Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2024 i South African Home Owner

Crediting the team of specialists who transformed a vision into a tangible reality within this home, the owner says every detail from the architectural nuances to the selection of finishes reflects the team’s commitment to excellence. “Their collaborative efforts have not only shaped the physical space, but also infused it with the essence of our aspirations and desires,” the owner states proudly. The property’s design was inspired by a desire to marry modern luxury with the owners’ classical roots. “Our goal was to craft a space that embodies our refined aesthetics, highlighting natural elements with a classical influence.” For this reason, each aspect – from the materials chosen to the finishes applied – was carefully selected to evoke sophistication and grace. Indulgent is one way to describe the interior, and…

This newly built home, set within a luxury coastal estate, offers an unparalleled lifestyle. Designed to celebrate the spectacular Surroundings, it boasts views of the 18-hole golf course, 20-hectare lake and nearby beach. It was important to incorporate these surroundings in the property design, explains the owner, and with the help of both an interior and exterior designer, this was certainly achieved as the home “has it all”. "My Versace mansion, that’s what I call my home,” says the owner. To recreate this iconic opulence, designer wallpaper features in some rooms and the entrance. This works well to offset the home’s neutral colours and textures. “After years of putting forward ideas, researching and interacting with people, I have managed to find the best team of interior and exterior designers,” says…

TOP TIP “Opt for cabinetry with no handles and a sleek, clean look for the rest of the kitchen. This sets a good neutral base to add personality that will then relate to a specific taste or tone of a space.” - Lindy Goodbrand, EuroCasa Africa A FOCUS ON LIGHTING “Incorporate innovative lighting - balance ambient, task and accent lighting and create a focal piece in the kitchen using pendant lighting.” - Kayley Brazer, Casarredo The kitchen of today has come a long way - once a closed off space that functioned independently, today, it forms an essential part of open-plan living areas as it feeds into the dining room, a home bar and even the lounge. For this reason, home owners are opting for a culinary space that functions…

GREEN HOMES According to a 2021 research paper published on The Scientific Electronic Library Online SA (SciELO), South Africa’s construction industry accounts for around 23% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. We all need somewhere to live, though - so the solution lies in ensuring your home is as eco-friendly as possible. SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS This starts with your choice of building materials. Raquel El Hage of Corobrik says that face brick is a sound option because it requires little maintenance, so fewer materials are consumed over time. The bricks are a completely natural product, made from clay with no toxic additives, plus the structure of walls built with face brick makes them energy-efficient, ensuring cool interiors in summer and warm ones in winter. If sustainability is your aim, Ramielle…

Nothing quite makes a statement in your home than a riot of patterns. Bold design choices provide a glimpse into your personality and add a dynamic energy to your living space, transforming it into a vibrant reflection of your unique style and taste. Whether through striking wallpaper, intricately patterned rugs or eye-catching textiles, embracing patterns allows you to infuse your home with character and personality. From tiled floors and walls to dinnerware, ceramics offer versatility of scale, form, colour and texture. Integrating ceramic patterns elevates aesthetic allure, adds visual interest, creates focal points and imbues spaces with personality, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. Whether subtle or bold, patterns contribute to a harmonious design, transforming spaces into one-of-a-kind, visually captivating environments. www.mervyngers.com Patterns can add a lot of personality and…

“The interior speaks to a modern and timeless aesthetic with an emphasis on style, quality, comfort and longevity.” Looking for a spacious modern property with unique features they could call home, these residents purchased two properties to create a bespoke residence that meets all their requirements. The two properties Were consolidated into one with a statement wine room linking the structures. Taking the site and its environment into consideration, the home offers a farm-style aesthetic modernised through the use of concrete, timber and steel sheeting. Made up of three wings in a U-shape, most areas open onto the central courtyard that contains the patio, pool, boma, tennis court and garden. It is this space, together with the kitchen, that the owners consider their favourites. The heart of the home, it…

Focusing on their young family, the owners briefed the architect on their ideals and vision for their home. With careful planning and attention to detail, the designer was able to bring this to life. The result is a property that fits perfectly with the home owners’ lifestyle, a safe place for them to raise their two young sons and five dogs. “Every part of the residence has been designed and each finish chosen to suit our family and lifestyle,” says the owner. “The L-shape design was done in such a way that we can extend as the need arises.” - the home owner This exclusive lifestyle estate is set in natural surroundings but is close to city amenities, and the home owners’ property boasts a view of the mountains and…

Employing modern and minimalist design principles is vital in cultivating a tranquil bathroom atmosphere. With sleek cabinetry, luxurious finishes and a subdued colour palette, you can establish an environment conducive to relaxation and rejuvenation, elevating your everyday routine to a spa-like indulgence. DESIGN PRINCIPLES The adage “less is more” rings true, particularly in bathroom design, where simplicity reigns supreme. Candace D’Amore, managing member at Durbanville Sanitary & Plumbing Supplies, advises that in a typically compact space, you have to prioritise the essentials. “Embrace smart solutions such as ample storage to maintain clutter-free surfaces, a limited colour palette and strategic lighting methods to achieve an effortlessly minimalist yet highly functional environment.” Deon Katzen, CEO of Bella Bathrooms & Tiles, believes that achieving a minimalist bathroom design hinges on several key principles.…

Nestled in Sun City’s vibrant landscape, Lefika Villas pays tribute to history yet is a haven of modern luxury. Named after the Setswana word for ‘stone,’ Lefika pays homage to the Itlholanoga Heritage Site, preserving the ancient stone-wall settlement once inhabited by Setswana people. Retaining the integrity of these stone structures, the resort invites guests to immerse themselves in the rich heritage that echoes through time. IN HARMONY WITH NATURE Our recent stay at Lefika Villas was nothing short of spectacular. Set amid the natural splendour, the three-bedroom villa integrates seamlessly with the landscape, offering panoramic views of the valley below. The accommodation effortlessly blends luxury with natural elegance, providing a serene retreat. The villa’s open-plan layout is ideal for hosting friends and family, featuring a well-equipped kitchen, a cosy…

OUTDOOR FIREPITS Ecofire offers an exclusive range of bespoke concrete firepits available in both wood and gas. Learn more about this range that is robust, slick, minimal in style and complementary to any architectural design setting. ECOFIRE PLATEAU FIREPIT The Ecofire Plateau Wood is a freestanding firepit and braai with a minimalistic, contemporary design, which makes it easy to pair with both a modern and traditional design setting. It will blend into most settings yet still makes a bold statement and features a powerful 60 000 BTU burner complemented with a variety of finishes. The Plateau Wood Firepit converts to a sizzling braai when you slide the cooking grid over thee wood-burning insert. The firepit comes with a 304-grade stainless steel insert, lid, braai and tracks. The concrete stand is…

A home owner faced a daunting situation when a roof teak wreaked havoc on their property. Confident in their home insurance coverage, they anticipated a smooth resolution. However, their optimism was short-lived. Upon filing a claim and having an insurance specialist assess the damage, it was revealed that the leak resulted from the owner’s neglect. Failure to clean gutters and remove debris during their ownership led to blockages, causing water accumulation and undue pressure on the roof. PROACTIVE HOME MAINTENANCE The insurance claim was denied, leaving the home owner to shoulder the burden of costly repairs independently. This unfortunate incident underscores the importance of proactive home maintenance to avoid unforeseen expenses arising from repudiated insurance claims. Home owners must prioritise the upkeep of their properties by regularly monitoring and addressing issues…

Scan to see more of this property. Many things stand out in this property, including the theatre (home cinema) room, which is modern and has a twist, and the kitchen with pit cookers, according to the home owner. In addition to these, the art that features throughout the home gives it its modern and eclectic feel. From the life-sized sculptures and the paintings adorning the walls to the glass ornaments, each piece has been carefully curated and brings Character and life to the home. For example, in the theatre room, there is a piece that depicts Marilyn Monroe and if you look closer, you will realise it is made entirely from mosaics - making this a rather unique and eye-catching statement piece. The owner has a collection of wine and…

PROPERTY When the home owners purchased this Garden Route property as an investment about 22 years ago, they weren’t planning to make it their home. But with the COVID-19 pandemic changing the work dynamic for many, the owners realised they could leave the bustle of the Gauteng economic hub and continue running their businesses. With views of the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, this estate is cocooned in nature, yet well positioned with easy access to George Airport if the owners need to travel. “I love the early mornings when the mist hangs over the top of the mountains,” says the home owner. “Standing on any of the various patios with a cup of coffee and watching the sun burn off the mist is incredibly peaceful.” The owner describes…

HOME SECURITY Nowadays, in our connected world, home owners have a wealth of smart tech options to secure their homes. Leading companies like Syntech, Homemation and Yale are at the forefront, offering cutting-edge security solutions that integrate seamlessly into your connected lifestyle. Syntech’s top smart home security picks are the Xiaomi smart cameras for both indoors and outdoors and smart sensors for detecting open windows/doors, motion, temperature and humidity changes. “A strategically designed system combining cameras and sensors can cats to your specific security needs,” notes Luke Pretorius, senior product manager at Syntech. What really sets modern security tech apart is the wireless remote access and home automation integration. “Everything connects wirelessly now, allowing you to monitor and control products seamlessly via your smartphone from anywhere,” Pretorius explains. Many products…