Indholdsfortegnelse for October/November 2021 i Home

I’ve adopted a new dog. His name is Knapie and he’s obsessed with the bougainvillea next to the boundary wall in my backyard. It was an unfortunate coincidence that led to this obsession: a stray cat was sitting in the bougainvillea and hissed at Knapie on his first day in his new home, and since then the shrub has been synonymous with imminent danger. When I open the back door, Knapie attacks that bush so vehemently that its stem is now shredded and noticeably thinner as a result of his sharp teeth. Here in Cape Town, we’ve had one of the longest and wettest winters in years, and one day when Knapie stormed out to bite the bougainvillea, a shower of rain drops poured down on him. It had just…

Shades of blue We fell in love with Daphne Cooper’s colourful home back in 2012 when it was first featured in Home. Now, almost 10 years later, she has replaced the red colour scheme in the kitchen with an airy and tranquil blue palette. “When I first moved into my house almost 20 years ago, I had to ‘make do’ quite a lot,” says Daphne, a psychologist. “The walls were never properly plastered and back then I made the kitchen look nice by sticking up lots of enamel plates and painting the walls different colours, but it felt as if the walls were held together with Prestik!” The names on the wall above the sideboard were written by people who have had a meal with Daphne. “There are a couple…

THE HOMEOWNERS Lizl and Jako Kruger; their sons Jakobus (15), Nicolaas (13) and Ignatius (8); five dogs and a canary WHERE Prince Albert SIZE about 140m² (excluding stoeps) Over the past 22 years since they got married, Lizl and Jako Kruger’s lives have taken interesting twists and turns: from Pretoria in the north to Paarl in the south, and now Prince Albert in the Central Karoo where the couple, their three sons, five dogs and canary love spending as much time as possible in their new holiday home. After completing their university studies, the Krugers lived on a farm outside Swellendam for 10 years before moving to the “pearl of the Boland” in 2010, says Lizl. Both towns were confirmation for the family that the platteland was the place that…

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The perfect stain Sandra Wheaton Nel of Pretoria writes I’m busy revamping my kitchen, which has cupboards painted in Plascon Natural White. I want to use scaffolding for the countertops; how do I seal the wood and what colour stain do you recommend? I love the colour of the table on page 93 in Home Renovations 2020, but I don’t want it to be too red or yellow; I’d like it to be a bit darker. Can you help? Frikkie Greeff of Woodoc replies Wood can easily be stained and sealed with a Woodoc Sealer combined with the appropriate shade of Woodoc Colours. To a large extent, the final colour will be influenced by the natural appearance of the wood; Woodoc enhances, rather than conceals, the look. Some experimentation is,…

WHO LIVES HERE? Arti Canaris and her Dachshunds Vienna, Frankie and Phoebe. WHERE Simon’s Town, Cape Town SIZE 94m² upstairs and 94m² downstairs Arti Canaris has always loved Simon’s Town on the shores of False Bay, Cape Town. In 2016, she moved from a nature reserve above the naval town down to the centre and a 42-year-old home. “Simon’s Town has the best of all worlds: historical buildings, majestic mountains, waterfalls, a warm ocean, secret beaches, charming shops and a great sense of community,” says Arti with a smile. The property’s main drawcard was its central location and two quaint lanes on either side of the house that lead to the harbour. In addition, Arti could convert a section into an Airbnb holiday unit that would “work for her”. However,…

Language of love Editor Wicus Pretorius writes I recentlw watched a show on kwkNET in which an “animal whisperer” helps with behavioural problems in pets. Mw rescue dog often ‘attacks’ and bites the bougainvillea in mw backward. Anw advice? Hettie Richter, animal whisperer from kwkNET’s Dierepraters, replies By talking to pets in the right way, you can communicate with them on an emotional level and achieve the desired change in behaviour. I work with animals on a psychological level and talk to them in a soft and gentle manner. My aim is to ‘get the dog in its heart’ by holding my hand on its wither, which is the back of the heart. This is where they ‘receive’. The chest is the front of the heart and this is where…

Short flower stems Francis Alberts of Gqeberha writes I’m so disappointed with my ‘Hestrie’ rose as the flower stems seem to be shorter than usual and aren’t as good for picking. Is this normal for this rose? Ludwig replies If the stems of roses are unnaturally short and have already formed flower buds, it’s most likely an indication of not enough water at root level. Push a fork into the soil and wiggle it to make holes, rather than loosening the soil. Then water well and within a few days you should notice a difference. With lots of water pushed into the stems, leaves and blooms, the plants will not only look healthier but will withstand heat and dry wind much better, and the flowers will last much longer on…

Big and beautiful Begonia BIG ‘White Green Leaf’ is a landscape begonia that grows into a large, rounded plant ideal for brightening up semi-shaded areas. It grows up to 70cm, has dark green, glossy leaves and large white flowers that are carried above the leaves. It is useful as a focal point in agarden bed, as a groundcover or border filler, in containers and in hanging baskets. Perfect for lush, tropical gardens, this vigorous plant is heat tolerant, prefers moist, well-drained soil and flowers prolifically from spring to autumn. CONTACT ballstraathof.co.za Thanks to The Flower Cartel, you now have access to seeds typically planted by flower farmers! Seed packets made from 100% compostable unbleached brown paper, and beautifully illustrated by Anri Olivier, start from R60 each with a variety of…

• Sweet olive bush (Osmanthus fragrans) has dark green leaves and tiny cream-coloured flowers that are quite insignificant but their scent is heavenly. • Fragrant daphne (Daphne odora) is a small compact shrub with leaves that are edged with yellow. It bears clusters of fragrant pink flowers in winter. (Note: all parts of this plant are toxic.) • Luculia gratissima grows to 3m in height and bears clusters of scented pale pink flowers in early autumn. • Lavatera silvestris is a shrubby annual that grows about 1.5m tall. It has pink or white blooms but I love the one with snow-white flowers. • Phlox paniculata is a summer-flowering perennial that comes in various colours. Its upright growth makes it the perfect filler for a rose bed. • Inca lily (Alstroemeria…

1 [ GROWING MEDIUM AND WATER] Since Phalaenopsis orchids are air plants, their roots should never lie in water. If you give them too much water, they will die. These orchids can be grown in bark or Sphagnum moss (also known as peat moss). A plant growing in moss looks beautiful in a glass container – the moss keeps it in position while the roots are still visible. Plants that grow in bark drain better and need a little more water. Give them 100ml of water a week in summer and every two weeks in winter. Orchids growing in Sphagnum moss need less water as this growing medium doesn’t drain as well as bark so the roots rot more easily. Give them 50ml of water every week (in winter every…

Lamingtons Makes 16 squares Preparation: 40 minutes, plus cooling time Baking time: 25–30 minutes Oven temperature: 180°C • 200g (250ml) castor sugar • 4 extra-large eggs • 5ml vanilla essence • 200g (3w5ml) cake flour • 5ml baking powder • 100g butter, melted CHOCOLATE ICING • 50g butter, melted • 160ml full-cream milk, heated • 50g (125ml) cocoa • 290g (560ml) icing sugar, sifted • a pinch of salt • about 500ml coconut GARNISH • 250ml whipping cream • 10ml cherry liqueur, brandy or rum • 80g dark chocolate, melted • cherry jam • 12 maraschino cherries TIPS • If you prefer classic lamingtons, stop at step 6 and store the squares in an airtight container for up to three days. • If time allows, bake the cake the day…

IT’S AN ART Jumarie From The Heart offers a selection of gorgeous hand-painted designs by fine artist Jumarie du Toit that have been printed on luxury fabrics and turned into aprons, scatter cushions, table runners and more. The large aprons with convenient front pockets (76cm L x 64cm W; R449) are comfy and easy to clean. Go to jumariefromtheheart.com. For every season… Simply Seasonal (R400, Penguin Random House South Africa), the second cookbook by vivacious food content producer Ilse van der Merwe, is a vibrant visual recipe guide that celebrates nature’s bounty. Be inspired to cook and eat seasonally with more than 80 mouthwatering recipes, ranging from starters and side dishes to main courses and desserts. Each dish is accompanied by a glorious full-colour photograph. Keep home cooking simple, local,…

Write to us at Home Readers’ Letters, PO Box 1802, Cape Town 8000; email editor@homemag.co.za, fax 021 408 3046, and join our Facebook group (facebook.com/homemag) or follow us on Instagram @TuisHomeMag. When submitting a letter, please include your full name and the town in which you live. WINNING LETTER New life for an old chair Gail Janse van Rensburg of Salt Rock writes I had a good chuckle when I read Wicus’s ed’s note in the May/June issue. He thought the reader who wanted to change the colour of her black leather sofa needed a brown cow, but I thought of another solution that he also wrote about – chalk paint, of course! I saw the potential in this old chair with its ugly maroon faux leather seat and painted…

Saligna timber was chosen for the pergola as it’s more water-resistant than other types of wood such as pine, Rynhardt explains. Together with their builder, Henk Pienaar, they played with the design for the pergola by alternating the direction of the rafters. The steel structure was built at a slight incline so that in the future they can add polycarbonate or glass sheets on top to provide shelter from the rain. “Currently, the main purpose of the pergola is to provide protection from the sun, as well as to create visual appeal,” says Rynhardt. The rafters were coated with a mahogany stain to complement the wooden window frames in front of the house. The combination of steel, wood, cement and bricks suits the family’s earthy style. (Opposite) Retro Patchwork Matt…

Q: What colour and type of paint was used on the wire chairs featured on page 28 of your August 2021 issue? – Settie Uys, Cape Town A: They were spray-painted with Rust-Oleum Spray Paint Touch 2X Ultra Cover in Satin Sweet Pea. Q: Where can I find the Arthur Bales fabric as shown on page 44 of the August 2021 issue? – Philippa Strong, Potchefstroom A: The company is in Linden, Johannesburg; call 011 888 2401 or go to arthurbales.co.za. Q: I love the yellow sofa on the cover of your March 2021 issue; where is it from? – Marinda Louw Coetzee, Cape Town A: The couch is a beautiful example of mid-century modern design, but you won’t often find such an item new in shops. Take a look…

Managing renovations on a daily basis, Arti has a wealth of experience when it comes to clever solutions. Her top tips include: Be true to yourself There are so many cut-and-paste or catalogue-style homes around. Find your own style, whether it’s in the form of a rug, a light fitting or a colour scheme and work from there. Sustainability Use local materials that have been sourced ethically. I often use the amazing website greenstuff.co.za developed by Loraine Jenks. It provides a trustworthy directory of products that have been thoroughly researched. In addition, source architects or architectural interior consultants with knowledge of and a passion for sustainability. Remember the five Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Recycle, Reuse and Restore. Call in the experts If you get stuck, it’s worthwhile getting help from a…

Aloe bloom growths Elanie Jonker of Robertson writes I noticed that there are strange growths on a number of my aloes; what causes this? JJ replies Those abnormal growths are aloe cancer. It is caused by an insect called a gall mite, which spreads the disease from one plant to another. Cut off the affected flowers and growths then spray the aloes with Seizer 100 insecticide, according to the instructions on the packaging. >> Listen to JJ’s gardening tips and tricks on Derrich Gardner’s show Brekfis met Derrich at 07:40 every Saturday on RSG.…

The flowers and foliage in Isabel Johnston’s English-style garden provide colour and interest throughout the year. WHO LIVES HERE? Isabel Johnston and her Spaniel Honey, Kitty the cat and a family of Lavender Pekin Bantams WHERE Hilton, KZN SIZE OF GARDEN 8 100m2 TYPE OF SOIL Acidic loam soil Isabel and Mike Johnston bought their property with its established garden and stately trees in April 1981. Forty years on and the ancient indigenous tree ferns, colourful azalea hedges and huge magnolia trees remain focal points in the garden. Mike passed away almost 20 years ago, but Isabel can be found in her garden every day. “Mike planted many indigenous trees along our eastern boundary. Among those still standing today are Natal mahogany (Trichilia emetica), wild peach (Kiggelaria africana), Natal fig…

Curried chicken salad with mango and paaper bites Paaper bites are pieces of samoosa pastry that are deep-fried and seasoned, and sold like crisps in packets. If you can’t find them, you can make your own or substitute them with croutons to give this creamy salad that essential crunch. Serves 4 Preparation: 40 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes • 4 chicken breasts • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste • 5ml olive oil • 80g paaper bites • 300g lettuce • 3 celery stalks, finely chopped • 3 spring onions, chopped • 100g dried mango strips, shredded • 30ml sultanas or raisins • 125ml flaked almonds, roasted SALAD DRESSING • 5ml mild curry powder • 30ml mango chutney • 15ml lemon juice (or to taste) • a few…

It’s early on a Saturday morning and I’m downtown in Stellenbosch, sitting with a cappuccino and an unopened newspaper, my thoughts adrift. Suddenly, arather surprising word jumps into my head: solastalgia. Holy mackarel, I think, where did that one come from? I peer down the row of coffee and curio shops lining the street, wondering what could have prompted it. After all, I’m sitting at a cute little table – à la Paris – on the pavement outside Fidders, one of my favourite shops in town. A gem from yesteryear, it’s one of the few remaining true-blue village shops where you can buy anything from a ribbon to a lamp, where the staff have maintained the same familiar faces over the years, greeting you by name, asking after the family…

THE AIR UP THERE Every ceiling fan from Timber Fans has been individually handcrafted and tested for perfect balance and ultra-quiet performance. They’re manufactured from superior quality timber and powered by precision-built imported motors equipped with aircraft quality bearings. The top-of-the-line 1.5m Sirocco fan (from R9 801; pictured here in Slight Walnut) features energy-efficient technology, consuming up to 70% less power than conventional ceiling fans. Visit timberfans.com. Best in bloom The Flower Cartel – purveyors of professional cut flower seeds, bulbs and tubers – have made Anri Olivier’s floral sketches (featured on their seed packets) available for purchase as botanical prints at theflowercartel.co.za. They’re printed on quality artist’s paper (R180 for A4 and R220 for A3, without frame) and there are more than 40 images to choose from. CLICKS IN…

“Ideally, a stoep should never be narrower than 3.5m, otherwise it can’t be used comfortably,” advises Johann Slee of Slee & Co. Architects. Here are his top tips: • When planning a stoep, make sure it forms a unit with the indoor living area. • Build your stoep on the north-facing side of the house, otherwise it will be too cold and no one will want to sit there. • If your house has a view, it’s a good idea to position the stoep about half a metre lower than the house so as not to obstruct the view from inside. CONTACT slee.co.za “Decks need to be designed as part of the house, as an extension of the internal spaces, forming specific opportunities that open the residence up and allow…

For the seat, you will need SHOPPING LIST • 18mm plywood, cut to: one 1 800 x 660mm piece (seat) one 1 800 x 390mm piece, with one long edge cut at 13° (backrest) four 640 x 470mm pieces (armrest sides) • 22 x 69mm planed pine, cut to: two 1 800mm lengths (seat frame, front and back) two 618mm lengths (seat frame, sides) two 680mm lengths, both ends cut at 45° (armrests, top) four 490mm lengths, one end cut at 45° (armrests, front and back) one 1 840mm length, both ends cut at 45° (top of backrest) two 410mm lengths, one end cut at 45° (sides of backrest) • 22 x 95mm planed pine, cut to: two 660mm lengths (seat sides) one 1840mm length (front of seat) • 69…

Winning at twinning! Alex and Juliet are joined at the hip! – La-Réine Herselman, Cape Town Coming up roses English Springer Spaniel Bonnie knows her cultivars. – Johnny de Souza, Witpoortjie Three musketeers Guinea pigs Grietjie, Liefie and Chilli wait eagerly for a treat. – Emmie and Maia Möller, Paarl Desert rose Darius is a keen succulent gardener. – Christelle Bekker, Somerset West Newbie Welcome to the world, little Chloë! – Ansha Douglas, Durbanville New on the market! Bags O’ Wags Denties from Montego Pet Nutrition (R30, supermarkets and vet shops) are flavoursome, highly nutritious and made with natural colourants. These dental treats are available in six sizes and four fun shapes. Cute cowpoke Spinone Italiano puppy Luigi knows how to handle these beasties! – Sandra Cumming, Stanford Each owner…

Stoep stunners Petra van Enselen of Krugersdorp writes I have a wraparound stoep and would like to add to the rustic feel with potted succulents. Would they work? John Sauer of Ngena Succulents replies They certainly would if placed in a position that receives lots of bright light and, of course, some sun, although that is not essential. You may need to rearrange the pots according to the changing winter and summer light. To match the look, consider using terracotta or earthenware pots. I like arrangements of three pots containing the same succulent variety, such as spekboom, aloes, especially hybrids like ‘Pink Blush’ and agaves like the ornamental artichoke agave (Agave parryi) or the dwarf butterfly agave (Agave potatorum ‘Kichiokan’). The extra-large Echeverias such as ‘Afterglow’ or ‘Giant Blue Curls’…

Summer garden festival For shopping, workshops, flower arrangements and talks, pop in at Garden World’s Summer Festival – themed ‘Gardens for the Soul’ – in Muldersdrift, Gauteng from 22 October to 5 December 2021. STOCKISTS Garden World 011 957 2545, gardenworld.co.za JoJo jojo.co.za Leroy Merlin 010 493 8000, leroymerlin.co.za Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.comPEPhome 0860737000,pepstores.comTakealot takealot.comThe Flower Cartel theflowercartel.co.za,@theflowercartel…

Plant selection To ensure that this type of mixed border provides interest throughout the seasons, it is important to grow a succession of various plants. In early spring, the self-sown mauve fairy primula (Primula malacoides), pink indigenous forest lily (Veltheimia bracteata), Saxifraga stolonifera, white laceflower (Orlaya grandiflora), stocks (Matthiola incana) and wallflower (Erysimum ‘Bowle’s Mauve’) are in bloom. They are followed by foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), sweet William (Dianthus barbatus), columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), Inca lily (Alstroemeria aurea) and Astrantia. As summer progresses, delphinium, tobacco plant (Nicotiana alata), lamb’s tail (Verbascum), garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), day lily and dahlia take over. In late summer, Michaelmas daisy (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) and Chinese bellflower (Platycodon grandiflorus) come into their own. From spring to late summer, the roses put on a show. Although the misty climate…