Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2023 i South African Home Owner

PROPERTY LINEAR CONCEPTS 011 262 4395 Linear Concepts specialises in European-designed bespoke kitchens, bars and wine cellars. Linear Concepts oversees projects related to its products, from design inception to manufacturing with imported materials of the highest quality and, finally, on-site oversight of final installation. The kitchen and two bars in this home were designed with luxury in mind to complement the sophisticated décor in the rest of the house. The home owner wanted brass touches in the colour scheme, and off-white and champagne colours were used for cabinetry to play off the brass décor in the space. The home owner, a lawyer, and his wife wanted to build a spacious house on a large stand and found a one-hectare plot in Polokwane, big enough to accommodate their 1400m2 house. “We…

PROPERTY SOUTH COAST GRANITE 039 317 2522 South Coast Granite, fabricator of granite, marble, and engineered stone, combines premium products and meticulous attention to detail to enhance any space within the home. The Falcon Grey 20mm Pro Quartz ensures a luxurious finish in this classic kitchen. Not only is quartz beautiful to look at, but it is also easy to clean and maintain. “I like things in their place decluttered and organised. My home's interior style reflects that.” - the home owner Set alongside a golf course, this coastal home is surrounded by rolling hills and greenery. Understandably, this new build was designed to make the most of the breathtaking views. So, all the main living spaces open up to the outdoor entertainment area, and there is a free flow…

Heat waves, drought, water shortages and restrictions can wreak havoc on gardens. Fortunately, there are ways to counteract this, from planting only water-wise vegetation and flora to using greywater or installing irrigation systems that ensure adequate, regular watering. “Intelligent water use is not a new trend. Preserving and maintaining our natural resources is a worldwide initiative,” says Christo Oosthuizen, owner of Rain Irrigation. “Installing a professional irrigation system saves water, time, and money.” Various options are available, and, says Oosthuizen, the trend is towards smart systems. “More people are moving to battery units due to load shedding, and connected units with apps that allow you to operate the system - switching it on and off and changing spray times-from your phone from anywhere.” You can add rain sensors too, he…

PROPERTY LARGER THAN DESIGN 083 557 8144 Larger than Design has worked closely with the home owner to create a space imbued with natural colours and textures. Warm and inviting, this living room flows with ease and luxury. This generous family home, set within an estate and surrounded by farmland, is a bold departure from the owner's previous home. With so much emphasis on the natural surroundings - there are lucerne fields in the back garden - it was decided to opt for a contemporary design with sleek, clean lines. Glass, exposed timber beams, and vinyl flooring throughout ensure a modern, classic look. As the owner works from home, it was important to maintain a professional impression that complements the lush surroundings without appearing too austere. LARGER THAN DESIGN 083…

Fridges and coolers, whether standalone or combined, play such a big role in the modern kitchen. So much so, that manufacturers are now also considering the aesthetics of these appliances as well as their functionality. If you are considering getting a new appliance, read on to learn what our industry experts have to say about the latest in home fridges and coolers. ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS STILLTOP OF MIND The global energy crisis is, unfortunately, not going to end any time soon, and in South Africa, we also have to consider load shedding, which shows no signs of stopping in the near future. This is why all our experts agree that purchasing energy-efficient fridges and coolers is a must. “To counteract the rising electricity costs as well, consumers should be mindful…

Storage in the home has moved away from just the garage or that one drawer in your kitchen where just about anything and everything goes. It is also about more than just adding shelves to empty spaces or rooms.These days, storage solutions can be integrated into the look and feel of the home, adding not only functionality, but enhancing aesthetics as well. “Whether it is a bedroom or family-entertaining space, good storage is essential for a well-balanced and functional home,” says Vinette Nicholls, owner of DlYgirls. SMART STORAGE What is'smart storage'you may be asking yourself. Well, think bedside tables, ottomans with trunks, and beds where the base, once the mattress is lifted, serves as the perfect place to pack away linen. Smart storage is finding a dual purpose in just…

HOME TECH Every home cinema should be custom designed with all the elements tailored to needs and budget. Here are some examples of the smartest, most technologically advanced and stylish home cinema set-ups in South Africa. COSY AND CUSTOM The brief for this project was simple: convert an unused 20m2 spare bedroom into a beautiful entertainment space with a focus on interior design and hiding all the audio-visual equipment, controlled with one easy-to-use remote and powered by a'stateof-the-smart' home automation system. “This project illustrates that almost any room can be converted into a cosy home cinema,” says Audioholics managing director Peter Livanos. “While installing a home cinema room sounds costly and time-consuming, a custom-designed cinema room can be completed in 10 weeks.” Livanos explains the process for this project: “Once…

NEW FLAGSHIP STORE FOR BLOCK & CHISEL A South African homegrown family business of 35 years, Block & Chisel is a leader in interior style that straddles classic and contemporary, country and modern, and European and Asian. Adding to its success story, the company recently opened a flagship store in Sandton. “This new store has such depth and colour, and we'll continue to find unique gems to inspire people to live beautifully. This is our most extensive showcase of imported and locally made furniture and homeware to date. Perhaps equally important, clients can come to Block & Chisel and take home what they buy off the floor. This is a real bonus in an industry that often has long lead times,” says director Paul McAdam. You can find the delightful…

PROPERTY Before building their “dream home”, the home owners lived in a house that was “nothing fancy”. “The rooms were dark and separated from one another, the kitchen was far away from the living room, and the entertainment area was closed off from the rest of the house,” says the home owner. In their new home, “everything is connected”. “From the kitchen to the living room to the entertainment area. How great is that?” says the home owner. The home was years in the planning. “This was our dream house. It took us a year to build, but it was years of dreaming about it.” Building didn't always go according to plan, but the home owner's approach was to be creative when challenges arose. “Things don't always turn out the…

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown necessitated a review of our lifestyles, especially our commitment to health and fitness. Options for exercise were limited, and setting up home gyms became popular. Market research by US data firm Mordor Intelligence shows that globally, the home gym industry has skyrocketed since the pandemic with a boom in gym equipment sales. South Africans are tapping into this trend. It's easy to see why, says Carla King, head of marketing at Technogym Southern Africa:” A lifestyle home gym is a compact yet complete gym with a minimalist design that complements your living spaces perfectly.” “There are more advantages than disadvantages,” adds Daniel Preto, marketing manager at Gymstore. “Mostly, there's the convenience of easy access any time, with no travelling, no waiting for equipment to…

ECO-LIVING Wrorking from home has become the norm for many people since the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown kept them out of the formal workplace for so long. The plus side of working in an office is that someone else takes care of the furniture and fittings, but when you're creating a productive workspace, you are solely responsible for your environment. You don't want it to be too warm or too cold; you want bright but not glaring light, and comfort is key. SUSTAINABLE SOURCES Houtlander, an award-winning furniture manufacturer based in South Africa, sources what director Phillip Hollander believes to be one of the most sustainable resources in the world. “We source our hardwood from naturally regenerative forests of American oak. Due to the lack of intervention, the raw material…