Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2018 i South African Home Owner

“Our goal was to create a shell that wouldn’t compete with our art collection.” – home owner A palette of greys and neutrals makes this home an elegant backdrop for the home owners’ beloved art collection. The apartment, with its city-wide views, represents a move to a “simpler” lifestyle for the owners, who found that the roominess of their previous house – although enjoyable – meant that much of the space was unused. That said, they didn’t want their new abode to feel any less spacious. They therefore reconfigured the apartment to make it more airy: all rooms now lead on to a large balcony, and only the entrance hall lacks an external view. The original master suite and dressing room, previously separate, have been joined to create a peaceful…

Resisting the pull of a well-designed, functional, open-plan kitchen space is hard. The designated cooking, eating and household gathering spot, a family-friendly kitchen, is the hardest-working room in the home. But as the focal point of most open-plan houses, the space not only needs to function perfectly, but look good too. LET THERE BE (NATURAL) LIGHT An abundance of natural light is one of the most important features for any open-plan kitchen space. It makes everything look better and helps to create a welcoming, spacious atmosphere. “The ideal open-plan kitchen is light, airy and inviting, with a good flow,” says Silvia Miles, founder and owner of Milestone Kitchens. Siemens communication manager Lisa Greenwood echoes this sentiment. “Maximising natural light is key to getting the mood for the space right,” she…

“The bath is the best starting point for the rest of the sanitaryware design in an open-plan bathroom.” – Danielle Sterling If you’ve stayed in a luxury hotel featuring an open-plan bathroom, you’ll know why this trend is so strong. “Open-plan bathrooms are fantastic! They allow in a lot more light because of the larger space, and there are far less nooks and crannies,” says Danielle Sterling from Sterlings. HOW THE TREND BEGAN The open-plan bathroom first made an appearance when small boutique hotels started taking advantage of a change in building regulations. “Water and electrical power outlets had to be separated by walls to prevent any chance of electrocution. Today, the laws only require a minimum distance between power points and any wet areas, so the bedroom and en-suite…

Advanced technology and inspired home design means that more and more homes are creating leisure rooms that cater to the whole family. Pyjama lounges, home gyms, home theatres, gaming rooms, man caves ... these are common in homes today, breaking away from the sitting room or dining room as the central gathering spot in the house. PYJAMA LOUNGE The pyjama lounge has actually been around for a long time. Once called the TV room or kids’ room, the pyjama lounge is a super-casual space where families can gather in a cosier, more private setting ... in their PJs. “The pyjama lounge has always been popular in South African homes – the room where you can kick off and lounge around playing video games or watching TV,” says Heather Boting, owner…

Turning TV-watching toddlers and tweens into intrepid explorers by encouraging them to climb, swing and slide is easy when you put a little imagination into your garden, say the experts. And it boosts their health in a big way. grass, artificial lawn is ideal for high-traffic and shaded areas like play zones. “Quality artificial lawn from reputable brands is durable, soft underfoot and looks almost like the real thing,” says Craig de Necker, managing director of The Friendly Plant. PLAY MATTERS According to James Griffiths, director of The Pole Yard, playing on a jungle gym (or any form of outdoor play equipment) boosts motor skills, co-ordination, balance and confidence. Plus it stimulates creativity. “Jungle gyms inspire kids to think outside the box and play games that require them to open…

“Typically a roof garden is very heavy, so unless a roof is designed for it you have to be a bit careful.” – Justin Sam Walk around any of the big CBDs in South Africa with your chin held high, and it won’t be long before you notice a distinct trend that has hit our shores in recent years. Lush foliage sticks out from every angle of the newest office towers: pointing to the sky from flat surfaces, hanging down the side of glassy sky scrapers. Green roofs are incredibly popular, thanks to a combination of corporate social investment incentives and cost savings that go with sustainable building design. Not only do they look good and help remove pollutants from the local air, but they can help control the temperature…

Legend Golf & Safari Resort, also known as “the Home of the Extreme 19th”, is situated within the Entabeni Safari Conservancy in the Waterberg region of Limpopo. This world-renowned leisure destination welcomes all travellers, whether it be for a holiday, a short getaway, a business trip or a golf or safari experience. The resort is home to the unique “world-in-one” Signature Course where each of the 18 holes has been designed by a world golfing legend. Visitors can also take the challenge of the world-famous Par 3, the Extreme 19th. Legend Golf & Safari Resort is one of South Africa’s most talked-about luxury destinations and inspires all those who visit with its picture-perfect scenery, majestic architectural designs and the experience of a lifetime. Enter now to win one of two…

Fitting motorised blinds and curtains used to be almost more hassle than it was worth. The need to connect motors to mains power meant they could be installed only really during a major redecoration or refurbishment project. One more remote control to lose didn’t help things much either. Advances in battery and wireless technology, along with interest in home automation in general, have helped to drive a new generation of products that are both easy to install and can be controlled from universal control panels or your mobile phone. “Motorisation of blinds has always been limited by the need to get 220V power near to your window,” says Paul O’Brien of Blind Designs. “This has been an expensive and inconvenient limitation. New motors with built-in rechargeable lithium batteries are a…

DON’T MISS THIS The RMB Turbine Art Fair brings together galleries and artists from around the country to present and sell works in the Turbine Hall in Newtown, Johannesburg. The art fair, sponsored by RMB, takes place from 12 to 15 July and will showcase the works of both established and emerging artists. The fair will attract art lovers and collectors from all over. Tickets are available via Webtickets and at the door. www.turbineartfair.co.za WELCOME HOME! On 1 July, kitchen and homeware store Yuppiechef will be opening its second store in the Gardens Shopping Centre in Cape Town. The new store is opening just nine months after the first brick-and-mortar Yuppiechef shop opened in Willowbridge in Tyger Valley. The new store has the same industrial look and feel as the…

Local contemporary ceramicist and self-described earth bender Duma Mtimkulu is a fine and applied art graduate from the University of Technology. His collection includes pots and vases inspired by simple forms and shapes with emphasis on the surface. He has participated in a number of group exhibitions including the G & W exhibition curated by Gordon Froud in 2016. Mtimkulu was part of Design Indaba’s Emerging Creatives Extended Class of 2017 and was selected as one of the top six for the SA Taxi Foundation Art Award and Sasol New Signatures top 100 national exhibition. What I love about clay is that I can manipulate it into any form and shape. The process makes me love it even more, as there are different stages that each piece has to go…

Sleek and stylish, @home’s Dune range of bedroom furniture strikes a balance between cool minimalism and necessary warmth. www.home.co.za An easy way to update and add instant happiness to your children’s rooms, Handles Inc’s range of adorable door knobs are a great fit for doors, drawers and cabinets. www.handlesinc.co.za The Sommerford dining and bedroom series is made from reclaimed pine solids in a long butcher block pattern. It features a washed greyish brown textural finish to highlight the natural wood tones. www.ashleyfurniturehomestores.co.za Allusion blinds offer both shading and privacy by cleverly combining the delicacy of voile fabric with the versatility of rotating vertical louvres, and look best when paired with large windows or bi-fold doors. www.blinddesigns.co.za Da Rocha Interiors is all about providing service excellence, which is the backbone of…

“My kitchen is the perfect place to create an array of beautiful Portuguese dishes.” – home owner “The kitchen island is another inviting feature and is at two different heights to accommodate both adults and children.” Quaint convenience is what this home owner was looking for when she decided to build this modern and elegant home. “This area has always been a favourite of mine,” she says. “The quaint streets, the trees, I love everything about this suburb. It is an affluent suburb and is perfectly located in terms of convenience.” Wanting to blend in with the surrounding area, the owner created a stylish and contemporary home. “I envisaged a modern home with clean lines that incorporates natural elements that flow harmoniously throughout the house,” she says. This home has…

“Although this is a holiday house, the owners wanted it to feel like a home.” There was nothing subtle about Prince, as the home owner discovered when he visited the star’s home, Paisley Park. It’s difficult to imagine that he drew inspiration from his favourite singer when he decorated his own home – it isn’t OTT whereas Prince’s is – but the influence is very much there. “I loved Prince from a young age, and in many ways, his success was my motivation. That’s why one of my most precious items in this home is a guitar signed by Prince himself.” It’s an impressive piece in a house that is filled with items that draw admiration, from the artworks to other memorabilia, including pictures of Muhammad Ali, Madiba and Floyd…

“Morning light floods the rooms, thanks to the large windows in key areas.” When the homeowners took occupation of this house almost three years ago, their first decision was to do all the decorating themselves, without input from professionals. “We wanted to go with our gut,” they explain – which may be why the visitor’s first impression is that they are being welcomed into an intimate, personal space. The warm ambience is enhanced by the extensive use of antique pieces – with a special emphasis on wood – which have been combined with more modern items to create a signature style. Morning light floods the rooms, thanks to the large windows in key areas. These also allow visitors to enjoy the view to its full advantage. This view was also…

The pool is a big part of many South African homes, especially during the warmer months. It’s important though to remember to maintain your pool during winter as much as you do in summer. Your pool can be sensitive to seasonal changes, but covering it can help. Carolyn Idas, sales and distribution manager of PowerPlastics Pool Covers, says: “Left uncovered and untreated, the pool’s water levels will drop considerably as evaporation occurs year-round. Wind is also a big factor in evaporation. You will also spend far more than necessary on filtration and chemicals if a pool is left uncovered.” However if covered, a pool can be left unattended during winter, she says. “Stabilise all chemicals and then cover up. Check once or twice during winter and perhaps add some chlorine,…

THREE AWESOME IDEAS FOR ROOFTOP LANDSCAPING 1 Turf roof It’s difficult to plant a garden on a sloping roof, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. A turf roof is a traditional building technique that’s enjoying a comeback in Europe and Iceland, but isn’t hugely popular in South Africa, mainly because grass is notoriously difficult to maintain in our dry climate. In certain parts of the country, however, it’s an option to consider. www.safeguardchem.co.za 2 Vertical gardens Straight up Green walls are also enjoying a surge in popularity, and offer the same benefits as roof gardens but in a vertical fashion. Plants need to be carefully selected, however, as walls generally don’t receive the same amount of sunlight as roofs. Because there’s not the same depth of soil to…

Just as the elevator and the escalator didn’t lead to the demise of the fixed staircase, modern security technologies are not about to replace your old-school security measures such as fencing, safety locks, barrel bolts and steel-reinforced doors, say the experts. SECURITY WORKS BETTER IN LAYERS While it may be easy to be complacent because you now have the ability to see what’s happening at your home on your smartphone wherever you are, Tessa van Wyngaarden warns against relying on just one method. The head of marketing at Storm Distribution, a South African distributor of fencing and other products into retailers such as Builders Warehouse and Makro, says, “I don’t think new technology on its own can secure one’s home and family. One needs to use a combination of new…

“Frameless glass stacking doors are a solution for opening and closing up spaces. This solution has become popular for patios that lead off from living areas.” Open-plan living has been a popular trend in family homes and apartments for some decades. This direction in home design remains relevant as homes are generally getting smaller and more compact. Today’s home owner wants flexibility, and an open-plan area lends itself to change far more than an enclosed room. There are many factors that make open-plan living so popular. Light and space are naturally one the most significant drivers of an open-plan space and removing internal walls will immediately create a sense of airiness. One of the most popular options in older homes is to combine the dining room and kitchen by breaking…

STERLINGS 011 467 7525 Known as an industry trendsetter, Sterlings supplies exclusive Italian bathroom, kitchen, wardrobe and tile products and specialises in the design of their clients’ interior spaces. Sterlings did the kitchen, bar, braai area and vanities for this home. All the cabinetry was specifically designed for these areas and ordered from Italy. Huge importance was placed on the kitchen, as it is one of the first things you see when you walk into the home. The design is modern with no handles, integrated fridges and eye-level appliances, island cooking and seating for four people. Open shelving was also used to create the desired effect. Having the South African bush and the advantage of healthy living on their doorstep is a dream come true for these home owners. “We…

“Our home was designed to enable the addition of art over time.” – home owner “To keep their home from feeling claustrophobic, the owners requested open spaces filled with light and warmth.” With a tricky stand to develop in one of Johannesburg’s more established suburbs, the home owners were set on making the most of the interiors vs the exterior. “The traditional South African desire for a massive garden with a house spread all over is a bit outdated in my view,” the home owner says. “We have a small plot with a large living space in order to maximise what’s available.” To keep their home from feeling claustrophobic, the owners requested open spaces filled with light and warmth. “We asked for an integrated living space where every part of…

“The entire interior design was done by ourselves.” - home owner This home is a new build in an upmarket estate in the Helderberg Basin. The owners’ previous home was a much larger dwelling closer to the centre of town. “Since the children have left home we decided to scale down, yet we wanted something comfortable and stylish to suit our style of living,” says the owner. The owners wanted a property that was aesthetically pleasing both inside and out, while keeping within the strict guidelines of the estate. “The owners wanted a property that was aesthetically pleasing both inside and out, while keeping within the strict guidelines of the estate.” The design itself was intricate in places. In order to create a contemporary yet stylish look, more than a…

Featuring an electrical motion support system, Blum’s SERVO-DRIVE for AVENTOS takes all the hard work out of opening and closing your cabinet fronts, allowing you to make the most of your seamless kitchen design. www.eclipsegroup.co.za It’s impossible to resist adding to an ever-growing collection of Le Creuset. Especially when their newest offering is as fresh and whimsical as Fleur Cotton – and Yuppiechef is on hand to deliver straight to your door. www.yuppiechef.com Linear Concepts has just partnered with renowned kitchen company Ernestomeda to bring the Italian brand’s innovative kitchen design and leading-edge technology to South African homes. www.linearconcepts.co.za Beautiful on their own, but even better when grouped together, @home’s crystal red wine glasses are all the excuse you need to open a bottle with a few guests. Pictured here:…

For art lovers, collecting art is an exciting pastime. Not only do you get the pleasure of collecting and displaying in your home pieces that are pleasing, but you can reap dividends from works that can increase in value over time. If you don’t know where or how to start, here is some advice from three art professionals: IS ART A GOOD INVESTMENT? Yes it is a great investment, not just from a monetary point of view, but from a lifestyle side too. Collecting and buying art allows you to visit interesting galleries, meet artists and hear their stories. You need to love the art piece first, before looking at the actual investment of the piece. – Susie Goodman – general manager, Strauss & Co Johannesburg WHAT SHOULD ONE LOOK…

South Africa’s indigenous flora is ideal for roof gardens, thanks to a wide variety of drought-resistant species that are colourful and low-maintenance. Wild grasses are perfect, says Rooftop Landscape’s Justin Sam, and a garden can mature in as little as six months if planted during the summer. Greenstone says he only uses horticulture that grows natively in an 80km radius of a new project, but that still leaves plenty of choice. Especially when it comes to fynbos in the Western Cape.…

TRELLIDOR RETRACTABLE SECURITY GATES If you’re looking for a strong security barrier that you can retract when not needed, you may want to try Trellidor Retractable Security Gates. These gates can be custom-made to fit the area you want to secure. www.trellidor.co.za TRELLIDOR ROLLERSTYLE SHUTTERS If you still don’t believe that old and new technology can work together, then you haven’t seen the Trellidor Rollerstyle shutters, which can be fully automated and used together with modern technology. www.trellidor.co.za CENTURION D5 - EVO Once you have the right fence, it’s important to ensure that you have an automated gate so you never have to get out the car or wait for someone to open for you. This gate motor is easy to both install and maintain and can be fully integrated…

MYSMARTBLINDS Automated blinds are all well and good, but what if you already have near perfect décor and don’t want to splash out on a new window covering? The MySmartBlinds Automation Kit can be retrofitted to any existing Venetian blind, with a simple motor that attaches to the string inside the top rail. Once installed, you can control the blind wirelessly via a smartphone app. The kit comes with a solar panel for charging the motor, and there are peel-and-stick controls to put on the wall as well. www.blindsdirect.co.za LOUVOLITE ONE TOUCH Louvolite Vision Blinds feature a mix of coloured and translucent fabrics as well as fully motorised operation with One Touch technology and remote controls. When the blinds are down, they can be set to a solid effect to…