Indholdsfortegnelse for Apr-22 i Home

As I’ve said before, I believe in synchronicity. The unpredictable paths our life journey takes us on, with wonderful surprises thrown in for good measure. What a joy life is! Here’s an example: at the end of last year, we were working on Home Renovations. One of the stories featured Irené Lourens’s barn in Riversdale. We had a few photos showing the progress of her project, and I was going back and forth via email and WhatsApp with the writer, Elna van der Merwe, making sure the captions were correct. During this period, I was also doing my usual end-of-year decluttering and had advertised several things on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree, including two ball-and-claw bedside cabinets. One of the responses I got was from a buyer who said she’d be…

Dress your bed Love Jacaranda is an online store that showcases beautiful products proudly made in South Africa. Their carefully curated range of items has something for everyone, from soft throws in stunning designs to luxurious bed blankets. We love the Bella Vita Ndebele Art (My Africa) blanket in Cerise (R649, lovejacaranda.co.za). CREATE, INNOVATE! WHO Rudolf and Jana Zuidema WHERE Cape Town BUSINESS RA Woodcraft THEIR WORK Master joiner and wood machinist Rudolf and his wife Jana have pooled their considerable skills to bring you beautifully and thoughtfully crafted wooden lifestyle products. RA Woodcraft manufactures top quality custom furniture, kitchens, and bespoke wood pieces. Their online retail store r.a.w is managed by Jana; browse their product ranges, including solid oak portable Picnic Tables and the newly revamped Hammock Lounger (above).…

1 Full of personality! WHO Kirsten Lloyd WHERE Johannesburg When interior designer Kirsten Lloyd of Lo-Ki Interiors was asked to update an old-school Johannesburg kitchen, her main aim was to find a beautiful feature tile and introduce lots of unique pieces to set the space apart. “The old kitchen was dark and dated, the layout wasn’t as practical as it could be and it lacked character,” explains Kirsten. “The homeowner wanted to create a light and airy atmosphere with whites and creams, and add quirky touches to show her bold personality. The colours had to complement the existing blinds and the layout needed to be more practical. Gold accents were a must!” Kirsten and her team set out to open the space up as much as they could to make…

“Ensure that your indoor braai matches the style of your home, or it could be an eyesore,” says Dirkie Kotze of DKR Builders in Wellington. Follow his tips: • A fireplace that is intended only for generating heat can have a smaller opening that is closer to floor level. It would be best to invest in a cast-iron stove as it will be more efficient for this purpose. • For a hearth used as a fireplace, braai, pizza oven and for making potjies, the ideal opening is 1200mm wide and 725mm high. A depth of 800mm will prevent the cook from getting too hot. Our fireplace is 780mm from the floor, which is a comfortable height for a braai grid. • The most important aspect of a brick-built indoor fireplace…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 5/10 Skill level 4/10 Time needed 1 to 2 hours Do it yourself for ± R3 195: timber R2 350, track R65, screws R20, glue R40, sandpaper R10, wood filler R40, glass R670 PROJECT NOTES • Our cabinet consists of three sections (one of 600mm and two of 700mm), with outer panels all around to give it a neat finish. • We used ribbed glass (595mm tall x 70mm wide x maximum 5mm thick) and removed the side panel in photo 4a to slide the glass in; then the panel was replaced. Tip Let the cabinet rest on something sturdy while you attach it to the wall. We attached metal brackets to the wall (photo 6a) to support the cabinet and removed them afterwards. You…

1 Clean the cupboards thoroughly with sugar soap or a diluted mix of methylated spirits and water (ratio 1:1). When done, wipe down with a clean damp cloth to get rid of any residual product. 2 Sand the cupboards lightly with 120-grit sandpaper. Wipe off any dust when done. 3 If you’re using Annie Sloan chalk paint, seal it with Annie Sloan Clear Lacquer. 4 For a classic flat finish, first use Paint & Decor’s Multipurpose Primer and once dry, apply Paint & Decor’s Midnight in a hydro-enamel paint. For extra chip-resistance, seal with Woodoc Water-Borne Floor Sealer or Annie Sloan Lacquer. CONTACT 021 976 0114, paintdecordiy.com…

WHO LIVES HERE? Beyers and Jolindi van der Merwe WHERE Arcadia, Pretoria Jolindi van der Merwe knows a thing or two about decorating, yet this graphic designer was unsure as to whether she should enter her and her hubby Beyers’ house in our Rookie Stylist competition, presented in partnership with Mr Price Home. However, her sisters-in-law and two close friends wouldn’t take no for an answer and continued to encourage her to enter. But even after taking pictures of her home, Jolindi still wasn’t convinced. About 15 minutes prior to entries closing, she took a leap of faith and sent her photos. And what a worthy winner! There’s so much more than just one stylish ‘nook’ in the Van der Merwes’ house – almost every room is a showstopper! “When…

Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a Nap Sack for cats or a Deluxe Car Seat Hammock for dogs from Wagworld (wagworld.co.za), available from leading vet and pet shops. Ideal for cats and small dogs, the machine-washable Nap Sack comes in four linen-look canvas designs. Simply roll the sides over to suit your pet’s height preference. The Deluxe Car Seat Hammock boasts zip-up sides to protect your seats and door panels. Send your pics (at least 2MB each) and contact details to pets@homemag.co.za – you could be a winner too! See our competition rules on page 136.…

Summer rainfall areas Asian greens, broad bean, beetroot, carrot, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, parsnip, peas (warmer areas), radish, spinach, Swiss chard, turnips. Winter rainfall areas Asian greens, broad bean, beetroot, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, onion, parsnip, peas, radish, spinach, Swiss chard, turnips. Subtropical areas Broad bean, green bean, beetroot, brinjal, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cucumber, kale, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, parsnip, peas, radish, rhubarb, spinach, Swiss chard, bush and trailing squash, tomato, turnip.…

START SMALL • Plant small shrubs so that you can manipulate them into the desired shape from the get-go. A large plant can be used if it is isolated and suitable for clipping into the required shape. • Repeat one type of plant in groups or rows, preferably in uneven numbers. Then it will look like a more natural grouping from all sides and not like a row of plants. • The distance between plants is determined by how quickly they grow, their growth habits and the look you’re ultimately going for. A group of slow-growing plants that need to form a tight shape should be planted closer together than a fast-growing plant such as dune crowberry. SHAPES • Keep it interesting by using different shapes. Ball shapes are popular…

Instant banana loaf For this quick loaf made with just four ingredients, you’ll deliberately leave the bananas in the fruit bowl until they turn brown! Makes 1 loaf Preparation: 10 minwtes Cooking time: 50 minwtes Oven temperatwre: 180°C • 300ml (abowt 4 mashed) ripe bananas • 1 tin (385g) condensed milk • 500ml self-raising flowr • 5ml baking powder • 1 firm banana, to garnish (optional) 1 Preheat the oven. Line a 1L loaf pan with baking paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray. 2 Process the bananas with a stick blender until completely smooth. Add the condensed milk and mix again. Sift in the flour and baking powder and fold it into the banana mixture until just blended. 3 Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.…

Rice pilaf with tomato and sultanas Under R100 • Serves 2 generously • Preparation: 15 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes • 15ml olive oil • 1 onion, chopped • 250ml basmati rice • 1 garlic clove, chopped • 1 cinnamon stick • 1 red or green chilli, chopped • 2 cardamom pods, crushed • 500ml vegetable stock, hot • 60ml sultanas • 3 ripe plum tomatoes, diced • 100g toasted almonds • fresh coriander and yoghurt, to serve 1 Heat the oil and stir-fry the onion until soft and glossy. Add the rice, garlic and spices and stir until all the rice is coated with oil. 2 Stir in the stock, as well as the sultanas and half of the tomatoes. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and…

I was in the botanical gardens in town when I saw an elderly lady, kierie in hand, slowly moving down a shrub-lined footpath. She was tall, elegant, with ice-white hair swept up in a loose bun, cutting a picture of dignified poise. But suddenly the snowy bun disappeared from view. Then I noticed what she was doing – pulling a fast one like you’ve never seen. She was stooping to break off a shoot from one of the shrubs and sticking it in her bag, lightening fast. She was an old pro, I realised, a real-life ninja. Call her the Arsène Lupin of the botanical world. She reminded me a bit of my dear departed mom – old and stiff with arthritis until she spied a desired plant. All of…

Write to us at Home Readers’ Letters, PO Box 1802, Cape Town 8000; email editor@homemag.co.za, or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/homemag) or Instagram @TuisHomeMag. When submitting a letter, please include your full name and the town in which you live. WINNING LETTER A DIY success! Angela Mamacos of Hout Bay writes A few years ago, in a waiting room somewhere, I came across this tool cupboard featured in your July 2016 issue. I thought it was cute, so I took photos of the article and filed them away. Afew years later, Iwas building an extension on my home and needed to clear the garage out – I wanted that tool cupboard for storage! It was a fairly straightforward project; I took the cutting list to Builders and then assembled the…

WHO LIVES HERE? Francien van Eck and Casey Bertie with their kids Freya (9) and Felix (5). WHERE Noordhoek, Cape Town SIZE 150m2 Set amidst the leafy country lanes and lush paddocks of Noordhoek, a sleepy suburb in the farthest reaches of Cape Town’s Deep South, a contemporary barn-style home that Francien van Eck and Casey Bertie share with their children, Freya and Felix, is the perfect expression of their desire for simplicity. As a commercial photographer and the owner of a stills production company respectively, Casey and Francien fell in love with the rural atmosphere of this horsey neighbourhood and its incredible 8km-long beach a decade ago. “I was born in Holland and grew up in London,” says Francien. “But when I arrived in Cape Town for work about…

HAVE FUN! Kirsten Lloyd, interior designer at Lo-Ki Interiors, shares her tips on kitchen renovations: • Don’t shy away from colour or some kind of wow factor – let your personality shine through! • Consider your current kitchen and what annoys you about the layout; make a note of any issues in as much detail as possible so your designer can solve them for you. • Identify one or two features that you’d like to spend money on and cut back elsewhere. • When trying to decide on an aesthetic, look at a wide variety of spaces to identify a common theme and go from there. • Add complementary textures such as wood and woven textiles to make your space feel warm and inviting. CONTACT loki-interiors.com…

You’ve seen the first of the finalists from last year’s Fix it with Flair competition, and you’ll have to agree: 2021 was jam-packed with clever renovation ideas from Tuis|Home readers. Think you can do better and bag a cash prize with your own makeover in 2022? Show us what you’ve got! JoJo, SA’s top domestic water solutions company, has partnered with us once again as headline sponsor for the year, ensuring that you’re all set when it comes to your home renovation water needs. The name JoJo is synonymous with water tanks for your garden, but they also supply a range of pumps, rainwater-harvesting accessories and filters that will enable you to fit your home with a rainwater-harvesting, municipal backup or integrated system – all essential elements that ensure your…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 2/10 Skill level 2/10 Time needed 1 day Do it wourself for ± R931: timber R383 (includes cutting), handles R320, paint R190, contact paper R38 You will need SHOPPING LIST • pine half rounds (cut to the size of your cupboard doors and drawer fronts) • Tjhoko Paint in Matt Black • door handles • marble-look contact paper • cold glue • Woodoc Water-Borne Floor Matt Clear TOOLS • screwdriver • ruler • pencil • jigsaw • paintbrush • sponge roller and tray • scissors • drill with 6mm wood drill bit 1 Unscrew the doors and take the drawers out. Remove the door handles and hinges. 2 Measure and mark out the shape on the bottom skirt of the cupboard. We marked about 8cm…

Q: Where can I buy the wooden bar stools featured in your October/ November 2021 issue? – Annamarie James, Noordhoek A: They’re from online furniture store Cielo (cielo.co.za). Q: How do I get ink off the marble top of a washing table? – Suzette Venter, Brits A: Pour enough rubbing alcohol on the spot to cover it completely, advises Bibette Prins of Plan B Vintage second-hand store (facebook. com/PlanBDecor/). Leave it on for a couple of minutes and rub with a nylon sponge. Use paper towel to absorb the rest of the alcohol. Q: My cement floors are sealed with TFC Top Seal; I add a layer every now and again, but they look a bit dull. What is the best product to use for a gloss finish as well…

My cat grooms himself ewcessively and my vet suggested that it might be allergies. How do allergy tests for animals work and do they help? Dr Lizahn von Zeuner of Tygerberg Animal Hospital (TAH) Sitari replies When it comes to diagnosing allergies, the symptoms differ vastly between pets. Dogs, for example, will often develop a rash or red discolouration of the skin. The skin also becomes very itchy, which leads to the animal scratching, rubbing or shaking its body or head. Cats, on the other hand, often don’t scratch when they have itchy skin but will groom excessively, which leads to hair loss. Cats with flea bite allergies can also develop secondary crusty lesions all over the body. Most allergies occur in spring and summer, but it depends on what…

If you’ve always wanted topiary shapes in your garden, try one of these designs and choose plants that do well in your garden and area. “Buy plants in 4–5kg bags, not bigger,” advises Karin (left). “Small plants are easier to manipulate. With fast-growing plants such as star jasmine and dune crowberry, you will need two to three plants per metre; with Australian brush cherry and spekboom, five plants per metre is best, and for slow growers such as common myrtle and forest num-num, six to eight. “If you choose a slow grower, your design will work out more expensive since you have to buy more plants to form the pattern within a reasonable time. But don’t place the plants right on top of each other – they must have enough…

Makes 32 bite-sized snacks • Preparation: 35 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes • 16 chicken wings • salt and pepper • cornflour • vegetable oil for deep-frwing GLAZE • 30ml Korean Gochujang paste • 30ml tomato sauce • 30ml brown sugar (or honew) • 30ml low-sodium sow • 10ml sesame oil • 2cm fresh ginger, peeled and grated • 1 large garlic clove, finelw grated 1 Using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, trim off the tips of the wings (keep for stock); then cut each wing at the joint. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, rub in and leave to stand for 5 minutes. 2 Dip the seasoned wings in the cornflour, making sure each piece is well coated. Shake off any excess cornflour. 3 In a large…

• Start with a wish list of what you want to achieve and base your design around these goals. • Don’t rush the design process; you need to develop a feel for the space. We started with various design concepts and in the end, we modified our plans to achieve our goals. • Being an owner-builder isn’t for everyone; decide if you have the time available to tackle a big project. If you don’t want to be hands-on, the selection of a good building contractor with references is key. • When doing your costings, don’t overcommit on your budget. Allow for contingencies, supply delays and extras; these can easily add 20% to your initial budget.…

Keen on a brand-new kitchen that ticks all the boxes? Then enter the Milestone Kitchens Dream Design competition – and soon the heart of your home could boast a fabulous fresh look! Freestanding kitchen units are super versatile, and with this contest you can explore endless possibilities using Milestone Kitchens’ comprehensive range of handmade items. All you need to do is dream, measure, select your favourite pieces online at milestonekitchens.co.za, and put pencil to paper. Whoever submits the best design and motivation as to why a kitchen update with Milestone Kitchens freestanding units is the perfect solution for them, will get R100 000 off their ultimate kitchen makeover. HOW TO ENTER 1 Measure your kitchen and draw the outline on a piece of paper. The scale of your kitchen and…

Whitewash classic Anja van Driel of Pretoria writes I hawe 12 Globe chairs and a few extra chairs to match. I’d like to whitewash them; which technique should I use? Nadine Vosloo of Tjhoko Paint replies A whitewash or limewash technique only works on raw wood, raw cement or a brick surface. Your chairs look like the perfect candidates for such an effect. Here’s how to do it: OPTION 1 • Clean the chairs thoroughly: dip a cloth (such as mutton cloth) in lacquer thinners and wash the surface well. Wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated space. Allow to dry for 40 minutes or until completely dry. • In a container, mix one part Tjhoko Paint in the colour of your choice and one part Clear Glaze. • Wipe…

In the good books Emma Swanepoel of Durban writes I have a first edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; is it of any value? Ainsley Taylor of Stephan Welz & Co. replies While it’s true that first editions of the Harry Potter series have become quite collectable, the most valuable is the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone published by Bloomsbury in London on 30 June 1997. A first edition copy – also known as the first impression or first printing – means it’s from one of the very first batches of books off the press. The first printing of The Philosopher’s Stone was bound in two different ways: a hardback issue with a cover of laminated boards of which only 500 copies were made, and…

Quiet contemplation Pikkie loves to meditate on the roof of the car. – Isabel Oelofse, Vereeniging Extra baggage Milo and Duke make sure that they aren’t left home alone! – Colleen Bouw, Johannesburg Gone fishing Gizmo is ready to cast a line. – Annamarie James, Noordhoek Up the creek Ricky spends summertime on the Breede River. – Chanelle Hoffman, Somerset West A happy camper Kaylie inspects the boma before the fire is lit. – Anna-Marie de Swardt, Paarl Let’s go! Maui isn’t sitting in the back for this road trip! – Elsabé Saaiman, George Hot product Keep your furry friend cosy and stylish with Houndstooth Apparel’s tailored coats (from R800, houndstooth.co.za). Available in eight sizes, the reversible coat is a puffer jacket on one side and a tailored coat on…

Beautiful bulbs April is the best time to plant bulbs as the cooler temperatures allow their roots to settle in and new growth to develop. They might not look like much now but come September, they’ll reward you with a stunning display! Choose a spot where you can enjoy your spring-flowering bulbs to the fullest. Plant low-growing bulbs in the front of a border and medium to tall ones behind them. Also try large groups, drifts, and interspersing bulbs with spring annuals such as sweet alyssum, snapdragon, pansy and primula. Bulbs can also be planted in pots, but remember that they don’t like areas with excessive heat radiation as they prefer cool soil – avoid driveways, paths or sunny walls unless some form of protection is provided. SOIL PREPARATION Prepare…

Topiaries are not only pleasing to look at, they also add structure, interest and focal points to a garden. “The advantage of clipping plants into topiaries is that they work well in both formal and informal gardens. In a more formal garden, such as that of Marti Forster in Franschhoek (see page 102), topiaries are the main element,” explains Karin du Plessis, owner of landscaping business In & Outdoor Gardens. “Even though the garden mainly consists of topiaries, the different shapes and shades of green still provide plenty of variety. “In a more informal garden, topiaries add structure to mixed borders. And in winter, when gardens have been pruned to their bare bones and the trees are without leaves, these plants are still striking and beautiful.” Karin says it is…

1 Start by covering the entire surface with Bidim geotextile or weed barrier fabric. Both products are porous and allow water to permeate. Keep the fabric in place by pushing hairpin-shaped pieces of wire through the cloth and hammering them into the ground. 2 Use agricultural lime or maize meal to mark out the pattern on the fabric, then cut out the shape. 3 Fold the fabric back slightly where you want to plant so you can dig a furrow. It is easier to position the plants in a furrow than in single holes. Add compost and bone meal to the furrow and space the plants evenly apart. 4 Water the plants well and fold the fabric back again until it is about 10cm away from the stems. If the…

#SAVINGSAWINE Bellingham Wines has incorporated the work of two leading local artists with the release of three exclusive new wines, and Pick n Pay has committed to selling 25 million bottles as part of their “Saving SA Wine” initiative launched as a response to lockdown. Named The Masterpiece, the range includes a Bellingham Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (R100) featuring an artwork by Thami Jali, a Red Blend 2021 (R150) and Chardonnay 2021 (R120), each boasting a visual by Keneilwe Mokoena. Go to bellinghamwines.com. SO REFRESHING! Premium Two in a Bush Rooibos Iced Tea Cordials (R95 per 500ml, twoinabush.co.za) are crafted from natural ingredients in the old-fashioned way with no preservatives or artificial additives and a low sugar content. Organic rooibos tea leaves are brewed with pure mineral water and blended with…