Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 - January 2018 i South African Home Owner

Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. These five elements define us – at any given time we can be one or all of them. Now the flooring in your home can reflect this too. Featuring nine polypropylene carpet ranges and two vinyl ranges, in a variety of contemporary tones and textures inspired by the natural elements, the Lifestyle Collection brings balance, harmony and elegance to any environment. It offers affordability, style, comfort, resilience, sophistication and peace of mind, all underpinned by an incredibly modern look. The flooring inside your home is the foundation on which your unique decor personality is built. Choose carpet or vinyl, or a harmonious blend of both, to create flooring tailor-made for your lifestyle. The aesthetically beautiful Lifestyle Collection will enable you to transform your home…

“We chose to use 3.2m glass doors to frame all our rooms, to make the most of the daylight and take in those beautiful sunsets.” As a professional interior designer, there’s no doubt there’s a little added pressure when it comes to furnishing your own home. It turns out that the pressure only doubles when you open your home to public view, the owner reveals. “Many designers never show you their home and I certainly want to be different. Every element in my home is under scrutiny when clients visit, which puts pressure on me to use the best materials. The pieces I have had custom-made (from art to cabinetry) need to be perfect for that space, ultimately showing my dedication to my work and being proud to open…

Dusty Pink is the third trend collection from Rebel Walls this year, one that perfectly incorporates structured geometrics, soothing pastels and swirling marble in one convenient wallpaper. www.stleger.co.za If you’re keen to incorporate greenery in your home, these Herbarium scatters are the perfect solution for something a little more abstract. www.weylandts.co.za From a Spanish design atelier known for its distinctive crystal chandeliers, Iris Cristal’s Octopus creates a gentle ambience by diffusing light through its layered structure. www.euronouveau.co.za Soften any hard corners with this delightful, graphic Hampton swivel chair from Leon at CCXIX. www.leonat219.com Designed by Elena Salmistraro, Bosa’s Primates collection is playful and striking. The lively expressions and bold colours serve as a contemporary nod to ancient Roman pottery, when objects were believed to have souls. www.cremadesign.co.za…

Are you planning to decorate or redecorate your child’s room? It can be quite a time-consuming exercise if not planned wisely. Planning requires understanding your child’s personality and what makes him or her tick, knowing what she or he prefers (ie favourite toys) and, most importantly, making sure that everything in the room is child-friendly and easy to clean, because things sure can get messy. You can never go wrong with a little research, and we spoke to a few industry experts. “Loose floor rugs that are machine-washable are the best solution for a child’s room, because mess happens.” – Yulande Roxburgh WALLS In terms of colour, the CEO of Clever Little Monkey, Yulande Roxburgh, suggests keeping things simple. “Neutrals or mono colour schemes that are built around black and…

Your car pulls slowly out of the driveway. You look nervously back at the house, wondering if your idyllic holiday will be interrupted by the blare of the alarm, the panic of the security company and endless queues in police stations. Crime rises in the holiday season, but there is no need for you to worry. Not when technology, innovation and sassy security features will make it seem as if your home is occupied when you are away. Your first step is to stop your subscriptions and try not to let paper pile up outside your house. Of course, in South Africa, avid advertisers will keep on sticking bits of paper to your gate, so get a mailbox. But not just any mailbox; aim for one that is secure, Wi-Fienabled…

- THE GRACE OF OLD WORLD GLAMOUR South African homeware retailer @home is launching a new luxury range. The Grace Collection combines old-world glamour and nostalgia with contemporary design. The new top-tier collection adds bespoke elegance to the current @home range, catering specifically for the discerning home decorator who appreciates curated quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail. “From a trend point of view, the collection captures the emergence of old-world glamour and the nostalgia of vintage-look pieces that can be passed on as heirlooms,” says @home trends researcher Louise Vorster. www.home.co.za INSPIRATION FOR THE HOME Luxaflex ® has opened its first new shop-in-shop concept within its gallery, Matheo Blinds and Awnings, in Moreleta Park, Pretoria. With natural lighting and realistic visuals, it allows consumers to experience the latest trends in…

The natural beauty of the Cape Winelands is among the best in the world, and in the midst of it you will find the prestigious and exclusive Val de Vie Estate. This unique estate, no more than 50km from the city centre and with easy access to highways, offers all the essential amenities and more – from fully equipped gyms and fine-dining experiences to world-class security, jogging trails, an award-winning golf course, and a showjumping and dressage arena. The essential style of the estate is a combination of French Provençal and Cape Vernacular. The use of space, with luxury living in mind, is a key aspect of the design and implementation. Sustainability is considered as important as comfortable living, and the estate has implemented a thriving ecosystem, ensuring substantial water…

MORLEY MILLER 082 442 1359 Morley Miller is a turnkey residential design company with a special focus on the design and manufacture of kitchens, built-in cupboards, cabinets, vanities and bars. To produce an elegant and crisp, yet warm look, the company opted for contrasting materials, juxtaposing high-gloss and matte finishes. Highlights include the white Calacatta Neolith island in the kitchen, and the floor-to-ceiling oven wall with Dunkel Grau Niemann doors, which are strong, masculine elements in the room. A solid natural oak frame completes this feature wall. High-gloss white doors add the finishing touch, with oak inserts accentuating the contrast of feminine and masculine, organic and elegant. NEOLITH 071 672 6459 Hardwearing and durable, Neolith is the ideal material for countertops. It’s also easy to clean and maintain, while its…

Available in five brand-new colourways, Phoenix Stone continues to make one of the best arguments for why engineered quartz countertops are a kitchen’s best friend. www.womag.co.za Nothing says summer quite like a chilled beverage in jewel-coloured glass – preferably outdoors, in the sunshine. www.woolworths.co.za With the option of hot, ambient or cold water in an instant, the Russell Hobbs countertop water dispenser is the entertainer’s perfect kitchen helper. http://russellhobbs.co.za Keep mosquitoes and flies at bay with an elegant and stylish SOiL ceramic oil burner with citronella essential oil. www.soil.co.za Sweet and playful, Le Creuset’s Sorbet collection is as delightful to look at as it is to use. Available in everything from egg cups to mini round cocottes, you’ll want to collect them all. www.yuppiechef.com…

A beautiful freestanding bath, from Vanda Baths, brings hotel luxury to the bathroom. https://vandabaths.com/za/south-africa Who doesn’t love an indulgent, luxurious towel? This is the new “snag-free” collection from Volpes. www.volpes.co.za Introduce the charm of antique. This retro-look, antique shower rose and arm, by Bijiou Bathroom Collection, comes in a matte black, vintage brass or chrome finish. www.macneil.co.za Organic-style, handmade bathroom products add a touch of class to any bathroom setting. Take a look at these pieces, in the Arenito range, from Weylandts. www.weylandts.co.za Looking for a funky door handle or a unique stocking-filler this Christmas? Handles Inc has a wide variety to choose from. www.handlesinc.co.za…

Increasingly, outdoor areas are becoming a seamless extension of our homes’ inner spaces. Think of a family room or kitchen spilling onto a patio, suggests Oren Sachs of WOMAG. “People have realised that outdoor areas are a wonderful way to extend the size of their homes – that’s why we’re seeing more thought going into outdoor flooring. After all, the use of similar flooring on both sides of the threshold helps to eliminate the separation between inside and outside.” Against this backdrop, he adds that current choices focus on eliminating clutter, hassle and, most of all, maintenance. “Practicality comes first. The less time you have to spend looking after your flooring, the more time you have to enjoy your outdoor areas.” DECK UPDATE This is particularly true of decking, says…

Take time out at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, situated between Mossel Bay and George, in a spectacular wilderness that’s home to 26 species of animals and 200 species of birds. To add to your stay, Botlierskop offers horseback safaris, guided game drives, bush walks and spa treatments. Take in the bush ambience on the open-air deck at sunset, followed by an African drumming circle for evening entertainment. The luxury tented accommodation along the riverbank offers a rich wildlife experience with all of the creature comforts you could want: air conditioning, four-poster bed, luxury decor, mosquito nets, en-suite facilities with an open-air shower and deep oval baths, as well as a swimming pool with breathtaking views. Among its attractions are the rare black impala, rhino, buffalo, elephant, hippo, lion, giraffe, mountain…

RING This clever tool is available on import and is designed to put that “ring” of security around your home. Ring includes a video doorbell and cameras that are placed around the home. You can use these to monitor activity around the home, especially since they come with motion sensors, so any activity instantly alerts you on your phone, tablet or PC. Every device comes with a wide-angle lens and a built-in microphone and speaker, so you can see who it is, talk to them and make sure they are someone you want in your space. https://ring.com MAXIMUS SMART SECURITY LIGHT This is an extremely clever outdoor home security camera and smart lighting system that comes with one very important extra feature: it lets you talk to people standing outside…

With the holidays upon us and the incredible weather South Africa enjoys at this time of year, most home owners want their houses to enhance the feeling of summer and all that it has to offer. The light here is very different from what it is in Europe and the United States, and it’s important not to just follow international trends, but to look at what will work specifically in the South African context. I always use the example of yellow, which is often featured in annual trends, but due to our bright light, can be overpowering when used excessively in an interior. A colour such as yellow is best used in moderation for decor and smaller focus items. Blue-and-white continues to dominate trend pages and is highly suitable for…

NICO VAN DER MEULEN ARCHITECTS 011 789 5242 The floorplans of this home were designed to reflect a seamless indoor-outdoor lifestyle, focusing on the family’s daily routines and, of course, the views. Keeping the province’s exceptional climate in mind, and incorporating eco-energy technology such as the geothermal system to heat and cool the home, rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic panels discreetly installed on the roof, the home owner’s brief was achieved by orienting the house north, and screening off the west and east sun. As you approach the home, a cantilevered porte cochère screen of suspended steel elements, with double sliding garage doors clad in dark limestone immediately comes into view. However, the build was not without a few challenges. The second-floor veranda and solar shading on the north side cantilevers…

“The architectural style of the home is unique in that it is built ‘upside-down’.” This home was built to meet the home owners’ living and entertainment needs. “Our home is aesthetically pleasing, reflecting our taste and style. The expansive view makes you forget that you live in a city and brings you closer to nature. It could easily be mistaken for a game farm,” says the home owner. The architectural style of the home is unique in that it is built “upside-down”, and the owners enjoy the fact that it is uncluttered and minimalist. Cladding along the entrance and passage, along with the ample use of wood throughout, gives the home a quaint, bushveld-lodge aura. The furniture in the lounge is simple, elegant and comfortable, appointed in natural tones; it’s…

RLWA 012 666 7140 RLWA supplies high-quality aluminium windows, doors, facades and pressure-glazed systems to residential and commercial properties. For this home, the preference was for a charcoal aluminium palace slider system and vista sliding folding system, with casement windows. These products are not only durable, but add elegance to the home. DRAWBOX DESIGN STUDIO ARCHITECTS 012 349 1112 The owners wanted a vernacular family home where they could take advantage of the ideal Highveld climate, and approached the Drawbox Design Studio team. Constructed using primarily steel, glass and timber, the home is designed with clean lines and open spaces, and benefits from a logical flow and generous volumes. SKYFALL CONSTRUCTION 010 596 8931 Skyfall Construction is a specialist construction and project management firm run by professionals, servicing individuals looking…

“Beverage coolers not only add aesthetic value to your home, but allow you to free up much-needed space in your traditional refrigerator.” – Dane Maharaj Entertaining at home can be overwhelming at the best of times, but the pressure is really on over the festive season, with larger parties of friends and extended family to keep happy. But, with a little careful planning and a lot of help from modern technology, the best parties will always be in the kitchen. WORK SMART, NOT HARD Multitasking is difficult as a rule, but never more so than when you’re juggling cooking various dishes with making sure your open-plan kitchen doesn’t look like a disaster zone in front of your guests, while making smalltalk. Luckily, in the 21st Century, kitchen appliances, both large…

Guest bathrooms need to be extra-welcoming, because these are spaces your visitors will have time to survey at their leisure, undisturbed. They’re usually quite small, so the best way to wow your guests is with design elements that will catch their eye, and tasteful, yet useful items that will make them want to stay. COLOUR CREATIVE Don’t be afraid to go for something a bit “out there” in the guest loo. “Have fun with colours and textures – as it is not a space you use often, you can let your creativity free,” suggests Monika Krolewicz, interior designer at Ferreiras. You can even introduce colour to your sanitaryware. Sterlings offers washbasins in a variety of colours, from mint green to matte black. “The only caution here is, if you decide…

If you’re used to the steady khaki of outside walls, designed to hide the splatter from storms and the dust of winter, or if your interior is broken only by paintings and a gentle hint of colour, it’s time for you to fasten your home seatbelt, because your world is about to be transformed. Over the past few years, wall finishes have been evolving from the simple to the spectacular, and today you can create extraordinary designs using grass, metallic paint, faux finishes, wallpaper, bricks, stone and so much more. “You can use external wall panels to highlight architectural features on your building, and you can even tie them together using a similar finish,” suggests Nathan Chapman, sales and marketing director of Eva-Last. “You can completely change the look of…

One day, everything in your house will have an Internet connection – from the fishtank to the fridge. And that day may be sooner than you think. According to Apple’s website, there are over 130 smart home devices, either on sale or in production, that are already compatible with its HomeKit software, ranging from Wi-Fi-controlled garage door motors to the De’Longhi MDH air conditioner. And while you may not be totally convinced that being able to control your thermostat via an Internet connection while on a beach holiday is going to enhance your lifestyle much, the same system that can activate your aircon remotely can also alert you to potential mechanical issues before they occur. Engineers are adding networked sensors to everything, partly because we don’t even know what all…