Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2016 i South African Home Owner

2016 is in full swing, and with the remnants of 2015 dusted off over January, it’s time to start making plans for your home this year. We like to think of it as “home resolutions” – making those New Year’s resolutions for the place to love and come home to at the end of every day. This issue touches on lighting in the kitchen; making a statement in the bathroom; exploring three décor styles that you can choose from; investing in art in the home; and fantastic storage ideas! Our February issue also celebrates flooring, and we look at flooring trends, family flooring and outdoor decking, in our special flooring supplement from page 180. I hope you enjoy this issue, and find much inspiration to make your home resolutions for…

If you haven’t already heard of the name Justin Dingwall, you most certainly will. As one of South Africa’s top emerging commercial photographers and contemporary artists, Johannesburg-based Justin isn’t afraid to push boundaries with his art, and has won numerous awards for his local and international exhibitions – most recently making the top 10 in one of Africa’s most prestigious art competitions, the 2014 Absa L’Atelier. I would describe myself as having an eye for the unusual, a passion to explore avenues less travelled, and the desire to create images that resonate with emotion. My passion is portraiture. I love meeting and photographing people, and creating a world within an image. Photography allows me to explore, travel, investigate, and meet new and interesting people. My most recent fine art project,…

In the suburbs of Durban North lies one of the most beautiful eco-friendly new builds in the area. So passionate was this family to “live more gently on this planet” that not one eco-conscious stone was left unturned. For starters, the house that originally stood on the plot was demolished, and then re-used where possible for the new structure, or given to others to use. This dramatically reduced the amount of rubble that would otherwise have ended up in a landfill. From the generous-sized master bedroom, you look out onto an indigenous roof garden, abundant with the wildlife that thrives in the natural environment. Not only beautiful to look at, the roof garden acts as a natural coolant to the main living areas, negating the need for air conditioners. The…

Having lived in Durban for 12 years, this couple settled on a glorious spot within a safe and secure Durban golf estate to build their “forever” home. The single-storey house gently follows the contours of the ground, creating different platforms of garden terrace where they can watch the world go by. The garden is a major part of the home. Lovingly cultivated and still in its early stages, it is already a source of pleasure for the owners as they observe its progression. Small level changes in the garden, and inside the house, create visual appeal. Landscaped mostly with soft planting, it features very little in the way of hard materials, only where necessary in order for the owners to maximise on greenery. Having accumulated furniture from their previous home,…

Stay stylishly on time and add some unusual art to your wall with a sculptural timepiece from 6th Element Decor and Design. 6thelement.co.za Scatter cushions are your first port of call when updating a decor scheme. This Misoni design is ideal for summer. Roche-bobois.com Occasional chairs can become the main attraction with graphic prints and bold colour combinations. Shf.co.za Hard and soft textures offer a beautiful and practical solution to storage in this unique coffee table. Homewood.co.za A striking piece in your living area can change the whole look in one easy step. Cityw.co.za…

A clutter-free home will be just a dream if attention isn’t paid to storage, detail and decor arrangements. There are a number of things that can make keeping your home clutter free and easier to manage. Storage is the most important element to a clutter-free home. This does not necessarily mean more is better; rather, that storage space is precious and should be optimised. One of the most effective ways to do this is to dedicate each storage space (cupboards, drawers, chests) to a specific item or groups of items, and not use it just as a general storage area. A cupboard that is used to store anything and everything becomes a mine of forgotten napery, outgrown toys and unused towels. Designating items to a space allows everything to have…

LINDELWA BUSAKWE Lindelwa is our new editorial intern _ a recent Wits graduate who is very passionate about the media industry and says she can’t imagine herself pursuing anything else. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS: Inquisitive, optimistic, kind. NEW BEGINNINGS ARE... uncomfortable, but so exciting. WHAT DO YOU FIND ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL? Love. WHOSE HOME WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO VISIT? Oprah Winfrey’s. A TENET TO LIVE BY? No one is you, and that’s your power. WHAT IS YOUR DECOR STYLE? Minimal, with a bit of an edge. IF YOU WERE A CHARACTER IN A BOOK OR MOVIE, WHO WOULD YOU BE? Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. She celebrates things I love and cherish: fashion, city life, meaningful conversations and sisterhood. I AM HAPPY WHEN... I’m shopping. LARA GORDON…

When they purchased this home, the owners decided on a renovation to create an environment ideal for their family. The interiors would need to be sophisticated and luxurious, while accommodating the needs of two children. The four-bedroom house proved ideal, despite that fact that the original structure of the home presented some challenges during renovation. “We had to redo the downstairs bathrooms. You just never know what you’re going to get with a renovation, like rising damp, for example.” But the fun began when it came to the interiors. Working around their existing items, the home owners worked closely with the interior decorator to create a French-inspired haven where family living and elegant entertaining co-exist harmoniously. The owner loves reds and golds, and this theme has successfully been carried through…

Located inland from the Durban shoreline, this home radiates positive energy. Nine years in the making have given the owners time to hone in on their specific needs as a family. “This is the first house we have ever built – we went into the whole process completely clueless! Thankfully, our architect, builder and the entire team were so patient, and held our hands from start to finish.” Adhering to the architectural style of the residential estate, the home features several roof gables, each punctuated with windows to capture the exquisite views. A mix of render, painted face brick, timber and stone cladding break up the exterior walls, softening the hard edges and creating visual interest. The architect was given one simple brief, as the owner explains: “One of us…

The Samsung WD17H7300KP combo washer and dryer uses Eco Bubble technology to save energy on laundry days. Samsung.com/za The Zulu Mama stool from local designer Haldane Martin has been crafted from recycled waste and traditional weaving methods. Leonat219.com Country Style Interiors specialises in custom-designed hand-painted and wooden kitchens, whether you’re after a French Provencal style or a more modern look. Countrystyleinteriors.co.za The KitchenAid Artisan 1,5-litre kettle adds a bright, retro touch to a hot beverage station. Dionwired.co.za Simply remove the lids, and you can bring ready-prepared food, or leftovers, straight to the table with stylish French Bull Multidot storage containers. L-emile-et-son.com…

The entrance to your home is the first thing guests will see, and there are so many simple and creative ways to make it something worth remembering. PAVING OR PEBBLES The walkway up to the entrance is one of the first, and easiest, ways to beautify your home. The most important considerations here are the lie of the land and the space you have to work with. There are endless options when it comes to materials and design, which accommodate for space and personal taste. Simple paving executed well works best in bigger spaces, and is easiest in terms of maintenance. Geometrically shaped pavers can be arranged in many different patterns or styles, giving the home owner creative options. For smaller spaces, more textured materials make a striking impact. Pebbles…

Insurance is one of life’s necessary evils – from safety-netting your car, to covering your health and wellbeing in the event of illness or disability, to putting an umbrella over one of the biggest possessions you’ll ever own: your home. This is the place where you make memories and build a life for yourself and your family. It’s also one of your biggest financial responsibilities, so it can have a major impact on you when things go wrong. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to house insurance… BUILDINGS VS CONTENTS Whether you know it as home insurance, home owners insurance or buildings insurance, many home owners fall into the trap of thinking that in the event of a natural disaster or theft, their “buildings insurance”…

Don’t forget about the floors when it comes to updating your home. From nature-inspired styles to bold patterns and large formats, the current trends in flooring offer a variety of styles, whatever a home owner’s taste. Luxury vinyl is being preferred in homes, as it can mimic a range of high-end natural materials NATURAL ORDER The trend for incorporating a natural aesthetic in the home extends to flooring too, with a range of materials assisting home owners in achieving this look. While hardwood flooring and wood-look products, such as laminate, are timeless, they tie in with fashionable Scandinavian design, which takes a clean, minimalist approach by integrating natural materials. Luxury vinyl is being preferred in homes, as it can mimic a range of high-end natural materials, while being hardwearing and…

Of late, marble has been popping up all over the decor and design world, from the actual stone to marbelised paper and accessories. This ancient material is the epitome of classic style and can be found in beautiful contemporary pieces. HERE ARE 10 WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN ADD LUXURY AND ELEGANCE TO YOUR HOME WITH THIS SIMPLE MATERIAL: ARABIC FLAIR Decorate a wall in your bathroom with these Arabesque mosaic tiles from Douglas Jones. This pattern, with an Arabic influence, will instantly bring new life to a drab space. TEAM EFFORT Known as the Marble T, this bespoke coffee table is made from three defining materials: marble, brass and copper-plated steel. The marble is softened by the copper-plated steel and brass, adding a feminine touch to a living space.…

Johannesburg estate living often bucks the trend of high walls and electric fences in favour of open spaces and uninterrupted views. And this is exactly what these home owners loved about the double stand on which they built their dream home. The two-bedroom home is streamlined and unassuming on approach, but packs a punch the further you venture into this example of modern architecture at its best. Not only are the bedrooms north facing, but so too are the kitchen and living room – taking full advantage of light and warmth, and making the most of the gorgeous patio, tiered garden and views beyond. “We wanted to create a space with an easy flow from the living area to the patio and garden. The patio is our favourite part of…

ALON SACHS MOBELLI OUTDOOR LIVING Alon Sachs is co-founder and director of Mobelli Outdoor Living, a company that supplies premier garden and patio furniture for homes, hotels, restaurants and guesthouses. He runs the company with his brother, Aviv. Alon describes himself as analytical, yet with a creative personality, and someone who’s constantly playful. Mobelli was born out of his frustration with the high prices and poor offerings of outdoor furniture when he was looking for a sun lounger for his Cape Town house. “I shared this emotional rollercoaster with my brother. We agreed that there must be a better way, a way where people can buy beautifully designed loungers of good quality at a decent price, and which require little maintenance. We wanted to bring outdoor furniture that people could…

So you’ve fallen in love with the latest design trend, but you’re not inclined to completely overhaul your living room… Here are some ideas for bringing the look into your existing interior scheme. COUNTRY CHIC The shabby chic look of yesteryear has given way to a sleeker, more contemporary version of this easy-living trend. If you love comfortable interiors that look lived-in, this is the look for you. It’s perfect for family homes with high traffic, where every room is used – your family and guests will always feel welcome and relaxed. If you have some antique pieces, they will sit comfortably next to the white and raw wood combinations of this look, while extremely modern pieces really stand out. Wooden floors and chandeliers are essential touches in achieving this…

Art adds a human touch to the home. And because it’s such a personal choice, it’s a great way to show off your character, preferences and style, while personalising your space. Glynis Hyslop of The Forum Company, which sponsors the Turbine Art Fair, notes: “If one educates oneself and buys wisely, art is one of the few possessions that can both enhance the home and grow as an investment.” Here are some tips from the experts on choosing art for your home. FALLING IN LOVE Buy what you love. As Jenni Kirstein of Lindy van Niekerk Art Gallery says, art is self-expression. “Find a piece that connects with you. Each piece you select should appeal to you specifically, whether it brings back fond memories, or the colour or expression attracts…

Take the time to shop around. Comparison sites are a good place to start, but keep in mind that the cheapest deal might not give you the best cover. The level and type of cover are just as important as the price. You need to compare levels of cover and carefully check the exclusions. THINGS YOUR BUILDINGS INSURANCE SHOULD COVER: • Fire, lightning and explosion;• Storm, wind, water, hail or snow;• Earthquake;• Bursting of water pipes and tanks;• The collapse of aerials and satellite dishes;• Theft;• Impact by animals, vehicles, aircraft or falling trees; and• Malicious damage. YOUR POLICY SHOULD ALSO OFFER: • Demolition costs and debris removal;• Costs for fire extinguishing;• Rent, if you need to stay somewhere else while your home is being repaired;• Guards, to look after your home while it’s being repaired;• Damage to your garden;• Mirrors and glass;• Water loss,…

Every year, SA Home Owner compiles a special flooring supplement to provide advice and an update on the latest products. Choosing what topics to cover in a small amount of space is never an easy task, as flooring is one of the most important aspects of the home, one that needs careful planning and expert help. As we enter the new year, we’ve been following design trends, with flooring being no exception. If you are looking for new ideas, read our round-up of what’s popular in home flooring today. In a family home, keeping your floors looking good can be a difficult task. Follow our guide on what materials are best suited to high-traffic areas, to maintain an attractive appearance. And with the last days of summer approaching, make the…

When it comes to choosing flooring for family areas in the home, you need a product that can withstand wear and tear, while still maintaining an attractive appearance. Safety is also important, especially with younger children learning to walk or older kids running around the house, so include slip resistance to the requirements when shopping for flooring. Selecting a suitable material can be daunting, so use our brief guide before making your choice. WOOD Durable, slip resistant and offering a sophisticated, warm effect, wood remains a favoured flooring option in living areas. With so many types of wood available, it’s advisable to choose a lighter colour in areas of high activity, as this will hide scratches and dents better than dark wood. For health and eco-friendly purposes, use stain and…

SHOPPING FIX We recently visited the Woodmead, Johannesburg, outlet for a peek at DionWired’s new look. The home appliances and technology specialist has upgraded its store layout for easy navigation, with interactive features to add some fun to the shopping experience. See if you can sniff out the store’s scent, used to evoke a positive feeling, and look out for demonstrations of products, such as coffee tastings and cooking presentations. Dionwired.co.za SAVE THE DATE: 25 TO 28 FEBRUARY Taking place at the Ticketpro Dome, Homemakers Expo returns to Johannesburg with a range of exhibits and events to offer fresh ideas and useful advice on making the most of your home. A brand-new area to the show is the Live By Design section, which features a hand-selected collection of decor goods.…