1 can of gold spray paint Scissors and gardening shears A glue gun with glue sticks HOW TO DO IT Remove the trim or frame and spray it with gold spray paint until well coated. 12 When it’s dry, place the trim or frame back on the mirror. 3 Spray the kebab skewers and straws with the gold paint, leaving them to dry between coats. Two to three coats may be needed to cover them completely. 4 Cut the straws and skewers to different lengths between 10 and 15cm. Use gardening shears for the skewers if they’re too tough to cut with scissors. 5…

Who lives here Two enthusiastic retired gardeners and their pair of giant schnauzers. The garden An English country-style garden with wide borders filled with roses and pastel-coloured annuals and perennials and an arboretum. When she’s not playing bridge, you’ll find this passionate plantswoman discussing with her right-hand man, gardener Stanley Phiri, where to plant her newest acquisitions. “My garden is a project that just keeps on growing,” she enthuses. She and her husband established it 12 years ago, soon after they’d built their house on a subdivision of her grandparents’ property. Unfortunately, all that remained in their part of the garden were some camellias and a few tired roses that had survived a long drought. “We began near the entrance of the house and it’s grown so much it now…

FROND EMBRACE For a cool spot to escape the heat, surround the seating area with lush plants with interesting foliage. Ferns in particular add a wonderful softness. White flowers introduce a sense of tranquillity and also stand out at night. Complement the look with timber decking and charcoal outdoor furniture. 1 Plant tree ferns like the Australian tree fern ( Cyathea australis ) and the soft tree fern ( Dicksonia antarctica ) (pictured), for their tall stature and architectural form. 2 Plectranthus ciliatus ‘Troy’s Gold’ is a vigorous grower and its variegated foliage will quickly fill a pot and tumble neatly over the rim. It also does well as a groundcover in semi-shady areas. 3 The delicate flowers of Euphorbia hypericifolia belie its hardy nature. It’s drought tolerant, doesn’t need…

10 must dos this month Contributing garden editor Marianne Alexander’s handy checklist of essential chores to do in December 1 Fill in gaps with drought-tolerant, heat-loving annuals like gomphrena, celosia, marigolds, hollyhocks, lavatera, salvias, verbenas, hybrid vincas and zinnias. Cut back old stems of foxgloves and delphiniums and boost with 3:1:5 for a second flush. Deadhead early summer flowers and remove developing coleus and basil blooms to encourage new foliage which looks stunning with bedding plants. 2 Keep summer-rainfall bulbs watered during dry spells. Feed amaryllis that have finished flowering. Divide large clumps of dormant March lilies ( Amaryllis belladonna ) and replant in groups of three to seven with the neck of the bulb protruding above the soil. 3 For a green lawn over the festive season, boost with…

Homemade treats There’s nothing nicer than mince pies straight from the oven. Try this recipe from restaurant owner Mariana Esterhuizen’s new book Mariana’s Country Kitchen: Food Through The Seasons (Human & Rousseau), R350, which is filled with recipes using fresh seasonal ingredients from her garden. You’ll find the recipe at gardenandhome.co.za SWEET TEMPTATIONS There should be no holding back during the holiday season and Double Chocolate Sponge Pudding and Malva Christmas Pudding, R94,95 each, from Woolworths, are the perfect excuse to indulge. Cause for CELEBRATION Renowned for their superb bubblies, Steenberg has launched their delicious 2010 Lady R Méthode Cap Classique just in time for Christmas. WIN! We’re giving away a hamper of Steenberg wines worth R1 280. It includes two bottles of Lady R MCC, two bottles of 2015…

Penny Dobbie bought her first piece of Ardmore, a small cup with four tiny legs, at an exhibition at the Peter Visser Gallery in Church Street, Cape Town, in 1991. Since then she’s amassed over 30 pieces. “I’m not quite sure how many I have – they are all over the house,” she says. The distinctive and colourful Ardmore ceramics from KwaZulu-Natal with their highly decorated wild animals and bold unusual designs have become national treasures. “The moment I saw Ardmore, I loved it because I’m passionate about colour, pattern and texture. You either love it or hate it. Some people might in fact consider it kitsch. For me, the over-the-top aspect is what appeals the most.” Although Ardmore pieces are considered works of art to be kept in display…

FIND OF THE MONTH I bought this Art Nouveau glass vase (277mm high and 253mm wide) way back in the ‘70s in Jo’burg and would like to know its history and how much it’s worth. João Carlos Stichini, Cape Town Graham Muir of Burr and Muir Antiques, specialists in Art Deco and Art Nouveau says, “This piece has the Le Verre Français signature on the base, which is another name for the glass artist Charles Schneider who established the Schneider factory (1877 – 1937) in France. It probably dates from the 1920s – 1930s and would retail for around R8 000 to 10 000.” I believe this rack I inherited from my great-great grandfather is Austrian. Can you please tell me something about it and its value? Antoinette Snyman, via…