Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2015 i South African Home Owner

Our lives are complicated and demanding. Between work, kids and all the other responsibilities we shoulder, our homes need to be places of escape and rejuvenation. Clutter is the anti-trend of relaxation – what we need is open space and easy flow. To help you achieve this, we have centred this issue on going back to basics and simple living. The industry term for this is minimalism, which loosely means cutting down on clutter and having the essentials only; the epitome of the less is more approach to design. The kitchen is a prime example of a place that can bulk up with unnecessary gadgets, recipe books, and all manner of things. So we look at the essential, super-functional gadgets that can perform more than one task – this means…

Nowadays a holiday home means so much more than just a place to stay when you head to the beach. Working longer hours, with busy social lives leaving little time to relax, many of us really only catch our breath at the weekends. Perhaps these houses should be rephrased “retreats”, places where we can centre ourselves, reconnecting with family and resting our overloaded minds. For this Johannesburg-based family, a second home only a short flight away was the deciding factor when buying this home on the Zimbali coastal estate, near Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal. “It has the most amazing calming effect on us as soon as we walk trhough the door,” says the owner. This property really does let you breathe; with various soft-seated areas, both indoors and out, you can…

In many homes, kitchens are becoming smaller, which means you now have limited space, and it needs to be planned carefully. Because of this, there is a growing demand for small, handy appliances that are not only multifunctional, but add to the aesthetics of your kitchen as well. As Stefan Gutstadt of Culinary Equipment Company notes: “There is a move towards multipurpose appliances, and the trend among consumers is rather to invest in a quality appliance that can do it all.” “Kitchens have also become a social space, which therefore heightens the pressure to ensure that it is appealing, yet functional,” adds Lila Jutzen of Nespresso South Africa. When it comes to gadgets, we all want simple tools that solve our culinary problems and cut down the time we spend…

Growing your own produce needn’t be limited to daydreams of idyllic farm living. “Having an abundance of fresh herbs and vegetables from your garden is easy once you create the setup and continue to check on your garden every now and then,” says Nicholas McLean of Roots Landscape Design. POSITION, POSITION Choosing a spot for your garden near the kitchen is practical for easy harvesting, but you don’t have to be restricted by this. “Showcase your edible garden by making it a feature. By using perennial culinary plants, the garden looks good throughout the year with minimal effort,” says Nicholas. Other options include pots on the roof or balcony, converting a patch of lawn, or even creating a community pavement garden. The orientation of the garden plays an important role…

• •›Marc›has›this›advice:›“If›you›don’t›have›the› confidence›to›use›volumes›of›natural›elements,› then›introduce›a›few›items›at›a›time.›Maybe› start›by›adding›a›wooden›coffee›table›to›your› living›room›or›introducing›a›large›sea›grass› rug›under›your›dining›table.”• •›You›don’t›have›to›exclude›metals›from›the› scheme›–›these›are›natural›products›too,›which› combine›well›with›neutral›textiles›and›surfaces.• •›For›an›instant,›nature-inspired›fix,›add›indoor› plants›or›vases›with›foliage,›interesting›twigs› or›dried›grasses.• •›“Using›animal›motifs›and›imagery›is›a›fun› way›to›inject›some›organic›interest›into›your› home.›The›easiest›and›most›cost-effective›way› to›do›this›is›with›scatter›cushions,”›says›Pim› Verdoorn›of›Leon›at›CCXIX.…

CHRISTELL BISETT National sales manager, Christell is extremely passionate about decor and design. THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE CHRISTELL: Passionate, caring, funny. "SIMPLE LIVING" MEANS... Living in an uncluttered environment; it must be uncomplicated and homely. It is a lifestyle choice, and I work really hard to refrain from living a lifestyle of uber-luxury and indulgence. This lifestyle choice creates a work-life balance, where spiritual health and quality time with my partner and family are the order of the day. A TREND I REGRET FOLLOWING... Bellybutton rings…What was I thinking?! WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE FURNITURE DESIGNER? John Vogel – Vogel in Woodstock, Cape Town. WHAT INFLUENCES YOUR DECOR STYLE? Nostalgia plays a very big part when I redecorate. I like to find pieces that remind me of my beautiful childhood. I…

Weylandts’ natural wool and acrylic blended throws come in a variety of styles, ideal for cold, winter nights. They’re a hit in trendy aqua. Weylandts.co.za Coricraft’s winter accessories are not only trendy, but cosy too. The warm colours and textures of the Bindi stool liven up any living area. Coricraft.co.za Not only does SodaStream offer you sparkling or flavoured water at the touch of a button, but it has a number of mocktail recipes to share to beat the winter blues. Sodastream.co.za Elsje Burger is a Cape Town-based brand of handmade ceramic products. The horse teacup has a 9 karat gold trim for added bling. Elsjeburger.co.za From kitchen countertops to bathroom vanities, splashbacks and wall-cladding applications, Caesarstone surfaces offer high-end aesthetic longevity and exceptional durability. A lifetime warranty is guaranteed.…

Hovering above the magnificent Clifton Beach strip, this home is as worldly as the family that lives in it. The front door leads into an atrium area with floating glass steps, setting the scene for an interior space with an ethereal feel. In the main living area, a central floating island juts out to create a very modern, open-plan feature kitchen. A lounge and outside deck area blend together seamlessly, as the warm fire inside melts into the fresh sea air. One level down, the master bedroom features an outside garden cove, and a sunken bath area that has a breathtaking view and overlooks the glass-encased pool. Each of the five en-suite bedrooms opens out onto the pool. The next split-level down serves as an office and relaxation area –…

When the owners of this property decided to renovate, the main aim was to modernise the old home. “Our home was very dated; we decided it needed to look more modern and appealing,” says the home owner. The bathroom was tackled first, with the idea of creating an open-plan retreat. This was achieved by installing a stand-alone bathtub and a frameless double shower. High-gloss tiles and a chandelier added to the modern, luxurious look. For much-needed natural light, one of the walls was broken down and a corner window inserted. “Our initial bathroom was quite dark, and we also wanted our bathroom to be much bigger,” adds the home owner. For the man of the house, a neutral fabric was chosen, with an orange trim and wood finish, to achieve…

The recycled bin unit from Sterlings fits perfectly into your cabinetry, offering multiple compartments that make it easy to separate your recycle waste. Sterlings.co.za Enjoy a glass of fresh orange juice or healthy vegetable blends in seconds with the easy-to-use NutriBullet. Nutribullet.co.za Experience Automatic Sensor Cooking technology with the Tefal Optigrill, which detects the number of items placed on the grill and their thickness, and adjusts the cooking time and temperature accordingly. Boardmans.co.za The Ankarsrum Assistent, paired with a double-whisk bowl set, makes baking a breeze. Culinary.co.za Miele’s integrated dishwasher includes the trendy Knock2Open feature that enables you to open it with a simple knock on the door. Miele.co.za…

Modernism gave birth to what we know today as the minimalist style, which is all about functionalism and simplification of forms. As we are immersed in a world of fast-paced technological advances, there seems to be a fascination with returning to the simplicity of things. “People around the world are moving towards a ‘less is more’ approach, running away from the overly excessive lifestyle to a less cluttered way of living,” notes Nicole Sherwin of Sofacompany.com. We are seeing the trend in the home too, where living rooms are becoming much more minimalist, furnished only with essential products that fulfil a specific function, but also add an air of understated elegance. “There is an overload of visual stimulation in our modern lives, and people crave a calm, spare environment that…

HE HAS THIS ADVICE: • Start with smaller trees like lemons, apples and pomegranates.• Plant early fruiting varieties of your fruits of choice that are suitable for your particular frost zone.• Fruit trees planted in the veg garden can be pruned and espaliered to maximise their productivity and the light coming into the rest of the garden.• Fruit trees planted throughout the property provide more than just food for you, but also attract wildlife to the garden.• Also consider some nut trees too, if your garden has the space.…

One of the most well-known furniture fairs, Milan’s Salone del Mobile claims to be the pinnacle of design, taking over this trending city, from the Rho fairgrounds to the urban exhibition spaces, the grand palazzos and even the shop windows of luxury brands. The whole city becomes part of the design experience for visitors from across the globe. This year, Milan hosted over 310 000 visitors, 69% of whom were high-level foreign buyers. With a strong sense of narratives behind furniture pieces, telling stories became the central theme for 2015. Marco Romanelli, a design critic, pointed out: “This is the main interpretive key: design emerges from its specialised isolation to become part of a larger dynamic, incorporating lifestyle and personal experiences. Designers are not limited to creating products; they also…

This house, overlooking Bakhoven and Camps Bay beaches, is as memorable as the cascading views below. A large wooden front door opens onto another as you pass the atrium entrance on to the first floor of this multi-storey build. The large double-volume window at the entrance, which allows light to flood in, immediately turns the staircase into a striking central feature of the house. On the top floor, the living space, kitchen, lounge, deck and braai area have certainly capitalised on the view. Stacking doors seamlessly slide back into the wall, opening the inside to the outside world. A glass balcony means the most picturesque sunset beach scene provides the perfect backdrop to the home, although, complete with rim-flow pool and hanging pod chair, the garden is its own piece…

PHILIP GROBLER LIEBHERR When you think of the name Liebherr, the first thing that comes to mind is heavy-duty construction machines, but in addition to cranes and specialised commercial systems, this innovative company prides itself on producing an extensive range of refrigeration and freezing equipment for domestic use. Having been involved in the appliance industry for 30 years, Philip Grobler was approached by Liebherr in Germany to take on the distribution of its domestic appliances in southern Africa. Liebherr produces a wide range of premium appliances, from fridges to wine cabinets. “At the moment, Liebherr is growing brand awareness and the market within southern Africa. However, we have implemented a basic Liebherr principle as our fundamental guideline: give the premium customer the level of service which they deserve, in conjunction…

Creating a minimalist bathroom is easier than you might think – it just requires careful planning and reducing the space to its necessary elements. “A minimalist bathroom has only the essentials. It is very much a pared-down concept; it is not overly decorated,” explains Lynne Mausenbaum of Linea Brigio Design. By removing the details, home owners need to pay attention to the design and make choices that complement all aspects of the space, advises Gary Deysel of Lavo Bathroom Concepts. “Without the excessiveness of decoration, texture and colours, your design will have more impact,” adds Marika Cheng of German Design Haus. NOW OPEN A sense of open space is key to the minimalist approach. Start by clearing surfaces and concealing items, such as linen and toiletries, for a clean look.…

The bend sofa boasts an irregular shape to enhance comfort. The sofa can be placed in any shape to maximise space in a living area. Msquareonline.co.za Moooi offers a desk made of wood, paper and cardboard. The paper collection includes a number of products made with a lacquered paper finish. Moooi.com Made from only the essential structural and aesthetic elements, De Steyl’s Charlie Chair is not only comfortable, but it’s also able to stand on its own in any living room. Desteyl.co.za Bringing back the 1950s with a modern twist is this three-seater Vida sofa with special button detail. It has been dubbed the #sexysofa. Sofacompany.co.za The pallet coffee table adds a neutral and natural element to your living room, and it’s a great way to incorporate upcycled products into…

Whether you’re going for an earthy family environment or a sleek hosting space, your outdoor entertainment area should blend seamlessly with your interior – and your style. There are so many options on the market these days that the possibilities are endless. WOODEN WONDERS There are two main choices for decking: composite or real wood. Each has its pros and cons, but both offer a natural look to your outdoor entertainment area that’s warm and inviting. “Composite decking is generally priced higher than real wood, but it’s a maintenance-free solution and doesn’t require any sanding or sealing down the line,” explains Byron Conway of Inovar Sandton. This means you would make up the cost difference in just a few years. But there’s nothing quite like real-wood flooring, he says. “If…

Not only is cement an important product in the building of homes, but this valuable resource is being used to create some interesting features that make a home modern and trendy. Its key property is that it is used to bind stone and sand together to form concrete. As Dirk Odendaal of Lafarge South Africa notes, concrete has become valued today as an aesthetically pleasing architectural and interior decor product, beyond its traditional use as a structural and engineering product. “Concrete is the basis of structural building materials; it is hardwearing, and offers a neutral texture and palette that complements any other item,” adds Daniel Lurie of Stonecraft. Traditionally, concrete has been applied in various ways outdoors, from rectangular planters to elaborate statues. Recently, however, we have seen it take…

Property is an interesting playground for the investor, and two primary questions arise when considering buying to let: is it worthwhile purchasing a property to rent out; and is it a sound investment in the current local economic climate? To tackle the first question, one must look at the area in which the potential property is situated; return of investment and potential capital growth; and landlord responsibilities and associated costs. GREAT RETURNS The area in which a property is situated is a large factor in determining the desirability of the property and the tenant demand to live there, and the monthly rental fee that can be levied on the property. Areas such as Sandton, Bryanston, Parkhurst, Dunkeld, Hurlingham and Dainfern in Gauteng; and along the Atlantic Seaboard (Camps Bay, Llandudno,…