Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2015 i South African Home Owner

GET THE PARTY STARTED Spring is finally here – I have been waiting the whole winter for it! Now it’s time to dust the cobwebs off the old entertainment area, do a few decor tweaks here and there, and host those parties we’ve been planning throughout the cold season. Our September issue is all about entertaining, from putting together inviting spaces for your guests, and updating your outdoor entertainment area, to creating an entertainer’s kitchen, and making your guest bathroom beautiful. And of course, we never leave out the South African braai, with Heritage Day being celebrated on the 24th. To quote the very first poem I had published: “Spring is the season for dancing and singing…” – so kick off your shoes, light the braai, put on your favourite…

Set in the idyllic city outskirts of Cape Town, this home offers both the comforts of spacious family living and the ease of flow that is an entertainer’s dream. The owners worked hands-on with their architect from day one, providing constant input, ideas and design concepts for their future home. The most challenging part of the process was the lengthy construction phase, but once that was complete, the owners’ final vision for their home was something modern and mellow – a reflection of a sophisticated taste with channelled elements of creative edge. A flight of stairs leads to the home’s grand entrance. Running the whole length of the house and made entirely of glass, this corner of the building allows the owners a view of their surrounds as they descend…

BRIGGIE KIRCHMANN PLANTATION SHUTTERS In 2007, Briggie Kirchmann and her husband, William Duk, visited Atlantis in the Western Cape with the intention of buying the factory housing Plantation Shutters. What they didn’t expect was to buy the business too. “Once we entered the building, all I could look at was the beautiful Plantation Shutters in the windows,” says Briggie. After further investigation, William decided not only to buy the factory, but to take on the debts of the business. He enlisted his wife in the business, and together they transformed it into the respected company it is today. “We ended up working 18-hour days for the first three years, and then 12-hour days for the next two years to get Plantation Shutters where we wanted it to be. William was…

As we slowly edge out of winter, many of us are shifting from hibernation mode to being more sociable at home. If you’re playing host to family and friends, you want to create the right ambience, whatever the occasion. One of the ways to set the tone is with tableware. We’ve rounded up the current top trends in tableware to get you inspired for your next soirée. GO FOR GOLD The dining table isn’t missing out on the decor trend of warm metallics. Adding glamour to a setting, there’s also a touch of retro elegance about these metals when used as servingware. Key pieces: Think dinner plates and stemware edged in gold, chargers in warm metal tones and side plates with Baroque detailing. Copper cutlery is also coming to the…

DEBBIE ZEELIE Based in Cape Town, Debbie is our Cape sales manager. She is passionate about the brand, and starts her day by making a list. "It all goes on the list, and the list has to be completed each day!" SEPTEMBER IS OUR ENTERTAINMENT ISSUE. WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, MAKES A GOOD HOST? Planning ahead. Getting as much done before your guests arrive, so you can spend more time with them, rather than in the kitchen. WHAT’S YOUR DECOR STYLE? Modern, calm and restful. No red ever, not anywhere, ever! WHAT’S YOUR ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINING ITEM? Beautiful linen napery; no paper serviettes at my dining table. DESCRIBE YOUR GO _ TO MENU WHEN HAVING FRIENDS OR FAMILY OVER FOR DINNER? It’s always a three-course meal, and sometimes four, which will…

In a quiet estate in Johannesburg lies an eye-catching masterpiece created with palatial grandeur. The pillared exterior of the home, with perfectly manicured gardens and double-storey glass entrance, is on full display, thanks to a lack of high walls and electric fences. But it’s far from gaudy and ornate; this is a nod to modernism, with a touch of glamour and opulence. “I treated this project as I would have an upmarket boutique hotel,” explains interior designer Caroline Davidson of Sublime Interiors. The home owners were excited to be a part of the creative process, and worked closely with Caroline from the beginning. “They wanted something that was glamorous and opulent, but clear of clutter,” she explains. This objective was achieved by commissioning bespoke, statement pieces throughout the home that…

Unspoiled views of Table Mountain, and a golf course for a garden, make this home luxury living at its finest. Set between two fairways on a prestigious golf estate, the surrounds of this home are uncompromised and the views uninterrupted, a match made in heaven for the small family that built it. The owner admits that it was the views from the plot that sold him – and the fact that the golf green was on his doorstep, of course. The exterior of the home is finished in earthy colours and stone cladding that echo the natural surrounds and make the house visually unobtrusive in its environment, despite its generous size. Inside the home, white, grey and beige decor make for a light, airy feel. This means the owners are…

White Experience porcelain tiles from The Tile House have a marble effect, to create an elegant space. Thetilehouse.co.za For a relaxing soak, the Ionian bath, from Victoria and Albert Baths, has a generous length and angle of recline. Vandabaths.com These Stevie bathmats bring a modern element to the bathroom with their grid design. They are also luxuriously soft and absorbent. Linenhouse.co.za The Dura mixer with angle valves, from Cobra, is a sleek addition to the bathroom basin. Cobra.co.za Grohe’s Grandera collection of fixtures and accessories is in a classic style and available in chrome and chrome/gold for flexibility. Grohe.com…

As the season changes, most of us are coming out of hibernation to embrace the great outdoors. With the right lighting, you can ensure that the party doesn’t end as soon as the sun sets. Lighting is also important from a security point of view. Motion and daylight sensors will switch the lights on and off when necessary. LED continues to push the boundaries when it comes to lighting trends, and has also been translated into effective garden lighting. Not only are LED lights more practical and affordable compared to other alternatives, but they have also been incorporated into outdoor furniture, in the form of illuminated planters, stools and tables. There are many options for lighting the garden, and most of them are either solar-powered or rechargeable, which means no…

Seeing to everyone’s needs while you’re entertaining is tricky enough, so make sure your home is ready to welcome them. A relaxed and beautiful environment goes a long way towards making your guests feel the same. THE ENTRANCE How you present your entrance and hallway will set the tone and expectations for what’s to come. A cold and empty hallway can immediately make your guests feel uneasy, so make sure to pay attention to this small, yet significant area of your home. A sideboard where guests can leave gifts and place handbags and keys when you greet them is essential, and one or two armchairs with side tables will be wonderful if guests ever need to wait in the hallway. It’s essential not to over-clutter the area, as you need…

The world, and the way we do things, is changing. People are becoming more conscious of their carbon footprint, and implementing changes, both big and small, to lower that footprint and live a “greener”, more eco-conscious life. From cars with eco-drive to simple recycling at home, the movement is clearly taking shape as people across the globe become more educated on the impact on the environment of how they live. Two of the most talked-about tools in environment curating are LED lighting and renewable energy. LED LIGHTING According to Alex Cremer, LED technical support/ specialist at Verbatim, the lighting market is changing. Traditional incandescent lighting is steadily being replaced by LED lighting in both residential and professional spaces, due to the huge energy efficiencies and innovative solutions offered by LED.…

With the season for entertaining upon us, a drinks trolley or bar cart equipped with a few of the essentials is a wise idea. Often found in dining rooms, kitchens and lounges, these handy pieces of furniture are easy to move and can serve as an extra surface or storage spot, or simply add a bit of style. HERE IS A ROUND _ UP OF A FEW FABULOUS FINDS IN DIFFERENT SHAPES, STYLES, SIZES AND COLOURS: Ideal for outdoor, summer entertaining, the caddy bar trolley by Roda at Marlanteak can also be used inside. Simple in its design, this two-tiered trolley is made of stainless steel and teak. You can easily use it to set up a tea station and pop a few snacks on the side, while storing a…

The beauty of building your own home is that you don’t have to make do, or live with the previous owner’s choices. To design your own home allows you complete freedom to create a tailor-made house suited entirely to the way you live. The desire to build a home just for them became a reality for this young family three-and-a-half years ago. Situated in the sought-after Simbithi Coastal Estate, north of Durban, this is a modern home with a coastal twist. Actively involved from the word go, the owners wanted to create a home that looked as if it belonged to the landscape. This resulted in a single-storey structure with gentle sloping roofs, set into the hilly terrain. A strong connection with the outdoors was a factor for the family;…

Anyone who lives in Johannesburg will admit to the fact that, sometimes, the city gets a little overwhelming and that, in order to love the great things about her, an occasional escape to nature and quiet is required. This home owner has eliminated the need for a bush break by creating an everyday sanctuary just 20 minutes from the Sandton CBD – and his friends and family are taking advantage of it, too. From the moment you walk into this home, you could easily forget that you aren’t out in the bush. The thatched roof, screed floor and rustic furniture lend an air of charm that is both relaxed and carefully curated. The home was renovated over the course of two-and-a-half years, and has undergone what could only be described…

This Black Star countertop is a Phoenix Stone quartz-based surface, offering guaranteed durability and a stylish finish. Womag.co.za The Elise 110 Range Cooker has everything you could need for hosting a successful, perfectly timed dinner party. Globalpact.co.za We all know how personal coffee is. Now you can prepare it the way each guest likes it, with the Russell Hobbs Café Barista one-touch automatic coffeemaker. Boardmans.co.za Wooden boards can be used for more than just chopping vegetables. Create rustic presentation pieces with cheeses, breads, and even salads and roasted dishes. Woolworths.co.za The conical shape of the Beka tagine means all of the moisture and goodness is retained in the cooking process. Simply place the dish in the oven and let the tagine do the rest. Boardmans.co.za…

GARDEN MUST - HAVE The Probio Compost Activator helps you to produce high-quality, balanced compost. It is all-natural and contains good bacteria to help the soil to retain its nutrients. Probio.co.za EVENT FRANSCHHOEK UNCORKED FESTIVAL Enjoy a relaxed weekend at the Franschhoek Uncorked Festival, where you will get to sample some of the valley’s greatest wines, in beautiful surroundings. The festival takes place from 27 to 28 September. For more information, visit Franschhoekuncorked.co.za . GARDEN CARE Now is a good time to do a bit of pruning. Once your spring shrubs have bloomed, you can prune them back as well. For plants that may have roots growing out of the draining hole, you can either remove a bit of the topsoil and replace it with new potting…

Revamping your outdoor entertainment area needn’t be a big investment. Just a few small adjustments and considerations will have your friends begging you to throw another one of your parties. SEATING AND ZONING Variety is the spice of life when it comes to seating. Not only should you have different seating options, such as comfortable loungers, barstools or dining-table chairs, to make sure everyone is comfortable throughout the evening, but you can use these to create zoned areas too. Separating areas for dining and lounging, as well as a bar or drinks area with barstools, will go a long way towards creating a sense of movement and variety, and will create pocket areas where people can socialise away from the crowd. By the time summer comes around, your outdoor area…

The rollout of the e-toll system is akin to a badly written soap opera. What began as the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project in 2008 has advanced in episodes of debatable decision-making, poor communication and, in some more assertive opinions, forceful coercion to adopt a system that is unsupported by the majority of Gauteng motorists. NO STANDING OVATION Following the recent announcement by government that the existing fee structure was to be loosened (an apt comparison, as the financial implications of the e-toll system could be compared to a noose), studies have shown that the news was not received with the positive reaction that was anticipated. Market research company Ipsos discovered, through a study completed in April 2015, that more than four in every 10 Gauteng motorists (43%) disagreed with the…