Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2015 i South African Home Owner

To me, family is the centre of my home. The old adage – home is where the heart is – rings very true, and I always feel at home when my family is around.SA Home Owner is a brand that appreciates family and family values, and we believe that every member of the family should be comfortable in their home, and have an imprint of their personality in the space or spaces that they frequent. June sees our Family Issue come together, and we explore some topics pivotal to wholesome family living. Starting in the kitchen, we take you through the steps to design a family-friendly kitchen, looking at practical finishes and some appliances that the whole family can use. Different age groups have different needs from their bathrooms, and…

Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac on a beautiful golf estate, this modern home, with three storeys of functional living space, welcomes you through an entrance with a koi pond. The owners, who have two young children, have always loved contemporary designs and interiors, and opted for neutral colours and a great flow between the split levels. The staircase, made from glass and steel, is a focal point and holds the spaces together. The third floor provides a platform for the main bedroom – a modern, loft-style, en-suite design. It offers an escape to the very top of the house – a perfect retreat for winding down and privacy. It’s a very modern home, but it’s lived in – a merging of functionality and aesthetics The middle level comprises the kitchen,…

Not all apartments are created equal. This luxury apartment along the Atlantic seaboard is spacious, well lit, and boasts the most spectacular views of Lions Head and the iconic lighthouse in Mouille Point. It is also a stone’s throw away from a popular golf course and Green Point Park, and in walking distance of the world-famous Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. On split levels, with one bedroom upstairs and another downstairs, the apartment boasts a double-volume entrance hall and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The imported glass provides both privacy while preserving the view, and acts as a sound and thermal barrier. The apartment is thus energy-efficient, cool in summer and cosy in winter. The decor was inspired by the bespoke collections of Piet Boon. With a seamless flow from the kitchen to…

“Families need to have fun in the kitchen,” says Stefan Gutstadt of Culinary Equipment Company. “Fun can also be a learning experience, which gets kids involved in a variety of activities that teach them about food.” He recommends a pasta maker, which is easy and safe for everyone. Another idea is a stand mixer, where children can add ingredients for baking – and it’s easy to clean. For cooking, induction technology uses electromagnetism to heat the cooking vessel, so the cooking surface remains cool, which can be safer when children are around. A gas stove will ensure that heat can be controlled. Stefan adds: “A dual ignition system means a child won’t accidentally ignite the burner if he or she is playing with the stove knobs.” A hob guard is…

NAZREEN ESSAK Based in Cape Town, Nazreen is one of our property photographers. I LOVE MY JOB, BECAUSE... It’s all about being creative. THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE MY DECOR STYLE: Relaxed, minimal and modern. MY HOME IS... Usually filled with children’s laughter, family and friends. THE HEART OF THE HOME IS... Any room my little ones are playing in. A TREND I’M FOLLOWING AT THE MOMENT... Marsala, the Pantone Colour of the Year, especially in my photography. WINTER IN CAPE TOWN... Clear, sunny skies on an icy-cold day. WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE OR A HONEY _ AND _ NUT LATTE? White hot chocolate! MY FAVOURITE DECOR STORE IS... LIM on Kloof Street. I love their wooden decor and minimal, form-meets-function style. THE BEST DECOR ADVICE I’VE BEEN GIVEN... Give away an…

This home, on a country estate outside Johannesburg, encapsulates some of the best aspects of rural living – sustainability, a peaceful environment and a welcoming farmhouse style. “We went for a Highveld farmhouse design, which melds into the natural landscape, while still providing a feeling of space and luxury,” says the home owner. Working with the limitations of the site, orientation and estate guidelines, the architect designed the house as two linked sheds, making use of a simple material palette of plaster and steel, and exposing the trusses of the pitched roof. Extra-height doors and high windows in the living area add to the sense of airiness and spaciousness. “We fell in love with the design and added only one element – the firepit,” adds the home owner. The firepit…

For a family with children, and a husband who is often away on business, there’s no place quite like this home, which offers both security and a sense of open space. The couple bought the house last year and undertook some renovations. Nothing major was required in terms of structure, as it was already their dream home. A Stefan Antoni design, magnificent features, open space and prime positioning on this golf estate were just some of the factors that drew the family to this house. They waited for years until it became available for purchase – tenacity and timing, the couple says. The downstairs area follows the brief from the couple who love all things modern, but who also wanted a house that was warm. The kitchen, dining room and…

You can now create the perfect latte, or any hot, milky drink, at home, with the Lattissima Touch from Nespresso. Nespresso.com Add an element of fun to your morning routine with Koziol’s Kitzy breakfast board, which is made of recyclable plastic. Berzacks.co.za The Bugatti Vela blender has a unique conical design for easy blending of purées, smoothies and soups. Italianlifestyle.co.za Keep the Kaiser Bake and Play mixing bowl and measuring cup set close at hand, for kids to help in the kitchen. Yuppiechef.com Clever technology and its high-quality cooking performance make the Samsung Smart microwave oven an ideal addition to the family kitchen. Samsung.com/za…

While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a baby’s arrival when planning a nursery, it will pay to think long-term about the room, and how to make it suitable for a child’s needs as they grow older, to save you from a big redecoration project later. There’s no doubt the room has to be beautiful, as your child (and you) will be spending a large amount of time in it, but it also has to be functional. Customise a dresser with a removable changing top, or choose a product that can be converted into a desk or additional storage FURNITURE Start by looking at the size of the room. What furniture can it accommodate, and how can these pieces be adapted for use when your child…

• Feed winter vegetables with a vita-boost, so they continue to grow well.• Spray frost-sensitive plants with wilt plant protector, to prevent frost burn.• Plant new roses, and feed them with a rose vitaliser.• Remove all lawn weeds with a selective weed killer. Carefully check the label of the product to ensure it can be applied to your lawn.• Treat conifers against conifer aphids with Efekto Plant Protector or Efekto Insecticide Granules.…

Nothing beats a great movie, especially if it’s in the comfort of your own home, where you don’t have to queue for popcorn and sit through a number of trailers before the show starts. And you can enjoy it with the whole family. Home theatres are becoming very popular, but it’s important to plan the space to suit every member of the family. A home theatre system should be easy to use by all members of the family. “The best home theatre system money can buy is no good if you can’t figure out how to switch it on. A universal remote system will assist in simplifying this set-up, so that the only drama is the one you are watching,” says Warren Husband of Homemation. “Home theatres have traditionally been…

After America, North Africa, the Land of the Rising Sun and the UAE, Colombini Casa conquers South Africa, with Johannesburg hosting its first showroom in southern Africa. Offering a taste of true Italian design, Colombini Casa brings a furnishing concept that is driven by the Italian lifestyle – a diverse range of products with complete design solutions for interior living spaces that epitomise the “Italian way of life”. Complementing the modern family’s lifestyle, they will ensure that you can spend time with your kids, while they watch TV or do their homework, and you prepare dinner. Craig Adam and Laird Adam of the Diva Group, who have brought the global brand to South Africa, and Emanuel Colombini of Colombini Casa Italy, add: “We are proud to have among our sales…

Confident in our own skin, there is a growing trend towards celebrating the beauty of being different and the best of each sex. In latest emerging trends, we explore how men and women are increasingly being encouraged to play on the traditions of masculinity and femininity to create living spaces for people who are proud to be themselves. The Dulux Him + Her colour palette from Dulux Colour Futures trends 2015 is imbued with traditional feminine hues and masculine shades such as Dulux Steel Symphony 1 which complement each other wonderfully. Rich dark wood, confident furniture and bold accessories also make an uncompromising statement. Equally dynamic on a front door or the walls of an office, restaurant or home, this is the trend that will help you create a sanctuary…

Natural Quartz Flooring’s granular, seamless flooring system creates a unique non-slip floor that is the perfect solution for any family home. Naturalquartzflooring.co.za Rocket Design produces furniture pieces that are specific to each customer’s personal requirements. The Boundless collection offers four to 10-seater dining tables. Rocketdesign.co.za The new glass pendant range from K. Light Import is available in three colours, all supported by a chrome ceiling fitting. Klight.co.za Loft Living in Cape Town stocks some great finds. This Moooi round mirror was produced with resin and given a high-gloss finish. Loftliving.co.za Douglas Jones imports the Toscana Range by Bestile. These tiles can be used on both walls and floors, and come in a trendy hexagon shape. Douglasjones.co.za The African djembe drum inspires Origo’s XO range. The side table comes in four…

It’s not always easy building a home to suit the needs of every member of the family. This home owner wanted a house that not only looked sophisticated, but also encompassed the needs of her growing children. “I wanted a home that was open-plan and modern, but also baby-friendly. I wanted to give the kids space to grow and play, without worrying too much about furniture being in the way,” she says. This essentially created the brief for the architect tasked with creating a dream home for this close-knit family. In the entrance of the home, you are showered by light from an elaborate chandelier hanging from the triple-volume ceiling. The tall, mirrored vase pedestals reflect this light as you walk in, welcoming you to a sanctuary of understated elegance.…

New in age but traditional in its approach, this home is all about easy living. As the owner puts it: “What you see is what you get; there’s no pretence. A bit like myself!” This father of two, and owner of local decor store Wild Fig Tree, knew precisely what he wanted to achieve with his house, in Hillcrest, north of Durban. Taking an active role while it was still in the construction phase, he saw the originally proposed 300m² build evolve to almost double in size. Nowhere do you witness clean lines or masses of white, modern surfaces; this family thrives on comfort and warmth. Communal areas are creatively styled with both new and old artefacts. The montage on the wall is an eye-catching display of meaningful photos, pictures…

KIDDIES’ CORNER The function of a bathroom should always guide the design of the space and the features you will need. Safety is a vital aspect when considering the young members of the family. In preference to a shower, rather install a smaller-sized bathtub with a bath mixer and hand shower, which will allow you to hold the child while they glide around the bathtub. Belinda McCall of Nest Designs advises parents to use slip-resistant finishes and tempered glass, to ensure you have a safe bathroom. “Make sure that everything is placed at a level that makes it easy for children to reach, without having to continually rely on adult assistance,” she adds. Organise functional areas around a central space, and think long-term, by designing a bathroom that kids can…

The iconic Tripp Trapp chair from Stokke has an adjustable seat and footplate to support your child, whatever his or her age. Stokke.com Mywalltattoos.com has a range of non-permanent wall decorations to liven up a nursery or child’s room. Mywalltattoos.com Meet Charlie the dog night-light; he will provide children with a comforting glow at bedtime. Nestdesigns.co.za The Kukuu Bird and Berry compactum cleverly transforms from a changing station into a desk and toy storage units. Cleverlittlemonkey.co.za Simple to set up, this kids’ tepee from Mono Online Shop is great for playtime at home. Monoshop.co.za Both a toy and a chair, the Eames-style baby elephant from Simply Child can also be used outside. Simplychild.co.za…

Every superhero needs a place of refuge where he can relax after saving the world. The man cave is a reward after a long day’s work, and should be comfortable, entertaining and functional – a place where he can watch sport, play video games or indulge in his hobbies in peace. But masculine spaces needn’t be boring, cluttered and ugly. When creating the man cave, consider the essential furniture items first, such as a big-screen TV unit, a door fridge with an ice-maker, and a good couch. When it comes to decor, choose masculine materials that are versatile and hardwearing, such as leather and wood “TVs are getting bigger, with 84-inch and bigger screens making their way into the market, all of these being in ultra-HD and in a newer…

FROM ALPACA DESIGNS FIVE READERS WILL EACH GET TO ADD A LUXURIOUS, FUR RUG FROM ALPACA DESIGNS TO THEIR HOME. THE RUGS ARE: • 2 2m x 3m Choobi design rugs, worth R3 500• 1 2,7m x 1,7m Choobi design rug, valued at R2 500• 1 2,7m x 1,7m Tabriz design rug, to the value of R3 500• 1 2,1m x 1,8m Alpaca rug worth R9 000 Alpaca Designs’ Alpaca fur is one of the warmest and strongest furs available on the market. The fur is naturally hypoallergenic and lanolin free. Alpaca rugs add a sense of beauty, style and class to any home. The rugs are soft, comfortable and easy to care for; they can be vacuumed, and stains can be removed with any alcohol-based spot remover. For more information on Alpaca products,…

The spending playground of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) is a fascinating place, and the annual Wealth Report – the 2015 edition of which recently launched in South Africa – taps into wealth distribution trends, covering almost 100 countries in its research. “Africa is one of the regions of the world with huge potential to grow its wealth, driven by a rising middle class and the increased success of many businesses,” says Margaret Nienaber, global chief executive of Standard Bank Wealth and Investment. And the Wealth Report predictions see African UHNWIs increasing by a staggering 59% over the next decade – far stronger than the 34% projected global growth. There is an increasing influence of global and African wealth flows on prime property and investment markets, putting property firmly back on the…