Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2020 i SA Garden and Home

I must admit, I love a makeover. I can’t resist finding out how creative homeowners transformed dated houses into beautiful spaces that enhance their lives. As a result, I’ve become a bit of a renovation show junkie, glued to the TV to see how the sad turns into the stylish. This month’s issue is devoted to befores and afters both big and small, so you’ll definitely find inspiration for projects you might be considering. The budgets and effort involved vary considerably, from the tons of soil that had to be removed in order to build a level entertaining area off the Churches’ Durban home on page 44 to the simple cosmetic touches that transformed the guest bedroom on page 58. We loved the new look of Sarah and Rex McGregor’s…

Did you always want to be an artist? Art is the blood that flows through my veins. I didn’t become an artist, I was born one. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t creating. In fact, I knew by the time I was about eight that I was going to pursue a career in art. I started out as a professional sketch artist and then moved onto using acrylic paints. I now focus on contemporary recycle art. How would you describe your style? Recycle art is using plastic bottles, cans, and single-use plastic bags instead of traditional mediums. I make the public aware of the ongoing problem of consumer plastics and their impact on the environment with investment-worthy pieces. Who and what inspires you? My uncle, an artist, was…

After several months of unsuccessful house hunting, Sarah McGregor took matters into her own hands. Spotting a house in the right area that had potential, she put a note in the postbox asking the owners to contact her should they decide to sell. “The phone rang that afternoon and we concluded the sale soon afterwards,” she says. What appealed to Sarah and her husband Rex about the property was the location, the good bones and the space to extend if they filled in the enormous pool. The next step was to ask architectural technologist Tilly Ive to redesign the three-bedroom house to suit their lifestyle. “We wanted to keep the existing house intact as far as possible,” Sarah says. “We didn’t want to demolish a home where the previous owners…

SOURCES Cécile & Boyd cecileandboyds.com Coricraft coricraft.co.za Esque esque.co.za HAUS hertexhaus.co.za Leonardo Design leonardodesign.co.za MRP Home mrphome.com SHF shf.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za…

1. A FEATURE WALL Instead of painting the whole wall the same colour, give it more interest with a simple geometric pattern. Draw your design on the wall, tape it off with specialist painter’s tape and use small foam rollers to ensure that the lines are crisp and clean. Complement the blue with yellow elements like a rug and throw. 2. IN KITCHENS As it looks good with both white and timber surfaces, blue is becoming a popular choice for kitchen cabinets, creating a warm, intimate feel in a large space. To bring it to life, introduce an accent from the opposite side of the colour wheel, such as this orangey-red pendant. 3. ON A STATEMENT PIECE Make a piece of furniture the star of the show with a coat…

SUCCULENT GUIDE The Field Guide to the Succulent Euphorbias of Southern Africa by Alma Möller and Rolf Becker, R495, Briza Publications, is beautifully illustrated making it easy to identify a particular species, and includes gardening with these unusual plants, and their medicinal and other uses. THIS WEEKEND Take slips of soft-wooded plants like daisy bushes, pelargoniums, salvias, lavender, pentas and heliotropes. Either cut below a node into firm but not hard wood, or pull off a side shoot with a ‘heel’ – a little sliver of the stem. Pot up in a container with loamy soil and sharp gritty sand. Some gardeners fill the bottom third of the pot with a layer of sharp sand and insert the base into this. 3 UNUSUAL LATE-SEASON BULBS 1 Ipheion uniflorum (spring star…

The Polyphageous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB), an ambrosia beetle, attacks living trees, digging tunnels and cultivating the fusarium fungus that its offspring feed on. The fungus spreads through the tunnels, blocking the tree’s vascular system, more often than not killing it. Despite wide press coverage of the devastation the beetle, and its symbiotic partner, the fungus, can cause to both agriculture and domestic environments, there is still quite a bit of confusion on how to combat and control this problem. Injection Injecting individual trees with a cocktail of insecticide, fungicide and fertiliser was one of the first methods that arborists used to treat infected trees. “Holes are drilled around the tree above the base, and the active ingredients injected into the tree are distributed via its vascular flow. This method…

Smoothies are easy to make and full of nutrients and flavour. Growing your own organic ingredients ensures there are no pesticides or chemicals in this power-packed start to the day. Apples Apples add sweetness as well as fibre, antioxidants and vitamins – include the skin. They also pair well with green vegetables, celery, cinnamon and mint. Growing: Apple trees can grow up to 10m tall, however there are shorter varieties suitable for small gardens. They can also be espaliered against a wall or fence. For good pollination, plant at least three. Good choices are Golden Delicious, Early Red, Fuji and Granny Smith. They prefer fertile, loamy soil and don’t like being waterlogged or damp, frosty corners. They need cold winters, mild summers and don’t do well in warmer climates. Prune…

My cooking style is very simple. I love quick, tasty dishes (Tebo). Mine is unpretentious, delicious and unintimidating (Lebo). In the kitchen I couldn’t live without chocolate (Tebo). A wooden spoon and a tin opener (Lebo). My store cupboard staples are chilli flakes, olive oil, chicken (Tebo). Onion, chilli and olive oil (Lebo). When it comes to food I’m always willing to learn and try new foreign dishes (Tebo). I always cook with love (Lebo). The best thing we ever ate was hot pot. We had it for the first time in Chengdu, China, with our friend, Kutloano. No meal is complete without a lovely glass of red wine (Tebo). A bit of ginger (Lebo). My favourite dish is risotto with truffle oil (Tebo). Lamb stew with dumplings (Lebo).…

SEARED FISH FILLETS WITH CANNELLINI BEANS AND ROASTED TOMATOES (Serves 4–6) 100g chorizo, sliced 30ml olive oil 1 onion, peeled and sliced 3 garlic cloves, peeled 15ml fresh thyme zest of 1 lemon, finely grated 15ml paprika 5ml smoked paprika 2 (410g) tins cannellini beans, drained 350ml chicken or vegetable stock 200g cherry tomatoes, on the vine 15ml balsamic vinegar salt and milled black pepper, to taste 45ml parsley, chopped 30ml butter 6 firm white fish fillets, about 125–150g each TO SERVE lemon wedges 1 . Preheat the oven to 180°C. 2 . Heat a heavy-based pan until hot. Add the chorizo and fry for 1–2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside. 3 . Return the pan to the stove and add 15ml of the oil.…

“My mother collected Victorian antiques,” reveals Katharine Love, owner of Lindfield, the Victorian and Edwardian-era house in Auckland Park, Jo’burg, that her mother turned into a museum 20 years ago. “And, when I was a teenager, I started my own,” she says. Passionate about all things from the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 – 1901), Katharine has furnished her home with books, furniture, crockery and other items to replicate a typical home during the era. She conducts guided tours and even dresses in Victorian style. Katharine has a number of different collections, including calling card cases dating back to the 1870s. “It was proper etiquette for Victorian men and women to leave a card when calling on friends and acquaintances.” Unmarried women’s names were printed on their mother’s cards. A…

Katharine recommends visiting second-hand shops, or if you have the budget, antique dealers, who often have them, but at higher prices. “Buy only from reputable dealers, particularly when starting off, as they’ll advise you on what to look for,” cautions antiques dealer Andre Nel. To find out when a silver card case was manufactured, look up the hallmark using Bradbury’s Book of Hallmarks. As there are so many, stick to one type, or material such as tortoiseshell or mother-of-pearl.…

EVERY MONTH we give away a *prize for the most valuable or interesting item sent in. This month Nola McCabe has won a six-bottle case of Jean Roi Cap Provincial Rosé 2017 from Anthonij Rupert Wyne worth R1 380. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Shiraz, this premium rosé comes in a custom-made regal-style bottle. It has a pale copper-pink colour and aromas of peach blossom and honeydew melon balanced by a fusion of fresh fruit flavours. Visit rupertwines.com 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…

There’s a tactile quality to ceramicist and sculptor Zizipho Poswa’s work that suddenly makes sense when you discover that she majored in textile design at CPUT (Cape Peninsula University of Technology). “Translating textile designs into clay combines my passion for fashion, textile and ceramics,” she says. In 2006, she founded Imiso Ceramics with fellow artist Andile Dyalvane, and her original range of small pinch pots has grown to include larger pieces such as vases and, more recently, sculptures for Southern Guild. Renowned internationally, Zizipho’s works are found in several notable collections. “I also have two works on display in the Los Angeles Museum of Modern Art,” she says. “I didn’t expect this kind of recognition so soon and it’s especially gratifying as this collection is so close to my heart.”…

Colour CRAZE Sometimes, a dash of vibrant colour is all you need to add that wow factor to a room. MRP Home’s Lisbon chair, R1 500, will do the trick.mrphome.com LINEN WITH CHARACTER Volpes has just launched their new Vintage Cotton Collection. The stone-washed fabric has a luxuriously soft feel and casual look that’s ideal for modern or shabby-chic bedrooms, and the natural crumple means there’s no need for ironing. volpes.co.za Trade ROUTE Sanderson’s new Caspian collection is a gorgeous mix of pattern and texture. Celebrating the historic Silk Road, it’s both playful and opulent, with ikats, chintzes and Ottoman-inspired designs rendered in beautifully exotic colours.stylelibrary.com Terrazzo TERRIFIC Terrazzo is certainly having a moment and Notation Design, known for their modern concrete products, have released a range of terrazzo…

SOURCES Créma Design cremadesign.co.za Dokter and Misses dokterandmisses.com Hirsch’s hirschs.co.za KARE kare-design.com OKHA okha.com…

MIRROR THE BATHROOM DOOR If you don’t want to leave the door to the bathroom open, but don’t like the blank look when it’s closed, the solution is to mirror it. This adds glamour and interesting reflections, and also bounces light into dark spaces. Your local glass and mirror supplier will be able to fit suitable mirror, either in panels or single sheets, depending on the style of the door. However, it’s essential that it’s the right strength and thickness for safety.…

It’s always sad when you lose a tree, but when her Acer negundo died as a result of shot hole borer, Melanie Stewart saw it as an opportunity to upgrade the entrance garden. “The boxelder shaded the whole front garden and nothing would grow there so it had been brick paved. Once all the dead wood had been removed and the sunlight streamed in, it presented a blank canvas,” says Melanie. An enthusiastic gardener, she did a short landscaping course at Lifestyle College a few years ago. “I learnt enough to know that I needed help to turn my ideas into reality,” she admits. This came in the form of landscape designer Grant Gove, now of Talborne Urban Organics, with whom she established an immediate rapport. To create the welcoming…

Keep a small bucket in the kitchen and bathroom to collect cold water before the hot comes through. Plant at the beginning of the rainy season and hydrate root balls before planting. Create shallow basins around plants so water is directed beyond the root ball to the new young feeder roots. Water precious shrubs and trees through pipes pushed into the ground around the perimeter of the root ball. Slow and steady wins the race. Don’t overfeed plants, and rather than chemical products, which cause a burst of lush, tender, thirsty growth, use organics, which release their nutrients gradually, resulting in steady growth. Before watering containers, stand them in a drip tray of water. This way they soak up water from below before the top is watered and all the…

1 Feed lawns with low-nitrogen/high-potassium fertiliser at the end of the month. To control invasive, shade-loving, cool-season winter grass, Poa annua, apply a pre-emergence seed-retardant to areas that were affected last year. 2 Buy spring-flowering bulbs now while they’re available. Keep cool-climate bulbs such as daffodils, anemones, Dutch iris, grape hyacinths and ranunculus in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place and plant at the beginning of April when the soil is cooler. Plant indigenous varieties, such as freesias, earlier. 3 Control the Italian Cypress aphid on affected conifers by targeting the stems and branches where the insects congregate, rather than spraying the entire plant. Use organic products, for example, Margaret Roberts’ Organic Insecticide, Ludwig’s Insect Spray or Biogrow Vegol, which contain canola oil, but no pyrethrum or pyrol. 4 Sow sweet…

Jenny Slabber of Talborne Organics suggests a comprehensive feeding regimen. “To boost the immune system of large trees (20+ years old) apply the following every six months:” 1kg of Vita Grow 2:3:2(16) and 1kg of Vita Fruit & Flower 3:1:5(18) per tree to give the tree balanced, slow-release organic nutrition. 2ℓ of Fertilis Earthworm Castings spread around the base of each tree to condition the soil, add organic matter and activate microbes. 1–2kg of Dolomitic/Agricultural Lime to assist with pH correction. The calcium in lime strengthens plant tissue. 25ml of Biogrow Phyta dissolved in 5ℓ of water and applied over the root zone. This fast-acting tonic maximises resistance to disease. 200g Diatomaceous Earth, available at selected garden centres and health shops, applied around the drip zone or base of the…

Frozen ingredients blend well. Freezing fruit and veggies is a good way to preserve a large harvest. Include a liquid such as fresh juice, milk, yoghurt, kefir or coconut or almond milk. For a cool summer smoothie, add ice cubes. For sweetening use honey – mix it into the liquid first, otherwise it will stick to the sides of the blender. Bulk up nutrients with nuts like almonds, peanuts, cashews and pecans and sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds. Add spices and flavouring such as cinnamon, nutmeg, chilli, cacao and vanilla. When you have spare time, assemble ingredients into instant smoothie packs (without the liquid). Freeze these, and on busy mornings, add liquid and blend. Make your daily smoothie hassle-free by investing in a strong blender that’s easy to use and…

NATURAL INSTINCTS Super Natural by Sarah Graham, R320, Penguin Random House, features delicious plant-based dishes almost entirely free of refined carbohydrates and sugars. They’re easy to make and budget friendly. Find the recipe for Green Eggs and Gruyère on our website, gardenandhome.co.za Ooh la la CanCan wines, around R40 for 250ml, are ideal for picnics, concerts and camping. The aluminium cans are light and durable – no glasses required. La Goulue is a Chenin Blanc, and Satine, a Mourvedrebased rosé. cancan.wine Sweet TALKING Delectable MaMère Rooibos Turkish Delight, R109, is perfect after dinner or as a hostess gift. Find it at selected retailers including @home stores. For more sweet treats, visit mamere.co.za LOVE AT FIRST BITE Introducing Clover Cubitos, a fresh, natural, ready-to-eat, Cheddar cheese snack. At R11,99 for 40g,…

Calling cards, also known as visiting cards, originated in France in the 18th century and were called une carte d’adresse. At first, they were handwritten notes that one would leave behind if the occupant was out. Their popularity spread across Europe and the eastern parts of the United States, becoming part of everyday etiquette. At the start of the Victorian era, the simple ink and paper card had become a piece of art, with fine calligraphy, coats of arms and other design elements. In the 1850s, the use of small photographs as calling cards became popular, and people would collect them in an album – an early version of the guest book. Since it was bad form to not leave a calling card, it was essential to carry them at…

EXPERT TIPS Joanne Sykes, marketing and sales director of Cemcrete, has these tips for using cement-based finishes in the kitchen All cement-based products, including Cemcrete’s decorative range, are porous and must be sealed once they are fully cured to prevent staining. We recommend applying Cemcrete’s SiliconSeal before a topical sealant. SiliconSeal penetrates the surface and makes it moisture proof. But clean up spills such as wine, oil or juice as soon as possible to avoid staining. On countertops, no matter what they are made of, use a trivet for hot pots and pans to prevent heat stains and delamination. Use a chopping board rather than cutting directly on the counter as this can scratch the surface. Clean surfaces (floors, walls and countertops) with recommended products and avoid those containing harsh…

Although facebrick has many advantages, when it’s floor to ceiling, both inside and out, some prospective owners find it off-putting. And this house also had dark, narrow passages and a warren-like layout. However, despite all these drawbacks, Gina and Derwich Zaidan decided that with some love and attention it would be ideal for their growing family. “It was all facebrick on the outside and very dark inside. My husband couldn’t quite see it, but I knew this house had possibilities,” recalls Gina, who thrives on a challenge. In order to unlock the potential of its great shape and north-facing rooms, the pair approached Nick Woon and Caterina Pompa, of Jo’burg-based interior design studio Plan Créatif, and tasked them with the mother of all upgrades. “We gutted the house and removed…

1. FLOOR SHOW Cabinetry in deep rich colours like charcoal and navy is very popular at the moment. To bring it to life, offset it with a stunning patterned floor. Decorative tiles come in a range of colours and motifs and raise the design to a new level. 2. NEW HUES If there’s one element that adds personality, it’s colour. But, it must be one that makes you feel good and complements the rest of the finishes. In this kitchen by Easylife Kitchens, splashes of brilliant blue draw the eye instantly, but also blend beautifully with the brick walls and timber accents. 3. ON THE SHELF Installing a series of floating shelves is a relatively simple way to put your personal stamp on a kitchen. The art and collectables you…

GARDENS OF THE GOLDEN CITY These Jo’burg gardens will be on show in aid of charity from 10h00 – 17h00, entrance is R30, children under 12, free. Visit gardensofthegoldencity.co.za 29 FEBRUARY – 1 MARCH Moot House 47 The Valley Road, Parktown Recently revamped, the garden at historic Moot House (pictured) is well worth a visit. Expect a formal rose garden, expansive lawns, vistas with meandering paths and beautiful beds. Tea garden here. Call Margreet on 072 400 1559 or Janet on 083 456 3961. 14 – 15 MARCH Jane McKenzie 26 Portman Road, Bryanston Wander under a peaceful canopy of trees and enjoy a variety of indigenous plants, a rock embankment with trickling water, green lawns bordered with agapanthus, a chicken coop and a vegetable garden. Tea garden here. Call…

“ For a long time, it was difficult to grow berries in South Africa (except in the Cape), because berries need cold winters, as experienced in Europe,” says Linda Wainman of Just Berry Plants in Roodepoort. For the past five years she and her sister Bev Klein, have been using a Facebook group, Berry Plant Lovers, to pass on their knowledge, with advice and follow-up e-mails to encourage first-time growers. Aside from supplying nine different berries, including blueberries, cranberries and goji berries, they have developed a starter kit, mainly for acid-loving blueberries and cranberries. It consists of Lithuanian sphagnum peat moss, volcanic rock dust from Mauritius, a berry soil mix, pine bark mulch, and a year’s supply of fertiliser. BLUEBERRY The most popular berry, it’s an antioxidant powerhouse that’s deliciously…

Menu LEMON GREEN TEA MOJITO PEAR, PECAN AND PHYLLO GOAT’S CHEESE PIZZA BAKED JOLLOF RICE WITH CHICKEN BUTTERNUT SALAD WITH PEPPADEWS® GRILLED CORN SALAD CHILLI CHOCOLATE BROWNIES Twin sisters Lebo and Tebo Ndala not only look alike, they also share a passion for food and cooking. Born and bred in Mamelodi, Pretoria, the sisters credit the women in their lives as their inspiration, both in and out of the kitchen. “My biggest influences are my mother and grandmother, because they’re strong, beautiful women,” says Lebo. “One of my earliest memories is of watching my mother cook and baking scones with her,” adds Tebo. After a high school teacher encouraged the sisters to pursue food as a career, they went on to study hospitality and cooking at Hurst Campus in Stellenbosch.…

28 FEBRUARY – 1 MARCH Robertson Wine Valley’s Hands-On-Harvest Festival Enjoy a host of winemaking experiences in Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson. For details, visit handsonharvest.com 4, 11 AND 18 MARCH Personal Harvest Experiences at Durbanville Hills Explore the joys of winemaking on a tour that ends with a two-course dinner and a glass of wine at the cellar’s award-winning restaurant. Cost is R315 pp; pre-booking is essential. Call Aidan Samuels on 021 558 1300 or e-mail aiden.samuels@durbanvillehills.co.za 21 MARCH Fijnwyn Bubbles Festival Pretoria Feast on wine and food at Shokran Events Venue, amid pecan nut and almond plantations. For more information, visit fijnwyn.co.za, or book your ticket at itickets.co.za…

WHEN TO GO Spring and autumn outside English summer holidays when everywhere is less busy. GETTING THERE A train from Gatwick takes just over 30 minutes, from London’s Victoria Station just over an hour. VISAS South Africans need a tourist’s visa. vfsglobal.com CURRENCY The British pound. At the time of going to print £1= R18,83. Tea and scones at Anne of Cleves House costs about £5,20 (about R98), and entrance to Lewes Castle and Museum, around £8,50 (about R160). A Lewes pound = £1.…

Don’t handle cases often, especially those made of leather. When opening those with notebooks inside, don’t lay them flat as this will place strain on the spine, causing them to break over time. “Don’t store cases on top of each other or in any way that can cause friction,” says Andre Nel of Cowboys and Angels Antiques, who advises storing them away from direct sunlight and any lighting that generates heat. “Ideally, they should be stored in a drawer lined with fabric.” Clean silver card cases with silver cleaner or foam.…

This chest has been in the family for over 100 years. The middle drawer has a hinged front, which opens into a writing table. This has a sliding panel that reveals three small sliding drawers, including a secret one. I was told that it is made of Honduras mahogany. Can you please tell me its age and value? Nola McCabe Andrew Nel of Cowboys and Angels Antiques says, “This campaign/military chest dates from around 1890 and is in mahogany. Made with a top and bottom section, they were widely used throughout the British Empire by military officers (thus its name). They were housed in two softwood (often pine) boxes for protection, which also made them easy to transport. Versions with writing slopes (secretaires) like this one are quite rare and…