Ideas May/June 2022

Even when I am sitting here in my home office working on beautiful, creative magazines, I can’t help but notice how the world around me is changing. Who can? While Covid-19 has stripped so many people of their loved ones, their work and their businesses, those who were already unemployed and homeless before new hardship hit now seem so much more noticeable. The only good thing about this is that it forces us to be aware of what is happening around us. Closer to home, we also see the effect in our sales as readers need to focus more on necessities or are saving every cent in fear of where the petrol price is going and the impact it will have on the cost of living. So in December when I saw…

REIMAGINE THE WORLD Decorex Africa is the design authority for the décor, interior design and lifestyle industries, with a long history of bringing world-class exhibitors to the public while showcasing lifestyle trends and design highlights that are not to be missed. This year, Decorex Africa is being reimagined with a refreshed brand identity and enhanced virtual features, combining the digital and the physical. One-day summits, functioning as platforms for sharing and connection to serve the local design community, will be held as part of the main Decorex event. Decorex Africa and 100% Design South Africa are on at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 16 to 19 June 2022 and at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 28 to 31 July 2022. Go to decorex.co.za for details. RESURFACE YOUR SKIN Few…

COCOFEATURES.COM Lynn Rouwhorst was staying with her mother temporarily after a break-up when she heard about a new project in her Dutch town of Winterswijk. Her old school building, which had become vacant nine years earlier, was finally approved for housing and the conversion project, one of a few aimed at keeping young people in the village, was to start soon. Two years later and Lynn and her two kittens, Boef and Beer, could move into her apartment – just a few months before this interview. ‘In the months prior to the move, I scrolled through the online marketplace daily. I already loved thrift-shopping with my mother anyway, and now we had a goal! By the time I could move into the apartment, my mom’s storage was full of my things,’ says…

SERENE SIMPLICITY Raw cement walls or paint techniques that mimic the look are becoming very popular. Here the rough brushstrokes and various shades of grey turn it into the focus wall for the room. (A CreteStone finish can give you the same effect.) For a modern headboard, which doubles as the perfect bookshelf, install a shelf across the length of the wall and paint it white, to stand out from the grey. The wooden base of the bed and the floor add warmth to the room. For a touch of colour, use brighter bed linen. Green is an obvious choice because it is associated with peace, rest and safety – ideal for a bedroom. Repeat the green with a plant here and there, which also strengthens the sense of serenity. The…

HEALTHY VEGETABLE SOUP Turmeric is a much-loved spice that adds earthy flavour and a vibrant yellow colour to food. It has amazing health benefits because it is rich in antioxidants and also helps reduce inflammation in the body. This wholesome soup is full of flavour and will give your immune system a welcome boost during the cold winter months. Serves: 4-6 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 1 hour ♥ 45ml canola oil♥ 1 onion, chopped♥ 3 stalks celery, chopped♥ 2 cloves garlic, crushed♥ 10ml grated fresh ginger♥ 30ml grated fresh or 15ml ground dried turmeric♥ 5-10ml dried crushed chillies (optional)♥ 1kg cubed butternut or pumpkin♥ 1 x 400ml can chickpeas, drained♥ 125ml red lentils♥ 1 litre prepared vegetable stock♥ 1 x 400ml can coconut milk♥ 1 small bunch kale or spinach, sliced♥ lemon juice,…

Makes: 1 large focaccia Serves: 12-16 Preparation time: 30 minutes plus rising time Oven temperature: 180 °C YOU WILL NEED ♥ 3 x 250ml cake flour ♥ 2,5ml fine salt ♥ 5ml instant yeast (half a sachet) ♥ 350–450ml warm water ♥ 50ml olive oil, plus extra for drizzling TOPPINGS ♥ 4 baby leeks, halved lengthways and grilled in a hot pan for 1 minute ♥ fine asparagus ♥ Kalamata olives, halved ♥ feta cheese, crumbled ♥ herbs ♥ coarse salt Mix the flour, salt and yeast together in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the olive oil. Add threequarters of the warm water and mix the flour in from the sides. Add a little more water as necessary to form a soft dough. Knead for 5-7 minutes. If you…