Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2021 i South African Home Owner

“Good design is transparent, user-friendly, confined by functional proportions and not afraid of change.” Adriaan Louw is an industrial designer by profession, entrepreneur at heart and founder of local furniture brand Popstrukt. He heads up creative direction and product development at Popstrukt. As a creative, I look at the tiny details in the everyday things around us for inspiration. I have a particular fascination with the practical function of things we use and interact with, and use these things to follow a holistic design process. Popstrukt is a flatpack furniture brand focused on providing storage solutions through a range of versatile, well-designed furniture pieces. Popstrukt is unique in that we carry stock of our furniture pieces, making for quick delivery, and we sell our Popstrukt furniture range through multiple retailers,…

Situated in a Blue Flag area, this beautiful property is designed and built on a sand dune, and is a mere five-minute walk away from the beach. So it’s no wonder that the main inspiration for the home’s design was that it needed to offer these residents the ability to enjoy the full 360° view of the ocean. One of the many ways that this was achieved was through the inclusion of a surf room that leads out onto the rooftop balcony, which is not only exceptional for the views but also for entertaining guests. It is fully equipped with its own bathroom as well. “The owner sums up her home as ‘refreshing, reviving, dreamy and breathtaking’.” The impressive seaside property consists of four floors in total, with the basement…

Adding a youthful vibrancy, the latest CS&Co collection by Cara Saven Wall Design, featuring local collage artist Karen Stewart, is a range we simply adore for its bold boost of colour. www.carasaven.com Stay warm and snug with Biggie Best’s Cloud blankets. Available in charcoal, duck egg, grey, natural and steel blue. www.volpes.vo.za Bring in a natural element with the wood block from Atmosphere. Available in raw oak and black oak. www.atmospherefurniture.co.za The three-seater Abby sofa in Moss Shitake from Sofa Company is textural eye candy, and a definite conversation starter. www.sofacompany.com The Vancouver room divider display shelf from Cielo is the perfect space to display your prized travel treasures or book collection. www.cielo.co.za…

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, we have become increasingly cognisant of the need to keep our homes clean and germ-free. But the chemicals found in most household cleaning supplies can be both bad for the environment and have a negative impact on your family’s health. A good alternative is to use eco-friendly cleaning products that not only kill viruses and bacteria on various surfaces, but eliminate harmful chemicals from entering your home and harming your family. HOW TO SELECT PRODUCTS It is imperative to thoroughly research the various brands when selecting eco-friendly products for your home. Woolworths cleaning and laundry technologist Herman Singh and cleaning and laundry product developer Faghri Amardien believe that not all products are made equal, so look for products or ranges that are transparent. “Look at the…

Functional items take centre stage in this feature as we explore essential kitchen hardware, often not considered for their design elements. Scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find a vast array of options from local and international manufacturers. MIX IT UP Your kitchen mixer is a key functional element of your kitchen. It’s essential to choose one that is not only aesthetically pleasing but will last for years to come. Mariëtte Zietsman, hansgrohe marketing manager, advises you choose your kitchen mixer according to your needs, kitchen design and the function it needs to serve in your kitchen. According to Amadea Oberholzer, Lifestyle Ceramics sales consultant and designer, the height of your kitchen mixer is top of the list when choosing a kitchen mixer. “Choosing the right height ensures you have…

Whether you’re keen on a simple aesthetic or perhaps something more futuristic, bathroom design in 2021 has so much to offer home owners. With the focus shifting to innovation in design, materials and technology, the product offering is more diverse and tailored to the user, their lifestyle and needs. SMART SANWARE Duravit is on top of futuristic design. Karen Robyn of Duravit South Africa elaborates on the latest technology: “Maximising hygiene in the bathroom and toilet has never been easier. Duravit presents the world-novelty HygieneFlush. “The successful toilet models in the ME by Starck range now also come with the HygieneFlush flushing technology plus the unique and highly effective antibacterial HygieneGlaze ceramic glaze. The toilet is also available as a SensoWash shower-toilet.” The innovative feature in the HygieneFlush system is…

Re-energise your walls with curated, exclusive art prints from Studio&Me. www.studioandme.co.za With the rise of biophilic design, where indoor environments mimic the great outdoors to improve the quality of our lives and promote holistic wellness, Atlas Concorde’s Exence porcelain tiles from Italtile are a beautiful way to express a return to nature and all things natural. www.italtile.co.za Keep track of time with this Woolworths Copenhagen clock that has a minimalist design. Place it on your bedside table for a lovely décor finish to your bedroom. www.woolworths.co.za Dress up your tablescape and impress your guests with bespoke table linen from DIYgirls INTERIOR. Made with high-quality fabrics and attention to detail, the company’s selection of tablecloths, table runners and placemats are available in standard or custom sizes. www.diygirls.co.za Bosch Home Appliances South…

Offering boast-worthy views, this dreamy property in Camps Bay was recently renovated to exude a warm and inviting ambience, while retaining its contemporary architectural aesthetic. Comprising five spacious bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, the home features a guest suite level with a sea-facing deck and bar area; an entertainment level with a swimming pool and a sea-facing balcony; and a master suite level with its own private lounge area. With each floor topping the next, the interiors have been designed with great attention to detail. The interior designer says: “The design is elegant and sophisticated but also comfortable, offering versatile use as a guest house or a family holiday home.” Drawing inspiration from the encapsulating surroundings, the interior design firm used neutral, earthy tones and a combination of green and…

This home owner knew that he wanted a space that emitted an upmarket, modern hotel/penthouse look and feel. But he also wanted the spaces to be comfortable so as to create a sense of easy living. By working with an interior designer, an inviting and masculine space was achieved that ticks all the boxes when it comes to comfort and style. Using a palette of neutral colours has enabled him to showcase his collection of unique items that he’s acquired during his travels, without there being a clash in aesthetics. “I have a number of these objects in my home,” says the owner. This includes the “neni berlin” neon sign, which was custom-made from his favourite restaurant in Berlin. The layout of the apartment and the treatment of the interior…

There’s something striking about a contemporary kitchen with a minimalist aesthetic – think sleek sophisticated style that’s uncluttered and paired with functional design. Overcoming the misconception that contemporary implies a stark, sterile and clinical design, this style is anything but. Instead it’s about the celebration of different materials, textures, colour palettes and features. CONTEMPORARY COOL Defining the contemporary look, Selma Zaifoglu of Linear Concepts says: “Contemporary kitchens are the epitome of sophisticated, minimalist layouts. They’re characterised by wooden elements and fresh countertops together with modern glass display focal points, and integrated appliances with a seamless design. This style is functional yet artistic in nature.” Elaborating on the ideal minimalist contemporary kitchen, Zaifoglu says: “The appearance should be clean but filled with luxe stone, sleek appliances and gorgeous finishes. A gravity-defying…

Italtile’s Paloma Collection has an organic shape inspired by pebbles as well as the ebbs and flows of the powerful ocean and how this shapes Mother Nature’s surfaces. The tension between rigorous geometrical and organic shapes is typical of the entire collection and ensures that all elements can be combined with one another. www.italtile.co.za Accessorise your bathroom space with this sleek Geberit mirror and light cabinet, a special order item by Tile Africa. It is perfect for small areas, offering stylish storage space. www.tileafrica.co.za hansgrohe Rainfinity is renowned for creating water experiences that are second to none. The perfect combination of avant-garde design, innovation and eco-friendly functionality turns your bathroom into an oasis that is an escape for every member of the family. www.hansgrohe.co.za When it comes to colours and…

Would you buy a shirt right off the rack without first trying it on? If you tried it on and it didn’t fit you, would you continue to wear it or would you continue looking until you found a perfect fit? Although we may put a lot of thought and contemplation into the purchase of a simple shirt, quite often the same amount of thought is not afforded to the largest room of the house – the garden. Many people have simply learnt to live with the garden that they inherited with their property. Sometimes this means living with a garden designed for the previous owner, one installed by a developer, or it may have simply been the result of what was affordable after a long and typically very costly…

There’s been huge growth in the home entertainment market over the past 18 months. People are upgrading their audio and video set-ups to make the most of the services that have replaced – out of necessity – trips to the cinema. It’s hard to replace the big screen experience, but it’s possible to get pretty close to it, in the comfort of your own home. HOME CINEMA HARMONY AV Imports managing director Francois van Rooyen says that even a properly set up “average” home-based cinema that’s in harmony with the room and its acoustics can provide detail, clarity and a spellbinding experience that can surpass what most movie theatres can offer. “The latest room correction technologies for both surround sound and stereo systems – if installed and used correctly –…

A SPA-LIKE RETREAT 10 design ideas to add interest and character to your bathroom. SHINE A LIGHT With a multitude of options available, choosing bedside lighting can be a tricky task. Learn the simple rules of choosing lamps that are both functional and stylish. STATEMENT MAKERS Craving a fresh new look for your kitchen? We share eight colour combos that will instantly transform the space. MOVING ON UP One of the best ways to add height to a garden is with climbing vines. We bring you five of our favourites. LUXURY UNDERFOOT Nothing pulls a room together like a rug. From wool and cotton to silk and sisal, discover a selection of stylish rugs and what to know before you buy. www.sahomeowner.co.za GET IN TOUCH! @SAHomeOwner…

THEO BOTHMA Founder of Theo Bothma Architects & Design Minimalism started in the 1920s as a movement that instilled the idea that less is more. The influence of minimalism on architecture was personified by architects such as Ludwig Mies van de Rohe whose works enhanced the simplistic principles of minimalistic architecture. Architecture in the 20th century is still influenced by the minimalistic principles of simple living through contemporary materials, monochromatic colours and clean geometric shapes. Minimalist designs are not only visual, however, they are driven by a form-follows-function mentality where the design is easily understood and used by each person who interacts with it. Minimalistic architecture incorporates the principles of simplicity, geometric form and a monochromatic colour palette, which is often misconstrued as cold. Therefore minimalistic spaces can be designed…

When this owner decided to create her dream home, she set out with the intention of not having an interior designer involved. “I was so invested in the look of my home that I chose not to involve an interior designer. I wanted my home to be steeped in memories with everything having a story behind it,” she says. With this in mind, she went about creating what she refers to as “the epitome of modern elegance”. Inspired by their holidays away and the beautiful places they’ve stayed at, the family wanted this property – the very first that they built – to be as gorgeous as the hotels they’ve loved, while being functional and inviting at the same time. This was achieved by opting for a modern and minimalist…

With rural roots in the Eastern Cape, the owners of this striking contemporary home found comfort in one of Gauteng’s exclusive lifestyle residential estates that resembled a similar peaceful charm. “For us, the attraction was that the estate has a farm feel while also being a golf and lifestyle estate. We are from a small farm town called KwaBhaca (previously known as Mount Frere) so this was a determining factor – we immediately felt at home when we saw the plot,” says the couple. A six-bedroom property kitted out with beautiful entertainment spaces (think enclosed patio, wine cellar, bar and pool), the home has been designed with a modern aesthetic. “The architectural brief was to maximise on all the best views, particularly of the Magaliesberg mountains and that of the…

Wipe down in style with Mungo’s colourful range of pure cotton washcloths. Available in four packs of different colourways. www.mungo.co.za Sleek and sophisticated, the Move sink mixer from Italtile is not only a delight to the eye, but highly functional too. www.italtile.co.za Designed with Africa in mind, the Defy Solar Hybrid fridge/freezer is a game changer. It runs off a dual power source – solar and the electricity grid – removing the need for expensive batteries and inverters. www.defy.co.za Put the kettle on, it’s time for tea – and do it in style with this red cordless 1.7L Avvolta DeLonghi kettle from Hirsch’s Homestores. www.hirschs.co.za Taking the hard work out of cooking, Miele’s new Generation 7000 range of ovens ensures that you prepare your meal to perfection. www.miele.co.za…

Offering a timeless appeal, neutral colour palettes are adored by many home owners. In recent years we’ve witnessed the increase of neutral living spaces in the homes we feature, proving that these hues are not only easy on the eye, but offer a luxe, contemporary aesthetic often associated with a relaxing, homely ambience. As Karen Steyn of The Home Studio points out: “When it comes to interior design, neutrals can be considered the new black. I once heard a neutral palette being described as the ‘no makeup’ makeup look of interior design, which I loved and has always stuck with me. A well-designed neutral room can be wonderfully simplistic and soothing, and completely breathtaking. “Neutral palettes coordinate easily with a variety of colours, making it easy to bring in accent…

Furnishing your home is one of those tasks that can either be an exciting endeavour or an overwhelming one. With so much available in terms of design and materials, there’s plenty to ponder. Here to clear the cloudy path, we share advice from experts in the industry on how to select furniture for your home. “The size and proportion of the furniture is as important and should be kept in mind when selecting.” – Craig Tabor-Raeside GET PLANNING Provided you know the style of furniture or aesthetic you want to achieve, you can start by working on one room at a time, considering the space and what it will need before going further, says Cielo’s Raynaldo Arnoldus. “Where comes before what. It is vital that home owners carefully look through…

Client brief: The client’s request was to change three main areas. First the kitchen, which was done in 2007 and old fashioned. She asked us to change them to “industrial combined with a soft palette and open-plan”. Second was the living area that she wanted to “open up to enjoy a view from anywhere in the house, onto the landscaped gardens, with ducks and geese feeding along the stream”. And lastly was the main bedroom that was “too small and needed two basins and a walk-in closet”. It had built-in cupboards with a passage between the bedroom and tiny bathroom, one basin, and a squeezed-in shower. She wanted a walk-in dresser with lights, the bathroom a practical size, and a big bedroom. The journey: It took us, a husband and…

Vanities have become the main attraction in bathrooms, and in this feature we explore all the latest trends and designs, including storage options and accessories that are suited according to your bathroom space and needs. TO FLOAT OR TO HANG While floating vanities have become increasingly popular, they haven’t completely replaced built-in ones, says Lilly Botha of Country Style Interiors. This definitely depends on the style of the home, and the look of the other cabinetry and interiors, she says. “Floating vanities have definitely won the day in more modern-styled homes, and built-in vanities are more popular with traditional and classic styles, as they’re more in keeping with the look.” On Tap Plumbing and Bathrooms’ Jared Price agrees that a lot of people have limited space, therefore having a vanity…