Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2020 i SA Garden and Home

At the beginning of every year I start a number of home improvements. I think it’s because, being on leave over the festive season, you tend to notice that the walls need a refresh and the sofa could do with recovering, and that’s how it starts. Last year, when I returned from the Cape after staying with two designer friends (images of their beautiful house fresh in my mind), I decided that the whole house needed painting. Fortunately, there is a wonderful contractor in my neighbourhood. His team made short work of the job and within a week they were finished. Then I thought, why put all the pictures back in the same places? This was a great opportunity to give the house a new look, albeit just by moving…

What is your background as an artist? I think I was born an artist. My grandfather made incredible handcrafted boats and I used to wander through his workshop. Both my mother and father are creative. I took art in school, but I decided on architecture at university as a discipline to take my creativity in a different direction. How does your understanding of architecture influence your painting? They inform each other. Architecture without art lacks form and beauty, leaving it cold, while art without structure and spatial awareness lacks depth. What medium do you work in and why does it appeal to you? I work with oil paint on canvas as the paint has a richness and texture that is tangible. It is time consuming as the paint dries slowly,…

Outdoor living spaces 1 LUSH LOOKS Soften a covered patio and give it a cool, garden feel with a green wall. Designer Angela Saffy of Versatile Interiors clad the wall of this veranda at The Precinct Luxury Apartments at Waterfall Estate with faux greenery. “I basically wanted to bring nature inside,” she says. 2 HAPPY HOUR Transform a corner of the patio into a social hub with a bar table and stools, as designer Dylan Thomaz did under a pergola in this Jo’burg property. Look for a weatherproof set in materials like metal and wood, so you can leave it outside all year round. 3 AN ABSOLUTE SHOWER If you don’t have the space or budget for a swimming pool, an outdoor shower is the next best thing for cooling…

Consider the size of the room. If you have a double-volume space like this, you will need to invest in a sofa and dining table in proportion to the space. Similarly, if you’re downsizing, don’t fill small rooms with furniture that’s too large. It’s better to sell what you have and buy a new piece. If you want to incorporate your existing furniture, take a look at it. Is it well designed? Sometimes, reupholstering an item is more expensive than getting something new that suits the scheme. However, if an item has a good shape and a solid wood frame (rare these days) it’s worth reupholstering it. A clever way to cut costs is to use an expensive fabric for the cushions of a chair or sofa and then cover…

GIVE AN OLD DESK A BRAND-NEW LOOK It’s so rewarding to give old furniture a new life. To update this tired desk, Nan Day of Simply French in Bryanston, Jo’burg, painted the base and drawers with Annie Sloan chalk paint in a mix of Louis Blue and Paris Grey. “It’s so easy to do as you don’t have to apply a primer. No sanding needed, just wipe clean and paint. You can do a one-colour plain finish, or give it a distressed look as I did using two colours. Then, just add new decorative draw pulls,” says Nan. “For contrast, I sanded down the top, added a stenciled border and finished it with Annie Sloan Lacquer and the base with Annie Sloan Clear Wax.” SOURCE Annie Sloan anniesloansa.co.za Simply French simplyfrench.co.za…

“You can never have too many climbers in your garden,” says plant specialist Leoné Williams of Petal Faire Nursery in Pretoria. “But, remember that while most are well behaved and will obediently fill up a trellis or neatly cover your pergola, there are some that, given the chance, will try and take over,” she warns. To get plentiful blooms over the longest period, plant them in good soil, water regularly, feed in spring with Talborne’s Vita Fruit and Flower (3:1:5) and always keep a pair of secateurs at hand. 1 NEPAL TRUMPET FLOWER (BEAUMONTIA GRANDIFLORA) This strong creeper has large, glossy leaves and magnificent, fragrant, 150mm-long, white flowers. It’s hardy to -3oC and can climb up to 10m high. “I adore this plant and mine is in flower practically throughout…

With the right lighting, you can make use of outdoor spaces for both relaxing and entertaining long after the sun has set. While you might only think of lighting in terms of safety, don’t ignore its decorative effects. It can be used to give gardens, patios and swimming pools a magical resort-like feel, and a totally different look to their daytime appearance. An outdoor scheme should ideally include the following: AMBIENT LIGHTING This is general lighting that illuminates a large area and should have a comfortable level of brightness. Wall lights, those on posts, pendant lights on patios and bollards along pathways and next to steps are good ways to include ambient lighting. TASK LIGHTING This enables you to perform tasks such as braai without burning yourself and negotiate steps…

If you don’t have time for gardening, or do have the time but lack green fingers, don’t despair. There are ways to create a beautiful garden with minimum effort. Just make a few design changes and you can radically reduce the maintenance your garden needs, giving you more time to sit back, relax and enjoy it. 1 Edge your beds Keeping lawn grass from spreading into beds is a time-consuming task. Prevent this by edging beds with cobbles, pavers or timber slats. This gives a neat, modern look and, as the beds are clearly demarcated, prevents them from getting bigger every time you trim the edge of the lawn. 2 Install irrigation To make watering one less thing to think about, install an automated irrigation system. Include a rain sensor…

Keeping a vegetable garden productive all year round takes planning. Quick-to-harvest vegetables are ideal for sowing between seasons, ensuring a continual harvest when the big summer performers are coming to an end and winter crops are not yet producing. WHAT TO PLANT BUSH BEANS These don’t yield as prolifically as climbing beans, but they reach harvest much quicker – about 40–60 days after planting. Growing Sow seeds directly where they are to grow, at a depth of double the size of the bean (approximately 5cm). Provide some support for the plants as they can become top heavy and break when they’re bearing. RADISHES These are one of the fastest vegetables to grow, ready to harvest in just four weeks. Growing They are grown easily from seed, and benefit from being…

My cooking style is experimental. I like to try different cuisines and add twists to recipes. But that said, I also like to keep things simple. The kitchen gadget I couldn’t live without is my Bennett Read copper stone pan. I use it daily and even take it with me when I travel. It makes cooking so much easier especially when I want to quickly prepare something. No dinner party is complete without my signature blueberry ice cream. It’s a delicious and refreshing way to end a meal. My store cupboard staples are couscous and baked beans. I use them a lot in meals and salads. In my fridge there is always crushed garlic, fresh vegetables, herbs and cheese. Leftovers too. My favourite comfort food is baked strawberry cheesecake. If…

HUMMUS PLATTER (Serves 4–6) FOR THE HUMMUS 60ml tahini 45ml cold water, more if necessary 30ml extra virgin olive oil 2,5ml ground cumin 2–3ml sea salt 2 garlic cloves, crushed 45ml lemon juice 1 tin (400g) chickpeas, rinsed and drained salt and milled black pepper, to taste FOR THE TOPPINGS 1 Mediterranean cucumber, sliced 100g bocconcini or 1 fresh mozzarella ball, torn 150g cherry tomatoes, sliced 1 small red onion, peeled and sliced 45ml pine nuts, toasted 100g black olives, pitted 45ml fresh basil leaves, torn TO SERVE 3–4 pita breads, toasted and quartered lemon wedges (optional) 1 . To make the hummus, place the tahini, cold water, olive oil, cumin, salt, crushed garlic and lemon juice in a food processor. Purée until smooth. 2 . Add the chickpeas and…

A visit to retired Rear Admiral Arné Söderlund’s home and his ‘Den of Antiquity – Junk and Disorderly’ Private Museum in the historic seaside town of Simon’s Town on False Bay is a delight, not only for the visitor, but also for the collector himself. “I love to share the history of my flag collection with others,” says this avid vexillologist, as flag enthusiasts are called. “My passion for South African flags was sparked when I purchased my first historic flag, a Union of South Africa red ensign at the Grand Parade in Cape Town over 50 years ago. The vendor sold it to me at half price because it was second hand – I think I paid about 10 cents for it,” he laughs. “It’s interesting that South Africa…

I discovered this carving in a secondhand shop a few years ago. It’s solid wood and well carved. The shop owner said it was North African. Can you please tell me more about it and if it’s worth anything? Geoff van Rensburg According to George Curtis of Quagga Rare Books and Art, “This carving is not African but a fairly common curio from Indonesia, or somewhere further east. Although skilfully done, works like these are produced in large numbers and it’s worth only R200 – R300.” I was given this cup and saucer by my grandmother some 60 years ago. I believe my grandfather brought it and another cup and saucer back home after WWI. They were wrapped in clothing in his backpack. Can you shed any light on them?…

EVERY MONTH we give away a *prize for the most valuable or interesting item sent in. This month Mienette Ludwig has won 18 bottles of Zandvliet Shiraz Rosé worth R1 530. Gold-pink in colour and with a distinct bouquet of rose petals, melon, strawberries and raspberry coulis, this new rosé is refreshingly vibrant and packed with red fruit flavours. Visit zandvliet.co.za E-mail clear photographs and relevant information about your collectable item to gardenhome@caxton.co.za with Treasure Chest in the subject line. Due to the volume of mail we are unable to respond personally. Pictures must be sent as separate attachments at a size between 1MB and 2MB. For guidelines on the best way to take your photos for Treasure Chest, visit gardenandhome.co.za…

SUMMER Colab MRP Home has joined forces with artist and printmaker Miranda Crooks to create a limited-edition collection. From cork placemats and stationery to floral scatters and chairs, the look is fresh and painterly – ideal for easy-going, summery spaces. mrphome.com Poolside COOL Mungo’s latest additions to the Summer towel range are Lemon and Mint – adding a pop of fresh colour to this signature flat-weave collection. Wonderfully soft, the pure cotton towels are woven on vintage looms, which provides a true selvedge and prevents the fabrics from fraying. It’s their longevity and style that truly sets them apart.mungo.co.za SCENE Stealer Rebel Walls’ new wallpaper collection, La Chinoiserie, features five statement designs based on hand-drawn murals. From weeping willows to exotic birds and butterflies, the palette includes pearl grey, jade…

SOURCES Dokter & Misses dokterandmisses.com FabHabitat fabhabitat.co.za Faithful to Nature faithful-to-nature.co.za Handmade By Me handmadebyme.co.za KNUS knus.co Native Décor nativedecor.co.za The Joinery thejoinery.co.za…

When Tammy and Alistair Holmes decided to buy their first family house, the area was the most important consideration. They wanted something secure and close to good schools, in a community with young families. “This house was dated, but it had great bones, was in the right area, and the property had the space to build on a separate wing for visitors,” says Tammy. Enlisting the expertise of builder Gavin Painting, the couple began the first phase of renovations. This involved gutting the house and installing new oak laminate flooring throughout. They also added a new kitchen and redid all the bathrooms with new finishes and fittings, and converted what was a study into a playroom. “We also decided to remove the ceilings and leave the rafters exposed to give…

“THIS ROOM WAS basically just wasted space that we used for storage,” says the owner. “But, because it’s situated just off the pyjama lounge, it had the potential to become a home office.” HOW THIS ROOM WENT FROM DRAB TO FAB “I wanted it to be modern and light and to look larger than it really is,” says the owner, which was her brief to designers Hayley Blaine and Chelsea La Reservee of Inside Out Home Boutique. They began by gutting the room, removing the existing shelving and chasing the walls to hide the wiring. Wanting a contemporary look that was also glamorous, the owner chose a pale wallpaper with a subtle, metallic geometric pattern that visually expands the space. As every inch had to count, the team designed a…

EXPERT TIPS If you want to protect your wooden bench and give it a new look at the same time, here are some tips from Frikkie Greeff, Woodoc’s managing director Timber furniture that’s left outdoors, even if under cover, needs to be maintained on a regular basis. To protect it from UV-rays and prolong its life, treat it with a sealer such as Woodoc 30 or Woodoc 35 Exterior Polywax Sealer. The tinting in Woodoc 35 not only complements the look of the wood, it also provides additional protection in exterior conditions. If you want to give your bench a whole new look, try Woodoc Colours, available in a range of shades, including wood. These can be added to clear Woodoc Water-Borne- and Solvent-Based Sealers and applied to bare, sanded…

Faced with a totally featureless garden, aside from a lawn and swimming pool, Stephen and Tilana Endersby envisioned one that would be an extension of their living area, with firepit for entertaining and would also include somewhere for solitude and reflection. “We wanted an easy-to-maintain garden with a precise layout,” they recall. Craig de Necker and the team at The Friendly Plant came to the rescue. “Fortunately, the pool area and the back garden were separated by a small gate so this made a natural division. We designated the front section for entertaining and kept the back garden as a quiet zone,” explains Craig. To make the entertaining area a destination, they decided to place it in the far corner against the boundary wall. As it’s surrounded by double-storey houses,…

Outdoor lighting specialist Douglas Sinclair of Bhadisa Electrical has these tips for installing garden lighting Only buy fittings and materials from a reputable dealer as poor quality products will result in circuit board failure and could lead to shocking. Visit the SAFEhouse website, safehousesa.co.za for a list of approved dealers. Only use a qualified electrician to do the installation. If you have an existing Certificate of Compliance (COC) for your property, ask the electrician to add an annexure of the extensions onto the certificate. Ensure that the cables are laid at least 600mm deep, and although more expensive, it’s advisable to insist on steel wire armoured cable (SWA). Ensure that the electrician puts junction boxes and joins above ground so that they are accessible for maintenance and fault finding. Familiarise…

When older plants are about two weeks from harvesting, sow seeds and transplant seedlings underneath. This provides protection for the young plants and ensures something is already growing by the time the older plants are ready for harvesting. Sow seeds in seed trays and pots and keep them protected, ready to be transplanted as spaces open up. Leave spring onions, lettuce and rocket to seed themselves. Plant early, mid- and late-season varieties of the same crop. This ensures a staggered harvest. Choose varieties suitable for ‘cut and come again’ harvesting. Instead of producing a once-off yield, these provide a steady supply over several weeks or even months as only the side shoots or leaves are picked. Include perennials like strawberries, rhubarb, chives, asparagus, artichokes and Mediterranean herbs. These, combined with…

SAVOUR THE SEASONS Bibby’s Kitchen: The Essence of Good Food by Dianne Bibby, R420, Human & Rousseau, features modern recipes inspired by the seasons. Find the recipe for refined sugar-free Labneh Breakfast Cheesecake (pictured) on our website, gardenandhome.co.za DRINK the PINK Light and fresh, these Provençal-style dry rosé wines make wonderful summer sippers. They’re best served well chilled with light lunches and simple outdoor fare. Waterkloof Cape Coral Mourvèdre Rosé 2019 , R118; Gabriëlskloof Rosebud Rosé 2019 , R80; and Zandvliet Shiraz Rosé , R85. EASY CHEESY Tuck Clover Individually Wrapped 25g Natural cheese portions into lunchboxes or enjoy as an on-the-go snack. Made with 100% Clover Milk and containing essential nutrients, they come in a convenient re-sealable pouch, R49,99 for 10. clover.co.za Pretty nice This Valentine’s Day,…

While exploring Germany’s northern-most province, Schleswig-Holstein, I discovered one of the most typical ‒ and evocative ‒ emblems of its rich seafaring tradition in a simple, stark Protestant church. On the antique linen altar cloth was a long row of ship’s anchors, each one painstakingly hand-embroidered in red thread. There are similar symbols of this maritime heritage wherever you look: weather-beaten lighthouses, rows of red brick merchants’ warehouses and ‒ on a more light-hearted note – chocolates in the shapes of starfish, shells and anchors. My trip began in Hamburg where I was met by friends eager to view the city’s new landmark, the Elbphilharmonie. Named after the Elbe River that connects the city to the North Sea, this huge building on an inimitable waterfront site has music performance halls,…

Flag-like signs or standards, considered to be the first vexilloids, date back as far as Ancient Egypt. It is believed that flags made from cloth, representing a particular group, were created in early India and by the Chinese Zhou dynasty (1 046–256 BC). In the late 6th century BC, Roman Standards (banner-like insignia) were carried into battle by bearers. An important means of communication, they not only rallied and directed the legions, they were a symbol of national pride. From these vexilloids, flags evolved into distinctive emblems, representing political and/or social affiliation and became unifying symbols of national identity. The flag of the Netherlands is the oldest tricolour. Its combination of red, white and blue dates back to Charlemagne’s time (748–814 AD). During the High Middle Ages (c. 1 000–1…

Lexi Monzeglio didn’t intend to go into the food business, but when she did, she made up for lost time by opening three restaurants in Jo’burg in just a year. “When I left home, I couldn’t cook at all,” Lexi says. It was while working in marketing that she started a food blog as an outlet for her creativity. After gaining weight, she taught herself how to cook and eat healthily and found herself more and more involved in the food business. She opened a stall selling vegan dishes and hosted pop-ups. Fuelled by the growing plant-based food movement, the next step was opening Lexi’s Healthy Eatery in Sandton serving mainly vegan and plant-based dishes. This was followed by branches in Modderfontein and Rosebank, and she has plans for two…

“Although this project was a renovation, we basically had to start from scratch,” says Cape architect Jenny Mills. “While the original footprint was retained, it’s definitely a new house.” The owners bought the property for its position in the beautiful Welgedacht Estate in Belville, but it was broken up into small rooms and disconnected further by different levels. The brief included requests for a double-volume entrance hall, open-plan living areas and a more contemporary look, while retaining the original pitched roof. The house is on multiple levels, which proved to be a unique challenge for Jenny. “We demolished the existing slabs and laid new ones,” she explains. “To do this with an existing building involved some ingenuity.” As the outdoor living area was small, they increased the size of the…

EXPERT TIPS David Ralphs, managing director of fabric house St Leger & Viney has these pointers for wallpapering a bathroom Using wallpaper in a bathroom is a great way to add personality and a splash of colour to a room that is most often designed with functionality in mind. The most important consideration is ventilation. Excess moisture and humidity can cause the wallpaper to peel off, but if the room is well-ventilated, standard wallpaper should work. As it’s best to avoid using wallpaper in wet areas, use it on the upper half of the walls above the tiles or wainscoting, as shown in the picture on the left. Vinyl wallpaper is wipeable, so can be used in wetter areas where it could get the odd splash. SOURCES Coricraft coricraft.co.za Italtile italtile.co.za Mavromac…

When Victor and Charlene dos Santos bought this house almost 20 years ago, they loved the easy flow through the rooms, the relaxing laid-back atmosphere and the very forgiving Oregon pine floors, which have withstood years of bike riding and general wear and tear. “At that stage, we were first-time homeowners and new parents, so we had a very limited budget for improvements. We had also just launched our business, SANTOS, which specialises in lifestyle storage solutions. So, we couldn’t do all the things we wanted straight away,” explains Charlene. Fortunately, Victor is an industrial designer with a wonderful eye for design and the technical ability to go with it. Together with his father, Eugene, who also works at the company, he put many hours of physical labour into the…

“Our double-volume living and dining area was light and airy with beautiful views, but our furnishings didn’t complement the space,” recall the owners of this Dainfern, Jo’burg, property. Wanting a contemporary, sophisticated look, they showed interior designer Bronwen Barnes a picture they’d found on Pinterest. It wasn’t of a room, just a setting with dark tones and a lush, green, living wall. “I immediately had the idea of dramatic, moody colours and strong shapes that would fill and enhance this large space,” says Bronwen. “Rather than starting from scratch, we decided to incorporate some of the owners’ existing furniture and I wanted to combine slick, modern items with others that had patina and character. But, first of all, we dealt with the shell.” Bronwen chose a dark green for the…

SOURCES @home home.co.za Block & Chisel blockandchisel.co.za Coricraft coricraft.co.za HAUS hertexhaus.co.za KNUS knus.co La Grange Interiors lagrangeinteriors.co.za SHF shf.co.za The Atrium atriumplants.co.za…

There is almost no need to ask for directions to Cheryl van Acker’s garden. On arrival at the security estate, the helpful men at the gate sign you through with a simple instruction; drive in and look right! Because, you can’t miss its eye-popping, extravagant, abundant colour and so much more. When Cheryl met landscaper Debbie Smit of Foxgloves Landscape Design four years ago her brief was simple: “I want an explosion of colour!” Debbie has delivered, and there are more flowers packed into this tiny garden and on the pavement than most other gardens two or three times the size. “As she’s a florist, Cheryl knows flowers, so when I find something I think she’ll like, I add it,” explains Debbie. Everything is densely planted, even under the roses,…

BLOOMING MARVELLOUS The delicate flowers and bold foliage of landscaper Karen Gardelli’s recommendations for shade add an enchanting, fairy-like touch to woodland areas. All three thrive in fertile soil to which slow-release 2:3:2 fertiliser and compost should be added. Keep them moist but not soggy. 1 PLECTRANTHUS ECKLONII “If you want a romantic fairyland look under trees, this large plectranthus (visible in the centre) with its soft flower spikes is a must,” says Karen. Its blooms come in white, blue or pink and appear in autumn. “At the end of the flowering season, prune the bush back by at least half and it will come back stronger.” 2 HYDRANGEA QUERCIFOLIA (OAK LEAF HYDRANGEA) “This is a lovely shrub for a shady mixed border. It…

1 Water beds well then spread good-quality organic mulch or rough, weed-free compost between the plants. If you’re using bark chips or chipped wood, check that it’s from a reliable source and not contaminated with the dreaded shot hole borer. Husks, pips and shells of nuts and fruits, straw and shredded leaves are also suitable. 2 Don’t cut the grass too short. Taller blades help keep the roots cool and reduce evaporation. Water early in the morning. Check bare patches for lawn caterpillars, mole crickets or ‘Parktown prawns’; control in an environmentally safe manner. Pesticides containing BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) will control lawn caterpillars. 3 Give late-summer and autumn-flowering shrubs a boost with 3:1:5 or 2:3:4 fertiliser, then water and mulch. Among these are the ribbon bush (Hypoestes aristata), barleria, poinsettia,…

Menu FRUITY SUMMER COCKTAIL SEARED SCALLOPS WITH CITRUS DRESSING BALSAMIC-GLAZED LAMB CHOPS POTATO PURÉE WITH CHIVES AND DILL STEAMED VEGETABLES WITH LEMON AND HERB SAUCE NO-BAKE BLUEBERRY AND GINGER BISCUIT CHEESECAKE “I believe I was born to serve people and make them happy. Cooking has become my way of doing this,” says Pholosho Matondolo. Originally from Polokwane, the Cape Town-based private chef and caterer has loved cooking ever since she started helping her late mother in the kitchen at the age of 12. While studying hospitality management, she agreed to cater her cousin’s wedding for 100 guests. “My sisters and other cousins who were meant to assist me didn’t arrive on time, so I had no choice but to get on with it myself,” she recalls. With the help of…

1 FEBRUARY Franschhoek Summer Wines Festival Held at Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards, local winemakers will be showcasing their summer choices including white, rosé, Méthode Cap Classique and lighter red wines. Tickets cost R295 pp; pre-booking at webtickets.co.za is essential. For details, call 021 876 2861. 8 FEBRUARY Cape Town Pizza and Pasta Festival Enjoy a day filled with great pizzas, live music and family entertainment at Fort Wynyard in Green Point, featuring some of Cape Town’s finest Italian eateries. Tickets, from R80 pp, are available at webtickets.co.za 29 FEBRUARY Italian Festival at Idiom Wines A festive carnival atmosphere at this winery in Sir Lowry’s Pass will entertain lovers of the Italian lifestyle with good food, vino, Prosecco, Italian craft beer and a live band. For more information, visit idiom.co.za…

GETTING THERE Judy flew Turkish Airlines from Cape Town to Hamburg, via Istanbul. WHEN TO GO June to September. Sailing enthusiasts should visit Kiel in late June during the summer festival, Kieler Woche – others should avoid this busy time. GETTING AROUND A bus leaves Hamburg airport for Kiel every hour. VISAS South African passport holders need a Schengen visa to visit Germany.visa-germany.co.za/visa_centres/view CURRENCY The currency is the euro. At the time of going to print €1=R16,22. A casual lunchtime meal with a drink costs €8 (about R130), dinner €15 (about R244), and cappuccino or beer around €3 (about R49).…

“Flea markets and army surplus stores are great places to find old flags, but there are many reproductions, which are only worth their decorative value,” says Arné Söderlund. “Reproduction or common flags can be bought for as little as a R150, while an historic flag with the right provenance can set you back thousands of rands,” Arné adds. “Before parting with big money for an antique flag, do some research and check whether the dealer is a member of a reputable antiques organisation,” says CEO of the South African Antique, Art and Design Association (SAADA), Paul Mrkusic.…