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home an d garden magazin e

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your practical guide to beautiful living

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July 2021

Versatile living areas

KAROO PANTRY

Comfort food

with lamb, venison, biltong olives & figs

› Create zones › Layout ideas for furniture › Choose the right sofa

Marmalade stea ed pudding

TJHOKO CHAMPS 2021

Get creative, enter and win!

IN THE GARDEN

The beauty

K

BARRYDALE

Rustic retreat in the colours of New Mexico

o

RICHMOND

Contemporary update for town’s oldest house

Platteland oasis with leiwater

Beautiful blooms from your veggie patch

NIEU-BETHESDA

‘I traded my sports car for an old Aga stove’

BURG

Heritage cottage sensitively restored

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Reader home

Living areas

38

Reader home

106

Karoo garden

114 in the kitchen

décor 12 16 26 38 52

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Fresh ideas for using scale in your décor The unpretentious charm of a characterful Nieu-Bethesda house Labyrinths, slate walls and colour in a Barrydale retreat The oldest house in Richmond transformed into a masterpiece Living areas Five beautiful spaces

do it yourself 70

Jazz up a clothes rack with paint

126 130 132

88 98

Winter comfort food

in the garden

100

Add a new dimension to your beds

Quick food We’ve got supper sorted!

106

and borders with flowering veggies A stunning formal oasis in the Karoo

Marmalade steamed pudding,

regulars

Winter comfort food with the best ingredients the Karoo has to offer

step by step Food & drinks to feed your senses

competitions 6 73

Cover photograph Greg Cox • Production Marian van Wyk

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Reader home

8 74

Write in to Your Space and WIN Enter Fix it with Flair 2021 and WIN your share of R100 000!

Send us your pet pics and WIN Complete Crossword #152 and

138

What’s new on the décor scene Advice Ask the experts 74 Décor dilemma 79 Trash or treasure? Let’s find out 80 Renovation Revive and restore!

88 Pets and their peculiarities 92 Gardening notebook Last words from Karin Brynard

WIN a book worth R375

Enter and win in our Tjhoko Champs competition! Page 72 July 2021

home

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Dear reader

K

arin Brynard’s column about insomnia (see page 138) remind me of a story from my teaching days. It was composition day, and the usual candidates were full of excuses. Long stories about their incomplete assignments. The long and winding road between the school desks might just as well have been a dry riverbed in th Karoo with the promise that – one day! – there might be water flowing there again, but not that day. That day it was dry and dusty just like the learners’ excuses.

Except for one student: he was lying with his head on his arms, groaning; the burden of some sort of ailment weighing heavily on his shoulders.

His memory of the previous day was a bit hazy, he said.

Slowly and with some effort, he got to the point.

He was very ill, he said. And his father, a doctor, was desperate worried. There was even talk of an ambulance and he had been subjected to an emergency injection (“It was flipping sore, Sir; one of those thick needles!”). For the rest of the day, his weakened body was only capable of one thing: sleep. It was a merciful escape, said he, because his condition had increasingly worsened – it got so bad, things could have gone either way.

Luckily, a miracle happened overnight and that morning the reluctant composition-writer was so much better that his father said he could venture to school. And here he was; unfortunately, without his assignment because the delirious sleep that had paralysed him the previous day had also come between him and his homework. But I mustn’t worry, he comforted me: he’d be okay.

I enquired about his illness. Because, you know, the entire class’s health was at stake, I said, and 36 16-year-olds could be in imminent danger. Shouldn’t I call his father and check?

“No, no,” this plucky little survivor assured me. His father had made quite a few calls and after some consultation (and a positive reaction to the “flipping sore” injection), they were, thankfully, able to make a diagnosis. So, although he personally reckoned that he should have stayed in bed – mostly due to the drowsiness that was still plaguing him – there was no risk to me or his friends.

We must just leave him be so his tired body could rest.

What was the diagnosis then? I asked because in those days yuppie flu was as commonplace as crowing roosters in Nieu-Bethesda.

Out came the astonishing reply: “Insomnia, Sir. Insomnia...”

This issue is a journey through the Karoo. In fact, we’re featuring a house and a garden from the aforementioned Nieu-Bethesda, a beautiful town near Graaff-Reinet. Every time our creative editor Marian van Wyk makes plans to go there, I wish I could jump in the car with the team. This time was no different, but once again obligations in Cape Town put paid to that idea. However, the photos tell a wonderful story. I hope the Du Plessis’ home and the Haines’s garden give you just as much pleasure as they did me. As well as all the other Karoo highlights we feature in this issue. Join us, it’s time to hit the road!

Shané Barnard • shane.barnard@media24.com Marian van Wyk Andrew Maritz Johané Neilson • johane.neilson@tuis.co.za Marié Esterhuyse Deon de Goede Tessa Jean-Jacques and Gillian Eva Amy Johnson Suné Esterhuizen René Nortjé

CONTRIBUTORS Karin Brynard, Sally Chance, Elza Cooper, Greg Cox, Paula Dubois, Cornel Dunn, Gerda Engelbrecht, Marié Esterhuyse, Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel, Kosie Jansen van Rensburg, Kara Neville, Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel, Ed O’Riley, Francois Oberholster, Marie Opperman, Melissa Rautenbach, Zarah Riley, Trish Shaw, Ludwig Taschner, Elna van der Merwe, JJ van Rensburg, Amanda van Wyngaardt, Annelize Visser, Henrique Wilding, Elsa Young MEDIA24 LIFESTYLE SALES & SPONSORSHIPS Head of Sponsorships and Commercial Nikki Ruttimann, Nikkir@media24.com Head of Advertising Sarah Curtis-Bowles, sarah.curtisbowles@media24.com 021 461 2396 Key Account Manager Charlene Meyer, charlene.meyer@media24.com 082 928 5970 Key Account Manager Daniela De Giovanni, daniela.digiovanni@media24.com 083 709 7040 Key Account Manager Susan Pienaar, spienaar@media24.com 083 281 7300 Classified Sales Evonne Mehl, evonne.mehl@media24.com 021 461 2396 CREATE STUDIO Creative director Michael de Beer, mike.debeer@media24.com Commercial managing editor Gerda Engelbrecht, gerda.engelbrecht@media24.com Marketing manager Andile Nkosi, andile.nkosi@media24.com MEDIA24 DIVERSE REVENUE Growth Manager Lise van Breda, lise.coetsee@media24.com Diverse Projects Manager Edmund Beukes, edmund.beukes@media24.com Diverse Projects Coordinator Anene de Klerk, anene.deklerk@media24.com PUBLISHING TEAM GM Media24 Lifestyle Nerisa Coetzee Media24 Lifestyle CFO Jameelah Conway Production Manager Kerry Nash CIRCULATION Circulation Manager Armand Kasselman, armand.kasselman@onthedot.co.za Product Manager Janine Snyman, janine.snyman@onthedot.co.za MEDIA24 CORPORATE CEO: Media24 Ishmet Davidson GM: Media24 Lifestyle and News Minette Ferreira

R120

21006

FROM EASY TO DIFFICULT

projects

• The next issue of Home will hit the shelves on Friday 30 July – don’t miss it!

Fun floors

step by step

Metallic magic

30

Antique effects

A kitchen, stoep and bedroom!

Paint on fabric

One bright & bold, the other neutral

Stencilling

reader homes

Published by Media24, 40 Heerengracht, Cape Town, 8001. Tel: 021 406 2121

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4 home July 2021

EDITORIAL Features Editor Creative Editor Art Director Food Editor Gardening Editor DIY Editor Copy Editors Digital Editor Multimedia Journalist Retoucher

Wicus Pretorius • editor@homemag.co.za PO Box 1802, Cape Town, 8000 Yumna Tofey, yumna.tofey@media24.com 021 406 2205

SUBSCRIPTIONS, RENEWALS AND ENQUIRIES TEL 087 353 1300 • FAX 086 296 6681 • EMAIL subs@media24.com SMS “home” to 32361 (R1 per SMS) • WEB Zinio.com or Magzter.com

editor@homemag.co.za Two competitions are currently in full swing: this is your last chance to enter this year’s Fix it with Flair (the closing date is 30 June; find details at fixit.tuis.co.za) and then our annual Tjhoko Champs starts again. Turn to page 72 for the details and get painting!

• If you need some inspiration, remember our special issue Home Paint It (which includes two free stencils) is still on sale.

EDITOR Cape Town postal address General enquiries

Copyright Media24. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the publisher. While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of advice and information given to readers, the editor, proprietors and publishers cannot accept responsibility for any damages or inconvenience that may arise therefrom. Home has the right to make alterations to any material submitted, and cannot be held responsible for the loss of or damage to any material submitted for publication. All prices stated are subject to change and may vary from store to store; retail prices in-store should be considered the final confirmed amount.

your space

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

IN SHORT

Regine le Roux of Hout Bay writes Recently, the overgrown weeds in my garden became embarrassing! I started by pulling out the easier ones, but when I got to the bigger bushes, I had to tap into my Better Half Mark’s toolbox.

Time spent in the garden gives you time to think. As I was hacking away, I realised that the weeds symbolise issues. First, we need to recognise that we have to deal with things.

Too often we bury stuff and hope it’ll just go away. This creates a wonderful environment for these weeds (issues) to fester and thrive.

It also doesn’t help to just cut away leaves and branches. You need to extract the roots; otherwise, they will grow back even stronger.

As I was looking at the sandpit I’d created, I absent-mindedly tugged at a piece of ivy that had taken over a tree.

This turned into an obsession with getting rid of ivy for the next few weeks.

During ‘Project Ivy’, I put my hand into the fork of a tree and was greeted by a

snake. I went inside, took a few deep breaths and contemplated whether it was in fact a good day for gardening.

(Isn’t it crazy how quickly we come up with excuses when faced with challenges?) Once I’d calmed down, I roped in Mark’s help to re-home the snake. When I encountered a second snake two weeks later, it was much less of a palaver and I worked around it before calling on Mark.

The next mission was to get rid of the dead ivy branches: ‘Project Excavation’. I found the most magical things like pieces of an old plate, oyster shells and beautiful pebbles. The other day, my garden gifted me a silver ring!

So here’s what I’ve learnt: • Start; even a small start is a start.

• You decide how to deal with challenges.

• It’s OK to ask for help.

• Stop worrying about things that you have no control over.

• Treasures await, the deeper you dig.

• Your work is never done; maintenance is just as important.

• Take time to reflect, enjoy and celebrate all your hard work!

My own stamp

Lyn Crawford of Port Alfred writes

Two years ago, we relocated from Centurion to Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape; the townhouse we moved into was roomy, well built and in good condition. But it didn’t ‘talk to me’. It had no character. I’ve slowly been putting my creative mark on our new home. One thing that really niggled me was a practical but ugly sink in our courtyard.

One day while parking at the downtown shopping centre, I spied an unloved picture frame at the rubbish bins and brought it home. While walking on the beach a few days later, I picked up attractive driftwood and stones. This got me thinking: my collected odds and ends were begging to be used and loved at the ugly outside sink.

I spray-painted the frame black, collected the driftwood and stones, and dug out tatty plastic flowers I’d never had the heart to dispose of. It took me a morning to set up my corner of art and a few plants were added for extra oomph.

You can make a lovely home from odds and ends for very little money. We’re retired but still yearn to live in a comfortable, attractive home that reflects our journey into old age.

6 home July 2021

Decorating my beach house in Tergniet on the Garden Route has been a labour of love. I thought I’d share this bathroom nook with your readers.

The vanity is an old transistor radio cabinet that I transformed with a coat of paint. The unique basin and the beautiful tile covering the gap where the radio once was were custom made by an artist in Parys. – Mariaan Scheepers, Boksburg

Before

WIN!

The writer of the winning letter gets a Glad hamper worth R1 000!

Glad has plenty of good ideas to make your life easier. Whether you’re taking steps to reduce waste or to better protect your food to keep it fresh, Glad is ready to help.

The next time you have supper leftovers or a delicious cake that needs to keep a little longer, use Glad Sandwich Bags to seal in the freshness so you can enjoy it later.

Simple and convenient! Visit glad.co.za for more information and follow GLAD South Africa on Facebook.

The editor reserves the right to edit letters at his discretion.

Lessons from my garden

Meet the Rosco Carefully handcrafted. Seriously laidback.

Rosco leather corner couch, launch price R29 999

www.coricraft.co.za

Send décor and lifestyle news to news@homemag.co.za.

what’s new

Compiled by Johané Neilson

CREATE, INNOVATE! WHO Paula Dubois WHERE Cape Town BUSINESS Paula Dubois Art & Design HER WORK Connecting with people and, more specifically, connecting man with nature is a key concept in Paula’s life and art. She seeks beauty in everyday life, drawing inspiration from daily walks on Table Mountain and swimming in the ocean. Apart from illustrating Home’s back page every month, Paula’s latest work can be seen at ‘Reflect’, an exhibition starting 1 July at Haas Collective (haaskoop.com) in Cape Town. Her paintings are also available for custom printing as part of the Wallpaper Artist collection at Orms. View her work at ormsprintroom.co.za/ product/wallpaper-collection; wallpaper printing starts from R495/m2. For queries email decor@orms.co.za. Follow Paula on facebook.com/pauladuboisart and instagram.com/pauladubois, or email her directly at paulatdubois@gmail.com.

The Grohe virtual showroom

The new Luna range by K Light is available in three models – long (R1 895), double (R1 918) and short (R1 386) – and you can choose between gold and charcoal-black.

Visit klight.co.za.

allows you to see what their various kitchen and bathroom fittings look like in modern settings and experience how some of the more complex and innovative products work, such as Grohe SmartControl technology and Grohe Blue. While the former allows you to select the outlet, water flow and temperature every time you shower, the latter serves as a high-performance filter, cooler and carbonator to deliver superior, chilled sparkling or still water on tap. Visit the showroom at lixil.co.za/grohe-vr-showroom.

Grohe Essence SmartControl L-SP Pull-out Mou R6 595

8 home July 2021

STYLISH STORAGE While its name suggests that it should be used as a pantry, this beautiful soft pink Koskas (65cm W x 40cm D x 185cm H, R11 750) by Vamp furniture could also serve as a stylish display cabinet for anything from bathroom accessories to glassware. Email paula@ vampfurniture.co.za to order yours!

IN GOOD SHAPE

Local entrepreneur Matthew Swart (founder of safarinow.com) has licenced the parametrically-designed furniture range Formbar from Germany and is now producing it in Cape Town. The beauty of this ‘shapeable’ furniture is that you can custom design it to fit into awkward corners or even under sloped roofs. It’s a digitally driven process whereby the customer chooses the size, layers, doors or number of shelves – and intelligent software creates a blueprint for each new design.

Go to formbar.co.za.

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Picture perfect

Create a gallery of family photos, portraits, artworks and special memories with the five-piece Umbra Matinee Display (R1 849, yuppiechef.com). We love the basket in the largest frame with space for small plants or accessories!

REST YOUR WEARY HEAD 1 Ruched velvet cushion in Ochre (60 x 60cm) R229.99 2 Round velvet piped cushion in Auburn (35cm D) R199.99 3 Waffle cushion in Midnight Blue (60 x 60cm) R159.99

Amsterdam chair in Velvet R5 999, @home

All available at Mr Price Home.

Derriere planter R89.99, Mr Price Home

Samesyn fleece blankets (150cm x 1m, R600) are available in a variety of designs and feel just as good as they look! Go to samesyn.co.za to view the range. >>

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WEATHER THE STORM

Inspired by natural stone, the new Storm range of 900 x 900mm glazed porcelain floor tiles from Italtile (R490/m²) boasts a matte finish and comes in 1 Cream, 2 Rock Grey and 3 Rock White. Find out more at italtile.co.za.

Washed-look Microfibre Duvet Cover Set from R349, Woolworths

3 Floral soft pot R210, aurorahome.co.za

A floral arrangement Create a fabulous floral focal wall with this SophiaHelen fabric wallpaper! Scratchresistant and washable, the wallpaper is custom printed to fit any space and the new Leah Wild Echo design with roses, ferns, blossoms and jasmine on a cream or blue background (R520/m2) is sure to brighten up your day. Go to sophiahelen.com/wallpaper to browse the range of handpainted designs.

CUSTOM-MADE COMFORT The new made-to-order system at Coricraft is simple: choose your couch, decide on a configuration, select a colour and their team of skilled artisans will customise your purchase. You can opt for fabric, luxe velvet or soft leather in a range of colours such as oatmeal or soft grey. Selected headboards and upholstered dining chairs are made to order in the same selection of fabrics and leather. Visit coricraft.co.za.

STOCKISTS @home 0860 576 576, home.co.za Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Woolworths 0860 022 002, woolworths.co.za

The new selection of patterned Sheet Vinyl flooring from Airloom is waterresistant and easy to maintain. We love the Nobility design (from R199/m2). Check out airloom.co.za.

fresh ideas

Size counts!

These four spaces show the important role scale can play in your décor.

Around the world

By Johané Neilson, Marian van Wyk, Shané Barnard and Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel • Photographs Henrique Wilding, Francois Oberholster and Elsa Young/Frank Features

Finding the perfect wall art for a bedroom can be tricky!

How do you create a tranquil atmosphere without it becoming boring? Should you choose wallpaper for texture, a series of smaller artworks or one large piece for added impact?

In the Blue Disa, a two-bedroom cottage on the Johannesdal 1207 estate near Pniel outside Stellenbosch, a characterful old wall map takes pride of place. It was a vintage find that Dané Erwee, one of the co-owners, restored before using it to decorate the space.

“What appealed to me is that the paper is so old that it actually looks like fabric,” says Dané. “I made the ottoman from collected tapestries; I love the dialogue between the sailing ships and map above. In fact, the ottoman only ‘made sense’ once the map was added to the space.”

vars idees

In broad strokes In the spacious bathroom-cumdressing room in the Water Lily Suite at Johannesdal 1207, a huge potted fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) has been placed against the edge of the bath.

This imposing feature, together with other potted plants, forms a partial screen that helps define the open-plan space.

“The bathroom is too big, so the idea was to simply fill the space with lots of indoor plants,” says Dané Erwee, who did the interior design and styling along with René Slee.

Another way to incorporate scale in your décor is to paint a broad band of colour (like the light pink strip here) at floor height around the entire space.

This works especially well in a room with high ceilings.

Paint colour

Fired Earth Modo Boys Blazer

Paint colour

Fired Earth Modo Home Town

July 2021

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Island style Architect Johann Slee and his wife René have created a farm kitchen that’s a dream space for antique lovers: instead of built-in kitchen cabinets, they chose a collection of large vintage furniture pieces. The showstopper is a giant tailor’s counter that René bought from Piér Rabe Antiques a few years before they built the house, knowing that one day she would find a use for it. “In the meantime, I lent it to friends to use as a counter in their shop,” she says.

Eventually, the counter determined the length of their new kitchen.

“The other furniture in the space has come a long way with us. Johann made sure that there was enough wall space to accommodate everything.”

Thanks to a concealed scullery and spacious pantry, there was no need for lots of storage in the kitchen. Utensils are kept out of sight in deep shelves under the counter. The combination of natural colours and textures wasn’t really planned, says René. “If you stick to the things you love, they will create the perfect picture.”

It’s in the detail

An aluminium shutter behind the stove serves as security and shields the kitchen from the late afternoon sun. “The window can slide open and the shutters can be closed, allowing for good air circulation.”

This space feels more like an extension of the living room than a kitchen – just the way we wanted it. – René

The Slees bought the marble basin at Gilles Botbyl long ago and had it fitted on top of the tailor’s counter.

fresh ideas

Screen time

Styling Cornel Dunn

Printing by ArtLab; roller blind made by Somerset Blinds

Sonette Barnardt of Somerset West has cleverly hidden her flat-screen TV behind a roller blind made from one of her own paintings that she had printed on hemp.

“I took the fabric to a local blinds company and they accepted the challenge to turn it into a roller blind for me!” she says.

The painting can be unrolled to reveal its full glory, while the dark paint on the wall behind it further enhances the seamless camouflage. The house has a separate TV room, so Sonette didn’t want the telly to dominate this space as well. (Read more about Sonette and hubby Nelius’s living room in our story on page 52.)

STOCKISTS AND CONTACTS ArtLab 021 448 1421, artlab.co.za Fired Earth fired-earth.co.za Gilles Botbyl gillesbotbyl.com Johann Slee slee.co.za Johannesdal 1207 084 689 9248, johannesdal1207.co.za Piér Rabe Antiques 021 883 9730, pierrabe.com Somerset Blinds 021 852 7674, somersetblinds.co.za

July 2021

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reader home

charm

ous

From newbies to locals within a few short years – a platteland couple share their story…

By Elna van der Merwe • Photographs Greg Cox • Production Marian van Wyk

WHO LIVES HERE? Suzette and Piet du Plessis WHERE Nieu-Bethesda SIZE 328m2

July 2021

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reader home

The floor in the large study consists of recycled Oregon pine from the old cinema in GraaffReinet. The sofa and antique wooden cupboard are heirlooms; the kelim on the couch was bought at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

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This corner of the living room is home to an antique desk and a coal bucket that belonged to Suzette’s grandmother. The couch is covered with linen previously used as living room curtains by Suzette’s mom.

Irises thrive in NieuBethesda and local gardeners love to exchange the different colours with each other.

Amber glass vase from Mr Price Home

‘I

think we should get out of this place as soon as possible,” said Piet du Plessis to his wife when they drove along the dirt road through Nieu-Bethesda for the first time.

Suzette, on the other hand, was thinking to herself: I could live here. “As we came down the pass, I just knew. Don’t ask me how. I had stars in my eyes when we drove through the town.

Piet thought the place was too quiet, and he never wanted to take a drive here, even when we lived in Cradock at one stage.

But when we bought a four-wheel drive vehicle, I was able to persuade him.”

A year later, in 2007, the Pretoria couple bought a holiday home in this Karoo village nestled at the foot of the Sneeuberg mountains, the source of the Sundays River. For the next three years, they’d escape to Nieu-Bethesda whenever they got the chance and when Piet retired in 2010, it was he who suggested that they move there permanently. These days, they’re no longer considered newbies; they’re regarded as locals. “I think that after 10 years it’s safe to say you can start making your presence felt,” says Suzette with a chuckle.

The previous owner of the house had already made renovations, but the couple soon realised there wouldn’t be enough space for their growing family of three children with their spouses and three grandchildren. “Our kids and grandkids are more than happy to drive all the way here. Our oldest grandchild is already a teenager and we were wondering when he would start getting tired of visiting Ouma and Oupa in this small town. But he still enjoys it and he loves riding his bike in the streets,” says Suzette.

It was time to renovate – but also stay true to the simplicity of the house and its surroundings. It was precisely the home’s lack of pretension that appealed to Suzette. >>

The dresser in the dining area displays a collection of blue-and-white Spode porcelain.

reader home

Paint colour

Plascon Black as Night

Green chairs from Lemon Tree Interior; table from Colonial Antiques

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One of the smaller changes was the acquisition of Suzette’s dream stove: an Aga for the bitter winters when temperatures easily drop below zero. As luck would have it, there was a farmer who wanted to get rid of his. “I told Piet he could sell my BMW coupé and buy the stove for me. In any case, driving that car on the dusty, stony roads in this town wasn’t a good idea.” The stove was restored and now keeps the house warm and cosy all winter long.

A counter separates the dining area and kitchen.

Suzette and Piet enjoy the sociable open-plan layout, especially when the entire family visits for the holidays.

The sketch above the door to the pantry and scullery is of the couple’s son Jean, who died in a car accident in 1999. It was done

by Frans Boekkooi, a local artist.

The living room was previously an open stoep. The dark structure was once part of an old donkey boiler on the outside of the house that was chopped open with great difficulty to make a fireplace – which then didn’t work.

Morsø closed-combustion stove from Metelerkamps in Knysna

Over the years, Suzette has accumulated an impressive collection of her beloved blue-and-white crockery. >>

reader home

Paint colour

Plascon Ewa

When the weather is good, the family loves to dine on the side stoep.

Local carpenter Attie Nel made huge windows for the back of the house, according to the couple’s specifications; they now enjoy a view of the garden. It’s a sunny space in winter and in summer the old Ficus tree provides welcome shade.

Flowers by Jacques Müller Design

More light and space A bedroom and bathroom were added for when their children spend the Christmas and Easter holidays in NieuBethesda. The embroidered fabric comes from Suzette’s large vintage collection.

Painting by Michael Heyns

As you pull up outside the long white house with its old-world façade, you’re aware of lots of trees and the mountains. In winter, the pavements are green and horses graze here. It reminds her of the English countryside, says Suzette.

The house is so close to the street that people sometimes think it’s a restaurant, and peek in through the windows. “I tell them it isn’t, but they’re welcome to look inside.”

The front door opens onto a dark, hushed hallway with bedrooms on either side. The deeper you go, the lighter it gets until the hallway leads out into an open-plan area with large windows and sliding doors. It’s divided into a lounge, living room, study and kitchen.

The scullery and pantry are in a separate room.

“We wanted to create as much space as possible, but without deviating from the local building style. The house had a large stoep when we bought it,” says Suzette.

“We enclosed a section of it and added another bedroom, bathroom and living room. A stoep was added to the back of the house and the original one on the side was retained.”

The end result is four bedrooms and four bathrooms and much more light streaming in through the huge windows and doors at the back.

Suzette and Piet spend most of their time in the east-facing back part of the house as it’s relatively sheltered from the wind and cold, and in summer the trees provide shade. The view from here – as was the plan with the large new windows – is of the lovely garden, the handiwork of Suzette and her gardener Romeo Jacobus. >> July 2021

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In the garden “The climate here makes gardening a challenge – we have hot, dry summers and bitterly cold winters. The frost decimates the garden every year and when spring arrives, the plants have to sprout all over again.

That’s why there’s such a huge contrast between the seasons.” But Suzette says that this increases your awareness of the cycle of life. “Experiencing it is therapeutic and healing.”

Suzette and Romeo take care of a 5 000m² space.

“Gardening is hard work but so satisfying. Romeo is as diligent a gardener as I am; he plants, prunes, makes compost... We work well together.

“Someone once said that when you live in NieuBethesda, you have to like stones. I had quite a few stone paths built to divide the garden into ‘rooms’.”

Suzette realised she shouldn’t tamper with existing shrubs or trees that had proven their worth in these conditions. “There were many rose bushes that were thriving; I kept the white ‘Icebergs’. The hardy Liriope, irises and Hellebore were also doing well.”

Unfortunately, the monkeys steal fruit from the fruit trees, and the succulents and even

the Agave get damaged by the frost. Suzette had more luck with Echeveria, which she gets from Obesa Nursery in Graaff-Reinet. “That place is a must-visit!

“Hardy Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, thyme, origanum and sage do well here and I use them abundantly for cooking. They are resilient.”

Just like Suzette and Piet who put down roots here and are thriving on what this part of the world has to offer.

Suzette made the bedspreads in the guest room from her mom’s old Sanderson curtains. The painting above the beds was done by a friend and the plates were bought at Memory Lane in Somerset West many years ago.

STOCKISTS AND CONTACTS Colonial Antiques 041 484 2617 Frans Boekkooi 082 228 7228, facebook.com/fransboekkooisculpturestudio Gallery Michael Heyns michaelheyns.co.za Jacques Müller Design jox.dsgn@gmail.com, facebook/JacquesMullerDesign Lemon Tree Interior 041 581 0012, lemontreeonline.co.za Memory Lane 083 660 6535, facebook.com/NowandThenVintage Metelerkamps 044 382 0274, metelerkamps.co.za Morsø 011 516 0294, morsoe.com Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Attie Nel 071 046 7242 Obesa Nursery 079 496 8067, obesanursery.com

A gravel path leads from the back stoep to the garden.

The couple gets leiwater on Wednesday mornings and then the entire garden is flood-irrigated.

Suzette says she’s eternally grateful for Nieu-Bethesda’s water supply, which comes from a constant spring.

A flock of 23 Meatmasters (a cross between Dorper and Damara sheep) are Piet’s pets; they’re perfectly suited to the extreme climate.

Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) The side stoep is sheltered from the cold southerly wind and in summer the Prunus provides shade for this cosy nook.

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Terry says she regards Barrydale’s slate walls as being synonymous with the Little Karoo.

“They’re not only beautiful, they’re also a form of landscape art. Many of the locals are skilled at stacking slate walls.”

‘This is where

I belong’

Inspired by her travels, vivid colours and the inimitable Karoo landscape, Terry de Vries has created a retreat she is proud to call home.

By Marian van Wyk • Photographs Francois Oberholster

WHO LIVES HERE? Terry de Vries WHERE Barrydale, Little Karoo SIZE about 200m2 (excluding front stoep), erf 1 115m²

T

he garden gate that welcomes you to Terry de Vries’s home in Barrydale seems to sit almost impertinently between beautiful hand-stacked slate walls. The slate may be an authentic Karoo touch, but the cobalt-blue gate is reminiscent of Mexico.

Terry, a former journalist and long-time Stellenbosch resident, has been living in Barrydale since June 2018. She’s a bundle of energy, yet at the same time she’s also the picture of serenity.

Although she has a BSc degree in agriculture, Terry is currently a transformation facilitator and offers yoga classes, labyrinth walks and meditation retreats at her residence, Kamala Retreat House.

In 1996, after lecturing at Stellenbosch University’s journalism department for two years, the desire to travel took hold. The year before her son, Joshua (now a 29-year-old filmmaker), started Grade R, she packed their bags and embarked on a journey through North America in a GMC van.

Their nine-month trip included a stint in New Mexico, where she was blown away by Santa Fé.

“That whole environment reminded me of the Karoo: the vegetation, the arid earth, the rocks, the hills.

That’s where I discovered my passion for blue in all its shades, as well as a love for the earthy tones of adobe (mud-brick) houses,” she says.

But that journey uncovered another turning point in the form of a labyrinth in Rhinebeck, New York where Terry studied yoga. “I saw how it changed Joshua’s disposition from a fractious five-year-old to a happy-go-lucky child. I immediately started doing research on labyrinths and why people walk them.” >> July 2021

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Paint colour

Dulux Woodland Pearl

Paint colour

Plascon Lady in Red

Terry loved the kitchen’s red cabinets with their reed backs, built by the previous owner.

Her love of cooking and experimenting comes from her mom Renée who, as the rector’s wife, regularly had to entertain guests.

The floating shelves provide a display area for crockery that tells the stories of family, distant travels and special friends.

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Terry relives her journey through New Mexico in shades of her favourite colours, blue and magenta. The rug formed the basis for a cheerful palette and was followed by the yellow chair – Terry’s first purchase for her living room.

Paint colour

Dulux Gentle Gold Paint colour

Dulux Woodland Pearl

Painting above fireplace by Johann Slee; rug from The Persian Carpet; mustard-yellow chair from Mr Price Home; blue chair from @home; ottomans upholstered by Supreme Upholstery

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Paint colour

Plascon Ultramarine

Paint colour

Plascon Floor Paint Tsitsikamma Reef

The red of the front door is one of the colours Terry kept after buying the house. The stoep faces south and boasts a new corrugated iron roof. The enamel paint on the floor, which was peeling from the harsh sun, was renewed with a water-based paint and sealed with clear Duram Showfloor Polyurethane Floor Paint.

Paint colour

Dulux Crystal Surprise

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‘This house was waiting for me’ Back in Stellenbosch, Terry persuaded the local municipality to allow those people completing their hours of community service to build a labyrinth under her supervision. After a few visits to Dr Peter Fraser and his labyrinth just outside Barrydale, and completing a course with labyrinth expert Dr Lauren Artress, she began presenting labyrinth walks and workshops. And then in 2016, Terry “went on a walk that closed the door to her beautiful blue house in Stellenbosch forever”, as she describes it.

“My artist friend Regine Kröger and I walked 2 000km from Frankfurt to Rome. Those three months with just a backpack were so liberating! I had no clue where I wanted to go next; I just knew I had to get out of Stellenbosch.”

In 2018, Terry happened to hear that “the house with the yoga studio” in Barrydale was on the market. “I drove up the dirt road and it was the last house on the right against the mountain.

The beautiful slate walls drew me inside. The moment I stood on the huge Karoo stoep, I knew: this is my next home!

“When I walked through the red front door, everything I saw reaffirmed that feeling. The colours were my colours, the style was my style. I belonged here. This house was waiting for me.

“As I drove away, I phoned my oldest sister, Lize van Dyk in Somerset West. She started laughing when I said ‘Barrydale’.

Our late father Mike de Vries, the former rector of Maties, grew up here. Lize said: ‘I’ve always wondered which one of us three sisters would return to our roots.’”

The sale was finalised in April 2018. “I moved in on the winter solstice, 21 June 2018. And the house was perfect just the way it was.” >>

Mosaic tiles from Douglas Jones; steel work surface and sink by Solo Stainless Steel

The red chandelier comes from Terry’s first home in Johannesburg.

Terry likes to draw, paint and create mandalas, such as this one made with crystals on her stoep. “Mandalas sometimes form part of my retreat and I’ll interpret the ones created by my guests.”

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The washstand perfectly complements the Frida Kahlo theme of the garden room. Terry has it “on loan” from her eldest sister Lize’s son, Dirk van Dyk. “Dirk’s great-grandfather Hans Linde built it. >>

I love the sense of calm evoked by the stairs with their striking contrast to all the colour in the rest of the house. – Terry

Lower level Pantry

Laundry

Carport

Yoga studio

Blue room

Kitchen Bathroom

Bathrooms

Dining room

Yellow room

Lounge

Long stoep

Garden room Bathroom

Wooden deck

Open-plan bedroom

Upper level (above the yoga studio)

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Balcony

Stairs

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The bedroom is tranquil. “You can hear the sound of water burbling in the furrows and enjoy birdsong. When you open your eyes, you’re greeted by a cheerful yellow wall opposite,” says Terry. The rug is from Turkey. “Whenever I’m in Turkey, I buy rugs. I’d rather leave clothes behind and pack rugs in my suitcase.”

Throw from Poetry

Paint colour

Dulux Gentle Gold

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The upstairs bathroom was refurbished in Terry’s favourite cobalt-blue.

Mosaic tiles from Langeberg Tiles

Painting and photo of painting by Regine Kröger

The bath in the bedroom (pictured opposite) has a view of the mountain.

“The fence was built lower precisely so that one can lie in the bath and see the mountain and stars,” Terry explains. The old-fashioned washstand (from when Joshua was a baby) and “square chair”, as Terry calls the old public service chairs, were auction buys.

Seasons of silence After her 2 000km hike to Rome, Terry gave away many of her possessions, including furniture. “I accepted the fact that I was scaling down, but life had other plans for me. When I moved in here, it was fantastic because the house was a blank canvas on which I could paint to my heart’s content.”

Renovation work was limited to a new look for the bathroom in the open-plan bedroom upstairs, a corrugated iron roof for the previously uncovered stoep, and structural repairs to a leaking roof and stoep.

To Terry’s consternation, this took an excruciating two years.

Now that the dust has literally settled, Terry is in her element. “I learned to love the Barrydale winters,” she says. “The snow on the mountains; the cold that hits your nose. I can make a fire in the fireplace. I can cook delicious winter stews with chillies and curry. I can even sit on my stoep with a blanket. In the evenings, I light a fire in the fire pit outside and gaze at the stars.

“The in-between seasons each have their own charm. In autumn and spring, Barrydale is enfolded in mist and only the mountaintops are visible.

I swim all year round in the Tradouw Pass mountain pools. It’s cold but incredibly refreshing.”

And the best thing about living here?

“The silence. The sense that time stands still. Wonderful new friends.

There’s a tangible feeling of tranquillity in my house and on my property.

When people enter here, they become calm. I believe this atmosphere is what inspired my own realisation that this is where I needed to live.”

STOCKISTS AND CONTACT @home 0860 576 576, home.co.za Douglas Jones 086 166 7242, douglasjones.co.za Johann Slee slee.co.za Kamala Retreat House kamalaretreathouse.com Langeberg Tiles 028 514 1424 Montebello Design Centre montebello.co.za Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Poetry 021 464 5800, poetrycollection.co.za Regine Kröger 079 448 5208 Solo Stainless Steel 021 932 6411 Supreme Upholstery 021 887 2756 The Persian Carpet thepersiancarpet.co.za

Terry had walls built with Barrydale slate throughout the garden to create different levels. To celebrate her first birthday in the house, she created the labyrinth of pink rose quartz with friends. “The angel has flown a long way with me and wherever I go, I gather stones.”

Angel by Xolile Williams at Montebello Design Centre

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The call of the Karoo

When this creative go-getter’s birthplace beckoned him home, he bought the oldest house in town and transformed it into a masterpiece.

By Elna van der Merwe Photographs Greg Cox Production Marian van Wyk

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WHO LIVES HERE? Jan Sauer Lambrechts WHERE Richmond, Northern Cape SIZE 150m²

Jan Sauer made the rustic table and benches from sleepers he found lying in the garden when he bought the house. They are mounted on cement legs.

reader home Jan Sauer constructed the steel shelves in the kitchen; they complement the style of the space and keep his glassware close at hand. The trophy head above the fireplace is from a gemsbok he shot on the farm Sweetfontein between Britstown and De Aar. Black pendant lights from Weylandts; bar stools bought on auction; fireplace surround from Vasco Henriques

40 home July 2021

J

an Sauer Lambrechts isn’t much of a talker; he’s a doer. He kept largely to himself when the Home team were photographing his house but as soon as they took a break, he served up a delicious freshly baked quiche – straight from the oven.

This gem that he renovated in Richmond in the Great Karoo is a testimony to his drive – as is the fact that he runs a local guesthouse; a quarry 70km away in De Aar; and a wedding venue, another 40km further, outside Britstown.

He’s definitely a doer.

His roots lie here but Jan Sauer took a two-year ‘detour’ in Cape Town after completing his studies in urban planning and architectural design.

And then the Karoo called him home.

“If you come from the Karoo, it will always be in your blood. Besides, my whole family is here,” he says. “I came to the realisation that what I was doing in the city could just as easily be done here – this was a place in which I could find creative fulfilment.”

And, as he explains, one has to learn to improvise in the Karoo; you can’t just drive to the store to get what you need. When Jan Sauer bought the oldest house in town to convert it into a guesthouse and his own getaway, Seisoen Karoo Retreat, the run-down property presented ample opportunity for creativity. >>

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On winter afternoons, the lounge is bathed in glorious sunlight – and a leather Chesterfield sofa offers the perfect spot for a nap!

Sofa and floor lamp from Weylandts; metal table with wooden top from Coricraft

Chairs with white linen slipcovers from Weylandts; ottoman from @home; rug from Hertex; rattan lampshades from La Grange Interiors

Then and now When you drive down Loop Street looking for Seisoen Karoo Retreat, the façade doesn’t draw your attention away from its neighbours. Jan Sauer planned it that way as he didn’t want the house to clash with the vernacular of the town.

Inside though, it’s a different story, with plenty of contemporary detail perfectly at ease with the simplicity of the original structure.

The open-plan living room appears even more spacious with its 3m-high ceiling and large steel doors opening onto the veranda.

A deep stoep on the west-facing side provides relief from the summer heat inside the house, as does the stone cladding on the walls which ensures excellent insulation.

Shutters on rails slide all the way across the large glass doors; they not only help to keep the house cool but are also a sturdy security measure.

As you walk down the short hallway, striking floral wallpaper in the main bedroom catches your eye. This space, much like the second bedroom, is rather dark with smaller windows providing another measure of protection against the heat.

Since Richmond was a base for British soldiers during the Second Boer War, Jan Sauer brought in an element of the past with historical portraits and pictures of hunting scenes on many of the walls. His creativity can also be seen in his beautiful cushions with their distinctive blue Delft patterns. Jan Sauer created designs inspired by photos he took of crockery and had these printed on linen. He also does this with plants and flowers. >>

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The focal point in the main bedroom is a striking panel of wallpaper featuring flowers on a dark background.

Wallpaper from Hertex

Paint colour

Plascon Hideout

JAN SAUER’S 5 TIPS FOR RENOVATING AN OLD HOUSE • Work with what you have – don’t try to make the house something it’s not.

• Rather spend more on quality materials because old houses always require a lot of ongoing attention.

• Resolve all the home’s issues, otherwise they will be noticeable forever.

• Keep all large items neutral and simple so that they will be aesthetically pleasing for years to come.

• Enjoy the restoration process. It’s a fantastic experience watching the transformation from old to new.

[ HIS TOP DÉCOR TIPS ]

• If you have high ceilings, you can work with a large scale to make the room look even bigger. Install floor-to-ceiling doors and windows. Work with layers: for example, hang two rows of pictures above a bed and something else, such as an animal skull, above that – this will all draw the eye upwards.

• The right wall colour sets the tone for the entire space, so take care when choosing paint or wallpaper.

• Every room needs a focal point. This can easily be created with eye-catching lights, striking furniture pieces or wallpaper.

Even something small can have huge impact if used cleverly.

• Keep your large furniture pieces neutral; this way you can change the look and feel of the space by simply switching up the cushions on your sofa, for example.

• Don’t follow fads when refurbishing; keep your own style in mind, as trends can change and restoring a property is a major, expensive process. >>

Each bedroom has its own bathroom. The main en suite has an old-world feel, thanks to portraits of historical figures from our past such as General de Wet and Emily Hobhouse. Jan Sauer found the pictures on the internet and had them printed.

Bath from CTM

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Jan Sauer’s beloved Delftstyle patterns and colours are displayed to best effect on the dresser.

Pillows from La Grange Interiors; pendant light and leather headboard from Weylandts; blue-and-white pots bought on auction

Chair from @home; table and glassware bought on auction

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Old houses always present unpleasant surprises, such as old clay bricks that crumble easily when you start hammering nails into them. – Jan Sauer

The wildebeest skull in the guest bedroom comes from Jan Sauer’s family farm and the cushions are from his own linen range, Sauer (Cactus design). >> Trunks and leather headboards from Coricraft

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The fire pit at the pool offers the perfect place to relax or hang out with friends and family. Jan Sauer made the lanterns, while the cushions on the built-in bench are from his Sauer range.

The words of the song Geheim by singer Koos van der Merwe are etched on this brick wall. Stonemasons in Richmond crafted the individual bricks with the letters. >> Loungers from Patio Warehouse

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Jan Sauer made the three brown lampshades on the back stoep from broken quarry sieves, which he shaped into cylinders. The table – an old DIY project – was stored in the barn until the perfect spot was found for it.

STOCKISTS AND CONTACTS @home 0860 834 834, home.co.za Checkers 0800 01 07 09, checkers.co.za Coricraft 087 245 0005, coricraft.co.za CTM 010 271 0161, ctm.co.za Eye for Wood 0608 358 801 MUD 028 572 1125, mud.co.za Hertex 021 914 3390, hertex.co.za La Grange Interiors 021 447 3508, lagrangeinteriors.co.za La Perle 021 871 1663, laperle.co.za Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Patio Warehouse 087 825 1120, patiowarehouse.co.za Sauer Group 060 381 8753 Seisoen Karoo Retreat 081 077 0151 Weylandts weylandts.co.za

Rug from Mr Price Home; copper side table from Coricraft; printing on cushions by La Perle; loungers bought on auction

These cushions were designed by Jan Sauer and reflect his love of Delft-style colours.

A huge built-in fireplace on the long back stoep is ideal for braaiing. Here, the steel doors were painted brown.

Chairs from @home; table from Eye for Wood

Jan Sauer likes to use fresh prickly pear leaves as décor and replaces them when they start to wilt.

Restored to its former glory The road to achieving this stylish and inviting space was long – although, in fact, the renovations only took eight months.

“We literally had to start from scratch because the previous owners had replaced the windows and doors with unsuitable materials and had lifted all the wooden floors!” says Jan Sauer.

“I first had to sit and think carefully about what I wanted for this house. Then I planned the layout and worked meticulously to stay within a tight budget. In the end, only the four outer walls remained; inside, everything was demolished.

“I wanted to restore the house to its former glory but with contemporary appeal.”

For this reason, he combined wood and stone with metal and glass, as can be seen in the wooden ceilings and stone walls, beautifully complemented by the large steel-framed glass doors and windows.

Jan Sauer says he has a weakness for auctions. “I usually buy something that I’m drawn to without even knowing where I’ll use it.

I have a barn full of things that always come in handy somewhere.

That’s how I got the sash windows – they come from a farmhouse outside Stellenbosch that was being demolished.”

All the stonework on the walls and stoep was done by local builders. “We recycled the stones from the old stoep. It was hard work because some were thick and some thin, but my team did an incredible job. They became very adept at it.”

The home’s crowning glory – and perhaps also the project’s – is the new corrugated iron roof that Jan Sauer had installed in keeping with the style of Karoo buildings.

“Nothing soothes the soul quite like the sound of rain falling on a corrugated iron roof.”

Jug from MUD; tumblers from Checkers

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Go with the flow A clever layout and savvy furniture placement are essential for creating a successful open-plan living area.

By Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel • Photographs Henrique Wilding, Elza Cooper and Francois Oberholster Styling Marian van Wyk, Zarah Riley, Amanda van Wyngaardt and Cornel Dunn

Friends and family gave Brian the bookshelf for his 40th birthday.

The two generous windows let in so much beautiful light that it felt natural to include two window seats where the kids can cuddle up and read books.

Bookshelf designed by Zarah Riley; joinery by Iron & Wood 4U; sofa from Superbalist

living areas

#1 Easy living After the awkward staircase (see page 54) between the dining area and living room in Brian and Louise Tait’s Rondebosch home was removed during a total revamp in 2019, the two spaces felt too large. With assistance from architectural designer Jenny Collins of Red Cat Design and interior designer Zarah Riley of Zarah Riley Interiors and Design, the couple opted to install a double-sided fireplace between the living area and dining room – not only a great way to subtly separate the two spaces, but also a striking feature. “The connection between the living area, dining room and kitchen and how the family interact with each other in these spaces was important,” says Jenny.

“There needed to be plenty of cosy spots in which to relax with a book or doze in the afternoon sun as well as spaces ideal for hosting braais and dinner parties.” >>

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living areas The open-plan living areas flow naturally to the deck, pool and back garden and form an organic whole when the doors are thrown wide open. The décor strikes a balance between new and old, soft and hard, modern and classic, creating a space that’s both comfortable and stylish.

Aluminium doors and windows by G&E Glass and Aluminium

Before

The living and dining spaces are neatly separated by a central double-sided fireplace, without compromising on flow and sociability. >> Infiniti freestanding stove from Fireplace Studio; couch from Superbalist; rug from Airloom

54 home July 2021

EFFICIENT & STYLISH HEATING SOLUTIONS WITH MINIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Visit www.infinitifires.co.za to view our extensive range

CREATE ZONES • The kitchen is neatly tucked away in the ‘short arm’ of the L-shaped design, so it’s not in full view of the lounge – ideal if you need to hide a mess when guests arrive unexpectedly.

• A series of beams running below the ceiling support the upper level and subtly define the various living areas on the ground floor.

• Furniture and lighting were used to create zones, giving each area a clear purpose.

FURNITURE PLACEMENT • A corner couch helps to clearly demarcate the living area within this large open-plan space. This creates a cosy zone, while still maintaining an easy flow in the space as a whole. On a practical note, the couch can seat a number of guests and it also provides the perfect configuration, allowing the whole family to kick back and read a book while warming their toes by the fire.

• The floor-to-ceiling bookshelf creates an intimate and striking focal point; it also provides this nook with a clear purpose and offers a practical and attractive storage solution for the family’s extensive book collection.

Previously, the homeowners enjoyed a blue kitchen, so they decided to stick to the same palette here.

Warmth is introduced with brass handles and open oak shelving; a vintage brass tap was sourced at Milnerton Market and adds a classic element to the otherwise modern fixtures.

Kitchen manufactured by Sheridan Interiors and designed in collaboration with Zarah Riley; handles from Handles Inc.

Paint colour

Dulux 90BG 34-073

EXPERT ADVICE Architectural designer Jenny Collins of Red Cat Design shares her top tips for well-designed open-plan living spaces: • First get the architectural elements right before having fun with the interior design.

An L-shaped open-plan living space works really well with either the kitchen or your living room in the short arm, whichever configuration suits your lifestyle better.

• Nothing beats natural light to make a living area feel welcoming. It creates a connection with the outdoors and also serves to anchor the space.

• What’s a living room without a comfy couch? Choose one with a shape that fits the space well and doesn’t obstruct the flow to other areas. It should define the living room, but not box it off. Corner couches work really well and encourage afternoon naps or family movie marathons.

• A beautiful rug adds another layer of definition to the space and the texture underfoot adds another tactile dimension to your experience.

• Storage can be difficult in open-plan areas but it’s vital because cluttered spaces aren’t welcoming and you can’t just close a door when there’s a mess.

Consider furniture that offers storage such as a trunk that can double as a coffee table or an ottoman with plenty of storage space inside. Baskets are great for kids’ toys, blankets and firewood and they also add texture and detail to the room.

Jenny’s no-nos • My ultimate bugbear is a guest loo situated just off an open-plan space.

It’s not comfortable for anyone. If your space is limited, try to position the loo in a small lobby or short passage for privacy.

• The various zones in an open-plan space need to be wide enough to create good flow. For example, you don’t want to have to walk between your couch and coffee table to get to the dining area; it’s preferable to create a ‘passage’ alongside these spaces.

• Size is important: too big and you don’t feel comfy, too small and you feel cramped. >> CONTACT Red Cat Design redcatdesign.co.za

#2 In retro style With an entrance hall, lounge and dining room-cumkitchen all in one, Morgane and Lionel Andrews enjoy every inch of this space to the fullest.

Their home in Parkhurst, Johannesburg is as it was when they bought it and they’ve felt no need to change anything since.

“We love the flow between the different living areas,” says Morgane. “We don’t feel restricted at all. Everything flows together but is neatly demarcated. The lounge is great for reading during the day, enjoying a pre-dinner drink with friends or just relaxing in front of the fireplace on a cold winter’s evening. And when we entertain, we hang out in the dining room-kitchen area.”

FURNITURE PLACEMENT • Two identical retro sofas placed opposite each other and an armchair against the steel railing between the lounge and dining room-kitchen area (see opposite, bottom left) provide seating for socialising with friends and family. The furniture enhances the symmetrical feel of the space with a fireplace in the middle and identical windows on either side.

• A glass coffee table makes the space look and feel bigger.

Several steel-framed windows ensure that the lounge is bathed in natural light. No curtains were needed and this enhances a clean, open feel. Without a rug to cover it, the lovely parquet floor, laid with grouting in-between the blocks, really comes into its own.

Lounge suite from Ryan Christie Furniture; pendant from Weylandts

CREATE ZONES • The lounge is on a lower level than the entrance hall and kitchen. With three wooden steps leading down to it, it forms a zone on its own.

• A steel railing separates the lounge from the entrance hall on the upper level, yet the spaces still feel like one.

The railing also offered the ideal spot for a sideboard, which serves to define the entrance hall.

• Ornate pillars separate the entrance hall from the dining room-cum-kitchen.

• Different floor materials demarcate the various zones: the lounge and entrance hall boast the original parquet floors, while the kitchen has a cement floor.

Since the couple often entertain in the kitchen, a large dining table was a must. Four chairs and a wooden bench provide sufficient seating for guests.

Dining table and bench from Ryan Christie Furniture; grey chairs from @home

A beautiful old display cabinet serves as an island in the kitchen.

#3 An elegant sunroom When we photographed Jacomien de Wet’s lovely home in Onrus River in the Western Cape in June 2020, we simply had to take a pic of her mom Irma Herbst’s gorgeous sunroom. Mother and daughter live on properties next to each other and Irma’s cottage was furnished about six years ago.

This sunroom – an old veranda that was enclosed – is a spacious 30m2 and is regarded as the main living area. “I drink my coffee here in the morning and this is also where I enjoy my quiet time,” says Irma.

FURNITURE PLACEMENT • A large 2.4m daybed extends across the full width of the furthest wall, anchoring the seating area.

• Even though the room is narrow, a freestanding cupboard and side tables have been cleverly positioned so as not to impede movement; they also provide a display area for collectibles and plants.

• With the table right against the window and dining chairs on just three sides, the room feels more open and spacious.

CREATE ZONES • Since the sunroom is quite narrow, Irma had to work cleverly with the space. A seating area was set up in front of one of the windows, with a dining table against another window.

A pendant light above the daybed helps to define the seating area.

• Thanks to all the natural light that streams through the retro ‘school windows’, plants thrive in this space, enhancing a sense that the sunroom forms part of the garden. >>

Clever idea!

Because this table was quite low, blocks were placed under the legs to make sitting around it more comfortable.

Loose rugs add warmth to the cement floor.

Floors by Earthcote; accessories from The Small Gallery

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#4 A blast from the past

living areas

CREATE ZONES • The lounge adjoins the dining room in an open-plan design; two steps separate the spaces. The kitchen is separate, with a door leading from the dining room.

• A fairly large group of people can comfortably gather in the dining and lounge area without the activities feeling disjointed. Both rooms lead out to the garden, so the couple can entertain both indoors and outdoors during the Johannesburg summers.

• Since the space is long, two seating areas were set up. The chairs and ottoman in the middle can easily be moved to accommodate more people.

FURNITURE PLACEMENT • Two large upholstered sofas placed in an L-shape against the wall and window create a cosy nook; an ottoman provides extra seating and storage space without impeding the flow.

• On the other side of the long, narrow room, a coffee corner has been set up at a retro bar counter.

62 home July 2021

Neeltjé Swanepoel’s home in Victory Park, Johannesburg displays its sixties features with pride. She and hubby Hendrik, who have lived here since 2010, have systematically renovated the house over the years, but they’ve made no major changes as they like its architectural style.

The lounge, just to the right of the entrance hall, boasts its original parquet floor, stone wall and a fireplace – little wonder it’s their favourite spot in winter.

“This was originally our TV room until we turned a stoep into a TV lounge a year or so ago,” says Neeltjé. “I had to move old sofas and chairs around and I was seduced by the beautiful bright colours I saw in the sample books at my local upholsterer. The colours and patterns that I was drawn to that day were the ones I decided on and, in the end, they created a quirky look that I adore!” >> The false ceiling, a feature of a number of houses in the area, is original. It was simply painted to update the look.

Shutters were installed on all the windows as the family prefers not to hang curtains.

Blue sofa from Cielo; green chair from Re-Trend

PROMOTION

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I

soBoard offers an easy-to-install insulation solution to fit to new builds or retrofit to existing buildings.

This enables your home to manage external temperature fluctuations with ease, maintaining comfortable living and working spaces for the lifetime of your building.

Suitable for all the different areas in your home, this environmentally responsible thermal insulation solution is as versatile as it is effective.

You’ll keep your home’s temperature steady, which means using less electricity for heating or cooling.

Did you know?

1

IsoBoard can be treated with water-based paints and wood stains to suit your own colour scheme.

2

When replacing a ceiling, leave the existing ceiling as is and simply install IsoBoard directly underneath – a quick and permanent solution with minimal mess or fuss!

3

Adjacent boards interlock with tongueand-groove edges, providing easy installation and a continuous layer of thermal insulation.

4

Use IsoBoard concealed fixing clips and an adhesive when installing your ceiling.

5

IsoBoard is available in thicknesses ranging from 25–80mm and lengths up to 8m to match your thermal insulation requirements.

For more tips, tricks and information, visit isoboard.com, like us on facebook.com/isoboard and follow us on Twitter @isoboard.

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GET IN TOUCH CAPE TOWN 021 983 1140, southsales@isoboard.com DURBAN 031 569 1800, dbnsales@isoboard.com PRETORIA 012 653 8204, northsales@isoboard.com

#5 In keeping with character As is typical when it comes to renovating an older home, Sonette and Nelius Barnardt of Somerset West broke out quite a few interior walls to create more open-plan spaces and to enhance the flow. “The house was built in the sixties and we kept some of the elements from that era, as we wanted to respect the character of our home,” says Sonette.

“So you’ll see elements here and there such as large sliding glass doors with wooden frames and a passage door with wire-reinforced safety glass. The open-plan living areas can all be closed and locked with sliding doors.”

The living room with its pizza oven and dining table is where the family spends most of their time. “This is where we love hanging out; it has an informal feel and everything is close at hand. We envisioned a place where we could relax and entertain, so there’s a long table, but also comfy benches and chairs.”

64 home July 2021

CREATE ZONES • Thanks to the symmetry of the room, it was easy to set up the lounge on one side and the dining area on the other side of the pizza oven, which serves as a strong focal point.

• An earthy rug anchors the lounge area.

• Different lights were used to demarcate the zones, such as the two pendants just above the dining table.

FURNITURE PLACEMENT • Two large couches with slipcovers create a square seating area along with two white painted imbuia chairs.

• There are two coffee tables instead of one, as Sonette likes to create a still-life or ‘mini display’ on one while the other is used for entertainment purposes.

• Instead of eight individual dining chairs, there are two long benches without backrests that enhance a sense of openness and spaciousness.

living areas

The décor style is comfortable and informal with unique elements and artworks collected over the years. The homeowners like to browse antique and contemporary stores.

The pizza oven works especially well in winter when the couple cannot entertain outside due to rain. In summer, the room opens onto a spacious patio and pool area.

STOCKISTS @home 0860 834 834, home.co.za Airloom 021 932 6318, airloom.co.za Cielo 0886 024 356, cielo.co.za Earthcote 021 447 0217, paintsmiths.co.za/earthcote Fireplace Studio 021 712 3713, fireplacestudio.co.za G&E Glass and Aluminium 021 903 5173 Handles Inc. 021 422 2322, handlesinc.co.za Iron & Wood 4U 083 272 4133, facebook.com/ironandwood4U Re-Trend 011 482 2454, retrend.co.za Ryan Christie Furniture 078 457 2524, ryanchristiefurniture.co.za Sheridan Interiors 021 685 2757, 083 441 0037 Superbalist 087 362 7300, superbalist.com The Small Gallery 083 261 1659 Welcome Home 021 773 0745, welcomehome.co.za Weylandts 021 914 1433, weylandts.co.za Zarah Riley Interiors and Design 082 094 2857, zarahriley.com

living areas

More options

Sam Harris of Home’s interior design service Welcome Home offers alternative layout suggestions for each living area – should the homeowners be keen for a change.

1

2

#

#

Sam, an interior architect, says that rearranging the furniture in each space can have a big impact. However, in the Taits’ living area she believes the furniture placement is perfect as is.

An L-shaped sofa instead of two separate couches is ideal for intimate seating in the Andrews’ cosy lounge, says Sam, while two armchairs on the opposite side allow for an easy flow in the space.

3

#

Due to the length and narrow width of Irma Herbst’s sunroom, a little gin bar (or coffee nook, if you prefer) is ideal for separating the lounge and dining area, creating a wonderful all-in-one entertainment space. The dining table can then be placed in the opposite corner of the space, allowing for more chairs around the table.

4

#

A corner sofa is a great solution for the Swanepoels; it will create an uncluttered and timeless look.

Combine it with a single eye-catching armchair and an ottoman to complete the picture, advises Sam.

66 home July 2021

5

#

With the pizza oven as the focal point in the Barnardts’ living area, the lounge can easily be centred in front of it, as with a traditional fireplace.

Move the dining table to the back of the room for a clearly defined dining area, while still retaining an open-plan look and feel. >>

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shopping

Sofa so good!

A stylish and comfortable couch is a must for any living room.

Juno velvet three-seater couch R5 399, Decofurn

Millie daybed in blue velvet R9 995, Block & Chisel

Classic four-seater couch in charcoal velvet R12 999, @home

Caledon leather couch from R16 800, Incanda

Escarpment couch R23 000, Pedersen + Lennard

Compiled by Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel

Nelson corner sofa R25 999, Sofacompany

Haskell three-seater couch R12 499, Coricraft

Nirvana couch from R9 195, Sofaworx

Distressed sleeper coach R7000, Mr Price Home

STOCKISTS @home 0860 834 834, home.co.za Block & Chisel 087 015 0181, blockandchisel.co.za Coricraft 087 245 0005, coricraft.co.za Decofurn 087 740 1800, decofurnsa.co.za Incanda 087 150 7096, incanda.co.za Pedersen + Lennard 021 447 2020, pedersenlennard.co.za Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Sofaworx 011 100 4792, sofaworx.co.za Sofacompany 021 200 5904, sofacompany.com

THE NEW ONLINE COURSE FROM GO! GO!’S ONLINE PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE HAS A BRAND-NEW MODULE! Night photography is completely different from day photography. You want to capture the splendour of the night sky, but your camera has too little light to work with, and it can’t focus properly... Now what? This new photography course will teach you how to shoot dramatic photos at night – from the Milky Way in all its glory to stunning star trails.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

As soon as you sign up and pay, you’ll receive a profile, and you can start with the classes. Everything happens online, at your own pace and from wherever works best for you – you can even do the lessons next to the fireplace with a mug of soup in hand.

COST:

R300 This once-off payment gives your lifelong access

to the course material. You can pay with a credit card or via an EFT payment.

I WANT TO SHOOT THE STARS, BUT I’M STILL FIGURING OUT MY CAMERA

The go! Take Better Photos entry-level course is still available online. A once-off payment of R950 gives you access to the lessons.

ENROL TODAY! takebetterphotos.gomag.co.za

Before

This clothes rack, a practical option for a guest bedroom, is new from Milestone Kitchens. We painted the pine version (R1 950) but you can purchase this handy piece of furniture in ash (R4 200) too!

Trish Shaw

Dress for success!

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 4/10 Skill level 4/10 Time needed 1–2 days Do it yourself for: ±R897 (with paint left over for future projects)

Jazz up a clothes rack with paint and your own personal flair.

By Trish Shaw • Photographs Sally Chance • Styling Kara Neville

do it yourself

21006

Ombre

COVID-19 STAY SAFE, KEEP BUSY

R120 VAT nc Nam b a N$120 00

Home Paint It 2021 is on sale now! Don’t miss this special issue – it’s jampacked with fun and challenging chalk paint projects and includes two free stencils. If you can’t find a copy in a store near you, email editor@homemag.co.za.

Spray-paintin

WITH CHALK PAINT! One bright & bold, the other neutral 3 MAKEOVERS

FROM EASY TO DIFFICULT

projects

Fun floors

step by step

Metallic magic

30

Antique effects

A kitchen, stoep and bedroom!

aint on fabric

reader homes

You will need SHOPPING LIST • 250ml Tjhoko Paint Stéffan • 250ml Tjhoko Paint Godfrey’s Glimpse • 250ml Tjhoko Paint Thinus’s Terracotta • 28ml Tjhoko Paint Fine Lining • 250ml Tjhoko Paint Clear Glaze • Tjhoko Paint Stencil of Paris • Tjhoko Paint Caleidoscope2 Stencil 30-9-14

• 50mm Tjhoko Paint (Hamilton’s) Ensign Brush • 38mm Tjhoko Paint (Hamilton’s) Fibre Brush • Tjhoko Paint Artist Brush #8 TOOLS • printed images of your choice • tape measure • kitchen sponge • craft sponge • brayer • cup of water • paint scraper • masking tape

Get started…

1 1 Paint the shelves with Stéffan and the rest of the frame with Godfrey’s Glimpse; apply two layers, waiting 30 minutes between coats.

2 2 Once dry (this will take at least 4 hours), do the paper transfer on the shelves. Apply Tjhoko Clear Glaze to the front of your printed image and allow to dry for an hour; repeat the process.

Apply Clear Glaze to the shelf on which the paper transfer will be positioned and place the image on the wet glazed surface, facedown. Use your brayer to smooth out any air bubbles and allow to dry overnight. (Clean any glaze off your brayer after use.) Use a kitchen sponge dipped in water to wet your image and slowly start rubbing the paper away with your fingers to reveal your transferred image. Do the same with the second shelf, using a different image.

3 3 To add detail to the side struts, apply raised stencilling using Stencil of Paris and your stencil. Secure your stencil with masking tape and apply the Stencil of Paris with a paint scraper. Remove the stencil as soon as you’ve finished and allow to dry thoroughly (about 2–4 hours).

Once dry, I painted over it with Godfrey’s Glimpse.

CONTACT AND STOCKIST Milestone Kitchens milestonekitchens.co.za Trish Shaw Instagram @dustydrawers, facebook.com/Dusty Drawers

4 4 To finish, paint the cross beam at the back and the ends of the legs with Thinus’s Terracotta. Use your tape measure for accurate measurements and mask off the bottom section of the legs with masking tape before painting.

Use your 38mm fibre brush to ‘dry brush’ over your embossed stencilling with Fine Lining. The hanging rod was left as raw wood for quirky contrast.

July 2021

home

71

COMPETITION

PAINT AND WIN WITH

TJHOKO CHAMPS! Stay warm by keeping yourself busy with a painting project and then enter it in this year’s Tjhoko Champs competition.

O

ur annual competition in partnership with Tjhoko Paint gives you the opportunity to work wonders with paint, a brush, roller and stencil. Let your imagination run wild and give an old item a new lease on life with a lick of paint!

There’s no reason to buy new things when you can use Tjhoko Paint to create showstoppers for every corner of your home. Not to mention the amazing prizes you stand to win...

Nadine Vosloo

NOW ON INSTAGRAM

There are a few new features in this year’s competition. Most importantly: all entries must be posted on Instagram. This means you must have an Instagram account; if you don’t yet have one, download the app from the Apple App Store or on Google Play, create your profile and get going. Feel free to send an email to editor@homemag.co.za if you need assistance with your entry.

CATEGORIES

We also have 10 new categories this year.

The judges (an expert panel consisting of Home editorial team members and the Tjhoko Paint team) will review all the entries and then select finalists in each category.

The list below is a guideline of what we’re looking for: 1 The best under-18 entry 2 Most impressive focal wall 3 Cutest entry 4 Best community initiative 5 Most inspiring 6 Most unusual entry 7 Most touching story 8 Best upcycling project 9 Colour inspiration 10 Best room makeover

72 home July 2021

Readers will be able to vote for their favourite entry in each category from Monday 25 October; look out for further details in the October|November issue of Home.

HOW TO ENTER

The competition opens on Monday 21 June and closes on Friday 15 October, and anyone can enter. If you’d like to show off your kids’ creativity with their own painting projects, upload pictures to your profile and tell us more about the budding artist.

Follow these steps: 1 Decide what you’d like to enter; it can be an existing project or a new one.

And there’s no limit to how many entries you may submit!

2 Take a picture with your phone in natural

THE PRIZES

light (in other words, not at night with overhead lighting – we want to be able to see the project properly).

3 Upload the photo to Instagram and include these hashtags: #tuishomemag and #tjhokochamps2021. Give a brief description of your project, including the Tjhoko Paint products and colours you used.

4 Make sure your Instagram profile is not set to “private”, as we won’t be able to see your entry!

The winner in each category will receive a Tjhoko Paint hamper to the value of R1 000 as well as a R1 000 voucher from Takealot. The overall winner will receive R10 000 cash and a one-on-one masterclass with Nadine Vosloo, South Africa’s Tjhoko Paint guru. The overall winner’s entry will be photographed for publication in a future issue of Home or one of Home’s special issues.

MOROCCAN MAGIC WITH

PROMOTION

TJHOKO PAINT

Transform an old cupboard into a colourful focal point – and update the wall behind it with a paint technique!

PROJECT NOTES • The stencil we chose has nine designs – mix and match them as desired.

• Tjhoko Paint contains its own sealant so you don’t have to seal this project afterwards.

YOU WILL NEED • lacquer thinners • an old rag • 500ml Nade • 500ml Bob’s Blue • 250ml Da’vid • 50mm Tjhoko Paint Hamilton’s Ensign brush • medium-sized stencil brush • stencil (Tiles 2 MC016-45-9) • 100-grit sandpaper

Paint the cupboard...

1 Clean the cupboard with lacquer thinners and wait about 40 minutes before you start painting.

2 Paint an undercoat of Nade; wait another 40 minutes until the paint has dried completely.

3 Paint Bob’s Blue over the Nade and wait until it feels just dry to the touch (maximum 40 minutes), then sand lightly. The Nade undercoat will start to show through the darker Bob’s Blue, creating a lovely two-tone effect.

4 Paint a 20cm border around the edge of the recessed panel of the door with Da’vid. Apply the patterns (also in Da’vid) over the Bob’s Blue with your stencil and stencil brush – use the dry-brush technique (little paint, evenly distributed on the tip of the brush). Sand lightly over the stencilling if you want to give it a distressed look.

...and now for the wall YOU WILL NEED • Tjhoko Inspired Colours for Walls in the colour Lebo’s Light • Tjhoko Paint in the colours Sherif’s Stone, Vinia Stone and Lebo’s Light • 225mm Hamilton’s Classic roller • mutton cloth, A4 in size • bowl of water 1 Paint the entire wall with Tjhoko Inspired Colours for Walls in Lebo’s Light as the undercoat. Allow to dry for at least 4 hours.

2 Immerse the mutton cloth in water, then wring it out well. Pour a generous amount of Tjhoko Paint Sherif’s Stone onto the cloth. Using your hands, work the paint thoroughly into the cloth. Fold over the edges of the cloth to form a ball; flatten it with the palm of your hand and then “wash” the wall in circular motions with the paint. Work lightly and stand back regularly to view your work, adjusting where necessary.

3 Repeat the process with a clean cloth and Tjhoko Paint Vinia Stone.

4 Lastly, repeat with Tjhoko Paint Lebo’s Light.

Looking for Tjhoko Paint? To locate your nearest stockist, go to tjhokopaint.co.za.

Check out Tjhoko Paint’s step-by-step videos at youtube.com/tjhokopaint.

advice

Email your queries to experts@homemag.co.za

Ask the experts

Compiled by Shané Barnard

WATC H THE SHOW !

Home is the media partner of Pak weg, pak reg on Afrikaans lifestyle channel VIA (DStv channel 147). Watch season 2 of this series of inspirational declutter projects on Tuesdays at 16:30; repeats are on Sundays at 10:30. Follow us on Facebook/ Home Magazine for more decluttering advice from experts Carin Smith and Jani Augustyn-Goussard.

Looking for inspiration for your home office or considering a new fireplace? Just ask – we’ll find the answers.

Andrea Krige of Paarl writes Since the beginning of lockdown last year, my husband and I have both been working from home full-time; we’re lucky to have a home office with a door that we can close at the end of the day. The space is functional, with a desk for each of us, but we need inspiration to make it more appealing and comfortable. We already have a cabinet in which we can store some of our office supplies, but the printer is standing on a desk and it takes up a lot of space. Extra storage space would be useful and we need a rug. Please help!

THE SOLUTION Dina Venter of my.decorlist replies Your office is very neat but it feels cluttered because there is ‘visual noise’. The floor plan indicates that the room is spacious, so you can experiment with the layout; with a few clever changes, the space will look more professional.

Also, add warmth with personal elements – this will increase productivity. Here are a few ideas: CREATE VISUAL SPACE BY DECLUTTERING Currently, the curtain takes up too much space in a corner that could be better utilised. Replace it with a roller blind installed inside the window recess. This will make the area appear more open.

The room gets lovely natural light, so ask your blind supplier to install a transparent sheer weave blind that will still let in some light but can be closed to prevent annoying reflections on computer screens. If you like colour and pattern, have a Roman blind made with multicoloured fabric.

Although it’s functional and provides a surface area, the trestle table takes up a lot of space. Consider replacing it.

Tip Commercial offices always look professional because they’re uniform. Invest in a set of office furniture rather than separate pieces, especially if there’s more than one workstation in a room.

FOCUS ON UNIFORMITY The steel cabinet has a timeless industrial look; let it guide your other purchases, as and when your budget allows. Get a matching low steel cabinet (media unit) for the printer to stand on and replace your tables with

74 home July 2021

Armchair and side table

Media unit

something in a similar design. and printer OPTIMISE YOUR LAYOUT According to your floor plan, there is an unused wall as you enter the Steel office. Move the two desks here with cabinet the media unit and printer inbetween them. This way the printer and extra storage space will be within reach of both workstations.

Desk and chair Once the curtain has been replaced with a sleek blind, you can create space in this corner for an armchair and side table – perfect for taking a break or doing tasks that don’t require a desk.

Leave the tall steel cabinet where it is, but make sure it doesn’t bump against the door when opened.

CREATE STORAGE SPACE When the curtain rail has been removed, there will be space for wall shelves. Create an interesting focal point above and to the right of the window. Fill the shelves with files and books that you don’t use regularly (you’ll have to stand on a chair to reach them) and display personal items such as photos and plants.

GIVE THE SPACE PERSONALITY Colour is important in a workspace – it can affect your mood and productivity. I suggest a blue palette to promote calmness and focus, with pops of yellow for a touch of fun and positivity. First, paint the room white and keep the window frames black to echo the industrial style. Then bring in blue and yellow with wallpaper, which will serve as a lovely backdrop for online meetings.

When it comes to selecting a rug, go for a low pile outdoor rug that will withstand office chairs on wheels. Complete the picture with furniture and accessories in the same colour scheme.

Tip Paint the skirting boards a bright yellow for a subtle repetition of the colour scheme.

CONTACT mydecorlist.com

Wallpaper

THE CHALLENGE

Desk and chair

Décor dilemma

Roller or Roman blind

Chevy rugs (160 x 230cm) R3 100 each, Haus

Get the look!

Geometric Ellen tub chair (83cm L x 81cm W x 80.5cm H) R3 500, Mr Price Home

Nestling wall shelves (small; 30cm H x 30cm W x 25cm D) R1 099, @home

A4 framed print R750, Inki Popcorn media unit (120cm W x 40cm L x 70cm H) R3 499, Popstrukt

Sierra office chair in mustard velvet R2 799, Superbalist Simply Stored hyacinth low basket (medium) R249, @home

Peace Lily Sunrise fabric R930/m, Hertex Metro side table in Ochre (40cm L x 40cm W x 57cm H) R229.99, Mr Price Home

Laptop stand (30cm W x 29cm D x 9cm H) R490, Knus >> STOCKISTS @home 0860 576 576, home.co.za Haus 0860 437 839, hertexhaus.co.za Dreamweaver Studios dreamweaverstudios.co.za Hertex 0860 437 839, hertex.co.za Inki inki.co.za Knus knus.co Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Popstrukt popstrukt.com Superbalist superbalist.com

Eijffinger Waterfront wallpaper (210cm W x 280cm H) R9 905, Dreamweaver Studios

advice

Fix blistering paint

Antonet Jooste of Pietermaritzburg writes We bought an old house and the interior walls in one room have been coated with enamel paint. The paint is making bubbles in some spots and the wall is plastered underneath. How do I remove the paint and should I repaint with enamel-based paint or would PVA be a better solution?

Jenny Moolman, Duram’s brand manager, replies To restore previously painted walls where paint has started to bubble or flake off, start by sanding with an orbital sander and 80-grit sandpaper and then switch to a 100-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface.

Dust or wipe down the walls before spot priming with Duram Plaster Primer where paint has come off completely. Once the primer has dried, apply a layer of Duram Universal Undercoat for optimum adhesion of the new paint and to prevent any future bubbling or flaking. Thereafter, choose any wall paint finish you desire.

Duram offers a range of decorative paints that come in matte, low sheen, medium sheen and textured finishes; make your choice based on the room you’re painting, how much light enters the space and the look you want to create.

If you’re keen to stick with an enamel, whether solvent- or water-based, choose between gloss, semi-gloss or medium sheen in the Duram range.

CONTACT duram.co.za

All fired up

Anne Palmer of Blairgowrie writes We’re renovating our home and we’d love a new fireplace in the living room. I like the look of freestanding combustion fireplaces, but I don’t like the idea of cleaning up ash every time we use it. What other options should we consider?

Malcolm Sims, managing director of Infiniti Fires, replies Prior to installing a new fireplace, homeowners should consider the pros and cons of the various options: Open wood fires inside the home have largely declined in popularity as they are rather smoky and inefficient, capable only of warming small areas with a high wood consumption. Flued gas fire sales have also declined due to their low efficiency and extremely high running costs, thanks to the gas price being directly related to the price of oil.

These days, wood stoves or gas fires without a flue are popular options. A wood-burning stove burns wood in a sealed chamber behind a pane of glass. It’s easy to light and highly efficient at heating large areas with minimal fuel use; adjustable air vents control the heat output to meet your requirements.

They generate small amounts of ash and cleaning is generally required once every five to seven days. This is the cheapest solution for heating large open-plan spaces.

Gas fires without a flue burn gas very cleanly, which means that they can be installed without a chimney. This way, all the heat generated by the fire is kept in the house. They light with the flick of a switch and require no cleaning. In general, a gas

76 home July 2021

fire is cheaper to install than a wood stove but it has a higher running cost.

The flame effects in both options are mesmerising, making them a marvellous focal point in winter. Whichever fireplace you choose, make sure it’s positioned in such a way that family and friends can sit around it comfortably and enjoy the ambience.

CONTACT infinitifires.co.za >>

PROMOTION

NEW LOOK,

NEW STATUS

Thanks to decorative fibreboard and Evo-Stik Sticks Like Sh*t, this old locker has been promoted to the guest room!

• jigsaw • Alcolin Fast Set Wood Glue • plane • screwdriver • one 256mm-long clothing rail • 2 rail brackets

Finally...

Screw the clothing rail and brackets to the sides to accommodate hangers and clothes.

Production Deon de Goede • Photographs Ed O’Riley • Styling Marian van Wyk

YOU WILL NEED • old locker (1 800 x 300 x 450mm)* • Evo-Stik Sticks Like Sh*t • 18mm oriented strand board (OSB), cut to: two 1 185 x 435mm (bottom sides) two 435 x 330mm (top sides) one 330 x 264mm (top back) one 1 185 x 264mm (bottom back) two 410 x 264mm (shelf and base)

1 Mark and cut the top corners of the two 1 185 x 435mm sides so that they will fit snugly under the shelf. Squirt a few blobs of the Sticks Like Sh*t on the back of these boards, then press them against the sides of the bottom part of the locker.

2 2 Now do the same with the two 435 x 330mm boards, then press them against the sides of the upper part of the locker. Glue the 330 x 264mm back to the top part, and the 1 185 x 264mm back to the bottom part.

*Adjust the measurements and materials according to the size of your locker.

1

3 3 Glue a thin pine strip (4–5mm) to the short side of the shelf and base with Alcolin Fast Set Wood Glue; wait until the glue has dried then plane flush with the boards. Glue each panel, then paint the edging strips the same colour as the locker.

Find us on

Visit evo-stik.co.uk and alcolin.com for product info, or call the Sticky Questions Helpline toll-free on 0800 222 400 for advice.

Quick questions

Q: Where did Andrew and Carina Johnson find the bar stools as featured on page 47 of your April 2021 edition? – Hannelie Swart, Bredasdorp A: Carina bought the stools in natural pine from Mistry’s Pine Furniture (mistrys.co.za) and sealed them with a dark polymer wax. Lotter’s Pine (lotterspine.com) makes similar bar stools.

Q: I love the mirrors featured on page 54 of your October 2019 edition; where can I find something similar?

– Lisa de Swardt, Stellenbosch A: The homeowners bought these from Mr Price Home (mrphome.co.za) a couple of years ago. You can find similar pill-shaped mirrors at Iconomy (iconomyonline.com) and Leroy Merlin (leroymerlin.co.za).

Q: What colour are the walls in Lindie and Erick Senekal’s entrance hall as shown on page 34 in your November 2019 issue?

– Janine Johnson, East London A: The walls were painted in Plascon Snow Goose.

78 home July 2021

Q: The lampshade in Vicky Zigras’s apartment on page 22 of your February/March edition is beautiful! Where is it from?

– Nissa Vosloo, Cape Town A: Vicky bought this Vilius pendant lamp overseas at JYSK (jysk.co.uk), which is similar to IKEA. Locally, you can purchase a similar pendant from Woodka Interiors (woodkainteriors.com).

advice

Stash it or trash it?

Inspired by nature

Manon Potgieter of Gqeberha writes I’d like to find out more about these two pieces by Frederike Stokhuyzen (each canvas is about 15 x 12cm). Can you tell me what they might be worth?

Kayleen Wrigley of Walker Scott Art Advisory replies Frederike Stokhuyzen is a prolific painter of still lifes and landscapes, finding her dominant inspiration in the beauty of nature.

Born in Johannesburg to Dutch parents, Stokhuyzen began her formal training at Rhodes University before going on to train at The Central School of Art in London. There she focused on the medium of stained-glass windows. Her mastery of this medium has lent a certain drama to her painting practice.

Stokhuyzen has held many group and solo exhibitions both in South Africa and abroad, and she is represented by The Cape Gallery locally. However, her resale market has not yet gained much traction.

CIRCA 21st century VALUE Between R600 – R900 each CONTACT walkerscott.co.za

The easy way to transform wall tiles, Melamine cupboards and other smooth surfaces!

• Apply TilePrime with a brush or roller • It is economical & easy to use • TilePrime Offers excellent adhesion • Clean equipment with water afterwards • TilePrime is dry after 24 hours • Apply paint over TilePrime • TilePrime is compatible with most paints • Do not paint kitchen work surfaces TIP: Mask Areas You Do Not Want Painted With Masking Tape!

TIP: Clean Surfaces Before Priming For Best Results.

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Revive & restore!

A previously dilapidated heritage cottage stands proud on a quiet street in Vosburg once again.

By Marian van Wyk • Photographs Greg Cox

80 home July 2021

This painting of a ‘before’ photograph of the house was done on request by Rosendal artist Willem Pretorius, and now hangs in the dining room.

THE OWNERS Marcus Smit and his friends Len and Herman Kruger WHERE Vosburg in the Northern Cape Karoo SIZE 155m2 (including outside rooms); erf 2 700m2

Email your renovation to experts@homemag.co.za

In winter, when the wisteria has lost its leaves, Marcus and his friends sit and soak up the sun on this back stoep, which is bathed in sunlight all day. The orange Kartell chairs were a lucky second-hand find. >>

advice

advice hen the Home team visited Vosburg in July 2020, Ricks Karoo Winkel – the only restaurant in the village – specially opened its doors a day earlier than the planned official opening.

“Prior to that, there was no restaurant in Vosburg,” says architect Marcus Smit, co-owner of the getaway cottage we had come to photograph. “Ricks was supposed to open on Wednesday but I told them we were expecting visitors, so they had to open on Tuesday night,” he says with a smile.

And that’s how it is in Vosburg. “The village is off the beaten track, so it gets very few visitors.

The concrete slabs were cast in formwork on-site and the window above the stove was installed where there once was a battered back door. “The old kitchen consisted of a couple of rotten cupboards,” says Marcus.

“The new kitchen is wonderfully practical with the stove in the middle between two ordinary counters on the left and right.”

To the left of the window a print of a Tinus de Jongh painting adorns the wall.

Flamingo fabric from Fabric City

82 home July 2021

It’s also very peaceful and neat as a pin as it isn’t subjected to the usual influx of people and development.”

Marcus, who lives in Grabouw, instantly fell in love with the village when he visited his cousin Sandra Lemmer. By the end of 2017, a dilapidated cottage opposite the Dutch Reformed Church had caught his eye and got his architect fingers itching. Marcus was drawn to its architecture, reminiscent of typical Karoo ‘brakdakhuise’ (flat mud-roofed houses).

But it would require a massive undertaking just to make it liveable, let alone restore it to the charming cottage it had once been almost a century ago.

A stunning revival “The house had stood empty for many years, and no maintenance had been done,” says Marcus. “It had also been looted; all the windows and doors were gone. The roof was leaking so badly that the raw mud-brick walls were on the verge of collapsing in places.

Not to mention that there was no electricity, water or sewerage.”

He and two friends, brothers Len and Herman Kruger, bought the house together in early 2018, and began renovating it in May the same year (see page 87). “We wanted to revive the house as quickly as possible,” says Marcus.

Unable to find a record of the home’s age, Marcus estimates that based on its locality opposite the church, it was built in the late 1800s or early 1900s. “It’s probably one of Vosburg’s first ‘nagmaalhuise’ because the town celebrated its centenary in 1995. It’s obvious from the building method, foundation and parapet (the low wall in front of the roof on the street side) that the house was built in three stages.”

Now, three years later, Marcus, Len and Herman regularly take turns to escape to Vosburg. Marcus still marvels at the incredible play of light and shadow in the kitchen and dining room on the northfacing side of the cottage – his two favourite spaces. “The light in this house has that magical Karoo quality. It was a pleasant surprise to see how it moves through the kitchen and dining room from early morning until sunset, complemented perfectly by the blue in this space.”

There’s just one problem: “When I go home to Grabouw, I immediately want to come back here!” says Marcus, now that the house on its quiet, dusty street has been restored to its former glory.

It’s a picture of serenity – just as it would have been more or less a century ago when a Karoo farmer built this nagmaalhuisie that made no attempt to draw attention to itself. >> The large framed photo entitled “House along the N1, Leeu-Gamka” was taken by a friend, Francois Swanepoel.

Rug from Sofacompany; cushions from Skinny laMinx

The dining room’s eclectic style is mostly Len’s contribution.

The modern chrome-and-leather chairs contrast beautifully with the simple farmhouse feel of the traditional wooden table and steel pendants. The cement floor was already in situ; it was painted the same colour as the walls.

Paint colour

Plascon Soft Sail

Cushion from Skinny laMinx; basket from Sofacompany; Man Cloth from Mungo Design

advice

A project guided by history All three owners felt strongly about reviving this cottage before it finally collapsed. As an architect, Marcus has designed many modernist houses and award-winning lodges, but in this instance he allowed himself to be guided by those elements that revealed the home’s history, such as the foundations.

He tackled the project with great care and respect, as befits a century-old building (see “Respect for Karoo heritage” on page 86). There was no question of swapping rooms around or breaking out too many walls – just the wall between the outside bathroom and the dining room, and a low wall between the kitchen and dining room were demolished.

This change – as well as the new glass doors leading out onto the back stoep – made the biggest difference.

“The sunny north-facing side of the house is the hub of the home, private and away from the street,” says Marcus. “The new doors connect the cottage to the back garden where we braai, stargaze, watch the moon rise and appreciate the beautiful church.

The large steel doors allow the winter sun to stream in. We added a pergola to provide shelter in summer and planted a deciduous wisteria that lets in the winter sun.”

The street-facing façade with its charming stoep that faces the old church with its Gothic detail was, surprisingly, relatively unscathed. “The original wood-framed windows and shutters were still intact,” says Marcus. “The rest of the house already had a combination of newer wooden and steel-framed windows, so we used steel frames where we had to replace windows. They’re cost-effective and require little maintenance; they don’t rust here in the Karoo and they complement some of the previous additions.” >>

Marcus restored the beautiful old wooden floors by installing steel plates over areas that have to withstand a lot of foot traffic.

“The wood is so dry and brittle that it breaks along the tongue and groove if you try to lift it to repair the structural beams,” he says. “It was a case of ‘’n boer maak ’n plan’, but it has worked well. We wanted to maintain the whitewashed effect, so we didn’t seal the floors; we simply scrubbed them with soap and water.”

Bukhara fabric in Ochre (on bed)

by Lula Fabrics; cushions from Mr Price Home

84 home July 2021

During the years in which the house stood empty, the neighbours looked after the garden. All the existing plants, such as the saltbush and the avenue of prickly pears, were retained.

After enjoying sundowners, Marcus and his friends like to put a few Karoo lamb chops on the coals. “In Vosburg, socialising happens at an entirely different pace,” says Marcus.

Cushions in autumn shades were second-hand buys; the others are from Skinny laMinx

The Karoo is a simple landscape and a place of few things…

You don’t need much here. – Marcus

[ RESPECT FOR KAROO HERITAGE ]

The architecture of the nagmaalhuisie (communion cottage) is unique to the late 19th and early 20th century – farmers from the surrounding areas would build these cottages in town as accommodation for weekends when Holy Communion was taking place at church.

“The flat roof is typical of the architecture in South Africa’s arid platteland circa 1900,” explains Marcus. “Other recognisable architectural elements from this era are the simple Georgian proportions and symmetrical layout and appearance.”

Originally, the cottage would have had only two anterooms and an entrance hall. The next two rooms (lounge and sunny bedroom in our photos) were added later and following that were the back rooms (one of which was the kitchen) which now form one long open-plan space with a kitchen and dining room. The bathroom was typically situated outside the house.

“We really tried to break down as few walls as possible and kept the existing rooms more or less as they would traditionally have been used. We did, however, break through from the dining room to connect with the original outside bathroom for practical reasons; in winter, it’s just too cold to go outside to use the loo!” A second bathroom and storeroom were built outside.

“The symmetrical simplicity of these Karoo houses needs to be preserved,” says Marcus.

Unfortunately, the decay of these historic homes is a common sight. “Just think what an economic injection it would be for the platteland if people bought these cottages, repaired them with sensitivity, and visited them regularly. In that way, a bit of our heritage would be preserved.”

The house now has two bathrooms: this one is still situated outside and also accommodates a simple shower.

Rug from Mr Price Home; towel from Mungo Design

Paint colour

Dulux Destiny

86 home July 2021

advice

The renovation

EXPERT ADVICE

Bathroom

Storeroom

Bathroom

Bedroom

Storeroom

Bedroom

Bedroom

Kitchen

Stoep

Despite freezing cold days, Marcus’s favourite season is winter, when the mercury can easily hover around 1°C. “The Karoo air is so fresh and the light is so clear; this house is particularly pleasant because the living areas have windows facing north, east and west.

The front stoep faces south, so it’s always cool in summer,” he says.

“The house is, therefore, perfectly orientated to suit the local climate and is equally comfortable on sweltering summer days and icy winter nights. We had Isotherm insulation installed in the new ceilings and painted the lower part of the roof with Ceratech insulating roof paint.

“A fireplace to ward off the bitter cold in the evening is an absolute must in a Karoo home.

Herman insisted that we install a small closed combustion stove in the lounge. It works wonders because the rooms are compact, they can easily be closed off and the ceilings are relatively low.”

Lounge

[ CLIMATIC FACTORS ]

Shower

2017

Dining room

How should you go about restoring a badly run-down heritage house? Marcus’s advice is to work with what you have and to keep it simple.

These days, a century-old house rarely ticks all the boxes for cosy get-togethers that spontaneously spill over from open-plan spaces onto a stoep. Marcus is a sociable, hospitable man who also loves modernist architecture. In Vosburg, however, he let himself be guided by his love for the Karoo landscape and respect for the home’s history and what the interior’s original layout would have been circa 1900.

“It was easy to work with this heritage because the floor plan and function of each room was simple and direct. The existing floor plan guided me to approach functional areas for cooking and sleeping in the same way as they were back in the day.”

As in the past, there are still no en-suite bathrooms. “The storeroom and bathroom-cumlaundry that we built on outside flow naturally from the existing structure; here, we keep bicycles, a washing machine, garden tools and so on.”

At the top of Marcus’s list of dos and don’ts is working with the house as it is and retaining as much as possible. He offers an interesting perspective on the steel-frame windows, which definitely don’t date from 1900: “Many people would have wanted to replace them with wood. In reality, they form part of the home’s history; previous owners could, in fact, have installed them decades ago.”

All the interior walls, with the exception of those in the kitchen and dining room, were painted with what Marcus refers to as “ordinary contractor’s white”.

“This simplicity is typical of the Karoo’s lime-washed buildings and neutral spaces. I think it’s important not to ‘over-restore’ things stylistically. Keep what’s there to reflect the building’s history. Get the input of an architect and do your own research on what is historically and stylistically applicable.

“Maintain the simplicity of the architecture.

And it’s simple: don’t add anything unnecessary.”

CONTACT 021 853 1362, marcussmit.co.za

Stoep

STOCKISTS AND CONTACT Ceratech ceratech.co.za Fabric City fabric-city.co.za Isotherm isotherm.co.za Lula Fabrics lulafabrics.com Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Mungo Design 021 201 2374, 044 533 1395, mungo.co.za Willem Pretorius facebook.com/pg/Willem-Pretorius Skinny laMinx 021 424 6290, shop.skinnylaminx.com Sofacompany 021 200 5904, za.sofacompany.com

advice

Email your queries to pets@homemag.co.za

Animal antics

Compiled by Shané Barnard

Brrr, it’s cold outside!

Sistersin-arms Siblings Pepsi and Marshmallow only need each other to keep warm.

– Melinda Broster, Molteno

This is my spot!

To ward off the cold, Bailey makes sure he’s right by the fireplace.

– Guinevere Ferguson-Williams, Tokai

Catnap Mr Biggelsworth curls up on the sofa, waiting for some human company.

– Chantelle Bradley, Randburg

A frozen friend Benji and Snippie stand guard with their new buddy, the snowman.

– Retha Wepener, Sunningdale

All wrapped up

Tarzan knows there’s nothing better than cuddling up in a blanky.

– Lynette Blackie, Centurion

Q&A A good night’s rest

Erica Fourie of Stellenbosch writes We’ve always had small dogs such as Dachshunds but our family recently welcomed a new member, a Great Dane.

I’m looking for a bed with good back and leg support; any suggestions?

Hot product

Five more minutes…

Mollie Muis catches up on beauty sleep.

– Marelese Marais, Durbanville

Make sure your four-legged friend stays active during the winter months with a stylish harness from Dear Pet Co (from R299.99, dearpet.co.za).

It has a solid chest piece for excellent support and is available in beautiful designs and different sizes from extra-extra-small to extra-large.

WIN!

Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a large K9 Castle for dogs or a large Nookie Bag for cats from Wagworld (wagworld.co.za; also available at leading veterinary and pet stores). The K9 Castle boasts a new Cross design and the removable pillow cover comes with micro-fleece on one side and cotton on the other. The Nookie Bag, with its anti-pill coral fleece, will keep your furry friends warm throughout winter.

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.

90 home July 2021

Morné Claassen, marketing manager of Wagworld, replies Just as we benefit from a quality mattress, a bed with good support is important for your dog’s comfort and wellbeing. The needs of different dog breeds differ when it comes to their beds.

When choosing a bed for a large dog breed, consider the following: Larger dogs’ needs Big pooches such as Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds and Labradors tend to suffer from hip and joint problems, as well as elbow calluses, as they get older.

The size and weight of these large breeds puts extra pressure on their limbs and joints.

A suitable bed should provide enough support to ensure that your dog is comfortable and doesn’t come into contact with a hard floor surface.

Composition Wagworld’s K9 Castles are perfect for large dogs. The cushion’s filling is extremely compact; it’s firm yet soft and won’t collapse, ensuring that your dog has an even base to lie on without any lumps or hollows.

Sides or not? A bed with built-up sides provides a sense of security for your dog and retains warmth. Great Danes, especially, love to use the sides of our K9 Castles as a headrest. Hunting dogs (Beagles, Dachshunds and Greyhounds) and terriers (Jack Russells, Fox Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers) prefer a bed with sides that create the feeling of a cosy outdoor hollow.

Labradors, Sheepdogs and Golden Retrievers, on the other hand, prefer a flat bed on which they can stretch out nicely. The way a dog sleeps can sometimes seem very odd but pay careful attention to your pooch’s sleep position – this will help you to choose just the right bed for him.

Warmth in colder months Nobody likes a cold floor. The filling in our beds provides excellent insulation against the cold and rising damp from the ground, and will ensure that your dog is wonderfully warm, cosy and comfy right through winter.

CONTACT wagworld.co.za

advice

Send garden info and queries to gardens@homemag.co.za.

Gardening notebook

TRY THIS!

Gillian Eva

Add your personal style to pot plants by decorating the containers with mosaic tiles, crocheted pot covers, textured lace ribbons, macramé or spiralled twine.

Compiled by Gillian Eva • Photographs supplied

With plenty to keep you busy, there’s no time for green fingers to get cold.

Fabulous ficus #1

Bring your gardening passion to your living areas with the lush foliage of indoor plants. These four Ficus varieties will add warmth and interest: 1 Ficus elastica ‘Black Prince’ This eye-catching rubber plant variety is trendy and stylish with striking green-black foliage suited to a well-lit area.

2 Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) The ideal tree for indoor landscaping with elegant branches and glossy leaves – look out for ones with plaited stems. This plant tolerates limited light.

3 Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) With large violinshaped leaves, this plant makes a dramatic statement; plant it in rich compost and place it in bright, indirect light.

4 Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) An attractive ornamental plant that purifies the air and is easy to care for. Place in a well-lit corner of your living room.

#2

#4 Care and maintenance Ficus plants like consistent but moderate watering with less frequent watering during winter. Plant them in good quality potting soil and check the leaves regularly for pests such as mites and aphids.

#3

Copy supplied by Life is a Garden; go to lifeisagarden.co.za for more, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram: lifeisagardensa.

Aloe-ha!

Aloe ‘Hedgehog’

Aloe ‘Bushwhacker’

Aloe ‘Peri-Peri’

Aloe ‘Charles’

Winter is peak aloe season, so head over to your local garden centre to choose your favourite; these beauties are available now: • Aloe ‘Hedgehog’ This low-growing aloe is ideal for mass planting and adding colour.

• Aloe ‘Bushwhacker’ A medium-sized plant with an abundance of pretty flowers.

• Aloe ‘Peri-Peri’ A showy plant for smaller gardens and pots, specifically in colder regions.

• Aloe ‘Charles’ A spectacular aloe that grows more than 2m in height, it makes a great focal plant in a large border.

• Aloe ‘Medallion’ This aloe boasts a profusion of fast-growing, bright yellow flowers.

• Aloe ‘Goldfish’ An attractive re-bloomer that flowers throughout the year.

• Aloe ‘White Rhino’ A tall, single-stemmed aloe with grey foliage.

Aloe ‘Medallion’

Steer clear of scale These pests hatch on aloe leaves, sucking their juice and damaging the vitality of the succulent.

If left untreated, aloes become covered in a white, fluffy/waxy deposit. Treat light infestations by wiping leaves with rubbing alcohol. Heavier infestations can be sprayed off with a power hose, then treated with an insecticidal soap: mix a drop of neem oil and a drop of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle of water, then apply to the affected plants every second day.

July action plan

Calendula

Ornamental kale

Bring your beds and containers to life with colourful calendulas, stocks, primroses, violas, pansies, Calibrachoa, alyssums, foxgloves, snapdragons and ornamental kale.

July is the best time to prune, with the exception of the Eastern Cape where pruning should be done at the end of August. It’s also time to remove dead wood and diseased branches on shrubs and trees. Cut back trees that are getting too big and shading the lawn or obstructing your view. Deciduous shrubs that may need a trim include golden shower, Barleria, ribbon bush, wild dagga and Westringia and hydrangea. Don’t forget to cut back bougainvilleas that have finished flowering. >> July 2021

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Grow your own!

[ MAKE YOUR OWN SPROUTER ] All you need is a wide-mouthed glass jar, cheesecloth (or new kitchen cloth) and a rubber band.

• Soak whatever you want to sprout in water in the jar overnight, or for 24–36 hours for bigger seeds.

• Place seeds in a sieve and rinse under running water.

Return the sprouts to the rinsed and drained bottle, cover with the cloth and secure with an elastic band.

• Keep the jar slightly tilted to get rid of excess water, otherwise sprouts will rot and go sour. Keep the jar out of direct sunlight at room temperature.

• Rinse again every morning and evening for 2–5 days.

• When the sprouts are ready to eat, rinse and drain them one last time and allow to air-dry. They can be stored in a container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to 5 days.

[ SPROUT WINGS! ] Move your veggie growing indoors this month by experimenting with crunchy sprouts for sprinkling over salads, adding to sandwiches or eating as healthy snacks.

Sprouts are basically seeds that have germinated but not yet grown into seedlings. Plants suitable for growing and eating as sprouts include chickpeas, mung beans, lentils, soya beans and alfalfa. These plants are full of minerals, vitamins and proteins that help strengthen the body’s immunity to colds, coughs and flu; find them at health shops or supermarkets.

[ VEGGIES TO SOW NOW ] Summer rainfall areas In cool Highveld gardens, start sowing garden peas and cabbage (indoors). In less frosty areas, sow lettuce, parsnip, radish, Swiss chard, tomato (indoors) and turnip.

Winter rainfall areas Beetroot, celery, garden peas, radish, tomato and turnip.

Lowveld and KwaZulu-Natal coast Beetroot, beans, brinjal, chilli, carrot, cucumber, mealies, melons, squash, pumpkin, radish, Swiss chard and tomato.

Earth-up the soil around the stems of broccoli.

[ KITCHEN GARDEN TASKS ] • Protect tender vegetables with frost cover.

• Water vegetable beds once a week and potted veggies twice a week.

• Stake broad beans, Brussels sprouts and kale if necessary, and earth-up the soil around the stems of cabbages, broccoli and cauliflower.

• In dry areas, water the compost heap once a month.

• Order seed potatoes; divide asparagus and rhubarb.

• Sterilise seedling trays by shaking off old soil, then washing them in bleach and hot water. Leave to soak for 15–20 minutes (use one part bleach to nine parts water).

Stake your Brussels sprouts.

Indoor beauty

Alocasia ‘Dragon Scale’ Alocasia ‘Dragon Scale’ is aptly named, with its unusual metallic-green leaves and pronounced dark green veins. This trending plant has caught the attention of Instagrammers worldwide, and there is certainly nothing else like it in the hot house world of indoor plants.

A great plant for beginners, this easy-to-care-for indoor tropical beauty likes a warm, humid room with bright light (no sun). Make a feature of it on a coffee table, in your home office or bedroom. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering and feed with a diluted liquid fertiliser twice a month from spring to autumn and once a month in winter.

CONTACT lvgplants.co.za

Window dressing Succulents tick all the boxes as waterwise garden plants, but many can be grown just as successfully indoors, especially in cold and frosty areas in winter.

John Sauer of Ngena Succulents likes to pot up mixed succulent containers for his sunny living room windowsill. Here are his tips for using succulents creatively to create eye-catching displays on windowsills: Containers Long, rectangular containers that are not too deep (5cm), with drainage holes, work best. The container’s depth and size will determine the mature size of the plants: the more restricted the roots, the smaller the plants will be and the slower the growth.

Plant choice Choose compact-growing succulents such as Echeveria, Sempervivum and Haworthia that can be used as focal plants in the arrangement. Sedums tend to have a looser growth and are good as fillers. For eye-catching combinations use plants with contrasting colours as well as interesting leaf shapes: spiky, rosette, finger-like, rounded, etc.

Position The ideal position is a windowsill that receives morning sun.

Succulents can grow with bright, indirect light but if they start stretching or getting leggy, they need sun. Limited afternoon sun should also be suitable.

Style Decide on a style. A classical style features a symmetrical layout, with a central focal point and mirrored (identical) planting on either side. An informal style also makes use of focal plants as anchors but there is the freedom to use more variety.

[ PLANTING AND CARE ]

Photograph Andrea Caldwell

• Use any good quality outdoor potting soil.

• Don’t pack in too many plants; they need room to grow.

• Water once a week or every five days if window boxes receive full sun. The best way to water is to take the window box outside and drench it with water, allow to drain and return to the windowsill. If the window box is on a drip tray,

water it in situ, let the water drain through and then empty the drip tray. Don’t let the container stand in water; the soil will stay too wet and the roots will rot.

• Don’t be afraid to trim and thin out as necessary to keep the window box looking good.

CONTACT Ngena Succulents; email john@ngena.africa

Ask Ludwig Pruning rethink

Claude Scott of Johannesburg writes I have a few ‘Arianna’ roses and now I need to prune them. I’ve heard that I must cut them back to an outside eye, and that the angle of the cut should be sloping; is this correct?

Ludwig replies In the old days, this was done in the belief that it would result in the rose producing outward-growing stems. However, we have found that the rose makes up its own mind and sprouts from what it regards as the strongest eye.

Basically, you must cut a tallgrowing rose down to 90cm, a ‘Arianna’ medium rose to 70cm and a low rose, such as ‘Arianna’, to 50cm.

Cut out dead wood or old stems (with brown thorns), crisscrossing stems and reduce forked stems to a single stem, favouring the stronger stem. I recommend making a straight cut that is well above the eye, which allows the eye to sprout new stems. The old advice of making a sloping cut just above the eye so that water would run easily off the wound is not really an issue in our climate. A slanted cut can actually cause problems; if it is on the same level as the eye, the stem will likely dry out, and not produce any new growth. It is much better to make a straight cut.

CONTACT ludwigsroses.co.za

Ask JJ

Why no olives?

Sara Truter of Somerset

West writes I have a 10-year-old olive

tree that has grown well but has not shown any signs of bearing fruit. Last year, I treated it for a sooty mould infestation, but that seems to have cleared up.

Now the leaves have these ‘bleached’ spots on them; could this be affecting its fruiting ability? What can I do to improve the health of my olive tree?

JJ replies Olive trees don’t need cross-pollination but will fruit a lot better when there are two or more varieties flowering at the same time. Olive trees prefer alkaline soil and they especially appreciate an application of agricultural lime every couple of months. Feed every two or three months with 8:1:5 fertiliser to encourage leaves, flowers and fruit. The spots on your leaves are a sign of a leaf hopper infestation (common in olive trees); treat with Avigard or Malathion. Try to mist-spray it over the entire tree and repeat after 10 days. >> Listen to JJ’s gardening tips and tricks on Derrich Gardner’s show Brekfis met Derrich at 07:40 every Saturday on RSG. July 2021

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Photograph Gillian Eva

We love succulents!

shopping

Hunter gumboots R1 999, Superbalist

Garden goodies Compiled by Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel

Hertex Haus outdoor side table (60 x 60 x 38cm) R1 599, Yuppiechef

Three-pack plastic garden fence (60 x 32cm) R59.99, Mr Price Home

Pot Paris bag (43cm) R195, Leroy Merlin

Medium woven pot on stand R299.99, Mr Price Home

H&S outdoor folding chair R999, Superbalist Alva patio heater with glass (220 x 18 x 76cm) R6 599, @home

New in nurseries!

Two-toned stunner Ranunculus Mâché ‘Lemon Rose Bicolour’ is available as a pot specimen or a six-pack of seedlings. This seedgrown variety makes it possible to enjoy these showy spring flowers without needing to plant bulbs. ‘Lemon Rose Bicolour’ is a new introduction to the Mâché range that includes single colours such as orange, pink, purple, red and yellow, as well as mixes of bold or pastel colours. The strong-stemmed plants are vigorous, producing large flowers offset by dark green leaves. They do best in full sun in fertile, well-composted soil that drains well. With a height of 30–40cm, they are ideal for filling a garden bed behind a low-growing border of pansies or violas, as well as in window boxes and patio pots.

CONTACT ballstraathof.co.za

Fotakis outdoor rug (160 x 230cm) R1 999, Superbalist

Ryobi mini blower (600W) R590, Builders

JoJo owl house (43 x 55 x 46cm) R795, Leroy Merlin

Lasher fan rake R160, Builders STOCKISTS @home 0860 834 834, home.co.za Builders 0860 284 533, builders.co.za Leroy Merlin 010 493 8000, leroymerlin.co.za Mr Price Home 0800 212 535, mrphome.com Superbalist 087 362 7300, superbalist.com Yuppiechef 0861 702 4969, yuppiechef.com

96 home July 2021

PROMOTION

ON LIFE!

Harvesting the cellular energy of olive sprout stem cells, African Extracts Hydrofirm-C+ promises smoother, younger-looking skin.

Available at Dis-Chem and selected Clicks stores for R260 to R280 a product.

Getty Images

T

he olive tree has been cultivated for as many as 6 000 years. The fruit provides a highly nutritious (and delicious) oil that’s used for nourishing both the inside and the outside of the body in cooking, food and beauty treatments. This hardy, droughttolerant plant is also an attractive addition to gardens and patios.

Now there’s a new use for the olive in skin science, thanks to advances in understanding the regenerative power of plant stem cells in anti-ageing skin care.

African Extracts skin care is best-known for its Bio-Active Rooibos extract. New anti-wrinkle Hydrofirm-C+ also includes an award-winning natural ingredient innovation, using unique lipids extracted from the stem cells of olive tree sprouts. It’s essentially the ‘battery’ that powers olive cell replication. The ingredient works synergistically within the skin to re-energise mature cells to behave like younger cells. The result is accelerated cell renewal and skin that looks younger, smoother and fresher. Isn’t that what we all want from our daily skin care?

The Hydrofirm-C+ range has a Moisturiser SPF15, luxurious Night Treatment Mask and a silky-smooth Serum for Face and Eyes. Independent tests show a 24-hour moisture boost, skin visibly smoother in 14 days, and wrinkles reduced in 28 days. More than 100 South African women tried the range for 28 days with positive results. It’s also fragrance-free, vegan and endorsed by Beauty Without Cruelty.

Find out more and read the testimonials at www.africanextracts.com.

crossword #152

Compiled by Gerda Engelbrecht

of eight NB Publishers books worth R375 could be yours.

WIN! One Hearty Home Food with Sipho by Siphokazi Mdlankomo, a runner-up in MasterChef SA 2014, features easy and affordable recipes to suit every palate. Siphokazi keeps things simple with delicious flavours including herbs, marinades, sauces and dressings; hearty and wholesome with soups, breads, pastas and traditional feasts; and light but flavoursome in the form of fish, calamari, sides, salads and vegetarian dishes. And that’s not all!

She also offers tasty and easy-to-prepare finger foods and snacks as well as decadent treats like cakes, bakes, puddings and sweets to spoil family and friends. The first eight readers whose correctly completed crosswords are drawn will each win a copy of Hearty Home Food with Sipho worth R375.

Send the completed crossword, and your details, to Home Crossword #152, PO Box 1802, Cape Town or scan in your completed crossword and email it to competition@homemag.co.za to reach us by 30 July 2021. See our competition rules on page 136.

Name ............................................................................. Address ..........................................................................................................................

Postal code .................. Cell .............................................. Tel. (w) ............................................. Email .........................................................

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Note: The solution to Crossword #150 is online at homemag.co.za.

PROMOTION

IT’S A SHOWSTOPPER! Chateau Dresser free standing designer kitchens

Visit Milestone Kitchens’ brand-new showroom in Johannesburg and select your own stylish and practical freestanding units.

T

he team at Milestone Kitchens invites you to explore their trendy new space at 52 6th Street in Parkhurst, Randburg.

Pop in to experience the freestanding kitchen concept for yourself – with timeless units to suit every style, you’re bound to find the perfect pieces for your own home. Better yet, you can select your favourite items in the morning and find yourself cooking up a storm in your new kitchen that evening!

That’s one of the perks of freestanding units – you can literally purchase an instant kitchen. Not only that, but you can also easily relocate your units fuss-free when the fancy takes you – redesign your current space or create a brand-new one!

Every couple of months, Milestone Kitchens puts one of its stunning showroom kitchens up for auction; to place a bid on the kitchen pictured, WhatsApp Milestone Kitchens Showroom on 082 891 1719 or email showroom@milestonekitchens.co.za.

milestonekitchens2010

MilestoneKitchens

Silvia Miles of Milestone Kitchens.

@milestone_kitchens_.

Freestanding units make it so much easier to create a cohesive flow throughout your home. The Chateau Dresser (see above) can be used as a coffee station or display cabinet in your lounge, bringing your kitchen and living area together beautifully.

– Silvia Miles

For more information, visit milestonekitchens.co.za.

vegetable flowers

Too pretty to eat!

When their veggies started to bloom, these two plant lovers launched an exciting new venture.

By Marié Esterhuyse • Photographs Kosie Jansen van Rensburg Styling Melissa Rautenbach

THE OWNERS Conrad Conradie and Louise Steenkamp WHERE The Wild Bunch Flower Farm, Wellington SIZE 5ha TYPE OF SOIL Sandy and loamy

C

onrad Conradie and Louise Steenkamp are passionate about growing plants. Even when they lived in a basement apartment in the heart of London, these plant enthusiasts had a garden.

“We travelled through Europe and Africa for a number of years but in our early thirties returned to Conrad’s hometown of Wellington, where we leased land on the slopes of the Groenberg mountain and started growing organic vegetables,” says Louise. “Using that produce, we supplied veggie boxes to households and restaurants in the Boland. One year, though, the demand for artichokes was so low that the plants bolted and produced the most beautiful blooms. I still remember feeling a little despondent that all that delicious produce was going to waste as we simply could not consume it fast enough!

“That same week, Mabel Steenkamp of Die Gieter, a florist in Paarl, visited us and spontaneously exclaimed: ‘Oh, Louise, I must have these beautiful flowers in my shop!’ And that’s when our flower adventure began.”

The following week, Louise went in search of more florists and she remembers well how they would run out of their shops when she arrived with her load of unusual blooms.

“Conrad and I began to see our vegetables with new eyes and couldn’t wait for the onions, carrots and the rest of the veggies to show us what flowers they were capable of producing! It’s now 15 years later and the artichoke and onion blooms are still our biggest hits.” >>

Yellow Santolina chamaecyparissus and grey Syncarpha ‘Pink Bud’ are planted between a tall hedge of penny gum (Eucalyptus cinerea) and a lower-growing spekboom hedge. “In days gone by, people would sew Santolina stems into their curtain seams to prevent fish moths from eating the fabric,” says Louise.

Perennial sweet pea (Lathyrus latifolius) blooms all summer long and the foliage is delivered to florists throughout the year.

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Other than Conrad and Louise, there are five workers who ensure that things run smoothly on the farm. “Kaylene Jacobs (far left) is in charge of the germination tunnel and makes sure that each and every seed receives the best care. Luca Jeremia (fourth from left), Linda Molo, Alex Nkhungulu and Edwin Ezekiel are indispensable and all bring something special to the table,” says Louise.

Seasonal tasks After six years on leased land, Conrad and Louise bought five hectares of farmland just outside Wellington and started The Wild Bunch Flower Farm. “It all happened very quickly.

Even before the sale had been concluded, Conrad had started planting trees,” Louise recalls.

“He chose avenues of American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and water oak (Quercus nigra) for their beautiful autumn shades, as well as coral trees (Erythrina coralloides) for their bright orange flowers in late winter when not many other plants are in bloom.

Then we planted a hectare of artichokes, a hectare of onions (Allium) and a hectare of annual and perennial flowering plants. We now have four hectares planted up with flowers.

Starting an enterprise like this from scratch is just the type of challenge we thrive on!”

Most of the flowers and vegetables are propagated from seed, while others are grown from cuttings or bulbs.

“Perennial crops can grow in the same spot for years, but annuals are sown from scratch each season,” Louise explains.

“We have a fabulous germination tunnel that is filled with seedlings in different stages of germination throughout the year. To maintain continuity, we sow seeds on an ongoing basis; this also ensures that we have sufficient flowers to pick all year round. Some of the seeds are so tiny, but months later we are amazed when the plant bears the biggest and most beautiful blooms.”

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vegetable flowers

Millet

Rosemary

I enjoy picking buckets of flowers, securing them with an elastic band in bunches of 10 and delivering them to our clients. It’s so satisfying to see how they’ve been turned into works of art on Instagram that same day. – Louise

Asparagus

Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Twister’

Scabiosa atropurpurea is a popular cut flower that will last a long time in a vase if you trim off its leaves below the waterline.

Each month and each season brings its own tasks. In spring and summer, they carry out succession sowing and planting of annual crops.

“We regularly apply mulches of wood chips and shredded vineyard shoots between the plants, which ensures that the beds remain moist and the weeds don’t take over. In autumn, we plant bulbs such as Ranunculus, Anemone, Narcissus and grape hyacinth that bloom in spring. And in winter there’s plenty of maintenance work to be done.

We also make compost all year round, which is incorporated into the beds on a regular basis.”

The Wild Bunch Flower Farm supplies blooms to florists around the country. During the flowering season, the artichokes and Alliums are sent to a retailer, and they export flowers to Europe, Asia and the US. “We deliver to florists in the Boland and Cape Town area early in the morning. Conrad does this task in summer, and I do it in winter.

When our customers open their stores, the flowers are already there waiting. By 6am we’re back on the farm and then our whole team starts picking flowers for the next day. The rest of the day is taken up with planting and digging – we’re always busy!” explains Louise. >>

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Lockdown For flower farmers worldwide, 2020 was an extremely difficult year. Since there was no demand for flowers for weddings and large functions, Conrad and Louise decided to hang some of their surplus blooms in the loft of their home. “Soon it was the most beautiful room in our house!

“We do sell some of our dried flowers but actually plan to rent out this space for dining, receptions and workshops,” says Conrad. “We’ve always known that dried artichokes look amazing, but some of the other flowers really surprised us. And, fortunately, the driedflower trend has really taken off so there’s currently a huge demand for them.”

The couple also launched seed company The Flower Cartel during lockdown. Conrad and Louise realised that they would have to do something to create an alternative source of income, so they teamed up with Francois du Toit of Fanna and Flora and Anneke Huyzers of Terra Nova Flower Farm to establish The Flower Cartel. (Read more about this in Home Yard, on sale in early July.)

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Conrad and Louise’s beautiful old house in Wellington is open to the public every Friday in summer.

Louise creates a pop-up shop where visitors can buy flowers for the weekend.

plants of the month

gardens

E YE- CATCHING

blooms

Follow Conrad and Louise’s lead and grow these veggies for their striking flowers.

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) PLANT GUIDE Perennial Height 100–150cm Position Full sun Sow in seed trays Sowing time October to January Germination 7–10 days at 20–26ºC* Transplant seedlings 4–6 weeks later, from November to March Spacing 100cm apart Flowering season Summer Growing tip Provide well-drained, compost-rich loamy soil.

Harvesting tip The neck under the fruit/ flower must be firm before you pick them; they can be picked closed, half-open or open.

Wild carrot

(Daucus carota ‘Dara’) PLANT GUIDE

Onion (Allium) PLANT GUIDE Annual Height 75–100cm Position Full sun Sow in seed trays or directly in the soil Sowing time January to April Germination 10–20 days at 18–20ºC* Transplant seedlings 8–12 weeks later, from March to May Spacing 15cm apart Flowering season October to January Growing tip Alliums like compost-rich, well-drained soil.

Harvesting tip Pick flowers in bud or when already open.

Annual Height 120cm Position Full sun Sow directly in the soil Sowing time All year round Germination 12–16 days Spacing 30cm apart Flowering season 90 days after sowing Growing tip Wild carrots prefer sandy soil with good drainage.

Harvesting tip Pick when 80% of the small flowers that make up one large flower cluster have opened.

* Seeds take longer to germinate in cooler weather.

CONTACTS Fanna and Flora facebook.com/Fanna-and-Flora Terra Nova Flower Farm terranovaflowers.co.za The Flower Cartel theflowercartel.co.za The Wild Bunch Flower Farm facebook.com/thewildbunchflowerfarm; instagram.com/thewildbunchflowerfarm

reader garden

A formal affair Charmaine and Martin Haines’ Nieu-Bethesda garden is as distinctive as their artworks.

By Marie Opperman • Photographs Greg Cox Production Marian van Wyk

Martin built the pool in front of the guest cottage in 2005. “It is nice and private as it’s surrounded by hedges.

We like the fact that the design of the pool resembles a naturallooking dam. The pool was lined with attractive green tiles.”

WHO LIVES HERE? Charmaine and Martin Haines WHERE Nieu-Bethesda SIZE OF GARDEN 600m2 TYPE OF SOIL Clay

T

he garden created by this artistic couple is one of surprises and contrasts. Not only is this lush oasis unexpected in the quiet, dusty streets of Nieu-Bethesda, but its formal Victorian layout – with straight gravel paths and demarcated flowerbeds – is even more of a surprise. The garden is kept lush with leiwater that is supplied to residents via furrows running through their properties (similar to those along the town’s streets), while the beds are filled with hardy plants that can withstand the harsh winter frosts.

And the artworks on a wall decorated with mosaics – a woman with jet-black hair, a long-legged rabbit, a variety of pots – are not your standard roadside craft purchases. >>

Fine gravel ensures that the pathways are easier to walk on. “We prefer the warm stone colour over the usual grey, and love the textures and natural look of our garden.” The two shrubs on the right are ‘Iceberg’ roses and the shrub on the left is a Chinese snowball (Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’); it is drought-tolerant and bears green blooms that turn white with time.

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Paint colour

Dulux Salisbury Stones

The grapevine-covered pergola over the back stoep provides shade in summer and lets sunlight through in winter. Since its foliage does not grow too densely, the living room still gets lots of natural light. Yellow urn from The Mulberry Pottery

The Onion House Nieu-Bethesda is best known for the Owl House, a museum featuring eccentric artist Helen Martins’ otherworldly cement and crushed-glass sculptures. Charmaine and Martin, themselves well-known ceramic artists, live just a few blocks from the Owl House in a home that bears the name Onion House.

The couple moved to Nieu-Bethesda from the coast near Gqeberha 20 years ago. “Our daughter, Emma, grew up here. Even before we bought the house it was known as the Onion House because onions, garlic and potatoes harvested from nearby plots were stored in it,” explains Charmaine.

Nieu-Bethesda, which lies about 50km from Graaff-Reinet, became a municipality in 1886. “Our house was originally a simple nagmaalhuisie (communion house) with no bathroom,” says Charmaine. “The only rooms we added on were a bathroom and scullery as we wanted to stay as true to the original character of the house as possible.

“We love Nieu-Bethesda and its tight-knit community. This place is a balm for the soul, with beautiful scenery and wide-open spaces.

People here are not as materialistic as they are in the cities. We’re all very environmentally conscious and understand the value of our water resource – despite the town’s name meaning ‘place where water flows’.

Whenever we tackle a project, we consider its style, colour and texture.

Everything we create must respect the unique character of the Karoo.”

Charmaine was head of ceramic design at Nelson Mandela University for 20 years. Her artwork often features fish, birds and icons, while Martin’s sculptures and functional pieces such as plates usually bear his signature rabbit motif. >>

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The small windows are typical of the Karoo; they keep the house cool in summer and help to retain heat in winter. Martin made and painted the shutters.

Rambling roses tumble over fences, softening the garden’s formal lines.

reader garden “People have dubbed our house ‘the unpainted house’,” says Charmaine. The walls were finished with Portland cement mixed with ochre oxide and water-based resin to give it the typical Karoo adobe house look.

Stained glass by David Manning Stained Glass

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Symmetry and balance When Charmaine and Martin bought the property, all it had was a rickety boundary fence, a gate and an outside loo. Everything was overgrown with grass, bushes and weeds – far from the formal aesthetic these two creatives wanted for their garden.

“We like the symmetry and balance of walled, well-shaped beds connected by gravel pathways to demarcated areas.”

Charmaine says they planned and established the garden themselves. “It actually evolved quite organically into the formal layout we have now. We started with a wall and hedges to create privacy and to provide shelter from the wind, and developed the garden further after building the swimming pool in 2005. We also added gravel paths leading to the house, demarcated with rambling rose hedges.

“We like having our plants in well-planned beds, partitioned off with shrubs that are trimmed into squares and balls to enhance the formal look. The low walls around the flowerbeds also have a functional purpose: when we irrigate, no water goes to waste as they keep the water in.” In keeping with its Karoo character, only natural-looking materials such as stone and cement have been used in the garden. >>

Martin and Emma, then aged four, in front of the house in 2001. The photos were taken right at the start of the renovations after the steel-framed windows had been removed. Some sections of the home’s walls, which had been built with mud, were reinforced with gauze and then plastered.

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The chimney and alcove of the wood-fired stove in the kitchen forms the backdrop to this lovely seating area with its retro bench, table and chairs.

A large glazed pot made

by South African potter Yogi de Beer sits in the corner. The glazed plate with the rabbit motif is one of Martin’s pieces.

Wire chairs from Chair Crazy

“Even though our garden is structurally formal, it is probably more typically Karoo than Victorian,” says Charmaine with a smile.

The neatly trimmed ball-shaped saltbush shrubs are the handiwork of Norman Maswan, who helps out in the garden twice a week.

Gravel from AM Harbron Quarries

reader garden A view across the valley to the Sneeuberg mountain, with Nieu-Bethesda nestled below.

MARTIN’S TIPS FOR GARDENING IN THE KAROO • Find out what grows well in your area.

• Take note of the wind direction in your garden so that you can provide shelter for vulnerable plants.

• Check how much growth space a plant needs and its ideal growing conditions before planting it.

• Know when to plant. Our growing season in Nieu-Bethesda is very short. We have to be cognisant of the frost season and never plant before the end of October.

• Choose evergreen plants to add life and colour in winter – common boxwood, ornamental kale and spinach are all excellent options.

• ‘Iceberg’ roses are very resilient. After a devastating hailstorm in January, we cut ours back hard; by February the shrubs were in full bloom again.

• Follow waterwise gardening principles: retain water with good compost-rich clay soil, dam up flowerbeds with soil, create low walls and plant indigenously.

A conifer defines each corner of this formal bed, adding height and symmetry. The rows of small common boxwood plants will later form a hedge.

Plant choice All the plants in this garden are adapted to the local climate. “In winter, the temperature can drop to -16°C,” says Charmaine. “By May this year, we’d already had frost! But roses do well here, as do bulbous plants such as garlic, onions and day lilies. And we can grow fennel and artichokes. We also have wisteria, grapevines, Boston ivy, pomegranate trees, pecan nut trees, quince trees and certain conifers.

“We’ve planted several cactuses, including the queen of the night (Selenicereus grandiflorus); its flowers are so white, they practically glow in the dark. You can propagate it by simply breaking off a shoot and planting it. Or, if they drop off, they’ll grow where they’ve fallen. We favour plants with white blooms because they look so beautiful at twilight.”

They seldom buy new plants, Charmaine says. “We propagate our own plants from seeds and cuttings of those that we know thrive here. Martin is always collecting cuttings and seeds.”

The couple even have plants grown from seeds that they collected in France when they lived there years ago. “Even though we lived in a rented house, Martin still couldn’t resist growing cuttings in bags. Before we left, we gave bags full of plants to a couple who had recently moved into a house without a garden. Back then, they were novice gardeners but they’ve become keen gardeners with a beautiful place.”

Charmaine says the Karoo has very definite seasons. “We love it! In the heat of summer we keep busy with watering. In winter, we can rest a bit as we don’t have to water as often.

And July or August is pruning time.

“We’ve almost achieved our goals for our garden. But, of course, a garden is always a work in progress with new, different plants that have the potential to thrive here.”

STOCKISTS AND CONTACTS AM Harbron Quarries 041 991 0600 Chair Crazy chaircrazy.co.za Yogi de Beer 021 790 9829, yogidebeer@telkomsa.net David Manning Stained Glass dmsg.co.za/ Charmaine Haines charmainehaines.co.za, @charmainehaines_ceramics Martin Haines @martinhaines_ceramics The Mulberry Pottery themulberrypottery.com/

The sculpture of the woman’s head is Charmaine’s handiwork. The rabbit is by the late Willie Maswan, a local builder who also created cement sculptures.

The mermaid sculpture on the low wall was bought from a hawker outside the Owl House.

A well-defined gravel pathway leads you to the swimming pool area.

Thriving leek, fennel and immature artichoke plants in Martin’s veggie garden.

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BLUE CHEESE, BILTONG AND PORT SOUP Recipe on page 117.

Soul food from the K AROO

By Johané Neilson • Photographs Greg Cox

The uk’Aukarob* offers a bounty of delicious ingredients – think lamb and venison, figs, olives and olive oil, biltong and cheese. Just what’s needed for these winter winners! * Hardveld in Orakobab (a Khoekhoe language)

Accessories Plan B Vintage (082 491 3677, facebook.com/PlanBDecor)

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karoo pantry

VENISON PIE WITH CHUTNEY

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Venison pie

Apple and raisin chutney

Tomato purée isn’t traditional in a venison pie but I love the flavour of the spices with the Makes 500ml tomato in the meat sauce. Taste for yourself!

Preparation: 20 minutes Marinate the venison in buttermilk overnight, Cooking time: about 2 hours if you want to temper the flavour of the meat.

Makes 2 medium-sized pies Preparation: 1 hour Cooking time: Long but worth it!

Oven temperature: 200°C • 45ml olive oil • 1 deboned springbok leg (about 2kg), cubed • 200g smoked bacon, diced • 5ml ground coriander • 10 black peppercorns • 2 star anise • 5 cloves • 3 bay leaves • 1 tin (410g) tomato purée • 125ml chutney • 125ml cream • potato flour or maizena • 2 rolls puff pastry, thawed • 1 egg, beaten 1 Heat the oil in a saucepan and fry the venison in batches until golden-brown and caramelised all over. Then fry the bacon.

Spoon all the meat back into the pot and add the spices, chutney, and tinned tomatoes; fill the empty tin with water and add to the pot.

Now simmer over very low heat until the meat is melt-in-your-mouth soft (about 3–4 hours).

After about 1½ hours, check that the pot isn’t too dry and top up with water as needed.

2 Flake the meat, spoon it back into the pot and add the cream. Heat the filling until warmed through and thicken with a little potato flour or maizena. Season with salt and pepper to taste and allow to cool completely.

3 Preheat the oven. Spoon the meat into two pie dishes or make individual pies in small ovenproof dishes. Cover the filling with the puff pastry, brush with beaten egg and decorate with pieces of leftover pastry (make roses or cut into petals); also brush these with egg and remember to make a few holes or notches in the pastry for the steam to escape.

Bake for 30–45 minutes or until the pastry is cooked through and golden-brown. Serve with apple jelly or apple and raisin chutney (see recipe alongside).

• 500g sour apples, peeled, cored and grated • 2 onions, chopped • 200g seedless raisins • 2 garlic cloves, finely crushed • 15ml ground coriander • 15ml sea salt flakes • 500ml brown vinegar • 1 red chilli, finely chopped • 15ml ground ginger • 375ml brown sugar 1 Mix all the ingredients in a large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and then simmer slowly until the chutney is thick and dark (about 2 hours). Stir occasionally.

2 Bottle in sterilised jars and seal. Store in a cool, dark place to mature for at least a week before using the chutney.

Blue cheese, biltong and port soup This recipe, adapted from Veld to Fork by Gordon Wright, is the perfect comfort food for a chilly winter’s evening. It’s very rich, but makes the ideal starter in small bowls with bread for dipping.

Serves 6 Preparation: 25 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes • 60ml butter • 125ml flour • 3ml freshly ground black pepper • pinch of ground coriander • pinch of nutmeg • 250ml full-cream milk • 750ml chicken stock • 125ml grated mature Cheddar • 125ml biltong powder, plus biltong shavings to serve • 125ml cream, plus extra to serve • 50g creamy blue cheese, plus extra crumbled bits to serve • 80ml port-style wine such as Cape Vintage 1 Melt the butter in a heavybottomed pot and whisk in the flour and spices. Remove from the heat and gradually beat in the milk and stock until smooth. Put the pot back on the stove and simmer until slightly thickened with a sumptuous texture.

2 Remove from the heat and add the Cheddar and biltong. Put the pot back on the stove over low heat and simmer for a few minutes; don’t let the cheese boil.

3 Add the cream, blue cheese and wine and heat until just hot and the cheese has melted. Serve immediately with an extra dollop of cream and the extra crumbled blue cheese and biltong shavings. >>

Benedict biltong with roosterkoek Leftover roosterkoek from last night’s braai?

Use them to make a yummy breakfast!

Serves 6 Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking time: 5 minutes

• 6 roosterkoek • a handful of rocket • a handful of thinly shaved biltong • 12 cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced • 6 fried eggs MICROWAVE HOLLANDAISE • 3 egg yolks • 15ml fresh lemon juice • 15ml buttermilk (or milk, if you don’t have buttermilk) • 3ml freshly-ground black pepper to taste • 125ml garlic butter, melted • 30ml boiling water 1 Make the sauce Beat the egg yolks, lemon juice, buttermilk and pepper together in a microwave-safe glass mixing bowl until thick and light in colour (preferably with an electric beater). Gradually add the butter until the sauce is thick and smooth.

You can’t have a braai in the Karoo without roosterkoek.

– Chantel Manning, The Flying Cook

2 Now cook the sauce in the microwave on high for 1 minute, but beat every 15 seconds. Finally, gradually add the boiling water to dilute the sauce slightly and season with salt and fresh herbs to taste.

3 Cut the roosterkoek in half and toast in a dry pan. Place rocket, biltong and tomato on each bottom half, followed by an egg.

Drizzle generously with hollandaise sauce and serve immediately!

Tip I like to make the sauce with homemade garlic butter flavoured with fresh herbs and lemon zest. If you don’t feel like keeping vampires away first thing in the morning, you can, of course, use regular salted butter.

I also don’t usually poach eggs at home; fried eggs are much easier and just as delicious, especially if you don’t want your own breakfast to get cold while you make eggs for your guests. The choice is yours! >>

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BUTTERMILK CHICKEN WITH OLIVES Recipe on page 123.

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karoo pantry

Sunday roast lamb Karoo lamb with its distinctive herbaceous flavour needs no frills to be magnificent. Traditionally, a plate of Karoo food consists of three meats and two veg (with rice and potatoes too!).

Serves 6 Preparation: 20 minutes Cooking time: 4 hours, 15 minutes (or overnight) Oven temperature: 150°C • • • • • • • •

2kg Karoo lamb shoulder 30ml olive oil a generous pinch of salt and pepper 2 large onions, cut into wedges 4 sprigs thyme 2 sprigs rosemary 2 garlic cloves, halved 2 bay leaves

1 Preheat the oven. Make sure the meat is at room temperature and rub all over with the olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs. Place the meat in a large ovenproof pan along with the onions, garlic and bay leaves. Add 2 cups of boiling water to the pan and cover tightly with a lid or foil. Put it in the oven and forget about it for 4 hours. (You can also bake it at 100°C for 8 hours or overnight).

2 Increase the oven temperature to 220°C, baste the lamb with the pan juices and grill uncovered for another 15 minutes or until nicely browned.

This step is optional but as you know, we ‘eat’ with our eyes and few things are as delicious as crispy fat.

3 Remove the meat, garlic and any large pieces of onion from the dish and keep warm. Scoop off any excess fat from the pan juices and reduce to create a delicious gravy. You can also jazz up the gravy with a spoonful of strong mustard, enrich it with cream if you feel decadent or thicken it with a spoonful of potato flour or maizena. Serve the lamb with roast potatoes and pumpkin (my personal favourite!).

Roast pumpkin with cinnamon Serves 6 Preparation: 5 minutes Cooking time: 45 minutes Oven temperature: 180°C • • • • • •

12 slices unpeeled pumpkin, seeds removed 125ml butter 125ml brown sugar 15ml ground cinnamon (or to taste) a sprinkle of coarse salt about 15ml fresh lemon juice (optional)

1 Preheat the oven. Arrange the pumpkin slices in an ovenproof pan lined with baking paper. Dot with butter, sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon and salt, and drizzle with the lemon juice.

2 Roast the pumpkin for 30 minutes until it starts to caramelise. Turn the pieces over and bake for another 15 minutes or until the pumpkin is cooked through and caramelised. If your slices are thick, cover them with foil for the first half hour, otherwise they will take longer to cook.

Tannie Des’s roast potatoes Tannie Des Marais, our neighbour during my childhood, always made the most delicious goldenbrown crispy roast potatoes. She showed me how to make these beauties on the stovetop for those occasions when the oven is full of roast meat and pumpkin.

• 2 potatoes per guest • enough canola oil for deep-frying • sea salt flakes and rosemary 1 Peel the potatoes and boil in cold salted water until just tender (about 15 minutes, depending on the size).

2 Drain the potatoes and allow to cool until just manageable. ‘Scratch’ the surface of each one with a fork.

3 Heat the oil in a large pot until piping hot (test with a piece of bread: if it floats and bubbles immediately, the oil is ready) and fry the potatoes in batches until light brown. Scoop out and drain.

4 Then fry once again in the oil until well browned and crispy. Drain again and season generously with the salt and a little black pepper and chopped rosemary, if desired. >>

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Buttermilk chicken with olives At a recent tea-and-cheese pairing at Babylonstoren, I tasted the most delicious dried olives (instead of salt) paired with a Klein River Gruberg cheese. Olives are a wonderful alternative to salt and go perfectly with chicken. Feel free to use ordinary pickled olives if you can’t find dried olives, or you can dry your own halved olives in the oven.

Serves 6–8 Preparation: 10 minutes, plus overnight marinating time Cooking time: about 1 hour

Olive oil chocolate cake The fruity flavour of good quality extra-virgin olive oil takes this cake to the next level!

Makes 1 cake • Preparation: 20 minutes • Baking time: 50 minutes Oven temperature: 180°C • 625ml cake flour • 125ml cocoa powder • 7.5ml baking powder • 3ml bicarbonate of soda • pinch of salt • 300ml castor sugar • 250ml light brown sugar • 5ml vanilla essence • 250ml extra-virgin olive oil • 250ml milk • 3 large eggs, at room temperature • 125ml boiling water, slightly cooled OLIVE OIL GANACHE • 80g dark chocolate • 30ml extra-virgin olive oil • pinch of sea salt flakes

1 Preheat the oven. Grease a 2L cake tin and set aside.

2 Sift the dry ingredients in one bowl and beat the rest of the ingredients together (except for the boiling water) in another. Beat the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Add the boiling water and beat until just smooth. Scrape all the batter into the prepared tin, make the top level and bake for about 50 minutes or until a test pin comes out clean. Let the cake stand in the pan for about 20 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

3 Melt the chocolate and olive oil carefully and stir in the salt. Allow to cool slightly and pour the ganache over the cooled cake on a pretty platter. Fresh figs go well with this treat.

• 1 whole chicken, cut into portions (or use a braai pack) • 80ml chopped sun-dried olives • 2 handfuls of baby spinach • 6 cherry tomatoes, sliced • 6 ripe figs, sliced • 30ml olive oil • 15ml balsamic vinegar • salt and pepper to taste MARINADE • 250ml buttermilk • 15ml olive oil • 15ml honey • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced • 60ml chopped flat-leaf parsley • 1 sprig rosemary • 3ml crushed peppercorns • 2 bay leaves 1 Place the chicken and marinade ingredients in a glass or ceramic bowl and mix well. Cover and marinate overnight in the fridge.

2 Preheat the oven to 160°C. Let the chicken reach room temperature. Mix the olives with the chicken and arrange in a single layer in an ovenproof dish with a lid.

Cover and roast the chicken for 45 minutes.

Remove the lid, increase the temperature to 180°C and roast for another 15–20 minutes or until the chicken is golden-brown and cooked through.

3 Mix the rest of the ingredients and serve as a salad with the chicken. You can sprinkle with extra dried olives to taste or put salt and pepper on the table so guests can help themselves. >>

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Cheese scones

Rosé and rose quinces

A classic treat for teatime!

These quinces make a delicious dessert with custard!

Makes 8 scones • Preparation: 10 minutes Baking time: 10 minutes • Oven temperature: 220°C • • • • •

500ml flour pinch of salt 20ml baking powder 125ml butter 1 extra-large egg

• about 150ml ice water • 30ml mature Cheddar, grated • 15ml milk • pinch of cayenne pepper

1 Preheat the oven. Sift the flour, salt and baking powder and rub the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Beat the egg and half of the ice water together and add to the flour mixture. Now use a butter knife to mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients in cutting movements. Add more ice water as needed – the dough should be light but stiff.

2 Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and knead several times until it comes together. Flatten the dough with your hands (to about 2cm thick). Dip a 4cm cookie cutter in flour and then press out as many scones from the dough as possible.

Knead the remaining dough lightly again and repeat. Arrange the scones on a baking tray lined with baking paper and brush each one with a little milk. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and season with cayenne pepper, then bake for 10–15 minutes until golden-brown and cooked through. Let the scones cool on a wire rack. Serve hot with jam and whipped cream.

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Serves 12 • Preparation: 15 minutes Cooking time: about 2 hours, 15 minutes • 6 quinces (with no bruises or blemishes) • 750ml rosé

• 750ml water • 2 cups sugar • 30ml rose water

1 Rinse the quinces well and rub all the fuzz off the skins.

Stir the rosé, water and sugar together over medium heat until all the sugar has dissolved.

2 Now cut the quinces in half and place them in the syrup.

Bring to the boil, turn the heat down to moderate and simmer for about 2 hours or until the quinces are tender. Turn the fruit over from time to time. Add a little more water if necessary, so that the fruit remains covered.

3 Scoop the fruit out of the syrup, then cook the syrup over high heat until it reduces and thickens; it should have the texture of golden syrup. Stir in the rose water and allow to cool slightly. Spoon the quinces back into the syrup and refrigerate.

Serve with custard or natural yoghurt for variation.

Alternative If you can’t find quinces, an autumn fruit, you can also use pears: peel and pit 6 firm, ripe pears and halve the rest of the syrup ingredients. The cooking time is much shorter: poach the pears until a knife slides easily into the flesh (about 35–40 minutes) and then reduce the syrup as for the quinces.

PROMOTION

MAKE SUPPER SOUPER! With SPAR Freshline’s convenient soup mixes, you can serve your family homemade goodness in half the time.

CHUNKY VEGETABLE SOUP SPAR Freshline Chunky Vegetable Soup Mix combines the goodness of potato, pumpkin, spinach, celery and more, all conveniently chopped and ready to use.

Serves 4 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes • 60ml SPAR salted butter • 600g SPAR Freshline Chunky Vegetable Soup Mix • 1 clove garlic, chopped • 1–2 SPAR Chicken or Vegetable Flavour Stock Cubes • 1L boiling water • 125ml SPAR Dried Soup Mix (optional)

Variations Why not use the basic recipe and then add your own flair?

1 BEANS Add a tin of drained SPAR butter beans to the soup for even more body and finish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or chives.

2 TOMATO Fry a large spoonful of SPAR tomato purée in the butter with the chunky vegetables to add colour and even more flavour. Garnish the soup with roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.

3 CHICKEN Stir in a cup of leftover shredded roast chicken or cooked chicken meatballs for meaty goodness.

By Johané Neilson • Photographs Ed O’Riley

1 Melt the butter in a large pot and sauté the SPAR Freshline Chunky Vegetable Soup Mix until fragrant.

Add the garlic, stock, water and SPAR Dried Soup Mix (if using) and stir until the stock has dissolved.

2 Bring the soup to a slow simmer, cover and cook until the vegetables are tender (about 30 minutes).

3 Liquidise half the soup but keep its lovely chunky texture or purée to a smooth consistency, if you prefer. Season to taste and serve with your favourite SPAR Freshline croutons.

quick food

We’ve got supper sorted!

Four winter favourites.

By Johané Neilson • Photographs Ed O’Riley

Butternut and chicken soup Under R85 • Serves 6 • Preparation: 20 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes • 30ml butter • 1 small onion, finely chopped • 30ml flour • 1L chicken stock • 1kg cubed butternut, steamed or boiled

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken • 250ml cream • pinch of chilli flakes • 30ml chopped parsley

1 Melt the butter in a saucepan and slowly sauté the onions until glossy. Stir in the flour and fry for another minute. Gradually beat in the stock to prevent lumps from forming. Stir in the butternut and simmer for about 10 minutes. Purée with a stick blender.

2 Stir in the chicken, cream, chilli flakes and parsley and simmer until heated through and the soup has reached the desired consistency. Finally, season with salt and pepper.

Tip Instead of just using butternut, you can use a mixture of sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots and butternut. I simply steam the pumpkin in the microwave to reduce the cooking time, but you can also cook it in the stock.

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Pork neck and spicy rice Under R110 • Serves 4 • Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes • 10ml each oil and butter • 300g boneless pork neck or ribeye steaks, cut into 1.5cm cubes • 5ml ground cumin • pinch each of cinnamon, cloves and chilli powder • 3ml turmeric

• 2 garlic cloves, chopped • 250ml jasmine rice • 500ml chicken stock • 125ml dried fruit and nut mixture • 60ml chopped fresh coriander

1 Melt the oil and butter together and brown the meat on all sides. Stir in the spices, garlic and rice and stir-fry until all the rice grains are coated with the fragrant oil. Add the stock, put a lid on the pan and steam over low heat for about 15 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed.

2 Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the fruit and nut mixture and the coriander, as well as a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

Leave covered for about 10 minutes before serving. A dollop of plain yoghurt is delicious with this dish.

Tip The cooking time for different types of rice varies, so taste and use your judgement to see whether the rice is done to your liking. Check the instructions on the packet and adjust the steaming time and amount of liquid as required. >>

PROMOTION

CLASSIC FAMILY FAVOURITES If you haven’t already tried it, discover the Clover range of products in the food aisle TODAY!

Y

ou may have noticed the red-branded Clover Classic products standing out from the rest on grocery store shelves – and for good reason, too.

Clover’s trusted heritage boasts an assortment of products made using the best quality ingredients.

Your family will simply love the timeless taste and you’ll no doubt appreciate the excellent value – from a leading brand

enjoyed by South African families for generations.

The range includes diverse products, including creamy custard, tangy mayonnaise, and grocery staples such as dairy snacks – and a baking and cooking must-have that will transform all your meals.

Here’s to new recipes, old favourites and a world of flavours, with Clover Classic.

Photographs: supplied

CREAMY GOODNESS YOU’LL LOVE CLOVER CLASSIC MAYONNAISE

CLOVER CLASSIC FAT SPREAD

CLOVER CLASSIC DAIRY SNACK

CLOVER CLASSIC CUSTARD

Add that extra something special. Clover Classic Chef Mayonnard’s Tangy Mayonnaise range is a source of 10 vitamins and is the ideal choice for your salads and saucy dishes. We love that you can choose from three levels of tanginess: mild, medium and strong.

You’ll find a mayonnaise for every occasion! What’s your flavour?

Perfect for budding bakers and experts alike! This everyday spread provides a touch of Clover cream and is also a source of 10 vitamins. Perfect as a spread to create your favourite sandwich and your secret ingredient for classic bakes and cooking, too.

Your family will love the taste of Clover Classic Fat Spread for any occasion.

Available in a convenient 500g and 1kg tub and a 500g brick.

A tasty addition to lunchboxes and midday cravings! Savour the smooth, creamy goodness of this delicious Dairy Snack.

Bonus: it’s also a source of 10 vitamins! Clover’s unique recipe provides the classic, timeless taste you love. It comes in a range of flavours: strawberry, mixed fruit, apricot, berries, vanilla or plain.

Fuss-free dessert for the win. Clover Classic Custard is convenient and so yummy. This delectably creamy, thick and smooth treat is ready to eat – enjoyed on its own or deliciously incorporated into your family’s favourite dessert. You’ll find it in a 1L pack and a choice of easy-to-use 6 x 200ml packs – ideal for lunchbox surprises and treats on the go.

quick food

Warm roasted veggie salad Haddock in cheese sauce

Fabric backdrop from Schattig (schattig.co.za)

Under R150 • Serves 4 • Preparation: 25 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes • Oven temperature: 200°C • 50ml butter • 40ml cake flour • 500ml hot milk • 5ml mustard powder • pinch of nutmeg

• 250ml grated Cheddar • 4 haddock fillets • 300g cauliflower, steamed • 6 cherry tomatoes, sliced • cooked rice, to serve

1 Preheat the oven. Melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour; fry for a minute. Whisk the milk in gradually to prevent it from forming lumps. Simmer for about 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Remove from the heat and stir in the mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste, as well as half of the cheese.

2 Arrange the fish and cauliflower in an ovenproof dish and pour the cheese sauce over the top. Arrange the tomato slices on top and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the fish is done enough to flake. Serve with rice and a salad.

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Under R110 • Serves 4 • Preparation: 20 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes • Oven temperature: 200°C • 1 medium-sized butternut, peeled and cubed • 1 sweet potato, cubed • 1 red pepper, diced • 1 red onion, cut into wedges • 3 large baby marrows, cut into pieces

• 15ml olive oil • 3ml each smoked paprika, coriander and cumin • 15ml fresh lemon juice • sprig of rosemary • 1 tin (400g) chickpeas • 2 ripe avocados, cubed • 2 rounds feta, crumbled

1 Preheat the oven. Mix the butternut, sweet potato, red pepper, onion and baby marrows (make sure you have about 1.5kg of vegetables in total) and stir in the olive oil, spices and lemon juice. Add the rosemary and chickpeas and spread everything in an even layer in an ovenproof dish. Roast for 25–30 minutes or until all the vegetables are tender.

2 Add the avocado and feta to the vegetables and dish up!

Stretch the meal by serving it with brown rice or couscous; a dollop of Greek yoghurt on top is delicious.

PROMOTION

AN AVO A DAY… It’s avocado season!

To celebrate, add this fruit (yes, it’s a fruit) to your family’s winter meals.

SHAKSHUKA WITH AVOCADO AND HARISSA YOGHURT Serves 4 • Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Did you know?

Delicious, nutritious and versatile – you can’t go wrong with an avocado. This fruit is high in copper, a great source of fibre (5.3g fibre/100g) and it contains antioxidants – all of which help support the immune system. So, give your meals a delightful and healthy twist by adding an avocado (or two).

For more info and avocado recipes, visit avocado.co.za or iloveavocadoSA on Facebook and iloveavossa on Instagram.

30ml avocado or olive oil 1 red onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 5ml ground turmeric 5ml smoked paprika 1 red and 1 yellow pepper, diced 1 tin (400g) chopped tomatoes 125ml tomato passata or tomato purée 100ml water 5ml sugar 1 avocado, mashed 15ml harissa paste 250ml Greek-style or plain yoghurt 4 eggs 1 avocado, peeled and sliced coriander, to garnish flat bread, to serve

1 Heat the oil in a skillet and sauté the onion until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the turmeric and smoked paprika and cook for another minute. Add the peppers and sauté for 2 minutes until soft.

2 Add the tin of tomatoes, tomato passata or tomato puree, water and sugar and simmer for 20–25 minutes until thickened.

3 While the sauce cooks, stir the mashed avocado and harissa into the yoghurt. Set aside.

4 Using a large spoon, make four ‘wells’ in the sauce and break an egg into each.

Cover with a lid or a piece of foil and cook over low heat until the whites are cooked through or done to your liking.

5 Top the shakshuka with the avocado-andharissa yoghurt and garnish with avocado slices and coriander. Serve with flat bread.

Marmalade

steamed pudding

It’s so easy to prepare this sticky dessert over low heat on the stovetop; it’s deliciously moist and offers the perfect opportunity to eat loads of custard!

By Johané Neilson • Photographs Ed O’Riley

Makes 1L pudding Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

1

2

• 125g softened butter • 60ml brown sugar • 60ml marmalade*, plus extra to serve • 2 extra-large eggs • 310ml (1¼ cups) flour • 7.5ml baking powder • pinch of salt • 150ml hot milk

1 Beat the butter, sugar and marmalade together until creamy and well blended.

Add the eggs and beat until mixed.

3

2 Sift the flour, baking powder and salt over the batter and mix in. Finally, add the milk and beat until just smooth.

4 Fabric backdrop from Schattig (schattig.co.za)

* If you don’t like marmalade, use melted apricot jam or even golden syrup. A pinch of dried ginger is also delicious in the batter.

3 Pour the batter into a greased 1L, jelly mould, glass mixing bowl or loaf pan and cover securely with foil. The foil prevents the steam from coming into direct contact with the pudding.

4 Place the pudding container in a pot; pour boiling water into the pot until the pudding container is half submerged in water. Place the pot on the stovetop and bring the water to the boil, then reduce the heat so that the water just simmers gently and doesn’t boil rapidly. Cover with a lid and steam for about 2½ hours. You can take a peek, but don’t let too much steam escape.

step by step

food

Finally...

Insert a cake tester into the centre of the pudding; if it comes out clean, it’s done. Allow the pudding to cool slightly before carefully turning it out. Pour a spoonful of melted marmalade on top; I also add a sprinkling of fresh thyme. Serve hot or at room temperature with oodles of creamy vanilla custard.

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food & drinks

Cosy up with a cuppa and cheesecake or rich red wine in front of the fireplace!

By Johané Neilson • Photographs supplied

Neat ’n tidy

FOR THE LOVE OF TEA… Tea lovers will delight in this beautiful hardcover coffee table book, An Invitation to Tea by Maranda Engelbrecht (R490, shop.babylonstoren.com).

Enjoy seasonal recipes celebrating tea and easy no-bake treats to complement your cuppa, as well as captivating stories and anecdotes about the healing power of this traditional favourite.

Everyone needs a stack of versatile soft cotton Mungo washcloths (from R280 for a pack of 4, mungo.co.za) for kitchen chores and mopping up spills – or to simply admire their lovely colours!

Warm up!

Terrazzo Bamboo Fibre Tray R159.99, mrphome.com

Fransisco Soup Mugs R69.95 each, woolworths.co.za

THUNDERSTRUCK! The Stellenzicht Thunderstone range is a nod to the name early European settlers gave to the unusually shaped hand axes found on site in Stellenbosch and believed to have been created by lightning striking rock, Dondersteentjies. Thunderstone Red 2018 (R165, stellenzicht.com) is a Cinsault-driven blend that boasts spicy aromas and red fruit.

TOOTY FRUITY

Proudly South African A1 Fruit Water is made by infusing fresh sparkling water with a splash of real African fruit, creating a healthy and tasty treat with zero calories. The natural fruit infusion and flavours found in this refreshing drink are captured as a by-product during the fruit concentrate manufacturing process. A1 Fruit Water is also free of sugar, sweeteners and preservatives. Find Mandarin, Grapefruit and Lemon on takealot.com or visit a1fruitwater.com to find a stockist near you.

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Lactalis South Africa’s 10-months Mature Gouda, made especially for Woolworths, was crowned the South African Dairy Product of the Year for an unrivalled third time at the South African Dairy Awards in March.

The cheese is aromatic, full-flavoured and so versatile! Go to woolworths.co.za to get yours. >>

It’s a match

The full-bodied, richly textured Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (R350, tokara.com) is the perfect winter wine to serve with classic French beef bourguignon – homemade, of course!

WHIP, BAKE AND ENJOY Photograph and styling Sam Linsell

With the new all-in-one Lancewood Piece o’ Cake Cheesecake Mixes (Plain or Caramel, R99.99 each), whipping up a teatime treat is child’s play! You simply whip the filling in the tub, pour it onto a biscuit base (optional) and bake. Visit lancewood.co.za.

LIQUID GOLD Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon (R189, major retailers nationwide) has perfected its smooth top-notch flavour, earning the title of the world’s number one bourbon! Go to jimbeam/com/en.

Shape up!

Hand-painted ceramic Old Citrus, Maxima dinner plates R750 each, denagmaal.com

Contemporary bone china teapot R289.99, mrphome.com

NATURAL GOODNESS

Journey’s End boutique winery and vineyard on the Helderberg slopes above Sir Lowry’s Pass Village is home to a number of award-winning wines under the Journey’s End banner. The recently rebranded top-tier Precision range of small production wines consists of three exceptional varieties: Destination Chardonnay, Cape Doctor Bordeaux-Varietals Red Blend and The Griffin Syrah.

Journey’s End Cape Doctor 2015 was awarded a 2021 Platter’s 5-star and a 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards Platinum Medal. Visit journeysend.co.za.

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The new Bags of Bites Naturally Loaded range includes vegan and banting-friendly Choc & Ginger Clusters, Coconut & Seed Rusks, Oat & Cinnamon Crunchies, Savoury Date & Rosemary Crackers and Choc Chip Cookies. Certain variants of the new range are wheat-, nut- and gluten-free and contain no refined sugar.

Visit bagsofbites.co.za.

012 654 1218 076 536 5305

sales@fireempire.co.za www.fireempire.co.za

To advertise here, contact Evonne Mehl 078 402 1784 evonne.mehl@media24.com 136 home July 2021

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PROMOTION

Shopping guide

Take care of the whole family by filling up your basket with these goodies!

SOFAWORX We at Sofaworx understand the importance of a sofa that is both beautiful and luxurious. Our friendly staff will assist you in finding one that suits your style and comfort needs. In fact, we offer our customers the option of customising their choice of sofa in a selection of fabrics or leather. We also stock a range of complementary furniture and accessories including headboards, coffee tables, mirrors, dining room tables and chairs as displayed in our showrooms. Visit sofaworx.co.za.

FLEUR DU CAP The award-winning Fleur du Cap offers convenience without compromising on quality with the launch of two slimline 2L bag-in-a-box wines. The wine will stay fresh in your fridge for four weeks, allowing you to enjoy a single glass without wasting an entire bottle. The Fleur du Cap Sauvignon Blanc boasts brilliant clear colour with green tinges and the nose is fresh with an abundance of tropical aromas as well as floral and herbaceous undertones. This is an elegantly balanced wine with crisp, concentrated flavours of passion fruit, lime and melon on the palate.

Available from leading liquor outlets for R150 each.

CLOVER BLISS DESSERT Want a decadent chocolate desser but not in the mood to make it?

We’ve got you covered! Introducing Clover’s Bliss chocolate dairy dessert – the first real, ready-to-ea chocolate dairy dessert. No whipping, no cooking, no baking, n fuss – it’s an indulgence that’s read to eat! Pour it, use it as a sauce, or drizzle it on top of your favourite dessert. Available across all retailers. Bliss Dessert, irresistible indulgence.

CLICKS LEE STAFFORD HAIR APOLOGY For hair that has reached breaking point! Lee Stafford has launched a revolutionary haircare range called Hair Apology. If you have pushed your locks to the limit with chemicals, over-bleaching and everyday heat styling, this product is for you. Hair Apology works to restore fragile, brittle and damaged hair. Available exclusively at select Clicks stores.

EUROLUX This pendant’s see-through shade will make a stunning yet subtle décor addition to your living space. It pairs beautifully with a vintage-style Edison lamp and complements both contemporary and traditional interiors. The cognac shade creates a calm and cosy atmosphere, ideal for lighting the living room.

WHOLESOME GOODNESS Fruits of the Forest low-fat dairy snack needs no introduction. Made with real fruit pieces, enjoy a fruitful, creamy bounty with every spoonful.

Tantalise your taste buds with a variety of fruity flavours. Clover’s new creamy Fruits of the Forest cereal range has a new breakfast offering with a unique blend of oats, granola and seeds for a crunchy experience. It’s real fruit, real cereal, real taste.

July 2021

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Illustrations Paula Dubois • Translation Annelize Visser

back page

When sweet sleep abandons you Lying awake at night, desperately counting sheep, you totally get why sleep deprivation is such an effective tool for torture, writes Karin Brynard. e all know it, don’t we? That dreadful feeling in the wee hours of the night when you slowly surface from a deep, restful sleep. It wasn’t a nightmare that woke you. Or things that go bump in the night. You just woke up. Just sommer.

For a few sweet moments you’re still hovering in a state between sleep and wakefulness. Then a dog barks. Or a cricket takes out his rusty violin right outside your bedroom window. And now you know it’s over. The gods of sleep have once again abandoned you, wide awake at that old, deserted station called Insomnia. And the last train has left.

You consider your options. Should you try counting sheep?

Nah. It’s stupid.

Self-hypnosis then, counting backwards from 10 and visualising each number. But it’s dreary work. Repeat a mantra? Meditate?

These days, there are scores of apps with white noise or waves or endless muzak that will supposedly put you in a trance and send you off to dreamland. But I can’t sleep with noise, so I try listing lullabies with sheepy themes: Baa Baa Black Sheep, Mary had a Little Lamb.

But my crazy mind drops a much darker tune into the mix: Sheep by Pink Floyd. It’s a protest song, raging against the mindlessness of society’s herd mentality and the hungry hounds of doom howling on the other side of the fence.

The imagery takes on a sombre tone, the music fades. A gloomy shadow slithers into bed and nestles up against me. The night constricts into an airless cocoon and the silence closes in.

The smallest sound grows deafening: a dripping tap; the alarm clock thundering the hours to the coming end. From somewhere outside I hear an owl – there is despair in its call. And loneliness.

Three o’clock is the darkest hour of the night. The loneliest; perhaps the most fearful too. This is the hour when the tall, pale reaper carrying a scythe goes out to do his ghastly work.

And you there in your bed? The darkness turns your gaze inward.

Fitfully, you face down all your worries, you scrutinise old arguments, agonise about the things you could have done better. You worry abou

a child, the sad state of your finances, your unfinished will. If you’re not ready to die…

To console myself, I think of all the great historical figures with whom I share this bitter plight: Napoleon, Van Gogh, Kafka, Newton and Marilyn Monroe. Newton had a mental breakdown and Monroe died from an overdose of sleeping pills. Lack of sleep drives people mad – with despair, manic fear, anxiety, exhaustion and depression.

I try to steer clear of anxious thoughts. That’s why on sleepless nights I look towards the window to find the friendly countenance of the moon. And I’m reminded of the dazzle of the stars, a universe of tumbling light, a spectacle of wonder.

My mother was a fellow sufferer, but what she did was pray.

For the sparrows keeping vigil over fragile little sparrow eggs.

For the nurses in children’s hospitals, that they be kind. For the pope, that he stays humble. For miners in the darkness underground or a hopeful student studying at night.

The night, she believed, was actually a time of healing. It lets the forests breathe, sweeps pollution from the air, rakes together all the debris of the day, making space for new things to come. It’s a creative space, the night. It may bring the answer to a nagging question, or a brainwave for a brand-new venture.

Looking at the moon, I’m reminded of the starlit nights of my childhood in the Karoo. On warm summer evenings, we carried mattresses out to sleep on the veranda. Lying on our backs, we traced the sparkling constellations in the sky and listened to the distant rumble of trucks on the road to Cape Town, dozing off to dream of the cool green-silted dams where we went swimming on the farm.

Tuned into the benevolence of the night, I listen to a little nightjar’s hopeful song of salvation – good-lord-deliver-us. And with renewed hope, I surrender myself to the mercy of the night, at peace in the knowledge that the Good Lord will hear the little nightjar’s prayer.

And if we’re lucky, also ours.