Tabla de contenidos para Sep 2023 en Home

As I wrote this, the team and I were working on a bunch of projects at the same time. Naturally, one of them was this September issue which you have in your hands right now. We are also currently judging the entries for this year's Fix it with Flair competition in partnership with JoJo, and recently I got to view the lovely designs in the Milestone Kitchens Dream Design competition. Thank goodness for flights back and forth between Cape Town and Jo'burg – ah, the bliss of no emails or WhatsApps… If only the laptop battery would last! We've also just finished our second air fryer recipe book (Home Quick Food in your Air Fryer), and in a few weeks' time we'll be sending our annual Home Yard issue to…

Send décor and lifestyle news to news@homemag.co.za. A LIGHT TOUCH Inspired by birds-of-paradise, Paradise Lights (from left: Sunset, Sunrise and Lagoon; R6 800 each, arrangestudio.co.za) are proudly manufactured in SA with a golden coating on the inside of every shade for a warm glow when illuminated. Psst! Now also available in the new Paradise Floor Lamp. Luxurious linen Mungo's new small batch Terracotta linen has a rich, earthy pigment that transforms with the shifting play of light. Crisp when first woven, it develops a luxurious lived-in feel over time. We love the Kamma Linen Duvet Covers (from R4 885, mungo.co.za)! SEEING IS BELIEVING! Always Welcome Heritage House at 108 Shortmarket Street in Cape Town spans two floors of an 18th century heritage building and brings together 40 of SA's leading…

Werner Jacobs of Greenline Landscaping in Hermanus shares how he created a green oasis from a hardbaked plot of land: • “The steep property made it difficult to integrate the house, garage and guest apartment. I didn't want to build walls for the backfill because the ground was so hard. To counteract the wet winters, drainage pipes were installed to the tanks under the house. I supplemented the clay soil on top with soil and compost.” • Terraces were created to deal with the steep gradient. “I've been using the squash bag method for a few years: we fill them with a soil-and-compost mixture, pack the bags together and throw soil behind them. They are only squared off with a spade once they are more stable, then steel pegs are…

Email your queries to experts@homemag.co.za. Exposed roofs and temperature control Corien Jonker of Johannesburg writes  We have a 36m² Airbnb studio with an exposed roof. While it looks beautiful, the downside is that it's difficult to keep warm (read: expensive) in winter as the heat accumulates under the roof. In summer, it gets very hot because the roof is corrugated iron, which has already been painted white in an attempt to deflect the sun. When we renovated the studio, two windows were installed right below the roof to allow warm air to escape in summer. We also added 75mm insulation between the steel roof and the ceiling plates. We're looking for the best ‘electricity-friendly' way of heating and cooling the space. We have considered a fan that would push the…

Karen Strydom of Gqeberha writes The shampoo I use on my own hair is fragrance-free and designed for a sensitive scalp; can I use it to wash my pets? Irene Ferreira, health care manager at Bob Martin South Africa, replies Human shampoo is developed to keep our skin's pH balance acidic, while pet shampoo is designed to do the opposite and keep our furry friends' skin pH neutral. Human hair and skincare products used on animals can cause an imbalance, which could lead to skin and/or yeast infections. It's easy to find a suitable dog or cat shampoo at an affordable price. And since they're free of harsh ingredients or chemicals, they are kind to your fur-babies. Here's what to look out for when shopping for your pet's next spa…

Dust collector ES Grossman of Cannon Rocks writes My Hoya plant, which grows outside against a trellis, has a brown deposit on the leaves which is easily wiped offwith a damp cloth. As you can see from the picture, when half the leaf has been cleaned, the exposed leaf seems healthy. Not all the leaves have this deposit, neither is the deposit confined to the older leaves. What could this be? JJ replies Normally when a Hoya turns brown it is a sign of too much sun or over/underwatering. Since you're able to wipe offthe brown deposit, it is either a fungus or dirt on the leaves. My guess is that it is the latter, as Hoya leaves often secrete a sticky substance onto which dust will settle. I recommend…

STEP BY STEP FOOD Makes 1 bundt cake • Preparation: 20 minutes Baking time: 1 hour and 15 minutes • Oven temperature: 170°C • 15ml melted butter • 60ml store-bought caramel sauce (see tip below) CAKE BATTER • 440ml cake flour • 125ml cocoa • 5ml bicarbonate of soda • 2.5ml baking powder • a large pinch Maldon sea salt • 125g butter, at room temperature • 250ml light brown sugar • 1 large egg • 1 large egg yolk • 330ml buttermilk CUSTARD • 1 tin (380g) evaporated milk • 1 tin (385g) condensed milk • 170g medium-fat cream cheese • 3 large eggs • 1 large egg white • 10ml vanilla essence • a large pinch sea salt MAKE THE CAKE BATTER 1 Preheat the oven. Grease a 2L bundt…

FOOD&DRINKS KEEP YOUR COOL The insulated Kapa Cooler Bag (R230, tidefolk.co.za) is manufactured from recycled plastic waste bottles by local company Virobag. Show your support with Springbok paper plates (R34 for pack of 8, checkers.co.za). Meal kit magic! Easy-to-follow Krazy Kiwi KookBox meal kits offer Family, Keto, Plant Based and ForeverStrong recipes that will help you to whip up healthy and hearty dishes at home using local ingredients. Check out kookbox.co.za to find out more and order yours (they currently deliver in the greater Cape Town area). Take it outside! In Easy Al Fresco (R430, Penguin Random House), Ilse van der Merwe offers a simple and inspiring guide for scrumptious dishes that can all be prepared with a limited range of basic utensils, and a fire or kettle braai. Enjoy…

WINNING LETTER The BFF we all need Gaynor van Schalkwyk of Strandfontein, Cape Town writes It was while impatiently waiting my turn in the queue that I noticed her – colours so alive and radiant on the magazine stand, beckoning me to come closer. It was the dopamine effect I needed in that moment – the cover of Home July 2023. She was magical. As Dr Suess says: “Why sit down, when you can stand out?”. And she nailed it! I was transported back to 2008, freshly married and a novice at most things. Home became the BFF, teacher and psychologist we all wished we had. She was my monthly investment. She taught me to cook, bake, plant and trend. I devoured her monthly content, my creative DNA slowly surfaced.…

DO IT YOURSELF You will need SHOPPING LIST • 18mm birch plywood, cut to the following pieces: two 936 × 700mm (sides of cabinet) two 1 210 × 700mm (top and base of cabinet) • white melamine, cut to the following pieces: four 900 × 650mm, 1L (sides, cupboard and drawer unit) one 650 × 618mm, 1S (base, cupboard unit) four 618 × 70mm, 1L (top and back supports, cupboard unit) one 650 × 528mm, 1S (base, drawer unit) four 528 × 70mm, 1L (top and back supports, drawer unit) four 470 × 250mm, 1L (drawers, front and back) four 550 × 250mm, 1L (drawer sides) two 518 × 470mm (drawer bases) • single veneer MDF, cut to the following pieces: two 550 × 440mm (drawer fronts) one 890 ×…

Send garden info and queries to gardens@homemag.co.za. TOP TIP Remember to sprinkle snail bait around young seedlings as they are particularly vulnerable to these pests. Now's the time to start sowing summer-flowering annuals that will provide swathes of glorious colour in months to come. Some seeds grow easily when sown directly into garden beds (in situ). However, only do this once you are sure that all danger of frost is over. Prepare the beds with compost and well-rotted kraal manure. Seeds suitable for in situ sowing include Ageratum, Amaranthus, bedding dahlia, California poppy, cosmos, Celosia, Gaillardia, marigold, nasturtium, Lavatera, Portulaca, Salvia splendens and sweet alyssum. Other seeds germinate best when grown in seed trays (5–8cm deep is ideal) or pots; ensure there are adequate drainage holes so the seedling roots…

We love this! The new Garden Shop, also known as the Tuinwinkel, at Babylonstoren Wine Estate en route to Franschhoek is a real treat. Visitors to the glass cube can unwind in the cosy reading nook or browse the bespoke gardening tools, fascinating plants and rare bonsai trees. STOCKISTS Babylonstoren babylonstoren.com Elevenpast elevenpast.co.za Folha Plant Shop folhashop.com K.Light klight.co.za Patio Warehouse patiowarehouse.co.za ReStore senforesoil.co.za Sought After Seedlings soughtafterseedlings.co.za The Flower Cartel theflowercartel.co.za…

READER GARDEN A Dutch sailing enthusiast by the name of Kees Bruynzeel was the original owner of this property. As a tribute to him, the current owners, William Raats and David Mostert, named the house Stormvogel, after the yacht of the same name that Kees had built here in Stellenbosch in 1960. “When we moved in eight years ago, a large part of the garden was completely overgrown, with just a few trees and an expanse of lawn stretching from the street to the house. Back then, there were no hedges, and the dry stone walls were badly dilapidated. We got two stonemasons from Lesotho to restack them for us,” says David. Slate walls were built along the driveway and in the back garden; the colour of the slate complements…

QUICK FOOD Boerewors bites with potatoes Under R120 • Serves 4 Preparation: 25 minutes • Cooking time: 20 minutes • 700g baby potatoes, halved • 30ml olive oil • 1 sprig of rosemary, leaves stripped and chopped • 500g boerewors, casings removed • 250ml frozen peas, blanched in boiling water • 80g sugar snap peas, blanched • a few fresh mint leaves 1 Mix the potatoes with the olive oil, rosemary and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Place in the basket of your air fryer and air-fry for 10 minutes at 180°C. 2 Meanwhile, roll the boerewors into bite-sized balls. Toss the potatoes in the basket of the air fryer and add the boerewors balls. Air-fry for 10 minutes or until the boerewors and potatoes are golden-brown and cooked. Allow…

BACK PAGE My eldest sister, bless her, is doing the funny walk again, I notice, as if she's been practicing the cha-cha for a dance competition for seniors. She tries to hide it by walking slower, but I hear the little groans when she sits down. They're a dead giveaway – she's having more of her Humpty Dumpty days. Again. It's a family trait, this. We won't fetch a ladder to reach something high up. Too impatient. We just climb onto the nearest thing – a chair, a table, an upside-down bin, a cake tin, a box. All very well when you're in the bloom of youth. Still supple and lithe. All rubbery legs and elastic spines. But by the time you reach 50 plus, it is plain foolish. If…

FRESH IDEAS Follow the curves This green oasis under the vines outside KP and Petro Steenkamp's home in Middelburg, Mpumalanga is the perfect place for the family to relax, no matter the season. “In summer, the wild grape creates a lush entertainment area,” says Petro. “You won't believe how quickly it grows; it covers the arbour within a season.” In autumn, the leaves turn shades of yellow and bright red – and in winter, when all the leaves are gone, the filtered sunshine is a joy. “We also planted two slow-growers, wisteria and star jasmine, to add their lovely scent and floral beauty,” Petro adds. The cement table was a cost-effective DIY project done by KP, while the arbour, designed by a local metalsmith, is made from simple round bar…

ADVICE Email your queries to pets@homemag.co.za. Hot product! How cute are these Cat Scratcher Cardboard Milk Carton Houses (R449, takealot.com)? The durable cardboard carton has a high-density honeycomb structure to withstand your kitty's scratches for longer. WIN! Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a R500 voucher from Petshop Science (petshopscience.co.za). The online shop offers everything pet owners could want or need – from food and accessories to a selection of ecofriendly items. The pet industry is brimming with useful products, but any discerning pet parent knows the impact some of these can have on the environment. Do your bit by opting for ecofriendly items such as Petshop Science litter box products made from biodegradable material. And don't forget to reduce your waste by reusing and recycling the packaging!…

Yellowing leaves Loren Lewis of Randpark Ridge writes My ‘Boksburg Fantasia' roses were growing well but now I see yellow leaves on some of the plants. What is causing this? Ludwig replies When leaves lower down on the bush turn yellow it usually means they are not receiving enough sunlight or are being naturally discarded by the bush. The top leaves tend to shade the leaves lower down, especially on thinner branches that should have been pruned off in winter. Another reason may be that the stems have thickened considerably and are naturally severing such leaves. The yellow leaves just need to be pulled off. However, if the leaves are higher up on the bush and are yellow with green veins, it usually indicates an iron deficiency known as chlorosis.…

BRAAI FOOD Lamb chops with herb salsa My family's favourite braaied meat is a small lamb rib chop. These tomahawk chops are slightly longer with a little less fat, and if you're braaiing more than one type of meat, you can get away with one chop per person instead of two or three. The herb salsa is also delicious with chicken and beef. Serves 8 • Preparation: 30 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes • 8 tomahawk lamb chops • 15ml brown vinegar • 10ml coriander seeds, crushed • 2.5ml white pepper • a generous pinch of Maldon salt HERB SALSA • ½ red onion • 60ml fresh mint • 60ml parsley • 60ml dill or fennel fronds • 1 garlic clove • 15ml red wine vinegar • 15ml olive oil…