Innehållsförteckning för Feb/Mar 2024 från Home

We sent this issue to the printers at the end of December, just before everyone headed off in all directions for a well-deserved summer break. I put off doing my editor's note until the very end because after 12 months of thinking, I had run out of words. But by lunchtime on deadline day, with all the other pages at the printers, I couldn't delay any longer. I had to put some thoughts together (plus, the editor's note still had to be translated). A few nights prior to that, I had a dream. I had a parachute on my back because someone had talked me into skydiving. I remember how anxious I was, as I don't like flying, let alone jumping out of a plane, even with a parachute. In…

Send décor and lifestyle news to johane.neilson@tuis.co.za. IN BLACK AND WHITE Take a look at the new black-and-white 100% organic cotton indoor/ outdoor fabric range from Design Team (from R1 295/m, designteamfabrics.co.za). Pictured from the top are Arrow, Spikkel and Strelitzia, also available as outdoor scatters. Bring it to life Masureel is a Belgian company that manufactures high-quality wallcoverings. Available in a variety of subtle colours, the Havana Habana Rose wallpaper, exclusive to Hertex, boasts a craquelure effect and features imposing arches, towering palm trees and an understorey of tropical vegetation. Gorgeous! ON THE FLOOR Check out Incanda's brand-new range of rugs – from neutral to bold! We're smitten with the Starling Tug in Blue (160 x 230cm; from R3 000, incanda.co.za). Hot spot Stepping into the new Nosso store…

Email your queries to experts@homemag.co.za. ASK US ON FACEBOOK Do you have an urgent question that just can't wait? Ask on Facebook so that the team, experts and other readers can help – and don't forget to include a photo! Insurance and load-shedding Adéle Jameson of Durban writes I read in the news that short-term insurance companies now exclude damages arising from a complete power grid failure. So, when will I be covered and when won't I be covered? Theunis Smal of TS Insurance Brokers replies While it differs from insurance company to insurance company, there is a general move towards excluding cover in the event of a power grid failure. In terms of policy wording, “Electricity Grid Failure” or “Interruption” means any occurrence, howsoever caused, which results in the widespread…

WINNING LETTER The epitome of home Nicole Smalberger of Pretoria writes I'm sitting and reading your October/November issue on a Sunday afternoon, sipping a G&T while my husband and son (enthusiastic German Shepherd in tow) hit golf balls on the lawn. And this is the epitome of what I love about your magazine. In a world where every screen on earth seems to be vying for our attention, Home captures something real, something that counts. It doesn't matter if your home is quaint or grand, eclectic or stylish, generously described as “shabby chic”, it's home. The backdrop for our joys, our loves, and our lives. It's where we can escape, where we find rest, encouragement, and the beautiful, simple joys. It's a celebration of the value of home. To ‘quote’…

READER HOME WHO LIVES HERE? Donné Putter and her daughters, Eva (10) and Ingrid (6), and Trix, their rescue Wire-Haired Jack Russell Terrier WHERE Walmer, Gqeberha SIZE 105m² The double-volume dining area opens onto the stoep, and to the right are stairs leading to the mezzanine level. “As a child, I dreamed of having a loft room,” Donné says, referring to the raised roof which made it possible to create her architect's office above the main bedroom. Staircase and balustrade by Creative Metals; parquet floors (from Facebook Marketplace) installed by Schultz Flooring; pendant lamp from Bowhome; wishbone chairs from James Mudge Furniture Studio CATEGORY: SUSTAINABILITY Winner! Paint colour Exterior: Midas Earthcote Textured Paint in Arniston White Green building consultants Sow & Reap helped Donné to optimise daylight and thermal comfort…

WHO LIVES HERE? Jana and Christian Scriba with their cats, Matisse and Cezanne SIZE 175m2 on a 312m2 erf WHERE Mowbray, Cape Town We may look like architects, but we're actually moonlighting as contractors,” jokes Christian, referring to the house that he and Jana have been slaving over at night, on weekends and during any idle hours since they bought it in 2020. It's the couple's first home together, and this renovation story begins with a wedding. “The house is 125 years old,” says Jana. “The wooden floors and walls were serviceable but the roof was rusted through, the layout was dark and impractical, the bathroom may as well have been outdoors as it was accessed via a covered courtyard, and the back garden and mountain view were hidden behind…

#1 TRENDY PINKS AND ORANGES We've always been inspired by Doreen de Waal's brave colour choices and we love her latest bedroom makeover, boasting fresh pinks and oranges. “I've always loved pink and I thought: why not?” says Doreen, owner of inAWEstays. “My daughter now lives in the Netherlands and I thought her bedroom was the perfect space for a fresh look. The orange jazzes up the pink and makes it exciting. I love that it's cheerful and jolly.” The reaction from visitors? Some are stunned and others simply love it! DOREEN'S TOP TIPS • From soft pink to a more robust fuchsia, there's a shade to suit every style. • Don't be afraid to combine pink with other colours – or even different shades of pink. • You don't…

Email your queries to pets@homemag.co.za. It's summertime! World's coolest watchdog Bear takes his job for Neighbourhood Watch very seriously. – Greg Browne, Southfield, Cape Town Furry fan Teddy loves rugby season! – Lina McLoud, Tokai, Cape Town Double trouble Bailey and Raven are naughty – but oh so nice! – Melissa Thomas, Gardens, Cape Town Taste test Kietie Kat is not impressed! – Stephanie du Plessis, Pretoria Testing the waters Sparky admires the almost full dam after the rains. – Anjorie Prinsloo, Middelburg, Eastern Cape Let's explore! Bliksem wanders the West Coast. – Gerni van Nieuwenhuizen, Langebaan WIN! Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a gift voucher worth R500 from Petshop Science. The store offers everything pet owners could want or need – from treats to accessories and…

On the fence Sue van Wyk of Gordon's Bay writes We have a latte fence that desperately needs some plant cover. It is in full sun all day, and the roses we choose also need to be able to cope with our clay soil and the hot, dry and very windy summers we have here! We'd love a rose that has deep orange or reddish-orange blooms. Ludwig replies A rose that has to withstand those conditions needs to be very tough indeed! I recommend the vigorous, disease-resistant Panarosa or GrandiRosa freestanding shrub roses that grow about 2m wide and can be planted close together to form a flowering hedge. Their strong root systems make them tough plants that can cope with wind and heat. The following roses all grow about…

A FRESH NEW FLAVOUR Savour summer with Dairymaid's new Country Fresh Lemon Cream Flavoured Ice Cream (from R79.99, leading retailers). Visit dairymaid.co.za. MIX ‘N MATCH The new Bobbin Candlesticks (R420 each, thelittlehaus.co.za) come in eight highgloss colours and are available as singles or pairs. Preferably pair them with non-drip candles – and set a festive scene. A TANTALISING TRIBUTE The Test Kitchen (R1 500, Penguin Random House) is a 520-page hardcover collector's item by renowned chef Luke Dale-Roberts. His first-ever cookbook unpacks the founding of The Test Kitchen, his personal culinary philosophy, and the inspiration behind many of the restaurant's most remarkable dishes. During its 11-year run, The Test Kitchen was hailed for its multilayered plates, delving deep into a brave new world of flavour and texture. So, unsurprisingly, The…

Green screens Nell and Kevin Harris created a low-maintenance sitting area at the back of their Stilbaai retreat, out of the wind and away from the buzz of the beachfront. “The retaining wall was necessary due to the slope of the dune on the hill behind us,” explains Nell. The built-in bench is flanked by waterwise Green Wall installations consisting of cascading spekboom, designed and installed by James Fisk of The Pink Geranium nursery. “The installations are irrigated by a built-in drip irrigation system that is automated and delivers a set amount of water as required. This is a sustainable design with zero wastage,” says James. “As a finishing touch, we planted soft grasses below,” adds Nell. Ready, set, braai! When renovating, one project often leads to another – as…

We did our best to minimise waste to landfill,” says Donné. The original clay pavers on the driveway were reused to create a new driveway. The roof and some walls on the front elevation were demolished, and the old bricks were cleaned and repurposed. Much of the remaining demolition material was used under the new floor slab in what was the garage (now the living areas and children's rooms). All new external walls were built with a double skin and internal cavity. The new windows and big sliding door are single-glazed with standard clear glass, despite their exposure to the north and west. Green building consultancy Sow & Reap gave input on the windows as well as building materials to ensure thermal comfort and optimal natural light without spending a…

Would they do it all again? “There were moments when we wanted to run away, but the big question was: where to?” says Jana. “We are definitely wiser for the next round, and more aware of our limitations,” says Christian. STOCKISTS AND CONTACTS Bert Pauw instagram.com/bert_pauw Blutide blutide.co.za Dulux dulux.co.za Duram duram.co.za Flow Bathrooms flowbathrooms.co.za Mungo mungo.co.za Pedersen + Lennard pedersenlennard.co.za Ross Demolition rossdemolition.com Rubio Monocoat rubiomonocoat.com Sumien Brink instagram.com/sumienbrink The Captain's Beard thecaptainsbeard.co.za Weylandts weylandts.co.za…

RENOVATION Paint colour Plascon Cape Cliffs Email your renovation project to experts@homemag.co.za. WHO LIVES HERE? Dan Stillerman WHERE Norwood, Johannesburg SIZE 49m² Covid-19 changed many people's lives but in Dan Stillerman's case, the outcome, fortunately, proved to be to his advantage. “During lockdown I was working from home and spending more time there,” recalls Dan who started his own business, Excel Academy, helping people to work smarter with Excel. Like many others stuck at home at the time, Dan wanted his 49m² space to be more functional and work better for him. “I'm very into the Tiny House movement and I've watched a lot of YouTube videos on the subject. I was fascinated by how people in big cities like New York and Sydney were able to take a small…

Time to move? Hennie Hanekom of Piketberg writes I planted a number of spekboom next to my row of cannas, but now it looks like the cannas are taking strain. Should I take out the spekboom? JJ replies You may be watering the bed less to accommodate the spekboom, so yes, rather move them, as cannas prefer moist soil. Also, there may not be enough space for both plants in the bed where you are growing them. Remember to cut back the spekboom plants by about 20% when you transplant them. Listen to JJ's gardening tips and tricks on Derrich Gardner's show Brêkfis met Derrich at 07:40 every Saturday on RSG. DIS DIE EEN…

Crispy chicken on coconut rice Under R130 • Serves 4 • Preparation: 30 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes • 250ml jasmine rice • 250ml boiling water • 125ml coconut milk • 3ml salt • 5ml toasted sesame seeds • 600g mini crumbed chicken fillets • 300ml frozen peas • 100g fresh snap peas • a handful fresh spinach, chopped • 1 tablespoon chopped coriander (optional) • soy sauce • spring onions and lemon (optional) 1 Place the rice, water, coconut milk and salt in a pot and heat until boiling. As soon as it is boiling rapidly, cover with a lid, then reduce the heat to its lowest and simmer for 12 minutes. Remove the pot from the stove and leave for another 10 minutes, with the lid on. Loosen…

Frankly, we're dog tired, an old friend tells me when I ask about their time in a fancy Cape Town hotel. Yoh, I say, surprised. Why, you were beside yourselves before you left, even phoned me to share the news: five days in five-star luxury-for free. In the executive suite, nogal, with a separate lounge, balconies and sea views. The hotel had a spa and five-star restaurants galore. You were quite feverish, I remind him. Never-ever-ever, you said, could a country bumpkin like yourself afford such extravagance. I remember his breathless account-the wife's well-to-do brother anxiously phoning from his hospital bed. Something terrible had happened. He had planned to surprise his wife with a luxurious holiday for their wedding anniversary. A once-in-a-lifetime experience. But fate had other plans. His heart…