Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2020 i South African Home Owner

Following a realisation that the pressures of his job were robbing him of the ability to fully enjoy his home life, the owner decided a change of scenery would be the perfect opportunity to inspire change in all areas. This meant relocating to an estate to the north of Johannesburg where a quiet, considered way of life is completely encouraged. The owner says, “I took a hard and honest look at my work life. It made no sense to live in an environment with an emphasis on space and nature, and have your head buried in your laptop, day in and day out. “Our home on this estate is an escape from the outside world, in a big way. We love that the world inside the estate is the complete…

I am a multi-platinum award-winning singer, songwriter and producer. I’m also a Libra. I dislike liars. I have OCD, so I want a germ-free, clean and neat environment. My favourite home style is well, I have quite an eclectic taste, leaning more towards English cottage because it’s timeless. My home is important to me because it’s my sanctuary and my safe zone. I chose it mainly because I love the airy open spaces and because of the location. The difference between my home now and the home I grew up in is the home I grew up in was a cramped, four-roomed, matchbox house with no electricity. Now I have all the space I need. My favourite room in my house is my very spacious bedroom. As a kid I…

With resources dwindling and pollution increasing, there’s never been a more important time than now to make conscious decisions about how we live. CHANGING THE GAME There is a growing movement within the interiors industry looking to create stylish, sustainable furniture solutions for a beautiful home, inside and out. As Houtlander’s Stephen Wilson explains, “We don’t believe that sustainability is just an option, it’s at the core of what we are about. Unsustainable practices across the board will very shortly not be acceptable in the marketplace at all, as more and more people discover the consequences of not appreciating the environmental cost of what we do. Every time we have an extreme weather event, or we encounter a piece of plastic in the ocean, the message of sustainability is reinforced.”…

South Africans are fortunate to have sunshine for most of the year. In summer this can result in temperatures reaching uncomfortable levels – and the need for efficient cooling options. Your first thoughts for home cooling may be to install air conditioning, but there are a number of other options to consider. WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS? There are many ways to cool your home, but all of them should be seen as an individual part of an overall cooling strategy rather than a single solution to the problem of uncomfortable summer heat. Niall O’Hagan, director of Timber Fans, says an air conditioner can perhaps be regarded as the quickest fix to the problem, but in practice it often comes at a heavy price in terms of energy consumption and potential…

While vibrant island destinations and idyllic beaches are the stuff dreams are made of, there’s no need to travel to some far-flung destination to relax and reboot. We share a treasure chest of ideas that will make you forget you’re in the heart of the urban jungle. LIGHT IT UP According to Alon Sachs, founder of Mobelli Furniture + Living, balmy summer evenings are for spending quality time with family and friends. He adds that illumined planters, furniture and accessories are a brilliant way to add functional after-dark appeal to any outdoor space. ADD SOME BASE TO IT Warren Husband, account manager from Homemation, says there’s a wide range of garden/patio/outdoor speakers and sound systems that are ideal for a staycation and to enjoy one’s home all year round. “This…

As one of the most versatile colours in the decorating palette, blue - in all its hues - is present in an abundance of homes. It’s the colour of intuition, inner peace and inspiration and next to neutrals is one of the easiest colours to decorate with. “Our favourite shades of blue are the richer, more jewel tones such as indigo and cobalt. We believe these darker tones give an interior gravitas. These richer tones of blue are usable anywhere from kitchens and powder rooms to bedrooms and sitting rooms. We especially love how well warm-toned metallics, like gold and brass, work with darker blues. Our top tip for sceptics is to introduce these darker tones using scatter cushions and other smaller décor accessories and then, once you’re fully converted…

HEALTHIER, GREENER LIVING Paintsmiths Kramerville has opened South Africa’s very first concept showroom in the creative hub of Kramerville’s Design District. The space is intentionally designed to become an inviting exhibit to inspire each project and complement all other facets of the design industry. They are also exclusive Earthcote distributors and are Green Building Council of South Africa-approved. Paintsmiths Kramerville’s revolutionary, curated KolormaxX system simplifies the decision-making process with physically painted palettes to promote colour and texture accuracy. They also take pride in caring for the environment and that is why all of their specialised floor and wall coatings have a Green Star rating system, helping everyone to make an informed decision about their family’s health by using hazard-free, chemical-free products. www.paintsmiths.net SAVE THE DATE Cutting-edge South African ceramics and…

Available from All Office, the iconic Eames lounge chair and ottoman from the Herman Miller Collection is the embodiment of comfort and elegance thanks to its supple leather upholstery and wood veneer. www.alloffice.co.za Available from Faitsch Products, the turning fireplace by BRUNNER makes it possible to enjoy the fire from more than just one angle, allowing you to view the fire any way you want to. www.faitsch-products.com The Bodum Chambord copper sugar and creamer set and milk frother provide the perfect complement to the brand’s signature coffee plungers and are welcome additions to any table. www.yuppiechef.com After moving into a world-class factory in March 2019, Lalegno has launched into new market places around the country and across the borders and has plans to offer new ranges in keeping with current…

When the interior designer of this meticulous home was approached by the owners in 2017, she jumped at the opportunity to make their every wish come true. “The couple had been patiently waiting for the right time for this project and wanted it to be understated, elegant but still comfortable and homely – place that they could retire to after a busy day to relax and unwind,” says the designer. Built over a double plot, the home is just shy of 1 500m2 and boasts three swimming pools and seven bedrooms. “As the family has a large extended family whom they love to entertain and accommodate, it was important that each bedroom in the home had its own personality and style,” says the designer. To integrate the design into the…

Built to optimise the location and mesmerising views of the sea and golfing greens, this five-bedroomed home is a modern family’s escape after a busy day. The owner says: “Our home is situated on one of the most prestigious roads in the estate with some of the most beautiful homes and views of Salt Rock and the valleys. We have the most amazing sunsets and sunrises, particularly in winter – it’s really something spectacular to witness.” Along with ensuring the views were considered, the architect has designed the home to be highly functional for a young family. “We are a very relaxed but active family and we wanted to keep our home calm with an organic touch. We loved the natural beauty of wood, so have incorporated this element throughout…

The moment you enter this home, you are surrounded by sheer luxury and breathtaking beauty. Every single space has been carefully planned and executed to give this property a trendy and timeless look that is guaranteed to leave you in awe. Working closely with an interior designer, the home owners ensured that their dream home was a dream come true. From the smallest detail to the bigger features, everything has been carefully selected to add to the aesthetics and functionality of the space. Walking up the steps to the entrance, you can’t help but hold your breath in anticipation of what awaits you, and you won’t be disappointed. The colour palette comprises mainly neutral hues, but through clever design principles, the spaces are punctuated by bursts of colour that add…

A tired house in Cape Town’s southern suburbs has been totally transformed into a charming, French Provincial-themed home. “When we decided to downsize we sold our big home on large grounds and looked for something more lock-up-and-go,” says the owner of this chic home. “We wanted to live in a suburb similar to the one we were in, just a smaller house. We found this very dated property with a private central courtyard in a lovely neighbourhood, surrounded by trees and greenery. “The internal courtyard was very appealing because it gave us an excellent opportunity to create a sheltered and safe area for socialising and entertaining.” The original exterior already had plasterwork that was reminiscent of a French Provincial theme and the owner decided to extend the theme throughout the…

One of the top trends for 2020 in bathroom design is the biophilic design approach. Not new to the design industry, biophilic design has gained popularity locally as we see home owners longing for a space that incorporates nature – remember the living wall trend? Now in contemporary bathroom design, we see this trend translating into spaces that are being designed to improve health and well-being by integrating nature and natural or natural-looking products in the bathroom. With expert insight, we discover how to bring this trend home: WALLS AND FLOORS Oren Sachs of WOMAG elaborates on this trend-forward design approach: “Biophilic design will put you in touch with nature and create a grounding experience. Incorporate greenery into your bathroom paired with natural stone tiles and features, or organic-inspired vanities.…

If you’re undecided on the colour of your rug, Block & Chisel recommends choosing an option that echoes an accent colour in the space to pull the whole room together. www.blockandchisel.co.za Kick your storage up a notch with Umbra’s playful bubble wall hook that features a unique staggered design solution for ease of use and no snagging. www.yuppiechef.com Taking inspiration from the elephant’s generous frame, &Tradition’s Elefy armchair offers an incredibly comfortable yet stylish seating option. www.cremadesign.co.za A first for the brand globally, Sofacompany South Africa now stocks a range of Danish-inspired décor as the perfect complement to its customisable furniture ranges. za.sofacompany.com Designed by Guy Harris, Newport Lighting’s quirky 369 collection features a powder-coated base in an array of on-trend colour options. www.newport.co.za…

With the world constantly promoting ways to produce sustainable products that are friendly to both the environment and the pocket, I found it fitting to put together an article that explores how we can play our part – starting with our homes. Individuals can make a big difference just by starting with their home appliances and gadgets. Not only will this reduce your carbon footprint but it will also save you money. Here are some you can begin with. LIGHTING Kelly Klopper of Eurolux says, “LED bulbs retail for almost the same price as regular incandescent bulbs but they offer far more benefits. LED bulbs supply more hours of illumination (15 000 to 30 000 to be exact) and use less electricity to provide the same level of illumination. An…

Undergoing a renovation of any kind in the home is quite a daunting task, and more so when it is the kitchen. As the heart of the home, the kitchen is one of the most used spaces – so when it is under renovation, there is little room for error. For these home owners, the revamp of the kitchen was just a part of the complete overhaul of the entire home. Because the entire kitchen was redesigned and built from scratch, there weren’t any challenges. The original space was fashioned after a farmhouse kitchen and since the whole home was undergoing an update, it was essential that the kitchen be created to complement its new surroundings. Keeping this in mind, the revamped culinary space now showcases influences of modern design…

HAPPY FEET Give your outdoor spaces a reboot with the latest in slip-resistant flooring technology, where a glaze forms part of the actual porcelain tile. Developed to be matte when dry, the tiles’ unique manufacturing process ensures that they’re slip-resistant when wet. In/Out Tile Technology Range in Bengala Cold, available from www.womag.co.za CONTINENTAL DRIFT Love Milo’s new Wild Cat range is inspired by travels through Africa, drawing on the warm terracotta tones of the Namibian sand dunes, the Bushveld’s colour palette and the beauty of the wildlife encountered here. This funky deck chair from the range will have you dreaming of Africa. www.lovemilo.co.za TOUR DE FORCE The zone: Fresh air, layers of light and panoramic views: an extension of our homes, “outdoor rooms” are where we spend lazy afternoons and…

Back in 2015 when these home owners laid their eyes on this beautiful, innovative lifestyle estate, they knew that one day they’d be living there. “We fell in love with the beauty and location of this lifestyle estate from the moment we saw it, but it was the estate’s vision of a lifestyle like no other that sealed the deal. The excellent security, unparalleled amenities and a pioneering school with a progressive approach to education and world-class facilities were everything we could ever wish to provide for our children and more,” says the owner. “We fell in love with the beauty and location of this lifestyle estate from the moment we saw it.” – the home owner A new build, the property comprises a spacious five-bedroom main house, a self-contained…

This stunning home exudes individuality and charm. The open space of the estate where children can play and adults can enjoy the natural surrounds creates the perfect surroundings for a home designed to embrace the beauty of its environment. The brief given by the home owners to the architect was that they wanted the home to be spacious and open-plan, and that the outside and inside of the home had to be integrated in such a way that it allowed for freedom of movement throughout. The result is breathtaking. Using glass and steel, two unused and renovated stables were joined together creating a unique structure filled with light, space and an airy sophistication. Glass is used throughout the home and the enormous glass windows and doors open up throughout to…

Quiet and peaceful is what this home reflects, even in location. The area is perfectly flat and on a beautifully quiet road with only one entrance and exit. The home is exactly what these owners planned and envisioned. “A home with lots of open spaces and shared light as well as easy traffic flow throughout especially when entertaining, which allows for improved sociability,” says the home owner. Vast open spaces with lots of large glass windows and doors give the home a modern air. The natural tones are soft and subdued with splashes of colour and interesting artwork that catches the eye. The downlighting adds to the calm, easy and soothing atmosphere. The bathrooms are a modern affair with wall-hung toilets that are not only modern but also easy to…

“We worked very closely with our architects, designing a home full of light.” – the home owner ‘‘We had always dreamt of building our own home by the sea in the Overberg,” says the owner of this double-storey home designed for relaxed holiday living. After holidaying in the Overberg area for many years the UK-based owners looked for land to purchase and ended up buying two adjacent plots with sea and mountain views. “The property borders a nature reserve and the land slopes down to the sea so we have great mountain views and we can also take in the whole of Walker Bay,” says the home owner. “We worked very closely with our architects, designing a home full of light and making the most of the views.” To maximise…

ART IN RESIDENCE Inhouse Design Studio was approached to design and refresh a private residence in Fresnaye, Cape Town. The client’s brief was to modernise the space with contemporary design choices and new furnishing. The company worked on both the interior and the exterior, ensuring the décor and style complemented one another. Inhouse also designed a private art gallery equal to European standards for this home, working closely with the client to create a fresh canvas for the vast collection of art on the walls. www.inhouse.ws A STATEMENT-MAKING STRUCTURE The clients came to Francois Marais Architects with a brief to create an ultra-modern home using contemporary materials and also to maximise their views onto the greenbelt and dam in front of their stand. The stand is quite an odd shape…

Making considered choices for your kitchen space not only has the potential to ensure you and your family can enjoy an eco-friendly, health-promoting home environment, but a healthier environment overall. THE BIG PICTURE In addition to creating stylish, sustainable kitchen products, it seems more and more brands are beginning to embrace new methods of manufacture to reduce their carbon footprints. This allows home owners to make the conscious choice to not only include products that contribute to a healthy home environment, but support practices that take the bigger picture into consideration too. Philip Richards of blu_line says, “Environmental impact is something we are constantly working on as a brand. We are currently moving to a fully water-based solutions process, which means no solvents. This not only serves our clients, but…

Livingstone Baths has a range of eco-friendly bath solutions. We particularly love the aesthetic of the Redere bath. www.livingstonebaths.com The Equilibrio tap by Gessi is redefining the design of taps with its stone appeal. www.classictrading.net Add the finishing touch to a nature-inspired bathroom with these Water Hyacinth Baskets. www.woolworths.co.za The Indulgence range of eco-friendly towels from Volpes is made from 100% all-natural cotton and comes in a host of neutral shades. www.volpes.co.za WOMAG’s Alps marble slab is fitting for a nature-inspired bathroom. www.womag.co.za…

Used for security and privacy, doors are often overlooked during the excitement of a new build, but are an important feature. Beyond aesthetics, innovation in doors has advanced to the point that choosing the right door for a space requires careful consideration. To learn more, we turned to the experts. THE WOODEN DOOR According to Nadine de Villiers of Van Acht Windows and Doors, “most innovations have happened under the surface of the door in the form of engineered cores. Engineered cores are a more modern approach to door leaf construction.” She explains: “Multiple layers of timber are pressed and glued together in different directions to form the core material, with a veneer applied to the surface and lipping fixed to the edges. As solid doors are made of whole…

CLEVER CONVENIENCE Clinton Dovey from Lifestyle Electronics says smart locks that allow for remote access control are great for regular as well as Airbnb and holiday home owners, storage facilities and small business offices. Lifestyle Electronics sells a Wi-Fi-enabled door lock from Smart Life that can be locked and unlocked in several smart ways: access tags, fingerprints, pin codes, and mobile app. It even talks to Amazon’s Alexa system, allowing for voice control. But this is not just an advanced piece of tech - it’s sturdy enough to do its primary job. The lock features “solid aluminium construction with high-quality finishes, making it perfect for even coastal installations”, Dovey explains. There are many benefits, he says. “The fingerprint and tag functions allow for quick access in an emergency – because…

The dire need to clean up our act was a major debate in the political arena in 2019, with eco-teen-queen Greta Thunberg being the poster child for the movement. The consumer world was listening, and the use of eco-friendly products and solutions is a 2020 trend worth celebrating, and one that we hope stays evergreen. LIVE LONG AND PROSPER According to Alon Sachs, owner of Mobelli Furniture + Living, the “rise of the conscious consumer” is a “significant eco-living trend for 2020”. This is a consumer who is “becoming more mindful in what they buy … to combat some of the negative effects of consumerism is having on the world”. Sachs says part of this is a shift towards investing in “long-life furniture”. “Buying new furniture regularly is time-consuming and…