Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2020 i SA Garden and Home

Beautiful surroundings definitely have a positive effect on your life. One of the perks of this job is that we get to visit some lovely homes and gardens, and the experience is always uplifting and inspiring. Just being in an attractive space makes you feel so much better. And if that space is your bathroom, the first place you see in the morning, then you’re set for the day. Bathrooms should be a sanctuary where you can escape life’s demands and enjoy a bit of pampering and alone time. Of course, the lighting should always be flattering. And, if you have to look at your face post sleep, it may as well be reflected in a beautifully framed mirror. If you’re planning to revamp yours, journalist Dina Venter has put…

How would you describe your work? It explores the use of lines as a basic function. The structure of the subject matter is reduced to its simplest components – the broken lines connect content, or simply emphasise structure. I have named this technique ‘Caturism’. My use of colour is secondary, but it can be used symbolically. On one hand, I use colour, shape and texture to evoke the emotions of the viewer, but my work often addresses wildlife conservation and awareness. What are your greatest influences? I am inspired by Post-Impressionism, German Expressionism and Cubism as developed by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. My early work was also influenced by South African artists Ayanda Nkosi and Richard Scott. Where did your passion for painting originate? I was introduced to the…

A professional will be able to give you expert advice on which range would suit your home and furniture layout, as well as the correct panel width for the application. This will help you avoid expensive mistakes. The louvres of white shutters reflect an amazing amount of light into the house, so choose shutters in a light colour for dark rooms. They’re available in a choice of louvre widths; wide options have larger gaps between them, which maximises the amount of light coming in and offers better outward views. To make updating a colour scheme a simple matter, stick to neutral shades when choosing permanent fixtures such as shutters. This way, you can tweak a room by painting a wall or buying new scatter cushions.…

SOURCES Bathroom Bizarre bathroom.co.za Copper Bath copperbath.co.za Hadeda hadeda-tiles.com Italtile italtile.co.za LAVO Bathroom Concepts lavo.co.za Studio19 studio19.co…

METAL ENERGY By stealing space from the kitchen, designer Sue Lloyd-Roberts was able to create a showstopping cloakroom THE PROBLEM “The ground floor of my client’s home in Cape Town didn’t have a stand-alone bathroom. To access one, guests had to go through a bedroom,” explains Sue Lloyd-Roberts of Mint Designer Renovations. THE SOLUTION In order to incorporate a new guest cloakroom (which formed part of an extensive renovation), Sue stole space from the existing kitchen and adjacent flatlet. This necessitated the installation of a structural beam across the ceiling. To make it a feature and more functional, Sue had it squared off and it now houses the downlights. To fulfil her client’s request for decor with the wow factor, Sue created an eye-catching feature wall using black and white…

Bucket Makwela, plant manager at Lifestyle Home Garden has these suggestions for creepers with gorgeous autumn foliage Parthenocissus tricuspidata or ‘Boston Ivy’ is a perennial climber that grows in full sun or partial shade. In autumn, its leaves turn a vibrant red. Birds love the loads of blue berries that appear shortly after on established plants. Grapevines make excellent canopies for pergolas, and in autumn, the leaves turn from green to deep red. As a bonus, the grapes from Vitis vinifera ‘White Hanepoot’ can be juiced, made into wine or eaten as table grapes. V. vinifera ‘Red Globe’ produces sweet crisp fruit suitable for juicing or drying. Both need well-draining soil. Parthenocissus quinquefolia, or ‘Virginia Creeper’ is a stunning five-leafed ivy that grows in full sun or shade. Its leaves…

Containers overflowing with flowers are the horticultural equivalent of scatter cushions. Move them around the garden to add colour, change a colour scheme, brighten a dull area or act as a focal point. The secrets to beautiful plant-filled pots are simple: Give sun-loving plants enough sun to bring out the flowers, and tender-leafed plants dappled or afternoon shade so they don’t burn. Regular watering will keep them looking good. Feed with a liquid fertiliser once or twice a month. Don’t forget to trim regularly to keep them in shape. 1 THREE’S COMPANY This trio of containers, filled with seasonal flowers, adds colour to a predominantly green, low-maintenance garden. In this instance, they make a feature of the rustic steps and lead the eye up to the rest of the garden.…

3 – 5 APRIL The Autumn Garden Show, Jo’burg Wander through The Herb Farm, 264 Summit Road (R562), Bridle Park, Midrand, and discover the benefits of over 450 different herbs. Open from 09h00 – 17h00 daily (final gate entry at 16h00), there’s a scented rose garden and spiral labyrinth, plus you can shop for seeds, plants and other gardening goodies and enjoy a free talk or demo. Tickets cost R80, pensioners R65 and children U12 (who fit under the Giant Daisy) R20. Discounted tickets are available at webtickets.co.za. Visit gardenshow.co.za 8 – 13 APRIL Rand Show Don’t miss this bumper show at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, Corner Nasrec and Randshow Roads. Expect a variety of new on-trend content and experiences, including the Marvel Find Your Power Junior Super Hero…

My store cupboard staples are olive oil and fresh herbs – I don’t know what I’d do without them. The kitchen gadgets I can’t live without are my herb chopper and air fryer. My table decor always includes flowers, candles and napkins. My family’s favourite meal is tuna lollipops – chunks of fresh tuna marinated in teriyaki sauce, coated in tempura bread crumbs and sesame seeds then flash fried. I serve them skewered on sticks with mayonnaise, soya sauce, ginger and wasabi. The best thing I’ve ever eaten is a toss-up between the rump steak, chips and salad my husband cooked me when I arrived home after the birth of our first daughter and the tasting menu at the Pot Luck Club in Cape Town. If I was stuck on…

SLOW-ROASTED LAMB SHANKS WITH MINTED PEARL COUSCOUS (Serves 6) FOR THE LAMB SHANKS 15ml oil, plus extra for frying 45ml cake flour 10ml paprika 6 small to medium lamb shanks 4 cloves garlic 2 red onions, peeled and cut into crescents 10ml tagine or harissa paste 1 (410g) tin chopped tomatoes 500ml lamb or beef stock 30ml fresh rosemary FOR THE MINTED PEARL COUSCOUS 600ml vegetable stock or water 300g pearl couscous 100g frozen peas 30g butter 15ml basil pesto 30ml fresh mint, finely chopped salt and milled black pepper FOR THE TOPPING 45ml fresh parsley, finely chopped finely grated zest of 1 small lemon 45ml Panko breadcrumbs salt and pepper TO SERVE fresh herbs (we used sprigs of rosemary and pineapple sage flowers) 1 . Preheat the oven to…

“My interest in Davidson cloud glass was initially sparked when I viewed a vast glass collection left by Michael Parkington to the Broadfield House Glass Museum in the West Midlands of England,” explains Glen Holman. “An eccentric collector, Michael Parkington was Nelson Mandela’s defence lawyer. Apparently, while in Jo’burg defending Mandela on treason charges, he came across this glass, fell in love with it and started collecting. When he died, his palatial London flat was filled from floor to ceiling with significant examples of English glass. He’d definitely crossed the line between collector and hoarder,” says Glen. “I was lucky enough to snap up a few pieces at his estate sale, and brought them back to South Africa.” Cloud glass is produced by adding trails of molten darker glass to…

Khanyisile’s extensive involvement in the art world as an artist, curator and sociologist was almost inevitable. “I come from a family of creatives,” she says. “My mother designed and made all our Christmas outfits when we were kids and is still designing and making clothes. My father is a self-taught architect and master tiler.” This inventive background gave Khanyisile the tools to develop her own performing arts practice. While she didn’t study art, it was while completing her sociology degree at Stellenbosch University that Khanyisile became one of the founding members of Gugulective, a Cape Town-based artist collective. Growing up in the Cape Town township of Gugulethu, and with a sociology background, Khanyisile has a unique understanding of the role art plays in addressing South Africa’s socio-political issues. “It’s the…

SOURCES Block & Chisel blockandchisel.co.za FabHabitat fabhabitat.co.za KARE kare-design.com La Grange Interiors lagrangeinteriors.co.za MRP Home mrphome.com SHF shf.co.za The Storer thestorer.co Weylandts weylandts.co.za…

WHO LIVES HERE Giovanni and Caroline Rossi (pictured), their children Luca (15), Victoria (14) and Laetitia (10), two horses, a rescue donkey, two dogs and numerous ducks and chickens. THE HOUSE A double storey on two acres with four bedrooms and bathrooms. The main barn consists of a kitchen, dining room and sitting area, and there are also two studies, a childrens’ recreation room, guest loft suite, stables and a garden cottage. Few people could be as happy with their new home and rural lifestyle than Caroline Rossi. A year ago, the Rossi family moved to South Africa from Dubai, where they had lived for 12 years. Giovanni and Caroline, who come from Italy and Switzerland respectively, wanted to give their children a different taste of life before returning to…

INSIDE OUT Connecting to an outdoor area helps to introduce a spa-like feel. This ceiling-height picture window creates a seamless link to a private courtyard, with the added benefit of an outdoor shower. Painting the courtyard walls in white enhances the indoor-outdoor flow, echoed by the tiled bathroom walls. A modern bath shape makes a bold statement, while the Ethiopian table adds texture. Tip: Framing a large window in wood adds an element of warmth, offsetting the crisp, white finishes. PURE AND SIMPLE Fuss-free and practical, this space was designed as a boys’ bathroom adjacent to a teen den. The all-white, walk-in shower is clad in simple subway tiles, with a porthole window adding a bold visual element. Building in a narrow rectangular shelf provides useful storage space for toiletries…

1 METAL WORKS To give the illusion of height, Dustin Chaplin of Landmarq Road designed and made an elegant four poster for this bedroom at The Precinct Luxury apartments, Waterfall Estate. “The slender posts draw the eye upwards, but don’t dominate the room, while the oversized lamps give an opulent look,” says Dustin. 2 LESS IS MORE “When space is limited, don’t clutter it with lots of little pieces of furniture. It’s much more effective to go big and bold with a single modular sofa that offers lots of seating and complement it with a stunning mirror and sculptural floor lamp,” says Dustin Chaplin of Landmarq Road who designed and made the furniture. Photographed at The Precinct Luxury Apartments, Waterfall Estate. 3 STATEMENT LIGHTING Asked to give this traditional dining…

Instead of buying a new vanity unit, have a look at your existing furniture. Old desks, console tables and sideboards make very attractive alternatives. Whether you fit them with an above- or under-counter basin will depend on the height of the piece ‒ it must be comfortable to use. Then ask a professional plumber to install the basin and taps and connect the plumbing. Voila, you’ll have a unique bathroom feature, like Magdel van der Walt’s (pictured), at a fraction of the cost of a new one.…

PERENNIALS AND ANNUALS Yellow: Yellow argyranthemum, Dusty Miller (Cineraria maritima), giant goldenrod, yellow Bulbine frutescens Peach/apricot/cream: Dusty Miller (Cineraria maritima) Pink: White argyranthemum, coral Salvia coccinea, wild garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) and wild bush petunia (Barleria greenii) Lilac/blue: Lilac osteospermum, Salvia ‘Mystic Spires’, blue/lilac violas, artichokes, Lavandula intermedia ‘Margaret Roberts’, Lavandula Ellagance, Scabiosa ‘Fama Dark Blue’, Limonium perezii, Penstemon ‘Carillo Purple’ hybrid To accentuate the spiral shape: Gaura lindheimeri ‘White Sparkle’, mixed colour sweet peas (seedlings). For next spring, sweet pea seeds in single colours will be planted to match the colour sections SHRUBS Hedges: Viburnum tinus, snowball bush (V. opulus), single-flowered Cape May (Spiraea cantoniensis ‘Flora Pleno’) Shrubs: Bauhinia tomentosa (yellow section), ginger bush (Tetradenia riparia – lilac/blue section) ROSES Pink: ‘Perfume Passion’, ‘Roberto Capucci’, ‘Brümilda van Rensburg’, ‘Remember Me’,…

As a result of the world focus on global warming and climate change, the common spekboom (Portulacaria afra) is attracting a lot of attention. What makes this succulent unique is its ability to absorb huge amounts of carbon, one of the main greenhouse gases contributing to global warming, from the atmosphere and turn it into plant tissue. An indigenous, rather unpretentious, shrub or small tree, it’s also known as pork bush, dwarf jade bush or elephant’s food. It can be used in shrubberies, as a foliage contrast and looks stunning in containers, while the prostrate varieties make effective groundcovers. Spekboom is extremely drought tolerant. In the wild, it grows on arid, rocky slopes, mainly in thickets in the Eastern Cape as well as further north. It’s well adapted to dry,…

Hardy, evergreen, with health-giving fruit, citrus trees are ideal for small city gardens. They’re self-pollinating so you only need one, and can be grown in containers or pruned to suit the space. Although they prefer temperate climates, many varieties survive mild frosts if protected when young. Varieties LEMON Meyer (thin skin with juicy, dark-yellow flesh; moderate to heavy frost) and Variegated Eureka (juicy with pinkish flesh; mild frost) both grow to 3 x 3m. Rough Skin (tough, easy to grow and hardy) grows to 5m high, and takes well to shaping. LIME Sweet Lime (low acid and mildly sweet flesh; very light frost) and West Indian Lime (strong flavour and more acidic; frost sensitive) are compact varieties growing to 2 x 2m. The Asian Lime (distinctive double leaves with a…

A feel for flavour The East African Cookbook by Shereen Jog, R260, Penguin Random House, is packed with recipes featuring East African flavours, Indian spices and an abundance of fresh ingredients. Find the recipe for Chicken and Vegetable Spring Rolls (pictured) on our website, gardenandhome.co.za ALL WHITE NOW Try these crisp, dry white wines from the Cape: New, luscious David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Semillon 2017, R200; Groote Post Seasalter Sauvignon Blanc 2019, R145, and Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2017, R280, a complex blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. They’ll all benefit from a couple of years of cellaring – if you can wait that long! Life is sweet Clover Bliss Double Cream Yoghurt, R22,99 for a six pack, is a delectable way to indulge, plus they come in three irresistible…

Up until the Industrial Revolution, glass was only found in homes belonging to the wealthy as blown and hand-cut glass was expensive to produce. The invention of machine-pressed and moulded glass meant that glass could be mass-produced, and with the resulting lower prices, it was more affordable for the general public. In 1867, at the height of the Industrial Revolution, savvy entrepreneur George Davidson founded Davidson & Co., which produced fancy glassware on a large scale to meet the increasing demand. The company made clear vases and decorative items until the 1920s, and limited amounts of everyday tableware. In 1923, Thomas Davidson, George’s son, came up with the concept of cloud glass, using colours of different intensities to create a marbled effect. The company manufactured cloud glass until WWII. After…

I bought this bottle of cognac from a deceased estate about five years ago. Can you please tell me if it’s worth anything? Grant Teasdale Carrie Adams from Norman Goodfellows Fine Wine and Spirit Merchants says, “The ullage on the bottle (level of the liquid) is low, which detracts somewhat from the value. For the rest, the labels appear to be in good condition (no tears) and it could fetch up to R30 000. Sadly, this value may not be realised locally as the market for these lovely old cognacs in South Africa is incredibly small. I’d advise selling it on the international market.”…

SOURCES American Shutters americanshutters.co.za Coricraft coricraft.co.za Duram duram.co.za Eurolux eurolux.co.za Italtile italtile.co.za KARE kare-design.com KNUS knus.co Mobelli Furniture + Living mobelli.co.za…

1 PATCHWORK TILES “Consumers are creating more excitement in their bathrooms and we’re seeing a move away from safe choices,” says Nicole Russell, marketing manager of Italtile. “If you want to make a statement, patchwork tiles are the way to go. They’re available in different shapes, sizes and patterns, catering to every taste.” 2 SHUTTERED SHOWER WINDOWS “Large windows in showers are becoming increasingly popular in modern homes, creating a seamless flow between inside and out,” says Briggie Kirchmann, marketing director of Plantation Shutters. However, if privacy is an issue, shutters offer a trendy, practical solution. “The design lines are clean, colours can be customised, and if you choose aluminum shutters, you won’t have to worry about them warping or perishing ‒ even when in contact with water.” 3 LIGHTING…

SOURCES Block Basics blockbasics.co.za Eurolux eurolux.co.za Homewood homewood.co.za Lifestyle Home Garden lifestyle.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za Woolworths woolworths.co.za…

Foliage plants are not restricted to shades of green. You’ll find vibrant tones of red, burgundy, purple, pink, silver and even gold. It’s difficult to go wrong with these plants, so use them as a permanent framework for your garden, providing splashes of colour from season to season. Design tips Use warm colours and variegated foliage sparingly, as a way to draw attention to a particular area or as a focal point. Pay attention to the size of the leaves, as large foliage tends to bring things closer. Finer foliage gives the illusion of distance and space. Silver and green foliage plants are useful for toning down strong colours and establishing a sense of tranquillity. By repeating a colour or shades of a colour, a sense of rhythm is established…

1 Prepare flower beds for winter and spring annuals by adding compost and bonemeal. Rake and water lightly before planting out seedlings. Shade them in hot dry areas and check for snails on damp evenings. 2 Plant annuals like pansies, foxgloves, digiplexis, Bellis perennis, stocks, Iceland poppies, snapdragons, and for shade, cineraria and primulas. 3 Thin out in situ plantings and self-sown annuals like forget-me-nots, nigella, (love in a mist), Flanders poppies, Johnny-jump-up violas and replant in bare spots. Pinch out the tips of sweet peas. 4 Plant out cool-climate bulbs from the northern hemisphere, such as daffodils, anemones and bluebells. Plant ranunculi with the claws down; anemones on their sides. Order treated tulip bulbs for planting in May. Label dahlias with their name or colour, and lift when all…

Position: Full sun. Spekboom will take some shade, but become leggy if they don’t get enough light. They’ll also grow indoors in good light. Soil: No special soil requirements, but must have good drainage. Water: Water wise, they’re able to survive heat and periods of little or no water. Don’t overwater. Frost tolerance: They are half-hardy and will tolerate some frost. Propagation: Spekboom grows easily from large truncheons, which can be planted in situ, making it affordable for those on a budget to mass plant. Break or cut off a piece, let the cut ends dry and then plant in a mix of river sand and compost, or directly in the ground. This can be done at any time of year, but early spring is best. Uses: The leaves have…

Guests arriving for Easter lunch at Pippa de Charmoy’s home in Mount Edgecombe, Durban, were greeted by a hint of the charmingly decorated table inside – a bunch of carrots nestled among pastel-coloured tulips hanging from the front door. Pippa loves including elements like this, and playing host to large family gatherings, has honed her entertaining and decorating skills. “I can spend ages gathering ideas for dinner and lunch parties, especially the table, which always features flowers, napkins and, at night, loads of candles,” she says. “We often have 20 or more guests seated on our veranda and, although I delegate the salads and side dishes to someone else, I love cooking too.” Swapping recipes and ideas brings her great pleasure – the zucchini and herb-stuffed, deboned chicken she’s serving…

3 – 4 APRIL Mpumalanga Wine Show Wine lovers can enjoy some of SA’s favourite wines at The Arena, Emnotweni, Nelspruit. Tickets cost R200 pp at computicket.com. For details, visit mpumalangawineshow.co.za 3 – 5 APRIL Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival Cape Town Swirl, sniff and sample a range of local wines accompanied by delicious food at the V & A Waterfront, Cape Town. Tickets cost R165 at webtickets.co.za. Visit pnpwineandfoodfestival.co.za 4 – 5 APRIL The Johannesburg Cap Classique & Champagne Festival Savour a range of South Africa’s finest MCCs as well as a selection of Champagnes and Italian Proseccos at the Inanda Polo Club, Sandton. Tickets, R395 pp, are available at webtickets.co.za 25 – 27 APRIL South African Cheese Festival Escape to Sandringham Farm in Stellenbosch and enjoy…

GETTING THERE We flew to London and took a connecting flight on Easyjet to Edinburgh. It’s a good five hour self-drive from there. Alternatively, fly from London to Inverness or Glasgow and drive to Skye. WHERE TO STAY We stayed at Napier House – a self-catering, double-storey with superb loch views. stayhouse.co.uk VISAS South Africans need a visa to visit Britain. vfsglobal.com CURRENCY Currency is the British pound. At the time of going to print the exchange was £1=R19,30. A tot of single malt in a pub starts at £4 (about R77); a main meal ranges from £12–£20 (around R230–R386).…

“Because of the way cloud glass is made, the pressed glass often has bubbles in it. These are often mistaken for chips, but don’t detract from the value of the item,” says Reg Taylor of Skyscraper Cape Town. “Brown is the most common colour, while purple, amber, green, blue and light orange are more rare. A red cloud glass and a more intense orange colour version were made between 1929 and 1934, both of which are now highly sought after. When buying a piece, check that the red is original and not painted on, a trick used by unscrupulous sellers,” says Carl Landsberg of Curatables in Jo’burg.…

EVERY MONTH we give away a *prize for the most valuable or interesting item sent in. This month, Grant Teasdale has won two cases (12 bottles) of Middelvlei Free-Run Pinotage worth R1 560. Made from 100% free-run juice, this superior quality, uniquely South African wine contains gentler tannins with complex flavours of raspberries, mulberries and elegant oak spices. Visit middelvlei.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…