Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2016 - January 2017 i South African Home Owner

HOME AND AWAY It’s hard to believe we have only a few weeks to go to the end of the year. One of the things I love about this time of the year is being able to choose to spend time at home with my family or to go on holiday. In this December/January issue, we give you ideas on how to create chill zones in your home, both inside and out. Imagine a space or reading corner that you can use as a hide-out whenever you are looking for that quiet time alone during the holidays. We also have wonderful decor tips for luxury guest bedrooms and bathrooms, because the guest bedroom is no longer the odd room out in the home. Also look out for our feature on…

John Bauer is a well-known ceramic artist who has exhibited widely, both in South Africa and abroad, and is represented in two South African museums. He is best known for innovation, redefining the boundaries and expanding the commercial viability of porcelain. Additionally, John is a well-known mentor, having mentored students from the University of Cape Town, Harvard University and privately. I am known for mixing science with sentiment and creating art with spirit. My intention is to resuscitate the hope of being loved, while breaking technical boundaries through innovative techniques. I was attracted by pottery’s magical spell when I was 12. It’s one of the few endeavours where one can see a result of one’s labour that is a combination of premeditation and chance. It’s a way of subtly steering…

“We are surrounded by acacia trees, indigenous plants and a picturesque dam,” says the owner of this urban contemporary family home in KwaZulu-Natal. Situated on a game farm, the home blends in effortlessly with its surrounds. The decor is minimalist, with an eclectic mix of unusual hand-carved furniture. Floating shelves, textured feature walls and striking mirrors add a contemporary edge. “As our home has an open-plan design, and all rooms are visible from one another, the decor in each area had to complement the others,” the home owner explains. “We have decorated with the view to bringing the feel of the nature of our game farm into our home, keeping the colours calm and natural. We have created and designed a home for comfort, with clean lines and finishes, yet…

Who says cutlery and crockery need to match? Add pops of Mexican-inspired colour and pattern to your al fresco lunch table with a magpie of graphically patterned plates. www.woolworths.co.za It’s easier than ever to be a culinary maven, with the GPOD small ceramic outdoor oven. The multi-use kamado-style oven is designed to braai, grill, smoke, roast and bake. www.yuppiechef.co.za The compact, lightweight Lotus Grill makes outdoor cooking a breeze. From lighting to cooking, this portable fan-assisted grill takes about five minutes to heat. www.yuppychef.co.za Add after-dark appeal to your patio or braai area with a grouping of graphic Tribu Phoro torches, available from Marlanteak. www.marlanteak.com Keter’s coolbar in Misty Blue is a stylish update to the traditional cooler box. Champers on ice, anyone? www.keter.co.za Serve guests in style with this…

An assortment of graphic pots and faux foliage is all you need to take your guest loo from bland to grand. Create an eclectic setting by mixing different textured vessels, such as these ones from@home. www.home.co.za Compact guest bathrooms call for quality finishes. Make guests feel welcome with this Axor Citterio mixer in brushed brass by Hansgrohe. www.hansgrohe.co.za Add a touch of luxury to your guest loo with this graphic black-and white soap dispenser from Woolworths. www.woolworths.co.za Nothing makes guests feel more at home than special details. A crisp fresh towel warmed by the Hydronic Classic D towel rail from Jeeves is just the thing to put a smile on their face. www.jeeves.co.za…

Tropical gardens are made up of abundant layers of plants that vary in height, size and shape. This helps to ensure that each plant species receives the right amount of shade and water. The first layer consists of a dense canopy of trees that protects the middle layer, which is filled with shrubs. Closer to the “forest floor”, understorey plants grow in dappled light. Here’s how to create this lush, layered effect. THE CANOPY If you’re lucky enough to have a garden with established trees, you have a ready-made tropical garden canopy. If not, choose a shady spot in your garden to create a mini tropical retreat. No tropical garden would be complete without at least one palm. Ask your local garden centre which variety is most suitable for your…

Whether you are furnishing a room for when friends or family members come to stay, or for visitors in a hotel or guesthouse, there are a number of aspects to take into consideration in creating the ultimate guest bedroom. A GOOD BED A good bed is essential for a good night’s sleep, and is something worth investing in. Debbie Hall, owner of The Hall Collection, notes: “The most critical component of any bedroom is a comfortable bed. Your bed and mattress are the major investment that will make your bedroom feel cosy and inviting, and should also make you sleep better.” Use 100% natural cottons and fabrics, and a variety of pillows. Choose from down, feathers, silk, synthetic or latex. “A natural bed and linen that breathes is important, as…

This artisanal night-time fair exudes country charm. SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE THINGS Whether you’re doing last-minute Christmas shopping or looking to add some flair to your home or wardrobe, head to the annual Gabriëlskloof Favourite Things Market, taking place from 16-18 December. Situated on the beautiful family-run olive and wine estate Gabriëlskloof in the Overberg, just an hour from Cape Town, this artisanal night-time fair exudes country charm, with a dose of sophistication. Grab a glass of one of Gabriëlskloof’s finest blends and browse through wares including handmade ceramics, quilts, decorative fynbos and more. Then indulge in champagne and oysters, handmade chocolates and baked goods, or an assortment of wines and cheeses. OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT Combining music, cinema and arts and crafts in a magnificent outdoor setting, the Old Mutual Music…

Maira Koutsoudakis is the CEO and co-founder of The LIFE Grand Group of Companies, comprising the multinational award-winning resort, luxury lodge, private island and hospitality specialist LIFE Interiors Architecture Strategic Design, and The LIFE Grand Group of restaurants and hospitality offerings. Currently, she divides her time between the luxury eco-lodges she’s been privileged to work on in Africa and their LIFE Grand Cafés. They are opening their first one in Cape Town in December. She’s extremely passionate about environmental sustainability, urban regeneration and heritage conservation. These elements feature in all of her work. Maira is based in Johannesburg, where she lives with her husband and business partner, John, and their two beautiful children. Highlights of 2016: We launched the Gentlemen’s Arthouse in June, and we will be opening our first…

With its magnificent views overlooking the valleys, this home is the epitome of relaxation and comfort. “We bought the stand about 10 years ago and in 2013 decided to build our dream home. We love the estate, and with the view into the valleys towards a dam, nothing can be more pleasant and enjoyable after a long, hard day,” says the owner. Natural cladding and wooden features are found throughout the house, making visitors feel like they are wrapped in a comfortable, warm blanket. “We love wood and natural cladding, and decided to use as much of these two items as possible. The cladding we picked up in the veld between Irene and Olifantsfontein to ensure the most natural look we could get,” explains the owner. The living room oozes…

nav›› Home has so many cool features to help FNB Customers navigate the road ahead, like the free instant value estimate. Knowing that your home is worth R1 450m is empowering. nav›› Home will then take note of your buying power and help define your search for that perfect home in an area you can afford. It’s all about giving you more control. In fact, house hunting has never been more convenient. When you’re ready to make a move, nav›› Home turns you into a property guru with access to a couple of free comparative reporting features that help you make informed decisions about prices and suburbs. The Property Report provides a free estimated value of residential properties you’re interested in. That’s not all, you can also check out a…

“Thanks to the double-volume windows, the space boasts panoramic views of the beautiful garden and dam.” This family home boasts a unique set of ingredients that creates a liveable, comfortable space filled with loads of style. Situated in a nature estate, the home was built with equal measures of quiet solitude and communal living. The wife, who is an avid baker, loves a hub of lively activity, while the husband needs a professional space to run his business. Thanks to clever planning, the industrious couple each enjoy their own dedicated workspace. While designing the residence, the owners had a clear recipe for their future home’s look and feel. “It had to be light and airy, which informed our decision to include double-volume spaces,” says the wife. “Although we’re a small…

Apart from the commercial work, his practice has always maintained a steady flow of houses, many of which have been featured in this magazine over the years. After qualifying as a technician, Pat soon realised that his true passion was design. At the age of 24, he started a five-year degree in Architecture at what is now UKZN. Following his first year, he was awarded a bursary from the in-house architectural division of Transnet, where he worked on completion of his degree. Within a few years, he became the regional architectural manager and completed a senior management programme through the University of Stellenbosch. “As much as I enjoyed being part of a big organisation, at heart I had always wanted my own practice,” he says. The chance came in 2002,…

With the pace of life what it is, particularly in the cities, many look to their homes for the balance and calm they need to restore. Here are some ideas for creating zones of peace and quiet. THE PEACEFUL BEDROOM Nothing says “chill out” more than a bed, and if it’s in a room that has a peaceful vibe, all the better. Keep your bedroom a calm place by using a palette of neutral tones, with brushstrokes of pastels here and there to add interest. Make sure you invest in good-quality bed linens and duvets, so that you are able to make your bed as comfortable as possible. Peaceful bedroom essentials • Scatter cushions • Vases Make sure you have adequate lighting. THE QUIET READING CORNER OR BOOK NOOK In…

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE Balmy summer evenings call for soft, dappled lighting. A collection of matte-gold tea light holders by H&M creates subtle after-dark appeal. Visit www.hm.com Colour therapy Patios are the ideal place to relax, reboot and unwind. Give your patio furniture an instant reboot with a set of hummingbird-and-floral seats by H&M. Visit www.hm.com FESTIVE FLAIR Pep up your outdoor patio with pots brimming with brightly coloured blooms. Make a strong statement with dipladenia “Diamantina Jade”, which is ideal for large pots. For more info, visit www.ballstraathof.co.za SUSPENDED ANIMATION Sculptural air plants are the ideal zero-maintenance plants. They require no soil and almost no water. Add interest to your patio by suspending them in one of Elsje Design & Décor Studio’s graphic air plant holders. Visit www.elsje.co.za…

These teardrop vases will make a statement on any side table. www.rialheim.co.za It’s impossible not to want to drink out of these jewel-coloured crystal glasses. They super-stylish – just perfect for entertaining. www.woolworths.co.za It is said cork will make a comeback in 2017, so get a head start and set your table with these cork placemats from Woolworths. www.woolworths.co.za Diptyque candles, in a range of luxuriously fresh and spicy scents, such as Spearmint, Coriander and Fig Tree, are now available from Luminance. www.luminanceonline.com This designer patio furniture is fun, yet sophisticated, and comes in a variety of colours and designs. www.generationdesign.co.za All I want for Christmas is… this reindeer wine holder – oh yes, and the wine too! This is a great end-of-year gift idea. www.nativedecor.co.za…

Increasingly used in casino, hotel and retail sectors, customised scent marketing is gaining popularity in SA. Brand Inscentives, formed in 2005 by entrepreneurs Daryl Du Toit and Gillian Meiring, works together with brands to create signature scents, fostering brand identification through the senses. While a range of fragrance oils, including vanilla pepper, coffee and jasmine, are internationally sourced, the final scent is locally manufactured through optimally combining scents to create a unique fragrance encapsulating a brand’s essence. Brand Inscentives locally manufactures ducted units and imports standalone units, both of which they install and maintain. Fragrances are also available to individuals looking to add inviting aromas to their homes. Rattan reeds are inserted into scented diffuser oil to disperse scent into the air naturally. Wooden fragrance display box R220. Refills from…

Situated on an upmarket golf estate in the Upper Highway area of KwaZulu-Natal, this stately home boasts magnificent views over the golf course and clubhouse. The architectural style of the home takes inspiration from the Cotswolds, in the English Midlands, of which the high-pitched, 40-degree roofs, lofts and dormer windows are characteristic. The home features four generous en-suite bedrooms, a pyjama lounge, well-fitted study, handcrafted solid-wood kitchen, pub, wine cellar, TV room, large double garage, golf-cart garage and staff quarters. The downstairs living areas and main bedroom lead out onto the deck, a well-thought-out entertainment area with a generous swimming pool and separate sunken hot tub. A convenient addition to this area is the outdoor wooden shower with pergola overhead. The decor suits the classical tastes of the home owners,…

VINTAGE VIBES: Include décor elements inspired by yesteryear, such as freestanding baths, glimmering chandeliers and Baroque-style mirrors. RUSTIC RETREAT: Use earthy materials such as wood for your bathroom furniture and concrete-slab vanity tops to create organic interest. LESS IS MORE: A minimalistic bathroom calls for clean, simple lines and muted hues. Conceal the cistern in the wall or behind a glass panel and install sleek shower channels to round off the look. IN PERFECT HARMONY: Follow a Zen-style approach by introducing nature into your bathroom. Incorporate natural elements like water, fire and air to round off the earth-inspired look. LOOKING FOR A CISTERN THAT’S OUT OF PLAIN SIGHT? Geberit’s comprehensive range of concealed cisterns and innovative sanitary products will enhance your bathroom’s aesthetic. www.geberit.co.za…

There is no better time than now to move your entertaining outdoors into the balmy summer air. Whether you’re having a luncheon or a cocktail party in the moonlight, there are many ways to create a special oasis outside. Thick, comfortable cushions can also set the scene. If it’s a pool party, ensure your fabrics are waterproof, because guests may sit on them while wet. SITTING PRETTY Assess your furniture situation. Why not bring your indoor furniture outside, to increase your seating options, along with poufs, benches or stools? Repurpose indoor furniture to create an outdoor “room”. You can even spread some pretty quilts on the ground and let people lounge picnic-style. “A summer party should be relaxed. Patio furniture or other outdoor furniture is perfect. Thick, comfortable cushions can…

This summer, you’ll be wanting the most comfortable outdoor hangout. Whatever your unique vision might be, you can create it with the very latest in patio furniture. “The increasing consumer demand for customisation has fuelled innovations in development by producers, designers and retailers,” says Ora Outdoor’s Glyn Rudolph. “Clients want a curated look which reflects their individual style, the way they live and use their space. The best contemporary outdoor furniture combines high-quality materials and simple, sophisticated design.” Clients want a curated look which reflects their individual style, the way they live and use their space. HATCH A PLAN To create a cosy reading nook in a quiet corner of your backyard, why not purchase a hanging cocoon? Many hanging lounge chairs come shaped like leaves or nests. You can…