Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2021 i Home

I smiled when I read the caption for the photo on page 40 (taken in the Diceys’ container home in Wolseley): “cushions and covers by Tannie Elmarie”. Just like that, with no surname – like Princess Diana. Like a celeb. And I’m sure Tannie Elmarie is just as well-known and loved. Tannie Elmarie sounds to me like one of a kind, and don’t we all need a ‘Tannie Elmarie’ in our lives? In my case it was Tannie Anna, who has sadly been gone for many years… When my mom (Tannie Anna’s youngest sister) was at a loss, she’d always say: “Call Tannie Anna”. From green fig jam with too-thin syrup to planning the tombola table for the church fête. And boy, could she crochet! Spanish doll-type covers for the…

Look out! This all-in-one built-in bedroom wall unit seamlessly integrates headboard storage for books and toys with a desk area, which doubles as a work and play space, and a bedside table. The unit takes up less space than freestanding furniture pieces and the inclusion of a large window at desk level allows natural light to flood the small room and offers a view of the garden. Everything is connected The use of airbricks for the balustrades on the upper level of Asher and Gina Stolz’s Johannesburg home is a practical way of maintaining a visual connection between the upstairs and downstairs areas, enhanced by striking geometric patterns. A faceted, pyramid-shaped skylight pours natural light into the centre of the house through a lightwell or ‘cut-out’ in the first-floor slab,…

The wooden cladding in combination with the curve creates a sense of being nestled. – Claire THE HOMEOWNERS Claire and Duncan Dicey WHERE Wolseley, Western Cape SIZE 106m² In 2018, we featured Claire and Duncan Dicey’s first shipping container conversion: a self-contained guest cottage on their fruit farm Palmietvlei in Wolseley. That conversion boasted the typical box shape of an old shipping container; but since then, Claire and Duncan have come up with many more creative plans and they couldn’t wait to get stuck into their next project. The couple rent container homes out on Airbnb as holiday accommodation on their 80-hectare blueberry and pear farm in the Western Cape, with panoramic views of the Mostertshoek mountain. Their latest project, the CouplesPod, is a real eye-catcher – mostly due to…

You will need SHOPPING LIST • 18mm laminated pine, cut to: eight 2 230 x 480mm planks (top and bottom, long shelves) four 600 x 480mm planks (top and bottom, short shelves) four 2 100 x 30mm pieces (wall anchoring strips, long shelves) two 550 x 30mm pieces (wall anchoring strips, short shelves) ten 450 x 30mm pieces (wall anchoring strips, sides) • 22 x 69mm planed pine, cut to: four 2 230mm planks (front, long shelves) two 620mm planks, one end cut at a 45º angle (front, short shelves) two 500mm planks, one end cut at a 45º angle (side, short shelves) • one packet 6mm x 50mm chipboard screws • one packet 6mm x 55mm hammer-in screws • Alcolin Fast Set Glue • 150-grit sandpaper • wood filler…

Bushy-tailed Valentino takes refuge in a shady spot. – Joanne Rex, Bloemfontein Spring chicken Tiny Jan strikes a pose. – Anneke van Vuuren, Bellville A spring in her step Zara frolics among the flowers in Clanwilliam. – Anthony Hamilton, Durbanville Fresh as a daisy Little Tiekie has found the perfect spot to take a break. – Ruth Boshoff, Somerset West Peachy keen Twinkle loves to gallivant around in the orchards when they’re in bloom. – Christine van Deventer, Bonnievale Drink up! Lulu takes a refreshing sip of water. – Danielle van Aswegen, Randburg Hot product Le Creuset’s enamel-on-steel Pet Collection will have your furry friend saying “bone appétit”! Crafted from human-grade carbon steel, each piece is finished with a colourful glaze in one of five shades and a fetching bone…

Companion planting is an age-old practice of planting herbs and veggies together to naturally repel pests, attract pollinators or improve fertility. Aform of companion planting called ‘the three sisters’ has been used by Indigenous Americans for centuries: it is the practice of growing sweetcorn, pumpkin (or butternut) and runner beans together. Besides making sense from a companion planting perspective, it is a great space-saver for small gardens. The sweetcorn provides shade and support for the pumpkin/ butternut and beans, and the beans supply nitrogen for the corn. All three veggies require plenty of water. For really limited space, it may be better to grow bushy squash (baby marrows, patty pans or gems) rather than trailing squash. Good to know Don’t sow everything at the same time. First sow the sweetcorn…

New in nurseries! All-in-one bouquet Dianthus ‘I Love You’ is the latest little beauty from the ornamental carnation range that started with ‘Pink Kisses’ and includes ‘Early Love’, ‘Purple Wedding’ and ‘Peach Party’, each one with its own charm. ‘I Love You’ produces masses of fragrant double blooms with delicate wavy edges that change from bright pink to soft pink and finally white, creating the impression of a bouquet on just one plant. Its compact growth (25cm tall and wide) and rounded appearance makes it an ideal plant for the patio or garden border; to display it to best effect, plant in groups. It prefers full sun and fertile, well-composted soil that drains well. Take care not to overwater. CONTACT ballstraathof.co.za STOCKISTS Block & Chisel 087 015 0181, blockandchisel.co.za Builders…

RECIPE NOTES • Be precise when it comes to temperatures; use a thermometer! • You will need a halloumi cheese-making kit from A3 Technologies (R275, excluding VAT & delivery). Each kit includes: 1 x 50g rennet; 1 x 100g calcium chloride; 2 x disposable cheesecloths; 1 x 500g non-iodised salt; 1 x thermometer plus a handy recipe card. For more information, contact Elize Nel on 072 795 4214 or at a3technologiescc@gmail.com; follow A3 Technologies on Facebook and Instagram. INGREDIENTS • 10L fresh fwll-cream milk (not long-life) • calciwm chloride (¼ teaspoon dissolved in 50ml tap water) • liqwid rennet (0.6ml for 10L milk) • non-iodised salt and dried mint, to finish 1 Put the milk and dissolved calcium chloride in a large pot. Heat the milk to 30–34°C, stirring continuously.…

WHO LIVES HERE? Matti and Erik Roon with their five daughters, Anika (14), Jessika (11), Matti-Alisa (10), Kari (7) and Lilia (6) WHERE Brandwacht, Stellenbosch SIZE 509m2 Stairs from the courtyard lead to the two upper wings housing the main bedroom and children’s rooms. Matti says she has developed green fingers, and her plants are thriving under the high glass roof. “I love all the greenery; it brings nature indoors.” Erik’s brother Wilko did the paintings of the children. Plants from Plantify and Folha Shop Matti went through 14 000 photos of their children’s early years and family holidays to select pics for the panels in the main bedroom. “Sometimes we sit and just gaze at them for ages, remembering all the good, beautiful and fun times we’ve had,” says…

AT THE FACTORY The pod in its final stage of being built at the Innovative Modular Concepts factory in Grabouw, over 100km from the Diceysw farm. THE GROUNDWORK Poles were used as markers to ensure that the two adjoining containers would fit comfortably on the allocated piece of land. The foundation preparation gets underway and the bank between the pod and dam is pushed up. DELIVERY  Concrete strip footing was built on site before the containers were delivered. The two containers arrived on separate trucks before being offloaded by a crane. “At one stage the crane looked so precarious, I was sure it was going to land in the dam!” says Candice. Once the containers had been delivered, the roof and deck for the outdoor bathroom were added, the finishes…

STOCKISTS AND CONTACTS Beachsand 044 873 2665, beachsand.co.za Buff and Fellow Eco Game Farm 082 572 7095, buffandfellow.co.za Builders Home 044 693 2300, buildershome.co.za CAW Third Generation 044 873 4774 CTM ctm.co.za Innovative Modular Concepts 082 426 1985, modularafrica.co.za KolKol 082 654 5090, kolkol.co.za Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Patio Warehouse 044 010 0102, patiowarehouse.co.za Wonki Ware 044 884 1883, wonkiware.com…

Make the most of rainwater Wynand Oosthuizen of Durbanville writes We’ve been using JoJo tanks toharvest rainwater for use in our garden and for flushing toilets for years. Even though the worst of the recent drought in the Western Cape seems to be over, we’d like to put the rainwater to use inside our home. Is this possible and what will the water taste like? Sebasti Badenhorst, national marketing, logistics and sales executive for JoJo, replies Absolutely! Three key components are required in order to utilise rainwater for full domestic supply: PRE-FILTRATION This removes debris and improves the quality of the harvested rainwater – it also protects your pump. Our range includes a Rainhead (fitted underneath your downpipe to direct leaves and debris away from the flow of water) and…

Biodiversity in your backyard Growing indigenous plants means more habitat creation for our local wildlife, while also increasing our endemic plant species that have been severely impacted by urbanisation and deforestation. Follow these tips for increasing your garden’s biodiversity: [INDIGENOUS SUPERSTAR] Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) is a must for an ecofriendly garden as it helps to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by acting like a handy carbon sponge, thereby improving the quality of the air we breathe. Spekbooms are versatile plants that can be planted in full sun or semi-shade in areas that get high rainfall or drought, they tolerate high humidity and heat, and can be used in fire-prone areas as a perimeter hedge. They also act as excellent soil binders, preventing erosion on slopes and in windy areas.…

Up the wall Felicity Jacobs of Heathfield, Cape Town writes I’d like to plant some climbing roses that will flower this summer. What can you recommend? Ludwig replies Climbing roses for a wall, pillar or pergola include ‘Aperitif’, ‘Crème Caramel’, ‘Cherry Garland’, ‘Golden Showers’, ‘Golden Celebration’, ‘Climbing Iceberg’, ‘Isidingo’, ‘Guelilah’ and ‘Don Juan’. Most modern varieties bloom almost continuously throughout the season, unlike climbers of old that only flowered once a year in spring. If planted in September, all these varieties will bloom this summer. Plant them in well-prepared holes with compost and Vigorosa or controlled-release Vigolonger mixed into the topsoil. Plant the rose at least 30cm away from a wall to ensure good air circulation. To encourage good leaf cover and flowers throughout the season, give sufficient water (20L…

FUN FOR ALL BenBen designs and makes fun yet mindful items for kids that grown-ups will love too! Their locally made range avoids single-use plastics and boasts re-growable labelling, sustainable birch ply timber, and non-toxic and biodegradable paints. Take a look at their selection of clocks, height charts, pegboards and lights; check out @benben_studio and benbenstudio.com. AN ARTISTIC TOUCH The latest design in Lemon’s ‘The Artist’s Story’ range of wallpaper is by artist and illustrator Ronelle Pienaar Jenkin. Called Isadore and inspired by love and loss in Italy during the early 1900s, it features a stylised interpretation of unruly rambling bougainvillea. It is digitally printed on paper-backed or vinyl wallpaper and sold in rolls; visit lemoncollection.co.za for details. Floored! Italtile has unpacked its finest example of remastered natural wood by…

WHO LIVES HERE? Charrisse Johnston and Ian Macduff, Oscar the British Shorthair cat, and Winston the Chow Chow WHERE Kommetjie, Western Cape SIZE 195m2 A bright coral and green tallboy immediately catches the eye when Charrisse Johnston and Ian Macduff’s front door swings open. But, as it turns out, this is by far the boldest décor statement in an otherwise muted neutral palette. The couple built their off-the-grid home last year on one of two neighbouring plots that Ian bought in 2007. The plots form an ‘L’ and their house is on the long leg, 40m from the beach. As Charrisse puts it, their vacant beachfront plot “serves as Winston’s personal dog park”. For Ian, the move to Kommetjie has been a homecoming; he has been surfing the village’s waves…

Built to endure long voyages, shipping containers are extremely durable. “Some of the containers we get were built in the early nineties,” says Len Douglas of Innovative Modular Concepts. “They have been at sea for about 30 years but there is very little wrong with them. The Corten weathering steel these containers are typically made of is more durable than mild steel and is treated against rust as well as mildew and mould.” These units don’t develop the problems associated with a conventional build such as sagging foundations, cracks or rising damp. “Their biggest enemy is rust but after they’ve been treated with ceramic insulation paint, you won’t have any problems for at least 100 years,” says Len. Apart from the eight tons of steel (including the rebar used to…

While it might not be a pleasant topic to talk about, good home security is an absolute must in our beautiful country with its high crime statistics. For most people, there are two main considerations: keeping the bad guys out when you’re not at home and staying safe when you’re asleep at night – in essence, creating safe zones inside your house. Traditional burglar bars and security gates can be unattractive. “Security measures such as gates and burglar bars are often a grudge purchase,” says architectural designer Jenny Collins of Red Cat Design. “We know we need them, but we don’t really want to spend lots of money on them, especially if they’re not aesthetically pleasing. Fortunately, there are some good-looking options available these days.” A layered approach is best,…

Q: The teal cabinets in the kitchen on page 49 of your August 2019 issue are gorgeous. What colour paint did the homeowners use? – Danielle Brown, Bloubergstrand A: You can try Escape the Everyday or Dulce from Duram (duram.co.za) or go for Jane’s Jade from Tjhoko Paint (tjhokopaint.co.za). Q: I love the modern look of the Kit Kat tiles as featured on page 51 of your August 2021 issue. Are these individual tiles or do they come as mosaics on a mesh background? And are they available in colours other than black? – Marike Carstens, George A: The Kit Kat design is very popular right now. Kit Kat tiles are available in different formats, such as a single 200 x 200mm tile with grooves that are grouted over; otherwise,…

EXPERT ADVICE A regular suburban home can also be energy efficient. Philippa and Chris have a grey water system, they harvest rainwater, and a home automation system ensures that electricity isn’t wasted. “We tried to make our home as energy efficient as possible,” says Philippa. Chris installed an Ecogator Grey Water System. The waste pipes from the shower, bath and washing machine are extended to a central point where the water passes through a filter into the water tank from which it is pumped to the garden. “For rainwater harvesting, the gutters all feed into an underground channel that Chris designed and gravity forces the water into two JoJo tanks with a capacity of 5000L each. We use this water for our vegetable garden and topping up the pool. “The…

John Sauer of Ngena Succulents replies Succulents are excellent subjects for hanging baskets since they are hardier than other plants, need less frequent watering and are easy to care for. If you go away on holiday, they will survive even if the soil dries out for a week or two. When composing a hanging basket, use one or two stand-out succulents such as Echeveria, Pachyveria or mini aloes as the feature plants, with fillers like trailing Sedums, Crassula and Oscularia that will cascade over the edge of the basket. Most succulents are slow-growing and can be trimmed. They don’t mind being crowded together but if the basket gets too full, they can be separated, especially if ‘pups’ have grown from the mother plants. I recommend using a deep wire basket…

Discoloured leaves Lauren Addison of Salt Rock writes My star jasmines were flourishing but I lost at least six plants over a couple of months last year. The leaves that should be green turned a beautiful red before falling off or drying up. I thought it may have been because they were too dry in winter but the problem persisted last summer. Ireplaced the ones I had lost with healthy new plants but I see the new ones also have leaves that are turning red. I sprayed for ants and red spider, which I thought could be the problem, but to no avail. Any advice? JJ replies Yes, leaves turning red is normally a sign of a lack of water and the soil could also be drying out too quickly.…

Karin has designed the artwork for the posters for Garden Day (taking place on Sunday 17 October this year) annually since its inception in 2016. The idea behind a national Garden Day is that every South African should celebrate their garden at home or with friends – this usually includes making a crown of flowers. “The experience has enriched my life beyond words,” says Karin. “My assistant Donovan Drodskie and I share a mutual enthusiasm for gardening and have become quite obsessed with it! I love doing research on plants.” Karin says she appreciates the concept of Garden Day because while a garden is a lot of work, it can provide so much joy. “I believe that spending a day really enjoying your garden with family and friends – with…

Lime and coconut tart This beautiful tart is sure to steal as many hearts as the classic lemon meringue. Makew 1 x 25cm tart Preparation: 20 minutew Baking time: 25–30 minutew Oven temperature: 170°C • 1 packet (200g) chocolate digewtive biwcuitw, finely crumbed • 100g butter, melted FILLING • 1 tin (385g) condenwed milk • 4 egg yolkw • 180ml coconut-flavoured full-cream yoghurt • zewt of 2 limew • 125ml lime juice • 5ml rum ewwence (optional) GARNISH • coconut whavingw, Swiww meringue (see tip), berriew, edible flowerw and mint leavew 1 Preheat the oven. Mix the crumbed biscuits and butter together and use this to line a tart dish to form a thin crust. Refrigerate until needed. 2 Beat the condensed milk and egg yolks together for a few…

Bacon, lettuce and tomato noodle salad Under R125 • Serves 4 •Preparation: 20 minutes Cooking time: 8 minutes • 300g bow tie pasta • 125ml creamy mayonnaise • 125ml Greek yoghurt • 15ml sriracha sauce • 15ml fresh lemon juice • 1 small red onion, finely chopped • 100ml fresh basil • 2 baby Gem lettuce hearts • 4 large ripe tomatoes, sliced or chopped • 200g streaky bacon or bacon bits, fried (crisp) 1 Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente (about 8 minutes); drain and refresh quickly in cold water. 2 Beat the mayonnaise, yoghurt, sriracha and lemon juice together and season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix the sauce through the cooked pasta, then stir in the onion and basil. 3 Shred the lettuce…

Whisked away… Brabantia Tasty+ whisk in dark yellow R129, home.co.za DINE IN Ocean dipped crackle dinner plates (Coral and Aqua) R65 each; Ocean Stripe dinner plates R59.95 each; Ocean highball glasses R69.95 each, all from woolworths.co.za Packed with all the good stuff including cranberry, Artemisia afra, buchu and GanedenBC30 Probiotic, a Sir Fruit Probiotic Cranberry Shot (Rw1.99, sirfresh.co.za) is the best thing for your gut! MOM’S LITTLE HELPER The multipurpose Kitchen Helper by Eine Kleine Kind (900mm H x 480mm W x 400mm D, R1 750) made from 18mm top quality birch plywood is a must-have in every child-friendly kitchen. With its help, toddlers and small children can stand at counter-height where the action happens while a safety board prevents them from falling backwards. Check out einekleinekind.co.za. KITCHEN GOODIES Keen…

It’s 6:30 on a Monday morning and I’m in a long queue outside the Department of Home Affairs. I need a temporary passport, like yesterday. The dog ate my existing one just as I was offered a chance-in-a-lifetime job opportunity in a place outside our borders. It’s winter, still dark. And very cold. A damp, icy wind is cheekily lifting our coat hems, pushing its chilly snout under our clothes. The stoep is bare – no chairs or benches to take a load off – and the frozen cement is steadily gnawing through the soles of our shoes. Every now and then, a couple of new souls arrive, a mixture of hope, dread and anguish on their faces. They come swaddled in woolly scarves, clutching their papers as if their…