S A’ S M O S T B E A U T I F U L M A G A Z I N E THE

MILLENNIAL EYE
SPACES CURATED
BY THE
GENERATION
PAGE 26
OTHER COUNTRIES
JUN/JUL 2018

EXCLUDING TAX
SA R56,00
No 96

R48,70

SIZE WINTER
ESCAPES

MATTERS
MAURITIUS
AND PEMBA
ISLAND

FROM MINIATURE TO MEGA

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
ON EVERY SCALE

WINTER COCOONING + FAB WALLCOVERINGS + PRIZES WORTH R90 000

 DESIGN YOUR REALITY
THE HOUSE OF RÉMY MARTIN X MATT W. MOORE
X YOU

The House of Rémy Martin has partnered with renowned artist Matt W. Moore (MWM)
on an augmented reality app that allows you to make art using your surroundings.

Matt, who is known for his colourful graphic designs, has used distinctive
Rémy Martin brand elements to develop the ARt app. It works with local landmarks
and icons, and allows users to choose from a list of bespoke MWM designs. Then,
with the augmented reality interface, you can add the animated designs to your
surroundings to Matt-Moorize your reality. This graphic visual language goes beyond
package design and invites you to join the next chapter of the Rémy Martin story.
To celebrate this design collab, VISI is giving away five bottles of Rémy Martin VSOP.
Check out how to enter this interactive competition and stand the chance to
WIN A BOTTLE OF RÉMY MARTIN VSOP, VALUED AT MORE THAN R700.
Winners will be announced on VISI.co.za at the end of July.

HOW TO ENTER:

ART APP

1 2 3

THE HOUSE OF RÉMY MARTIN

X MATT W. MOORE X YOU Go to
VISI.CO.ZA
Scan the QR code
for the how-to-
to download the
enter video
Rémy Martin ARt app. Browse and choose Capture the image Post your image to
your favourite Matt with the in-app Instagram using both tutorial.
W. Moore designs. screen-grab feature. #ARtbyRemyMartin and
#RemyMartinSA, and tag
two friends.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. The competition is open to all residents of South Africa aged 18 years or older. 2.Excluded from entering this competition are employees, directors,
members, consultants and partners of the advertising agency and agents of the brand, and their spouses, life partners, immediate family, business partners and associates. 3. There are
five prizes to be won. 4. The competition runs from 12 am on 4 June to 12 pm on 31 July 2018. 5. To enter, participants must download the Rémy Martin ARt app, “Matt-Moorize” their
surroundings and capture the image with the in-app feature, post it to Instagram using both #ARtbyRemyMartin and #RemyMartinSA, and tag two friends. 6. The competition may only
be entered once. 7. Prize winners will be randomly selected (using an automated system) and notified by telephone before 1 August 2018. The winners will be announced on the VISI
website and Rémy Martin Facebook page. 8. The promoter’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 9. The pictures shown in the promotional materials are not an
actual representation of the prize. 10. The prize cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash. 11. The promoter reserves the right to amend or terminate the competition for whatever
reason it sees fit. 12. By entering this competition, entrants agree to give the promoter and its group of companies permission to keep all material and information submitted as part
of their entry on electronic or hard-copy databases and filing systems for the purpose of the above-mentioned competition and, by entering this competition, agree to the promoter
transferring their contact details to its promotional partners to enable the awarding of the prizes. 13.The promoter will obtain written consent from the winners should it wish to use their
names, photographs and entries submitted for the purposes of unpaid publicity relating to the promotion by the promoter. 14. Entry instructions are deemed to form part of the Terms
and Conditions, and by entering this competition all participants will be deemed to have accepted and be bound by the Terms and Conditions. Please retain a copy for your information.
Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18
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 EDITOR’S LETTER .................... PAGE 17
CONTRIBUTORS .................... PAGE 20
VISI.CO.ZA .................... PAGE 22
LOOKING FOR THE MILLENNIAL EYE .................... PAGE 26
VOICES Phumlani Pikoli .................... PAGE 37
VOICES Thabiso Mahlape .................... PAGE 38
VOICES Azad Essa .................... PAGE 40
VOICES Mary Watson .................... PAGE 42

F E A T U R E S
JOBURG FAMILY HOME .................... PAGE 46
CAPE TOWN APARTMENT .................... PAGE 56
DURBAN CORPORATE HEAD OFFICE .................... PAGE 62
PRINCE ALBERT WEEKEND COTTAGE .................... PAGE 70
SANDTON HEADQUARTERS .................... PAGE 80
OUDTSHOORN HERITAGE HOME .................... PAGE 88
LANSERIA ESTATE HOME .................... PAGE 96
PEMBA ISLAND RESORT .................... PAGE 104

R E A S O N S
34 REASONS TO EXPLORE THE GREAT INDOORS
1. Highlights from Ambiente 2018 in Frankfurt
2. The K-IN kitchen from Eurocasa is a showstopper
........

........
PAGE 116
PAGE 122
132
3. Late Dame Zaha Hadid collaborated on a Bulgari ring ........ PAGE 124
4. A winter trend for fuel-efficient, low-emission heating ........ PAGE 126
5. There are two new Indigenus planter collections ........ PAGE 128
6. Rémy Martin has teamed up with Matt W Moore ........ PAGE 130
7. Casarredo now stocks Reflections Copenhagen ........ PAGE 132
8. A hobby has turned into a full portfolio for this artist ........ PAGE 134
9. In conversation with designer Cara Saven ........ PAGE 136
10. Rado watches are design-focused and featherlight ........ PAGE 138
11. A shared love of the Karoo led to this cool collab ........ PAGE 140
12. A selection of the season’s statement wallcoverings ........ PAGE 142
13. Sifiso Shange’s furniture captures African culture
14. These cabinets and headboards are one-of-a-kind
15. Ini Archibong finds inspiration in mythology
........

........

........
PAGE 144
PAGE 146
PAGE 148
176
138
16. Designer Shelley Lee has reimagined the tote bag ........ PAGE 150
17. Our picks of the top vinyl record players ........ PAGE 152
18. NOVA by Work & Co is the first mobile office ........ PAGE 154
19. Grohe’s touch-sensitive tap is a game changer ........ PAGE 156
20. This sheepskin is hypoallergenic and homegrown ........ PAGE 158
21. Melvill and Moon makes stylish safari equipment PAGE 160

124
........

22. Studio Stirling has made a study of hanging chairs ........ PAGE 162
23. Ricardo Pinto Jorge shares his memories of Maputo ........ PAGE 164
24. Skinny LaMinx has teamed up with Fechters in Knysa ........ PAGE 166
25. A roundup of 10 must-have winter goodies ........ PAGE 168
26. Our picks of proudly South African Pinotage ........ PAGE 170
27. Studio H is having fun with its 3D food printer ........ PAGE 172
28. Artvark Gallery continues to make a statement ........ PAGE 174
29. This trio of tables is inspired by a love story ........ PAGE 176
152

30. Cecil Nurse has a solution for noisy open-plan offices ........ PAGE 178
31. A first-hand look at LUX* Grand Gaube in Mauritius ........ PAGE 180
32. Mercedes Benz has relaunched it iconic G-Class ........ PAGE 184
33. Three books for perusing in front of a fireplace ........ PAGE 186
34. Win a Siemens coffee machine, worth R22 999 ........ PAGE 188
Smart idea ........ PAGE 192

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 As the dire drought in the Cape dragged on, I was convinced this was the year
we were going to experience that elusive endless summer…
But then, at the beginning of May, I took a road trip to Prince Albert with
photographer Jan Ras to photograph Jonno Sherwin and Johan Hugo’s
charming cottage. As we drove through De Doorns I noticed all the vines had
turned a light shade of aubergine; at Matjiesfontein there was a distinct nip
in the air; and the next morning before sunrise
I was longing for my warm velvet coat that was,
sadly, back in Cape Town. Winter has finally arrived
here in the Western Cape, and with it our focus has
shifted indoors.
This issue is all about playing with scale. Here at
VISI HQ we fell in love with the oversized images on
Cara Saven’s wallpapers. She admits to being “a little
obsessed with oversized things”. These statement
wall coverings, made right here in South Africa, are
the easiest and quickest way (aside from paint, that
is) to give any interior a totally fresh look.
Deputy editor Annemarie Meintjes recently
attended Salone del Mobile 2018 in Milan, and she
says oversizing was one of the standout trends at
the exhibition. The Moooi stand was her favourite,
and she says if there was one item she could have
brought back with her from Italy it would have been
the dartboard Marcel Wanders designed for Moooi.
Hopefully, our local exclusive Moooi stockist,
Weylandts, will have it in stock soon, as well as my
personal favourite, a rug with gigantic delicious
PHOTO ANDREW MEREDITH/MOOOI

monster leaves all over it.

So, instead of letting winter get you down, start
playing with oversized botanicals on dark back-
grounds, paired with luxurious pieces upholstered
in velvet.
It’s this playful approach to decorating that
we admire in millennials, and it is rapidly changing
the way young creatives are curating their spaces
based on looks and likes, which are then shared
with the world via social media. Have a look at our
take on this trend on page 26.
The spaces featured in this issue range from
a miniscule 47 m2 studio in the Cape Town CBD to Sasol’s humungous
68 000 m2 Sandton HQ… and pretty much all sizes in-between.
Check out all the winners of the Corobrik SAIA Awards for Architecture on
our website, and before you know it winter will be a thing of the past.

– Sumien
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 EDITORIAL TEAM
Editor-in-Chief Sumien Brink
Deputy Editor Annemarie Meintjes
Assistant Editor Tracy Greenwood
Art Director Anton Pietersen
CLINTON FRIEDMAN, DESIGNER AND PHOTOGRAPHER Managing Editor Samantha Charles
Are you a winter or summer person? Summer. Features Editor Amelia Brown
Is there anywhere else in the world you would like to live? I’m quite Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring
happy in KwaZulu-Natal, which is where I live now. Content Producer Mary Garner
Do you have a weekend or holiday bolthole or a dream location? Copy Editor Kay-Ann van Rooyen
Junior Advertising Designer Julia Tatos
Mostly my garden or the sea.
What’s the winter meal you make for friends? Durban curry with ADVERTISING & MARKETING TEAM
fresh fish. Head of Advertising and Sales Jeanine Boshoff
What’s on your seasonal reading list? The Tipping Point: How Little Things Business and Digital Sales Manager Diane Lubbe
Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell. 021 417 1147 / 083 391 1651
What kicked off your love of design? It was sparked when I found my Key Account Manager Eva Cookson (Cape Town)
021 417 1274 / 076 662 0785
true passion for creating art at the age of 11.
Key Account Manager Elna Coetzer (Cape Town)
If you were a famous building, which one would you be? Frank Lloyd
021 417 5151 / 082 971 9715
Wright’s Fallingwater. Advertising Coordinator Julian Petersen
What’s your favourite space in your home? My studio.
PUBLISHING TEAM
Clinton shot RCL Foods’ new head oice in Durban for the story on page 62. Group Account Director Cat Anderson
Group Managing Editor Chantel Kleinsmidt
Account manager Thanaa Moosa
GRAHAM WOOD, WRITER Production Manager Shirley Quinlan
Are you a winter or summer person? Definitely winter. ABC Manager Roxanne Holman
Is there anywhere else in the world you would like to live? A little
EXECUTIVE TEAM
unimaginative, but New York. I’ve ended up reading so much about it, yet
Managing Director Aileen Lamb
I’ve never been, so now I feel it as a real absence in my life.
Commercial Director Maria Tiganis
Do you have a weekend or holiday bolthole or a dream location? I don’t, Content Director Andrew Nunneley
but I have a constantly morphing vision of a modern wooden holiday cabin Head of Digital Kamiel Ebrahim
PHOTOS ETHAN FRIEDMAN (CLINTON), MARC SHOUL (GRAHAM) AND CARLA LATSKY (MALIBONGWE)
I’d like to build. Sometimes it’s on the beach; other times it’s in the mountains. Chief Financial Officer Mark Oaten
What’s the winter meal you make for friends? I’m a latecomer to Gordon Chief Executive Officer Bridget McCarney
Ramsay. He has an amazing recipe for trout fillet with steamed leeks and Executive Director John Psillos
Non-Executive Director Irna van Zyl
roasted vine tomatoes, served on a pile of baby potatoes crushed with the
back of a fork and drenched in vinaigrette… Insanely good and so simple. DISTRIBUTION & SUBSCRIPTIONS
What’s on your seasonal reading list? Adam Gopnik’s new one, At the Distribution RNA Distribution
Strangers’ Gate. It’s about New York. Print Subscription Contact Centre
If you were a famous building, which one would you be? Hmm… 087 405 2005 (local), +27 21 045 1809 (international),
In truth, I’m probably the house I’ve lived in for the past few years: It’s not subs@magsathome.co.za
famous, but it has shaped a lot about my life and ideas. Digital Subscriptions MySubs
0861 697 827, mysubs.co.za/contact

Read Graham’s story about a house on Monaghan Farm in Lanseria on page 96. Reproduction New Media Publishing
Printing Novus Print
Publisher New Media Publishing (Pty) Ltd,
MALIBONGWE TYILO, CREATIVE AND MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLER
New Media House, 19 Bree Street, Cape Town
Are you a winter or summer person? There’s so much I love about both, PO Box 440, Green Point, Cape Town 8051
but if I had to choose, it would be eternal summer. 021 417 1111, visi@visi.co.za, newmediapub.co.za
Is there anywhere else in the world you would like to live? Necker Island.
Do you have a weekend or holiday bolthole or a dream location? I love
Hogsback in the Eastern Cape. We don’t get to go very often, but whenever
we visit family, my boyfriend and I spend a couple of days there.
What’s the winter meal you make for friends? I’m not allowed to cook.
Don’t ask. Let’s just say no one misses the days when I did.
What’s on your seasonal reading list? My attention span for books
All rights reserved. Whereas precautions have been
disappeared as smartphones got smarter and smarter. So now I read topical taken to ensure the accuracy of information, neither
thought pieces and watch an unhealthy amount of YouTube. the editor, publisher nor New Media Publishing
If you were a famous building, which one would you be? Can I be any can be held liable for any inaccuracies, injury or
Zaha Hadid building I want to be depending on my mood? damages that may arise. The opinions expressed in
the articles may not reflect those of the publisher.
Read Mali’s article about the work of Mozambican visual artist Ricardo
Pinto Jorge on page 164. And don’t miss the videos he has been creating
for VISI.co.za.

JUN/JUL 2018 020

 CA N ’ T WA I T F O R T H E N E X T V I S I ? G E T YO U R D A I LY D O S E AT

HOME
visi.co.za
DECOR DESIGN ARCHITECTURE LIFESTYLE BEST BUYS VISI EVENTS

# R E A D E R L O V E
The snaps we spotted in our feeds of you enjoying the Design Issue kept the VISI team smiling all month long.
Keep tagging us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter – we’d love to see how you snuggled up with our Autumn edition.

We are extremely proud to feature SA’s most beautiful magazine, in Italy. Thank you for the surprise,
Latest #visimagazine #visimag,
in the @visi_mag with a full @arianbester :) reading about breathtaking places in SA really
@granddesignsau, and
feature on our work with makes me appreciate my home country even more. See you
my sketch book with our
@haldanemartin “Head Turner” soon bella! #visi #visimagazine #cuppuccino #coffeetime
home ideas and study tools.
we couldn’t agree more. #reading #relax – @smitpaula05
#interiordesigner #designinglife
#stellenbosch #satravel #satourism
#backinthebooks #passion
#visitstellenbosch #visimag #decor
#bam – @_two_feet_
#accommodation #restaurant
– @kunjaniwines

WORDS LINDI BROWNELL MEIRING

Me & marmalade doing
some planning! @visi_mag
#visimag #newhouse
#interiordesign
– @mandifrost101
WE ASKED… If you could splurge on one item for your home,
what would it be? More than 1 200 of you took your pick.
A piece by an up-and-
coming local artist
A brand-new sofa
A coffee table (7%)
A statement pendant
(15%)
light or chandelier
This is what we call TOTAL Inspiration… Motivation.
RELAXATION – #visimagazine Best design mag…
@creationwines #summer #visimagazine #articles
Design. Inspiration. #visimagazine #deckwithaview #wedesignwebuild
#entrepreneurship #lifestyle – @abaloneguestlodge – @trez_dcm
#inspiration #rainy #joburg
– @linel_m WI N WI T H NOUWE N S
Say goodbye to watering
the lawn for good!
Nouwens Carpets, well
known to the world of
decor for more than
(30%)
50 years, recently launched
an artificial grass range in
(48%) South Africa. Two lucky
readers will each win
R12 250 worth of natural-
looking turf (including
installation), plus a ceramic
potjie, worth R500. Go to
VISI.co.za/win to enter.

I N S T A N T I N S P I R A T I O N
Follow @visi_mag on Instagram, where we share some of the best (and most beautiful) designs from around the globe.
HUDSON Building / Strand St / De Waterkant / Cape Town
TRUMPET Building / Keyes Ave / Rosebank / Johannesburg

WWW.TRUEDESIGN.CO.ZA
Info@truedesign.co.za
 LOOKING FOR THE MILLENNIAL EYE

OUR COMPULSION TO SHARE OUR PRIVATE LIVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA HAS CHANGED
THE WAY WE CURATE OUR PERSONAL SPACES. BASED ON LOOKS AND LIKES ALONE,
WE ASKED TWO YOUNG CREATIVES TO SELECT THEIR FAVOURITE BEDROOM
AND LOUNGE FROM ROOMSETS AT SALONE DEL MOBILE IN MILAN.

P H OTO S M A R I J K E W I L L E M S P R O D U C T I O N A N N E M A R I E M E I N TJ E S

The two young creatives who gave their input are

Gerard Strydom, interior designer at &Beyond
under the wing of lodge-design wizard Chris Browne;
and Karabo Poppy Moletsane, graphic designer,
illustrator and street artist.
• andbeyond.com • behance.net/karabo_poppy

JUN/JUL 2018
B E D R O O M S
GERARD: “I love minimalist design – uncluttered and devoid of KARABO: “This room speaks to the illustrator in me. I love the use of
colour. Here, I like the beautiful white bed with space and flow the light boxes, the concrete finish and the unconventional decor.”
beneath it; the asymmetry of the nest of tables; and, since I love
to read, the chair and modern standing lamp. I like how I look in
this room: understated and elegant.”

027
 LOOKING FOR THE MILLENNIAL EYE

L O U N

GERARD: “This is the kind of room you want to show off to your friends.
I appreciate the clean, uncluttered look, the subtle use of colour, and
the terrazzo tiles on the floor and wall combined with the classic white
wall panelling and marble fireplace.”

JUN/JUL 2018
G E S

KARABO: “The vibrant colours are amazingly contrasted

against the wall-to-floor concrete background. I like the
unconventional furniture, a system of modular units that
add up to what you would like it to be.”

029
 LOOKING FOR THE MILLENNIAL EYE

COUPLE 2.0
by Zanotta
from the
Zanotta Stories
collection
This bedroom
has been
designed for
a couple that
love to share
experiences
but also pursue
individual
interests.
• zanotta.it

ESTE BED, designed by Antonio Citterio for Flexform

Eye-catching and elegant, this bed is proof that good design can improve everyday living… and sleeping.
• lexform.it 

JUN/JUL 2018
 CASA DOLCE CASA  CASAMOOD ARTWORK TILE COLLECTION by Florim
Tradition meets modern art: These terrazzo-look porcelain tiles in neutral colours incorporate irregular fragments with different brightness and
sparkle for a surprising textural effect. • lorim.com • cappellini.it/en

MAH JONG HIRU COMPOSITION designed by Kenzō Takada for Roche Bobois
Japanese-French fashion designer Kenzō Takada made the bold aesthetic choice to source inspiration from ancient kimonos to create a new
version of the classic Mah Jong modular sofa system. • roche-bobois.com

031
  






 
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I don’t think they were properly prepared
for the pre-adolescents that invaded
PORTRAIT TSELISO MONAHENG BACKGROUND MAZE DESIGN IN THE ROOM 13 HOMECOMING COLLECTION
their space back in 2000, along with the
18-year-old preparing herself for varsity,
accompanied by two parents working full
time and a dog with the character of a black
Lassie. (She really was black – a crossbreed
Alsatian/Rottweiler whom we named
Onyx). We were the second black family to
move into the neighbourhood at the time,
and there was a definite air of “There goes
the neighbourhood” when the moving
trucks pulled into what still is our driveway.
We were excited, my brother, sister
and I: We were each going to have our own
bedroom for the first time. The house was
bigger than any other we had occupied
before, the garden amazing with all its
space; there may have been no pool,
but we could live with that at the time.
We’d all abandoned swimming at school
by that stage. My parents beamed with
pride at the sight of their purchase; it must
have been a crazy realisation for them:
three kids, a dope house in the ’burbs,
worthwhile cars, and a dog not named
Rex. If I think about it, I can see the beam
on their faces, taking a step back and
being able to see their accomplishments
quantified in material measurables. The
beginning of a great 18-year journey for
this family of five.
Writer PHUMLANI PIKOLI reflects on childhood
shenanigans in his beloved family home.
It didn’t take long for the complaints to
begin, and I think I can lay claim to being the
catalyst. I had started to take skateboarding
a little more seriously a few months after we’d
moved in and the driveway on an incline
was a perfect place for my wheels, trucks and
board to entertain the neighbourhood to
the rhythms of my failed trick attempts. The
acoustics from our garage ensured that every
pop and bang reverberated a little further
in case anyone was missing out on the late-
afternoon entertainment. No matter how
many times the dear old recluse from next
door would come over to complain to my
parents, with all the civility he could muster,
the show would resume the next day like
clockwork. Unfortunately for him, my parents
were often away and worked late, so his
DID YOU KNOW?
1. Born in Zimbabwe to South African parents
in exile, Phumlani spent a large part of his
childhood moving around before the family
settled in Pretoria, where he still lives. (“Sigh.”)
2. Pan Macmillan recently published Phumlani’s
The Fatuous State of Severity, an anthology of
short stories.
3. His favourite room at home is his bedroom.
“It’s situated under the stairs, so I like to think
of myself as a young Harry Potter waiting for
Hagrid to spirit me off to Hogwarts.”
4. When asked if he prefers summer or winter,
Phumlani says, “I used to think I was a winter
kinda guy, because you get to wear all sorts
of cool shit. But I was born in summer and
I’ve come to realise the heat is my friend.” Like
all good Starks, he says, referencing Game of
Thrones, he knows when “winter is coming”,
but is never fully prepared for the cold snap.
5. Game of Thrones has been the most pirated
TV show for six years in a row.
6. Visit phumlanipikoli.com to find out more.
complaints fell on the ears of full cellphone
mailboxes, and when my parents were
finally able to listen to his drone they
would have to call the house to ask me to
stop. If you’re reading this, sorry, P-Money.
I’ve mentioned that I had a sister
starting varsity at the time, right? And that
my parents were away quite often? Did
I mention that the house had a Jacuzzi?
I didn’t? Oh yeah, probably ’cause it never
worked. Still, just to be able to tell anyone
back then you had a Jacuzzi at home was
enough. I mean, everyone had a pool.
I won’t go into much detail here, but let’s
just say my parents not being around all
that often left open opportunities for the
newly legal to hang out with her friends
unencumbered.
Meanwhile, my brother and I were very
active when it came to school sport, so
we used every opportunity to play games
in the front garden with our friends. Full-
contact rugby, which requires quite a lot
of shouting, soccer, which requires the
same vocals, and regular cricket games
were played. Sometimes the wrong bat
and the right ball will do wonders for your
relationship with your neighbour and their
broken windows. (I feel like there’s a Rudy
Giuliani reference to be made here, if only
to build a bridge between the inner city
and suburban life.)
When my parents had a vision to better
the house and decided we’d have to move
out for the renovations, the neighbours
must have thought their gods had finally
answered their prayers. They were granted
a reprieve of a few years and, by the time
we moved back in, we were all old enough
to enjoy the space with a little less noise.
So here we are, back in the home I grew up
in, enjoying the space like never before –
which I guess would be semi-maturely.
 THABISO MAHLAPE is still trying to figure out
what home means to her.
I pulled the covers down
from over my head and scrunched my eyes to look at what I found
to be my father. The light in my sister’s and my room was not on,
but the light from the passage was enough for me to make out
his frame and a hint of the colours of his then favourite pyjamas.
I glanced down to where the broken wall clock sat and saw it was
not yet 5 am, the time my father would wake me up to get me
ready for school on weekday mornings. I started to look back at him
but before my eyes could meet his the penny dropped. I saved him
the trouble of telling me, went back under the covers and wept.
When my weeping had given way to faint sobbing and the
heat had begun to leave the tip of my ears, I started hearing
voices from the living room, among which I could make out my
grandmother’s. In that moment it became official: We were in
mourning; my mother had died.
I was 12 years old.
It was on that day that life and home as I had come to know
them changed completely and for forever. Sometimes, in some
parts of the house, it feels like the chill from that winter of 1996 still
lingers. Since then the idea of home has been something that was
never quite constant.
For the first 12 years of my life home had been to me any place
that Mama was. She had been the one constant thing about what
home represented to me. Over the years Papa and my sisters have
come, even if never in the same way, to be my idea of home. But
for a while, a long while, without her all we were was a house,
a widowed husband and abandoned daughters.
Before Mama fell ill, home was arriving to aromas of cooked
food and constant affirmation, affection and love. In the emptiness
that enveloped us after Mama left, Papa fetched all the words he
was unable to say and all the affection he was unable to show
from the grocery isle. Feeding us was his way of offering love and
affirmation, and that is how I learnt to taste home as opposed to
feeling it. I taught myself how to swallow love instead of hearing it.
In this house that my parents and I moved into 31 years ago
in the spring of 1987, I began to lose parts of myself in pursuit of
a home. This is a truth I have been reluctant to accept: How could
it have been in a safe space that I became an adult with cracks
and chips?
My therapist tells me no teenager knows what the sight
of a breaking human looks like, especially if that human is
themselves. With her help I have begun to admit most of my
problems started in our house, in our home. The house I first
walked into as a bubbly two-parented three-year-old.
This is the house where I have felt the most loved as well
as the most alone. It is in this house where loneliness started
courting me, and I obliged. A stubborn kind of loneliness that
I have carried with me all my life. All my attempts at drowning it
have either failed or only worked temporarily.
It is from the same house that I am now writing this, in the
PORTRAIT SAVANNAH LUCAS BACKGROUND CELLULAR DESIGN IN THE ROOM 13 HOMECOMING COLLECTION
week that I am turning 34. It has been a month since I have
moved back after suffering yet another depressive episode,
probably the biggest to date. That’s the thing about attempting
to drown your loneliness as opposed to facing it and dealing
with it – it always comes back stronger. At least that’s what my
therapist says.
Had you asked me a year ago what my idea of home was,
I may have had an answer that included a house, an area or
people. Today, however, with my 34th birthday looming, I would
like to begin a new way of explaining it, even if it is just for me.
It is my wish to explore home as the place you go to gather the
pieces of you that broke while you weren’t looking.
DID YOU KNOW?
1. Thabiso is a publisher and the founder of Blackbird Books, an
imprint of Jacana Media.
2. She was born in a village in the greater area of Ga-Mashashane
and raised in the township of Seshego, north-west of
Polokwane. She has just moved back home to Seshego after
living in Gauteng for many years.
3. Asked whether she is a summer or a winter person, Thabiso says
definitely winter.
4. Her favourite space in her home is her father’s bedroom, where
a huge portrait of her mother hangs on the wall.
5. She says she reads one book at a time, but when she’s reading
manuscripts she can juggle three.
6. There’s now an estimated 50 million books available on Amazon,
and they say a new Kindle e-book is published every 5 minutes.
7. Asked which book has had the biggest impact on her in the
past year, Thabiso says she wishes she could answer this as
a reader, but it is publishing Bonang Matheba’s From A to B.
SADDLE
Concrete
P e n d a n t



‘ ‘

the changing fortunes of a community in six parts.
I III
Today, the house on the hill wrestles for air.
Pile upon piles of tree branches, bark and
dry leaves clutter the driveway. At night it is
dark, a ghost house. It wasn’t always like that.
II
Squeezed between coloured Sydenham and
Sparks Estate to the east, Sherwood to the
south, Westville to the west and the more
illustrious Indians in Reservoir Hills to the
north, Clare Estate had everything it needed
to be forgotten. Indian sugar-cane farmers
settled here under the stewardship of one
Ralph Clarence in the late 19th century.
Those who lived here subsequently moved
on from indenture to build colonial-style
mansions made of brick. Those less fortunate
remained in shacks made of tin, plastic
and broken rubble. During the week they
were teachers, doctors, mechanics. On
the weekend they were drunk. Hindus
decorated mango and mulberry trees with
trident flags. Muslims, with conspicuously
undecorated trees, lived next door.
When we moved into Clare Estate in
the 1980s, the area had passed its peak. We
lived at the very top of the Palmiet valley in
a complex of 12 connected units. To reach
our part of Clare Estate – a dead end – we
had to climb up a semi-dirt track that ran
past tin houses where some of the poorest
of Clare Estate lived. Here, figures such as
Mango Aunty made a living selling pickled
mango, and Rakesh, known for a limp, ran
a chop shop.
Like so many Indians, we had moved
away from the city; my grandfather lived in
Clare Estate and somehow conned my father
into moving there, too. We were not the only
ones. The city saw a quick outflow of the
middle classes, and real estate was looking
for new opportunities. Our part of Clare
Estate, with its abundant vacant land and
proximity to the city, was declared the future.
Al Jazeera journalist AZAD ESSA tells the tale of
As children, we lived on our skateboards and
bicycles. As the sun set, we’d climb the roofs
and watch the shadows consume us. When
it rained, we could hear the Palmiet River
gushing at the bottom of the valley. When the
sky was blue and empty of fluff, we’d squint
hard and try to point out the darker blue of the
Indian Ocean. We were in paradise.
IV
As proof of his conviction, the Real Estate
Mogul who had guaranteed the future built
a palace here. The wide-open spaces and
rustic landscape had kept property prices low.
His design could exhale. Wide windows that
opened up to the misty breeze of the valley.
A round, wide roof that expanded like the
rings of Jupiter. On the outside, grey stone
plastered with Quranic inscriptions. On the
inside, four bedrooms, Jacuzzis, an indoor-
outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court at the
edge of the reserve – where antelope and
iguana wandered. A rock-laden path took one
on a personalised path to the river below.
DID YOU KNOW?
1. Azad is a published author and works
for Al Jazeera, covering politics and
development in Sub-Saharan Africa.
2. He was born in Durban and raised on many
cricket grounds. He now lives besides an old
cherry-wood desk in New Jersey.
3. New Jersey is the most densely populated of
America’s 50 states.
4. Asked what home means to him, Azad says,
“Comfort. Ground Zero. A bath.”
5. His favourite space in his home is the lounge
– perfect for watching a film or reading
a book.
6. Azad is neither a summer nor a winter person
– he prefers the calm of autumn and the
freshness of spring.
7. Follow him on Twitter @azadessa.
Apartheid was drying up. Ideas and
promises flourished. The dusty path that
connected Chiltern Drive to the University
of Durban-Westville would become a tarred
road. A new high school would be built to
educate the denizens living on the periphery,
we were told. The dead end would turn
into a flourishing thoroughfare. The small
tearooms would become supermarkets,
the barbershop a salon, the petrol station
a shopping complex. Clare Estate would
overcome isolation.
V
And just as the promises had come, they left.
The dirt track to the university became an
PORTRAIT SORIN FURCOI BACKGROUND FIRE FISH DESIGN IN THE ROOM 13 HOMECOMING COLLECTION
escape route for car thieves. It was sealed. The
high school replaced by desperate informal
settlements. The open toilets on the unkempt
verges had now turned into an open gutter.
The endless stream of urine and faeces has
left parts of Chiltern Drive with permanent
slime as its sheen. The municipality, it turns
out, changed its plans and looked the other
way. The disadvantaged moved in. The old
moneyed Indian guard panicked and left.
They took the little prestige and power of
accountability with them. Those who couldn’t
afford to pack up remained behind, living
behind new fences and old prejudices. The
economy died. The tearooms abandoned.
The barber dead. The petrol station stripped
of its steel roofing, now a drug den. The
mango and mulberry trees became firewood.
The Palmiet River succumbed too; now
only a stream that screams when it floods.
The disarray complete.
At the palace, the parties ended.
The tennis court turned into a carpet of
weeds. The family fought, struggled, split.
The lights went out. A lady and a pack of
dogs moved in.
VI
The fate of the house, the state of the promise.
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 South African writer MARY WATSON relates how she slowly fell
in love with the home she lives in on the west coast of Ireland.
It had been completed to builder’s finish, the wooden floors
and dishwasher were in place, but there wasn’t a tile anywhere.
Electric cables protruded from walls. The fireplace was a cavity
where birds chimney-dived. It smelled unfinished. The grass had
grown to a level where no lawnmower could cut through it.
I’d fallen in love with this house even before we viewed
it based on the location alone: close enough to the city yet
in a quiet location near a lake and a quaint historical village.
And when we first visited, I knew I’d found a forever home.
One of those rare places that my restless heart, always moving,
always seeking new places, would find hard to let go.
But houses aren’t meant to be empty for long periods of
time, and though it was a new build, there was something
neglected about it. Trends had changed even before the house
had been completed; the kitchen design was outdated before
the house had even been lived in. It felt abandoned. It felt
a little sad, in that way we project our own emotions onto
things and places.
We moved in to this house that seemed a little forlorn, yet so
full of promise, with my then one-year-old and our second child
on the way. There was more space than we needed at the time,
more space than we had the furniture for. We rattled around
inside that house, not quite fitting in it, which reflected my own
state of mind: We had nine months earlier moved to Ireland
from Cape Town. I was still getting used to motherhood, to that
fundamental identity shift that happens after having a first child.
I was homesick. I didn’t fit into my house. I didn’t fit in anywhere.
But the house we moved into is not quite the house we live
in now.
We’ve been in this house nine years and it has reshaped
around the family we’ve become. It no longer feels like a too
big shoe. It’s no longer the echoing building we first viewed.
I know it’s a matter of perception, but it feels like the walls
absorb our experiences. That the house has changed, because
it was there that I mourned my mother with a fierce grief after
her terminal cancer. It was within those walls that I brought my
second child home, that sense of promise that comes with new
life consolidated by the newness of our home. And this matured
into something more settled when we brought home our third
child, when we celebrated birthdays, religious festivals and rites
of passage. Here we’ve lived our everyday lives, working, playing
with the dog, getting frustrated, sad, laughing, just being. And it
feels like the very space we live in is somehow defined by how
we inhabit it.
The house itself has changed: We’ve planted an orchard,
reshaped the garden. I’ve discovered things, like the rookery in
the field next door, which has me frequently standing down the
bottom of the garden just listening and loving the noise of it.
I am exasperatingly restless, seeking newness in my
environment: a different feel to the same space, other things to
look at. I’m constantly rearranging things, changing the colour
of the walls, the decor. I move heavy furniture from one room
to another. I even swap rooms around, so a bedroom becomes
a study, a study a space for the family to relax. I would knock
down the walls if I could.
But these small constant changes reflect how the house
has adjusted to us. It mirrors the small changes in my children
that, added up over time, make larger changes, the way
a toddler slowly becomes a preteen. Over the years, like our
house, we have become something different to what we were
when we started here.
I often think of the day we drove out and unexpectedly
saw the “For sale” sign outside. The empty house that no one
had ever lived in. How we didn’t dare hope it could be ours.
And 10 years later it has become ours in a way that is deeply
BACKGROUND MAZE DESIGN IN THE ROOM 13 HOMECOMING COLLECTION
encompassing because of the ways we’ve shaped each other.
DID YOU KNOW?
1. Mary’s most recent novel, The Wren Hunt, was recently
published by Bloomsbury. Originally from Cape Town, she
moved away in her 30s and now lives in Galway, Ireland.
2. The longest place name in Ireland, Muckanaghederdauhaulia,
belongs to a town in County Galway.
3. Home, says Mary, “is a combination of place and people. I no
longer have any ties to any physical house in Cape Town, and
yet it remains home.”
4. To ready her home for winter – she prefers Cape Town winters
and Irish summers – Mary says she does a couple of protection
spells, but nothing too hectic!
5. Her kitchen is her favourite place at home. She says she knows
it’s a cliché, but it really is the heart of her home. She also
enjoys spending time in her study, because it’s the one room
that’s hers alone.
6. Search for @stonemadonna to find Mary on Instagram
and Twitter.
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JUN/JUL 2018
 J O B U R G FA M I LY H O M E

R
S ALE
N ALB
AU X
P H OT

01

A 21ST-CENTURY JOHANNESBURG FAMILY

HOME BRINGS TO MIND LE CORBUSIER’S OPEN-
FLOOR-PLAN DOM-INO HOUSE DESIGN IDEA.

047
01
 of several
s northern
g ground
e projects
s in which
rials for his
sents the

oon, Greg
I love the
raw, pared-down visual quality of generic parking garages.”
There’s wry irony in this statement, considering he houses
his family in a dwelling with “parking garage” ceilings, but
does not house his and his wife Caryn’s cars in the typical
suburban garage.
Greg and Caryn’s home has a self-assured yet unassum-
ing presence. Its street-facing facade presents a restrained
palette of materials, colours and textures. Concrete grey and
the soft pinkish red of its brickwork inform the home’s overall
character. A Mediterranean blue announces the front door
and a punchy yellow emphasises door and window open-
ings. It’s a fine example of the versatility permitted by a con-
02
crete skeleton. The house sits comfortably in the lineage of
structural concrete-frame potential that Le Corbusier stimu-
lated with his 1914 Dom-Ino House concept.
Always searching for fresh uses for materials, Greg came upon an unusual
bevelled brick. He used its sill-like character in a playful way for the home’s non-
load-bearing walls. The result echoes the beautifully textured nature of the brick PREVIOUS SPREAD
infill facades of a bygone Johannesburg era. 01 Looking back at the eastern facade of the house,
Inside, the no-nonsense aesthetic of the parking-garage ceilings is reflected in one gets a clear sense of how the concrete
the choice of flooring: A seamless vinyl surface in bold blue and grey bands pulls one frame supports the building’s load.
into the dwelling. Moving from the open kitchen, one is drawn diagonally across the
living and dining area, which has strong ties to the garden by way of large sliding THIS SPREAD
doors. Five steps take one up a level to a play area for the Katz children and their 01 The studio building occupies the south-eastern
friends. A concrete staircase leads up to the more intimate level of the home, where corner of the property. Downstairs it houses
the flooring changes to plush wall-to-wall carpeting. Here, the pyjama lounge is Caryn’s studio, where she shares her enthusiasm
the spatial knuckle that connects all the upstairs spaces. Two en-suite bathrooms for the Alexander Technique with her clients;
upstairs is where Greg and his small team work.
have been inserted between two pairs of bedrooms respectively. The fifth bedroom,
The building is made of a lightweight steel
Greg and Caryn’s, with its own bathroom, occupies the north-east corner. frame entirely clad in asphalt-coloured shingles,
From the upper floor we are reminded of the quiet presence of an adjacent made of 2 mm-thick recycled rubber sheeting
building that houses Greg and Caryn’s workspaces. The two-storey studio is fully and finished with a silicate coating.
clad in an asphalt-coloured shingle, a material traditionally used for roofing.
02 The screen-wall in the stairwell effectively
Down in the expansive garden, a rolling green lawn stitches together utilities
diffuses the flood of light from a skylight,
like the braai and an eccentric triangular pool, and serves as a stage upon which making for a gentle atmosphere in the family’s
suburban life and its attendant rituals can be performed and celebrated. pyjama lounge on the other side of the wall.

• gregorykatz.co.za

049 JUN/JUL 2018

 J O B U R G FA M I LY H O M E

01 The formal dining area, crowned by an elegant Flos

suspension lamp, leads out onto the less formal
stoep, a mediating space between the interior of the
house and the garden.

02 The view from the open-plan lounge and dining

area towards the kitchen shows how effectively the
dynamic floor patterning and concrete ceiling grid
unite the different functional and living zones on
the ground floor. The simplicity of the vinyl flooring
and cast-concrete ceiling also reveal Greg’s no-
nonsense approach to architecture.

03 The kitchen cabinetry has a unifying finish of

lightweight plywood that adds warmth, in contrast
to the red stretcher-bond brickwork under the
staircase – an understated iteration of the exterior
brickwork. Sunlight spills out of the stairwell from
a skylight upstairs, and lights are neatly tucked into
the coffers of the concrete ceiling.

01

BOLD VINYL FLOORING UNITES THE LIVING SPACES.

02

JUN/JUL 2018 050

03
01
 J O B U R G FA M I LY H O M E

01–03 In Greg and Caryn’s bedroom, a low tiled wall

divides the sleeping and bathing areas. Built-in
cupboards occupy the length of one wall. The
austerity of the coffered concrete ceiling is offset
by a palette of muted colours, such as the soft
pink of the square tiles used to clad the wall
behind the bath from floor to ceiling. The bath and
shower share the same open-plan zone, avoiding
poky enclosures and awkward differentiation of
these spaces. A floating double basin unit against
the sober finish of a smooth-plastered white wall
gives the illusion of more space.

04 A view from one child’s bedroom to another, with

a shared bathroom in-between. All the doors on
the first floor have a warm wooden finish and
a matching fixed panel above them, which lends
a tall, elegant quality to the doorways.

02

GREG LIKES TO USE MATERIALS IN INTERESTING WAYS.

03 04

053 JUN/JUL 2018

 J O B U R G FA M I LY H O M E

01 At two years young, Joseph is already being

exposed to collectibles – in this case, a mid-
century rocking chair by American designer-
couple Ray and Charles Eames.

02 A view from one of the two shared bathrooms

into Charlie’s bedroom.

03 Zackary, perched atop the high windowsill

in his bedroom. Greg nudged the windows
on the first floor upward to the underside of
the structural concrete frame, so the treetops
and the sky dominate the views. Through
the yellow-framed window one can see the
double-level studio that houses Greg and
Caryn’s workplaces.

04 For the brickwork used as non-load-bearing

infill, Greg chose a bevelled brick that was
being discontinued, which he found in the
course of his ongoing search for interesting
building materials. He flipped the bricks this
way and that to achieve the ripple effect,
which gives the walls a fabric-like quality.

01

THE BRICKWORK ACTS AS AN EXPRESSIVE INFILL.

02 03

JUN/JUL 2018 054

04
JUN/JUL 2018
 01

THIS INNER-CITY TRANSFORMATION WENT

FROM BOXY TO BOUTIQUE ON A BUDGET.
P H OTO S R U S S E L L S M I T H WO R D S A M E L I A B R OW N

02

057
 o-rent market is rapidly evolving. In this
, more choice has resulted in a more dis-
ntal to be noticed, nevermind occupied
really stand out.
in mind that Jaco Janse van Rensburg
-scale renovation of a buy-to-rent 47 m2
wn CBD. His approach considered both
st: himself. Jaco’s extensive creative back-
hic design, publishing, styling, interior
ently, a growing portfolio of investment
er, he set himself a stringent budget. As
e challenged himself and his partner at
ms, to turn the project around in three
stylish end result within budget. And, as
ho regularly spends the night when he’s
ted comfort and touches of luxury.
stroke was relooking the orientation. In
e went from hotel room with kitchen-
studio. With the apartment gutted, he
, previously on the immediate right as
kitchen, which was in the far left corner
by the windows. The bed is now concealed behind a screen of
built-in cupboards that abut the bathroom wall.
Light was another critical element, namely filtered natural
light and layered, intimate light. The concrete ceiling proved
challenging when it came to chasing new light points on a
budget, so Jaco created a light box recess around the room. The
light trough is attached to the wall and left open at the top. LED
striplights inside shine against the ceiling and the eye is tricked
into seeing a more architectural and high-end raised ceiling.
The optical illusion of space has been further conjured up
in a surprising way thanks to the glass-walled bathroom. Jaco
replaced the solid wall that divided and decreased the essen-
tially box-shaped apartment with reasonably priced black
aluminium frames to create a wet room. A separate toilet is
private and concealed behind that. The on-trend wall-to-floor
marble-look tiles of the bathroom, framed in glass, visually
extend the apartment and seamlessly blend with its considered
monochrome palette. It’s smart and edgy, and underlines the
boutique hotel appeal.
The attention to detail is faultless; it is clear that Jaco consid-
ered his, the guest’s, every need every step of the way, from the
thread count to coat hooks. According to him, it’s these details,
the“fingerprints”, as he calls them, that add character and make
the space a home. “Tactility is often overlooked, especially in
a rental,” he says, “but those elements are what stand out.”
So what’s Jaco’s verdict as owner, designer and guest? “To
use that open shower, look through the sheer curtains at sunset
and see the city skyline changing, or lie on the velvet sofa at
night and watch TV, it’s delicious.”

• envyandco.net
01

JUN/JUL 2018
059
 C A P E T O W N A PA R T M E N T

OPENING SPREAD
01 Jaco spent money on installing good-quality blockout roller
blinds and a simple recessed rail of sheer curtains with a wave
track that offers a beautiful finish.

PREVIOUS SPREAD
01 For continuity in a small space, Jaco kept all the cabinetry and
countertops uniform. He found the best value from Builders
Warehouse and opted to spend more on quality black handles
from Handles Inc.

THIS SPREAD
01 The monochrome wet room visually extends the space.

02 With comfort in mind, the San José sofa by The Sofaworx

Company was covered in velvet from Hertex and custom-made
with dimensions that ensure you can stretch out to watch TV.
The chair is from Weylandts, the twin side tables, white side
table and TV stand are from MRP Home, the LED ball light and
standing lamp are from Province Lighting, and the plush rug is
from Hertex.

03 “My advice is to be gutsy in a small space and choose one or

two things to scale up. It helps if the item is suspended, such
as the bespoke pendant from Province Lighting (the only light
we chased) or artwork (here, a photograph of mine printed on
Perspex), so you’re not taking up floor space,” says Jaco. Peacock-
blue ottomans from MRP Home provide the only pop of colour.

01

THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS FAULTLESS.

02

JUN/JUL 2018
 T
Seven tips from Jaco Janse
van Rensburg on how to achieve

E
a high-end look and feel
when space, time and money

G
are limited.

D
1. DRESS THE WINDOWS
People think you can save money

U
buying ready-made curtains,
but you just don’t get the same

B
effect, ever.

2. LOOK DOWN

L
Select one floor finish throughout.
There are a lot of attractive, durable

A
and reasonably priced wood-grain
vinyls to choose from nowadays.

M
Look for end-of-range deals.

3. FINISH WELL

I
In the bathroom, choose one finish

N
for the walls, shower and floors.
Digitally printed marble-look

I
ceramic tiles are practical, offer the
same on-trend effect, and come in

M
at a fraction of the price.

4. INDULGE IN SOME LUXURIES

,
Good towels and linen are
essentials for me, and I chose

T
Mungo. You’re supporting a local
company, and their real linen and
C cotton products actually get better
the more you use them.
A

5. PLAY WITH SCALE

P

Don’t be afraid to be bold with

proportions even in a small space.
M

Select one or two elements for an

overall result that is more bespoke
I

and considered.

6. TEXTURISE
M

Touch is connected to comfort, so

choose fabrics and rugs that are
U

soft and luxurious.

M

7. EDIT CAREFULLY
Shop within a colour palette and
I

combine lower-cost items with

pricier ones by considering their
X

function. A sofa, for instance, will

get a lot of use, so spend more
A

on that and pair it with a cheaper

side table.
M

03
01
 D U R B A N CO R P O R AT E H E A D O F F I C E

01

02

THE STRIKING NEW RCL FOODS HEAD OFFICE IN

WESTVILLE, DURBAN, REFLECTS THE COMPANY’S
PEOPLE-CENTRIC APPROACH IN MEMORABLE FASHION.
P H OTO S C L I N TO N F R I E D M A N A N D K A R L B E AT H P R O D U C T I O N S U M I E N B R I N K
WO R D S PAU L KOT Z E

063 JUN/JUL 2018

lphick Proome Architects’ building for RCL Foods in
Durban is all about people and connectivity in the workplace.
That’s not to say all buildings should necessarily be about people,
it’s just that sometimes architects and their clients forget that this

A FULL-HEIGHT ATRIUM IS THE FOCAL POINT OF THE BUILDING.

is a potential need. This happens mostly when a specific aesthetic
image is decided on before the project begins. This desire then
drives the design to the extent that people and the way in which
they interact with the built environment becomes little more
than a passing concern. Such buildings might be aesthetically
memorable, but they remain forever devoid of life.
The RCL Foods head office represents the complete opposite
of this outcome. The choice to fundamentally care for the physical
and social wellbeing of people, before any other consideration
was taken care of, becomes clear when the architects and design-
ers explain the design history of the building.
Construction had started and the basement parking was
nearly finished when tenant RCL Foods decided the building’s
design should reflect its people-centred approach. This change
of heart necessitated fast, focused and well-coordinated action
from the entire professional team. It also created an opportunity
to come up with a unique and memorable building.
y is fundamentally different from our conventional understanding
more collaborative, performed by fluid groupings of various sizes
that are not necessarily tied to one physical location. In
this different configuration, visual interaction coupled
with a measure of acoustic privacy is crucial. Moreover,
01
people want to feel at home in the workplace, seeing
that they spend so much time there.
The professional team achieved all of the above
in spades. A full-height atrium unifies the spatial logic
of the building, and two glazed facades on either end
place the atrium and its users in constant contact
with the direct external environment. All vertical and
horizontal movement of people is associated with this
space, which is filled with daylight from above and
from the two sides.
The most arresting element in the atrium is a stair-
case linked to the two sides with walkways – the open
stairs and glass balustrades create a sense of wonder at
how precisely the architects managed to defy gravity
with the design.
Glass-encased workspaces and meeting rooms of
various sizes form the vertical surfaces of the atrium.
Visitors to the building enter this space directly, which
enables easy orientation for all concerned. There are
test kitchens and dining facilities on the ground floor,
so it is full of activity. Well-designed corporate mes-
sages on the walls illustrate what RCL Foods is all about.
One of the most exciting aspects is the rooftop
entertainment area, which affords views of the Indian
Ocean and seems to float in space, suspended and re-
moved from the realities surrounding it.

• Elphick Proome Architects: eparch.co.za

• Novospace Interior Design: Novospace.co.za

064
 PREVIOUS SPREAD

01 Curvilinear glazed
meeting pods cantilever
into the lively central
atrium space, animating
the heart of the office
building.
02 The exterior is
characterised by
the use of coloured
aluminium solar
screens as infill to a thin
framed orthogonal
assembly.

THIS SPREAD

01 The project team

– architect George
Elphick, interior
designer Mike
Long of Novospace
and architect Pim Artz –
on the cascading central
staircase.

02 Sarnia Naidu sits in

the entrance where
the RCL Foods’ motto
is displayed in corten-
steel typography on
off-shutter concrete.

COROBRIK SAIA
ARCHITECTURAL
AWARDS RCL Foods
received a Merit Award
at the Corobrik South
African Institute of
Architects (SAIA)
02 awards evening in May.
 01 02

RCL FOODS DECIDED THE BUILDING’S DESIGN SHOULD

03 04
 01 Amanda Chili and
Prince Bisimwa at
work in the coffee
shop. Its packing-crate
counter base and
backdrop of roughly
sawn timber has
a funky, informal feel.

02 A whimsical way-
finder, created by
The Hardy Boys,
provides visitors with
an amusing start
to their tour of the
RCL Foods’ offices.

03 The angular exterior

is composed of a
palette of off-shutter
concrete, timber,
corten steel, stucco
and brightly coloured
aluminium screens.

04 Each of the 43 meeting

05 06 and collab zones have
been given different
REFLECT ITS PEOPLE-CENTRED APPROACH. treatments, creating
a unique collection
07 09
of connecting spaces.

05 A beautiful
installation of hand-
painted plates make
up this central art
wall, depicting
plentiful food for all.

06 The cascading
staircase that links all
levels is offset in the
08 atrium to reinforce its
focal role.

07 The walls and floors of

the ablution facilities
feature different
colours, with signage
to match.

08 Pods like this one

furnished by Cecil
Nurse are perfect for
gatherings. All the
timber tables are by
Homewood.

09 Three boardrooms are

stacked in the centre
of the atrium. A wall
graphic made up
of 120 000 wooden
spoons spells out the
RCL Foods slogan.
 D U R B A N CO R P O R AT E H E A D O F F I C E

THE ARCHITECTS MANAGED TO

DEFY GRAVITY WITH THE DESIGN.

01 Face-brick and birch

ply cladding are
used throughout
the interior. The
giant artwork is by
The Hardy Boys.

02 Pause areas jutting

out from connection
bridges provide
informal meeting
opportunities
and chill spaces,
reinforcing RCL Foods’
emphasis on people.

01

JUN/JUL 2018 068

02
 P R I N C E A L B E R T W E E K E N D COT TAG E

P H OTO S JA N R A S WO R D S B I D D I R O R K E

A BUSY CAPE TOWN-BASED COUPLE HAS

FOUND FAIRY DUST IN THE RAW, HEALING
ENERGY OF THE KAROO TOWN OF
PRINCE ALBERT.

070
 01

JUN/JUL 2018
01
 ind-
ennie
than

Owners Jonno Sherwin, partner in sofacompany.com

and founder of the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary, and medical
doctor Johan Hugo named this special home-from-home
after Johan’s late nephew, Hennie.
An outbuilding on the property has been converted
into a simple chapel to pay tribute to the young man. And
Hennie’s innocence and purity are echoed in the white-
washed, light-flooded interior of the house.
“If I had to describe our Prince Albert home, I’d say it
reflects pure love and light,” says Johan, who was actively
involved in the renovation. “We saw the neglected building’s
potential and knew that removing some of the interior walls
and adding sleeper-wood lintels and clerestory windows
would positively change the natural flow of the interior.” 02
The once-poky space has been opened
up and transformed into an airy home fea-
turing rustic simplicity, with chocolate-hued farm in the area in 2012, which has since
screed floors, built-in concrete furniture and become the home of the Karoo Donkey
PREVIOUS SPREAD
shelves, wooden sash windows and latte Sanctuary (see page 79). “The Karoo vege-
ceilings. A vintage cast-iron wood-burning 01 Traditional Karoo stoep, sash windows, tation, endemic wildlife and scent of raw
stove enjoys pride of place in the lounge. recycled timber schoolhouse shutters earth worked its magic on us.”
and a brakdak corrugated-iron roof –
Works of art collected by Jonno and Johan When the couple entertain, the fes-
a modest facade on rural Van Dyk Street.
add interest and texture, and Scandi-retro tivities spill out onto the patio at the back,
sofas and armchairs from sofacompany.com THIS SPREAD where a no-fuss concrete fireplace doubles
create inviting seating areas. 01 In the bedroom, Madiba Smile by Bassa
as a braai. Latte screens and ceilings, to-
In the kitchen, open shelves allow for Aspinall, scarab scatter cushions by gether with a locally sourced eight-seater
a display of turtle-green ’60s and ’70s ce- Clinton Friedman and a portrait etching wooden table and teak chairs, continue the
ramic crockery, which has been in Johan’s by JP Meyer. The concrete bed base, theme of basic rural style.
family since he was a child. A retro gas stove headboard and bedside tables are The exterior of Hennie se Huisie has
built-in.
and oversized laboratory sink are both utili- remained largely untouched. The naivety
tarian and stylish. 02 Jonno and Johan enjoy time off in of the covered stoep with its corrugated
The couple, who live in a stately Prince Albert. Australian black-wattle roof sits comfortably with the basic beauty
Victorian home in Tamboerskloof, admit to latte screens provide gentle privacy in of the surroundings. “We love the fact that
cocooning when they visit their modest the succulent garden. The stoep ceiling the facade of the house is so simple,” says
is constructed using the same painted
Prince Albert haven. “We found God-energy saplings and offers dappled shelter Jonno. “It looks like something a child
here,” says Jonno simply. from the relentless Karoo summer sun. would draw.”
As an integral part of their love affair
with the Karoo, they bought a 20-hectare • sofacompany.com

073 JUN/JUL 2018

 P R I N C E A L B E R T W E E K E N D COT TAG E

JUN/JUL 2018
 “IF I HAD TO DESCRIBE OUR HOME
I’D SAY IT REFLECTS PURE LOVE.”
01 Danish-design sofas from
sofacompany.com liven
up the neutral canvas
in the living room. The
artworks on the wall are,
from left, “Innocence”
by an unknown
photographer; “Cruising”
by Malian photographer
Seydou Keïta; Jonno’s
own photograph of a
Tibetan Drokpa child
at Lake Namtso; a sepia
print of a Tonkin girl
from North Vietnam and
a painting titled “Maya”
by local artist Kilmany-
Jo Liversage, who is
renowned for creating
a blurry boundary
between fine art and
graffiti.

01

075
 P R I N C E A L B E R T W E E K E N D COT TAG E

THE EXTERIOR HAS REMAINED

01 LARGELY UNTOUCHED.
A trio of glass retro
cookie jars recycled into
pendant lights create a
whimsical focal point in
the functional farm-style
kitchen. A SMEG vintage
cream gas oven and hob
is installed in the alcove
where a wood-burning
stove would have stood
in Victorian times.

02 An artwork by Lionel
Smit watches over the
cranberry and tangerine
Anne armchairs from
sofacompany.com. An
artisan-crafted table,
clock from Habitat and
organic coconut-shell
chandelier complete
the picture.
01

JUN/JUL 2018 076

02
 P R I N C E A L B E R T W E E K E N D COT TAG E

01 Built-in concrete shelving units provide ample

storage, and Victoria + Albert saniware keeps
things elegant, simple and functional.

02 An Ella Fitzgerald album cover below the

clerestory window, a Drum magazine cover,
pillows detailing images from the 1950s by
Jürgen Schadeberg and an upcycled bamboo
fishing basket from Thailand lend an eclectic
cosmopolitan flair to the guest bedroom.

03 Johan and Jonno, surrounded by some of

their rescued donkey mares and foals in the
nursery camp at the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary
in Prince Albert.

01

“THE SCENT OF NATURE WORKED ITS MAGIC ON US.”

02

JUN/JUL 2018 078

 KAROO DONKEY SANCTUARY,
PRINCE ALBERT
When Jonno and Johan acquired a
20-hectare piece of pristine wilderness
on the outskirts of Prince Albert, named
Stilplaas, in 2012, Jonno realised his lifetime
dream of becoming the custodian of a wild
piece of Africa. What he did not factor in
was that the land would soon become the
largest donkey sanctuary and rescue centre
in Africa.
In 2016 the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary
was registered as an NPO (number 171-525),
enabling Jonno and Johan to crowd-source
donations, volunteers and virtual adoptions.
In January 2017, Jonno was alerted to
what was tipped to be the largest equine
auction to ever take place in South Africa,
in Hartswater, Northern Cape, with more
than 500 donkeys and 200 horses going
under the hammer. Given the gold rush for
donkey hides, the drought in North West
and Limpopo, and the fact that the majority
of the animals were destined for slaughter,
Jonno mobilised his troops to attend
the auction and, with the assistance and
incredible generosity of people, they were
able to rescue 236 donkeys and 30 horses.
Sixteen months on, the Karoo
Donkey Sanctuary team has successfully
rehabilitated the mega-herd and, to date,
45 of the donkeys have been rehomed to
loving retirement homes across the country,
with many more prospective homes
currently under a strict vetting process.

What’s happening to donkeys?

According to a 2017 report by Donkey
Sanctuary UK, the global donkey population
is estimated at 44 million, and an estimated
10 million donkeys are slaughtered per
year to supply the Chinese demand for
their skins.
Investigations by the National Council of
SPCAs have revealed that “donkeys are being
rounded up, stolen and brutally slaughtered
for their skins. Horrific cases of cruelty have
been uncovered and criminal charges have
been laid.”
If you’d like to contribute, the banking
details are as follows: Karoo Donkey
Sanctuary, Standard Bank, Tyger Manor
05 04 10, account no. 300 874 049.
• love@karoodonkeysanctuary.org.za
• karoodonkeysanctuary.org.za
03
 02

&
P H OTO S G E O F F B R OW N ,
L A N E T K B P H OTO G R A P H Y
C O M P I L E D BY T R AC Y
G R E E N WO O D
 S A N D T O N H E A D Q UA R T E R S

WHEN A PETROCHEMICAL GIANT ELECTED TO

CONSOLIDATE ITS OPERATIONS IN NEW PREMISES IN THE
HEART OF SANDTON, PARAGON GROUP BROUGHT THE
COMPANY’S CORPORATE DREAM TO LIFE.

081 JUN/JUL 2018

 he unifi- The concept of open, transparent and remote workspaces
is extended to include interactive facilities such as restaurants,
cation of
canteens, art galleries and coffee shops.”
Sasol’s A central core of circulation and services ties the building
corporate together, and the various areas are linked by a series of bridges.
culture One of the main challenges was the site, which is on
was the primary driver behind the a curving edge of Katherine Street: The architects had to
company’s decision to move its busi- ensure a 68 000 m2 building with a capacity of 7 500 people
ness units and activities from a scatter- could be accommodated and well connected both vertically
ing of locations across Johannesburg and horizontally.
into a single purpose-built building. The final product leaps the boundary of the commercial
Paragon Group, led by principal edge of Sandton to sit as a floating glass box hovering above
architect Anthony Orelowitz, studied indigenous parkland.
the Sasol logo closely to interpret it as “We provided the building with a perimeter that is almost
a built form, and used the company entirely green, nestling the architecture softly in its surround-
structure as the departure point for ings,” says Anthony. “It is a landscape as interactive as the archi-
the conceptual design of the building. tecture it supports.”
“The concept was initially set up Winding paths guide visitors past art and sculptural ele-
as a straight line linking the various ments, through vegetation displays that showcase carefully
units,” says Anthony. “This was, however, chosen indigenous trees and shrubs known for attracting
seen as spatially too linear, so the form birds and butterflies.
evolved into something more ser-
pentine, which generated a more
interconnected space and was
more easily accommodated on
the site.
Inspired by the notion of
Sasol’s various business units sur-
rounding a nucleus and consisting
of a central core and integrated
floor plate with bridges that lead
to the various departments, the
contemporary workplace design
allows for free movement both
vertically and horizontally through
the building. Interestingly, the
iconic S-shaped floating glass
structure is also the first devel-
opment that will lead the way in
opening up the next new precinct
on Katherine Street.
The glass facades were care-
01
fully engineered to ensure this
5 Star Green Star design satis-
fied performance and aesthetic
requirements.
“The glazing is a combination of reflective glass spandrels Planter walls rise and fall organically, containing rolling
and vision glass, which combine to form a unified crystal and sweeping berms and a forest of indigenous trees, creating
facade,” says Antony. “It was important to us to push bound- sculptural spaces that open up to the sky and that will, with
aries in this design, which is characterised by light volumes the aid of integrated lighting designs, come to life at night.
externally and two dramatic skylights articulated with acous-
tic baffles internally. • paragon.co.za

COROBRIK SAIA ARCHITECTURAL AWARDS Sasol Place received an Award for Excellence at the Corobrik South African Institute of
Architects (SAIA) awards evening in May.

082
 VARIOUS AREAS ARE LINKED BY
A SERIES OF BRIDGES.
PREVIOUS SPREAD

01 The north atrium

includes the sculptural
support for a bank of
bridges. The gallery,
which houses much
of Sasol’s impressive
art collection, is to the
right.

02 Anthony Orelowitz.

THIS SPREAD

01 Ascending from the

parking area, the
escalators provide an
entrance that increases
the experience of
the building as one
approaches the
ground level.

02 A view of the diffusing

skylights and the
reception area in the
north atrium.

02
 S A N D T O N H E A D Q UA R T E R S

01 The spaceship-like south atrium with

its glass, steel and organic curves.
Here various dining options are
available to staff and visitors.

02 Internal ponds, here in the north

atrium, provide tranquil, reflective
touchpoints.

03 The building features a well-

equipped gymnasium.

04 The food court overlooks the

landscaped podium gardens, which
have been established with plants
that attract insects.

01

“THE FORM EVOLVED INTO SOMETHING SERPENTINE,

02

JUN/JUL 2018
 03

WHICH GENERATED A MORE INTERCONNECTED SPACE.”

04

085
 S A N D T O N H E A D Q UA R T E R S

GLASS SPANDRELS AND VISION GLASS.”

“THE GLAZING IS A COMBINA ION OF REFLECTIVE

© ALL SASOL PLACE PHOTOGRAPHS COPYRIGHT SASOL LIMITED

01 With the Joburg

skyline in the
background, the
building rises from
the ground like an
azure jewel, reflecting
the light.

01

JUN/JUL 2018
087
 O U D T S H O O R N H E R I TAG E H O M E

FURNISHED WITH TREASURES AND MEMORIES FROM A LIFETIME

OF COLLECTING, AN INTERIOR DESIGNER’S OUDTSHOORN RETREAT IS
AN INTERMINGLING OF COUNTRY CHARM AND COSMOPOLITAN FLAIR.

01

P H OTO S D O O K P R O D U C T I O N A N N E M A R I E M E I N TJ E S WO R D S L AU R I A N B R OW N

JUN/JUL 2018 088

02
 O U D T S H O O R N H E R I TAG E H O M E

but Oudtshoorn has panache. The flamboy-

,
ant spirit of the feather barons lives on in its
lavish sandstone buildings with their broekie-
lace fretwork – and in its feisty charm.
Interior designer David Strauss suc-
cumbed to this charm five years ago while
looking for a house to buy for once-a-month
getaways from Cape Town. He found a solid
old sandstone classic, built in the town’s
Victorian heyday, in West Bank. No palace
this: a deep stoep, a string of small rooms
off a wide central passage, the only flourish
a wagon-wheel precast fence. Some renova-
tion was necessary, but the age of the house
meant the exterior could not be modified and
any alterations would have to be undertaken
under the strict eye of the heritage authorities.
“I was a bit lost to start off with because
I knew nobody,” says David. “But this is such
a friendly town. And everybody knows every-
body else, which is very helpful. If you get
I

stuck, you just ask somebody, anybody.”

It took only a few enquiries for help to
come flooding in, in the capable form of build-
er Seun de Jager, landscaper Henties de Villiers,
and multitalented mine of local information
Morkel Mulder. Their combined skills helped
David to create the spacious retreat, which
he has now made his home. He keeps only a 01
small pied-à-terre in Cape Town and spends
as much time in Oudtshoorn as his work will
allow. “Which is wonderful, because it’s quiet
here; you can do all your admin, and the city is rush-rush-rush.”
The main house, where his mother lives, has remained
basically unchanged. “I removed two interior walls to make PREVIOUS SPREAD

bigger rooms and ripped out most of the built-in cupboards,
but that was about it.” His next step was to build a cottage
studio for himself right next to it.
“And then I thought: Why not build a summerhouse? And
it’s worked so well, because it has created a courtyard. I’ve
always been a courtyard person. I like places to be enclosed.
It gives you a sense of being elsewhere, not in suburbia.
David had more than enough furniture and art for both
the main house and the summerhouse. Some of his most
precious things are inherited; the rest come from a lifetime
of collecting, each piece selected for its appeal and intrinsic
quality, and arranged with the same unerring eye.
I
01 With its traditional deep stoep and central
passage, the main house remains virtually
unchanged. The garden, a deliberately
chaotic mix of hardy favourites, was redone
and is only two years old.
02 The entrance to David’s new cottage studio
echoes the symmetry of the main house. The
extra-deep stoep serves as an outdoor living
and dining room throughout the seasons.
THIS SPREAD
01 David in his summerhouse, which is
furnished with a mix of collected and

“It’s eclectic, not typical old-house. But I wanted to respect
the house and be sympathetic to its age. My furniture all
seemed to fit in easily and I hope there’s harmony.
“I choose things only because I like them. I can remember
the day and place I bought each item, but I often can’t
remember the artist or the maker. The meaning of something
is much more important to me than a name or value.”
inherited pieces.
02 The main living room opens on to the
front stoep in classic Karoo style. In David’s
signature eclectic style, Indian chairs,
a leather sofa, gilt-framed paintings, craft
pieces, and zebra and Nguni skins are
combined in a rich yet subdued mix of
texture, pattern and patina.

• davidstrauss.co.za

JUN/JUL 2018 090

02
 O U D T S H O O R N H E R I TAG E H O M E

01 In the dressing room of the cottage, Moorish tiles line

the shower, a vintage shop counter provides storage for
scarves and smalls, and a lifetime’s collection of shoes is
ranged on floor-to-ceiling shelves.

02 A fireplace is essential in Karoo winters, and the

spacious bedsitting room of the cottage also has
a large window to admit the winter sun. Come
summer, the blinds are lowered and the room is kept
in cool darkness. A painting by Michele Redelinghuys
hangs above the fireplace and the corner screen is an
assembly of works by Leon Vermeulen. Their glowing
colours are reflected in the furnishings.

03 In the sleeping area of the room, colours are more

monochromatic. A large German cabinet holds prized
ceramics and African pieces that David began collecting
in Johannesburg many years ago. Curtains of hand-
printed Zimbabwean fabric screen the dressing room.

04 Face to face in the living room of the main house:

a leather sofa from Klooftique and a lemoenhout
riempie chair. The large painting above the sofa is by
Marion Geiger.

05 In the kitchen, David ripped out all the built-in

cupboards and made it “very Karoo… very cosy.”
He found the dresser in Oudtshoorn.

01

“I CAN REMEMBER THE DAY I BOUGHT EACH ITEM,  BUT

02

JUN/JUL 2018
 03

I OFTEN CAN’T REMEMBER THE ARTIST OR THE MAKER.”

04 05

093
 O U D T S H O O R N H E R I TAG E H O M E

01 Built at the northern end of the property, the

summerhouse looks south across a secluded
courtyard to David’s studio cottage. The furnishings
are a whimsical mix, largely rustic except for this
antique corner chair. “Chairs are a weakness,” David
says. “Whenever I see an unusual one, I buy it.”

02 The northern side of the summerhouse has

unglazed, shuttered window apertures that look
out on to a charming wild strip of garden that
borders the street. The vast wooden counter is
another Oudtshoorn find – it was made to hold
ostrich feathers.

03 A number of pieces in the summerhouse, including

this antique settee, wagon bed and chair, are from
Graaff-Reinet and part of an inheritance.

04 The courtyard garden has a strictly formal layout,

defined by low concrete walls within which an
exuberant mix of practical and ornamental plants has
been encouraged to riot. Herbs, fruit trees, roses and
perennials are flourishing thanks to the skills of local
landscaper Henties de Villiers and fifth-generation
Oudtshoorner Morkel Mulder.

01

“I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A COURTYARD PERSON.”

02 03

JUN/JUL 2018 094

04
 A MODERN HOME ON MONAGHAN FARM IN LANSERIA FINDS ITS SENSE OF

JUN/JUL 2018
 L A N S E R I A E STAT E H O M E

01

PLACE THROUGH PARED-DOWN CONTOURS AND CONNECTION TO THE LANDSCAPE.

097
01
the evening, when the lights are on, if you glance up from
the main road as you head towards Monaghan Farm there’s
a house on the hill that looks like everyone first imagines
a house should: an archetypal box with a pitched roof. This
simple form belies the thoughtfulness with which Gillian
Holl of Veld Architects designed the home. The clean-lined
silhouette might represent simplicity, yet the design is
anything but simple. It shows a considered response to the
setting, a modern farm estate with views of the Magaliesberg,
and a layered approach to meeting the needs of a family of
four and linking them with the land.
“People find a sense of belonging when they connect
with the landscape,” says Gillian, explaining one of the main
aims in her design approach. On one level, the urge to belong
informed the shape of the building, which has a precedent in
the farm-style houses that befit this kind of setting. “And then
we tried to think about it in a new way.” The idea was for it to
look appropriate in the landscape but at the same time not to 02
devolve into pastiche.
The design essentially became three buildings, each
with a slightly different identity. The living area, dining room
and kitchen occupy one wing; the bedrooms, bathrooms and a TV lounge another.
And, set slightly apart, there is a guest cottage clad entirely in corrugated iron –
a “celebration of the farm shed”, as Gillian puts it. PREVIOUS SPREAD
Achieving the pared-down purity of form of the roof required some out-of-the- 01 Lots of glass lends transparency to the two
box thinking. Monaghan Farm requires rainwater harvesting, but box gutters tend wings of the house, making the most of the
to ruin the perfect silhouette. So Gillian looked to Ancient Rome for a solution and views to the south and allowing in sunlight
designed a series of storm-water troughs that run like aqueducts at ground level from the north. By contrast, the separate guest
cottage with its solid form brings to mind
and channel rainwater into underground tanks, leaving the clean roofline uncom-
a farm shed. The Monaghan Farm architectural
promised. The purity of the silhouette is mirrored inside in the pitched ceilings, guidelines encourage a break-up of the bulk of
which give the interior a streamlined minimalism. But, if there’s one thing Gillian is the house into separate structures interlinked
as passionate about as architecture that connects with the landscape it is detailing. by courtyard gardens.
She’s layered a variety of materials and textures to create visual interest and character.
The bedroom wing is bookended with off-shutter concrete, there’s painted brick, THIS SPREAD

a face-brick feature wall in the living room and wood accents. Patterned steel awnings 01 A slatted wooden deck connects the kitchen/
throw geometric shadows on the floor; and at the entrance small framed windows dining area and the pool pavilion. Architect
Gillian Holl designed the steel awning, which
create focused views from inside and make beautiful light boxes at night from outside.
throws geometric shadows on the floor.
It might be “a simple modern farm house”, as Gillian calls it, but through the way
she’s begun with simplicity, connected the building to the landscape and then lay- 02 Sleek wooden cupboards in the master
ered on the details, she’s indeed created a sense of belonging – the other archetype bedroom form a warm contrast to the off-
of home. shutter concrete walls and screed floors.

• veldarchitects.co.za

099 JUN/JUL 2018

 L A N S E R I A E STAT E H O M E

01 A small courtyard between the kitchen/dining area

and the living room serves to link the two wings
and connect the interior to the landscape.

02 The minimalism of the white kitchen focuses

attention on the panoramic view from the dining
area. The subtle Unfold pendant lamps above the
kitchen island and E27 pendants above the dining
table by Danish brand Muuto do not detract from
the vista.

03 From this angle one can see the grassed courtyard

between the two wings, which allows sunlight to
flood into both sections of the house.

04 The walls of the main living room are painted

dark to form a contrast with the adjoining rooms.
The vistas from here are the most spectacular;
windows to the west afford framed views of the
valley and the Magaliesberg in the distance. The
sofa is by GOET Furniture and Design.

01

“PEOPLE FIND A SENSE OF BELONGING WHEN

02

JUN/JUL 2018
03

THEY CONNECT WITH THE LANDSCAPE.”

04

101
 L A N S E R I A E STAT E H O M E

01

02

JUN/JUL 2018 102

 IN THE LANDSCAPE.”
“THE IDEA WAS FOR IT
TO LOOK APPROPRIATE

01 The spacious master

bathroom also has large
windows, which look
out on an enclosed
courtyard. The basin is
cleverly placed in a free-
standing unit right in
front of the window
to foster the indoor-
outdoor connection.

02 From the driveway,

a randomly scattered
arrangement of
protruding box-like
windows makes
a feature of the street-
facing wall, especially
at night, when they’re
lit from the inside. It’s
another example of the
layer of detail that gives
this house its sense of
character.

03 The master bedroom

features a large off-
shutter concrete wall
– part of architect Gillian
Holl’s exploration of
materials and textures
that add richness to
the sleek simplicity of
the design.
03
 P E M B A I S L A N D RESORT

-A N N
OY
PHO

01

THE LARGEST ISLAND OF THE ZANZIBAR ARCHIPELAGO

IS WIDELY KNOWN, BUT PEMBA ISLAND JUST NORTH
OF IT HAS SOMEHOW REMAINED UNDER THE RADAR.
ONE OF ONLY A HANDFUL OF RESORTS ON PEMBA,
CONSTANCE AIYANA IS AN OASIS OF SERENITY.

JUN/JUL 2018 104

02
 P E M B A I S L A N D RESORT

far, far away – the fantasy vision of a tropical Indian Ocean

land destination seems idyllic, but chances are you’ll run into
an acquaintance there. Ever since Thomas Cook organised his PREVIOUS SPREAD

rst “package tour” in the 1840s, travel has become accessible 01 Constance Aiyana overlooks a marine
many more of us. The downside is that the “ideal” holiday reserve, where commercial fishing is not
estinations have become so popular that they no longer allowed. The water is shallow close to the
shore, and then it drops off to the deep
ffer solitude, personal attention, and rest for body and soul. Pemba Channel, between the island and
Okay, when most of us dream of getting away from it all, the mainland. The resort’s boat is available
we don’t really mean it in the sense of forgoing all our comforts. for guests wanting to go on an outing.
This is where a resort like Constance Aiyana on Pemba 02 The 340 m2 two-bedroom Presidential Villa
land pulls off a remarkable feat, offering an isolated retreat offers luxurious privacy at the northern
omplete with all the luxuries and the service you’d expect of end of the resort.
five-star resort – minus the commercial trappings that tend
THIS SPREAD
to go with such destinations.
Pemba is reachable via ferry or a small Cessna aircraft, and 01 “Aiyana” lives up to its name, which means
en it’s a 90-minute 4x4“safari”(as our driver called it), or much ever-blooming. The gardens are planted
with a wide variety of flowering plants and
nger in the rainy season, to get to Aiyana on the north-west there are always fresh flowers in vases,
tip of the island. This trip through villages and settlements and arranged by three employees who have
rms and a forest reserve is absolutely worth it. been trained in the art.
It’s hard to avoid clichés to describe Aiyana’s setting: The
sea really is that implausible translucent turquoise you see in 02 Step out of the Land Cruiser that fetched
you from the airstrip and this is where
hotos on the website and the beach is that white, with palm you’re warmly greeted by the staff and
onds framing the scene. Flowers everywhere. The air sultry at made to feel welcome at Aiyana.
he start of the rainy season.
The resort with its 30 villas reflects
n eclectic mix of influences: a hint of
Greek island in the brilliant-white walls
01
gainst blue sky and lush vegetation,
touch of Bali in the ornate doors and
pa treatments, elements of Hindu
onography, and Swahili fusion in the
rnishings made by local carpenters
nd other crafters. It took eight years
build the resort, employing Pemba
landers. Constance Hotels & Resorts,
hich is known for its impeccable
andards, took over management of
Aiyana in January and has already put
its stamp on the resort.
There’s DStv in your air-conditioned villa, but
ou feel no compulsion to turn on the TV; the
each is beckoning. Or you can go snorkelling in
he pristine marine reserve, or paddling through
he mangroves, or have a massage at the spa…
Can it be lunchtime already? Decisions, decisions:
ill you have the Pemba crab soup, the seafood
latter, the freshest organic fruit and vegetables…
maybe chocolate cake for dessert?
“This is a place for travellers, not tourists,”
ays general manager Barbara Elkaz. Indeed, if
ou enjoy a vibrant nightlife scene and crowded
beaches and markets, you’ll find all of this at other
Indian Ocean island resorts. Leave Aiyana to those
of us seeking to get far away from it all.

• constancehotels.com/zanzibar/aiyana

JUN/JUL 2018
02
01
 P E M B A I S L A N D RESORT

02

01 Aroma Restaurant has an undercover

area and an open-air terrace.

02 Clockwise, the private outside

dining area of the Presidential Villa;
guest relations manager Bella Balcis,
performing the hand-washing
ritual before a meal; the bar area;
seafood is Aiyana’s speciality; Simon
Juma and Haji Hamad on Aiyana’s
ngalawa, a traditional double-
outrigger canoe; Aroma Restaurant
in the evening; a sculpture made
of the wood of old ngalawas and
dhows; one of the ornate doors that
were made by local craftspeople and
some of the sculptural art pieces
dotted throughout the resort.

109 JUN/JUL 2018

 P E M B A I S L A N D RESORT

01

01 The healing, cleansing element of

water is a prominent feature at Aiyana,
in the pools (like the main pool below
left and the pool at the Royal Villa
below right), the large bathrooms, the
fountains and ponds, and especially
at Maji Spa. “Maji” is Swahili for water.
Set in a serene garden, the spa has
five treatment rooms and a hydro.
The therapists are Elisabeth Chacko
and Happiness Evarister (left).

02 The furniture and even the lamps in

this bedroom in the Presidential Villa
were made by local craftspeople.
The symbol of the sacral chakra above
the bed is one of the decorative motifs
used throughout the resort.

JUN/JUL 2018 110

02
 P E M B A I S L A N D RESORT

IT’S HARD TO AVOID CLICHÉS TO

DESCRIBE AIYANA’S SETTING.
01 The staff at Aiyana
go all out to spoil
guests. Special
touches include
lighting oil lamps
in the evenings and
scattering blossoms
along a path to the
dining tables, carried
out to the beach on
a balmy evening.

02 This sandbank
emerges at low tide.
It’s a special treat
to go there by boat
and have everything
set up for you to
enjoy a picnic.

01

JUN/JUL 2018 112

02
% 68  - 2  2 %8 9 6 ) 
A fabr ic collection of elegant
florals in warm, powder y tones .

Fabric sold to trade customers only.

8S½RH]SYVRIEVIWXWLS[VSSQ
ZMWMX[[[LIVXI\GS^E
PHOTO ANDREW MEREDITH/MOOOI

REASONS
TO
EX PLORE THE G
RE

AT
INDOORS
 D
1 E
THE WORLD’S LARGEST ANNUAL CONSUMER GOODS TRADE FAIR
DELIVERED ON ALL ITS PROMISES, REPORTS VISI DEPUTY EDITOR
ANNEMARIE MEINTJES. THESE PRODUCTS CAUGHT HER EYE.

S I G N E
The Norman Foster Collection at Danish design house Stelton comprises tableware in stainless steel, porcelain and glass by the renowned
R

British architect and founder of Foster + Partners, one of the world’s most influential architectural design firms. He has combined simple sculptural
form and soft geometry in his designs for a wide range of settings, from a water carafe to coffee cups.
• fosterandpartners.com • stelton.com

Le Règne Animal is
a Rosenthal-meets-Versace
collection that celebrates
the 25th anniversary of
a continued collaboration
that has seen the birth
of many fine porcelain
collections enhanced by the
addition of iconic Versace
prints. The range depicts
a gorilla, a lion, an eagle and
a shark against backgrounds
that blend the mythological
and the natural worlds.
• rosenthal.de • versace.
com/international/en

116
 34 REASONS

AT Ambiente 2018, established brands exhibited ranges edited to an exciting brand-newness, and added interest
by introducing collections produced in collaboration with independent designers. These include two stunning
collections of decorative porcelain plates. Designed for the table, they might end up on the wall with mirrors and
masks, according to the current showroom trend inspired by social media, which is about curating your personal
lifestyle and sharing it with the world. Young entrepreneurs, brands and studios exhibited contemporary product
ideas for a modern lifestyle in three areas at Ambiente under the name Next – and, in terms of both stand design and
products, these young designers fully embraced the trends of urbanisation, globalisation and individualisation.

C O L L E C T I O N S
The Love Who You Want collection of porcelain plates
by Christian Lacroix Maison for Vista Alegre features
personalities like Jungle King and Dõna Jirafa. The illustrative
designs were inspired by a game created by French Surrealists
in the 1920s, where various artists imagined the continuation of
a painting not knowing what had been painted previously.
• christian-lacroix.com • vistaalegre.com

Jaime Hayon’s Folkifunki collection for Portuguese porcelain brand

Vista Alegre comprises everything from a salad bowl to this Duck vase. Each
unique piece is inspired by plants, animals, masks or folkloric characters.
• hayonstudio.com • vistaalegre.com

Sebastian Herkner’s
Murphy miniature
porcelain sculpture
for Rosenthal
celebrates the Year of
the Dog in the Chinese
zodiac. Named for
a beloved Rosenthal
family pet, the figurine
embodies the dog’s
characteristics:
straightforward, faithful
and affectionate. It is
available in two sizes
(12,5 cm and 22 cm) and
three colours (White,
Brown and Black).
• sebastian
herkner.com
• rosenthal.de

JUN/JUL 2018
 34 REASONS

C O L O U R F U L C R Y S T A L
Handblown Venice tumblers at Dibbern are low-stemmed, dishwasher-safe and perfect for any occasion. They are available in Azure Blue,
Amber, Rosé, Green, Aqua, Clear and Bordeaux. • dibbern.de

Villeroy & Boch has upsized its

Coloured Delight tealight holders
in faceted crystal to double as vases or
candle lanterns that create interesting
light reflections. Pictured here are two
examples of the vases in Gentle Lilac
and Noble Rose.
• villeroy-boch.com

W A S T E N O T

Brabantia’s Bo Touch bin

offers a new way to look at
waste. A bin that doesn’t
look like a bin, so you don’t
feel the need to conceal
it, is every design lover’s
dream. The cabinet-like
Bo bin balances on four
elegant legs and is available
in eight colours. With three
inner buckets for waste
separation, it is eminently
practical too.
• brabantia.com
 The Wesco
Baseboy is a series
of bins fitted with
an integrated
dampener in the
shell that ensures
a soft close at all
times. It is available
in four sizes and
nine colours.
• wesco.de

E V E R M E T A L L I C , E V E R I N S T Y L E

The Purple Titanium fine Gold and Champagne. The PVD

bone china range at Dibbern
comprises accessories, cups and
small bowls glamorously lined with
opalescent colour that shimmers
between copper and violet.
• dibbern.de
The new Sambonet Bamboo
cutlery collection features
a form reminiscent of the organic
designs of the 1940s. Already
available in stainless steel and
silver-plated versions, and with the
polished PVD Copper finish, the
collection will also be available
in the new PVD colours Black,
(physical vapour deposition)
colour coating on the stainless
steel ensures durability.
• sambonet.it
The Swan Lights candleholder
by Daniel Debiasi and Federico
Sandri for Rosenthal resembles
a swan gliding through water.
The elegant tapering design takes
a single candle on one end and is
easy to pick up by the other end.
It’s made of glass with different
finishes: Clear, Copper, Silver
and Gold.
• rosenthal.de
 E A S Y D O E S I T

The Vitamix blender

brand has taken many
parts of the world by
storm thanks to the
options it offers to
prepare healthy food
in a flash. There are
a number of blender
types in the range,
depending on your
personal needs, how
much space you have
in the kitchen and what
you plan to use the
blender for.
• vitamix.com

C O L O U R C O D I N G
The Fissler SensoRed crêpe pan features a heat-
sensitive non-stick coating that indicates the ideal
frying temperature by changing colour. Once the
entire frying surface has changed to the darker
colour of the speckles, the pan is hot enough to
begin cooking. As the surface cools, the colour
returns to its original tone. The stainless steel handle
with heat buffers remains cool to the touch, and the
flat edge is ideal for flipping pancakes.
• fissler.com

N O R D I C S I M P L I C I T Y

The Eva Solo MyFlavour drinking bottle
allows you to flavour your water any which way.
It has a smart removable skewer, making it easy
to add aromatic flavourings of your choice. It
also has a practical strap so it is easy to carry. It is
completely watertight and can be refilled time
and time again. All parts are dishwasher-safe.
• evasolo.com
The Eva Solo fridge carafe is now
available with a Botanic Green cover, which
ensures it is comfortable to hold while
preventing condensation on a tabletop.
The carafe fits in the fridge door and is
drip-free and dishwasher-safe, and the
cover is machine-washable.
• evasolo.com

JUN/JUL 2018 120

 E
The Höfats Beer Box
could be your new
best friend If you’re
R

planning a braai at
the beach where the
beer is likely to flow.
Made of high-quality
CorTen steel, this box
U

is both mobile and

multifunctional. It holds
two dozen 330 ml
bottles, and a bottle
opener is integrated
T

in the design. As soon

as the crate has been
emptied and the beers
are chilling on ice, the
L

Beer Box can be used

as a fire drum. Each box
comes with a stainless
steel grate with
The Mini Big Green Egg is just 43 cm tall and has
handles and a wooden
a 25 cm grill diameter, making it perfect for picnics,
U

board that allows the

camping or a day on a boat. The grid offers sufficient
box to be turned into
PHOTO SPIEGELAU – NACHTMANN FINE BAVARIAN CRYSTAL, THE LIFESTYLE DIVISION OF RIEDEL GLASS WORKS

room to cook for two to four people.

a seat or table.
• biggreenegg.eu
• hoefats.com
C

T H E C U LT O F C R A F T
Spiegelau has a range of craft beer glasses for every brew. Unlike
Mexican beer, served with a lemon wedge to keep the flies out and
drunk from the bottle, craft beer requires a glass, it seems. The classic jug
when ordering beer on tap has also been pushed aside for a specialised
collection. For those in the know, or wanting to know, study the shapes
I

before you go shopping.

• shop-spiegelau.com
A
A
R

The Eva Solo box gas grill is small enough to use on

a balcony or in a small garden, yet big enough for culinary
creativity. It has two manually operated burners, a roomy
lid, and side handles that make moving the grill easy.
B

• evasolo.com
Ambiente 2019 is on from 8 to 12 February 2019 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany • ambiente.messefrankfurt.com
 34

WORDS MARY GARNER

THE SHOWSTOPPING K-IN KITCHEN BY ROSSANA,
NOW AVAILABLE LOCALLY AT EUROCASA, FORMS A FOCAL
POINT WORTHY OF APPLAUSE.

are extremely excited about introducing this

“WE landmark kitchen design to South Africa,” says
Richard Lurie, MD of Eurocasa Cape Town. “The K-IN kitchen
sets a new standard of luxury.”
Designed by Italian architect and product designer
Massimo Castagna for Rossana, the K-IN is a freestanding
kitchen island unit that resembles a monolith hovering
above the floor. On closer inspection, it turns out to
be a remarkably flexible design, featuring countertops
that can slide out in two directions – creating fabulous
overhangs – to reveal appliances and more work surfaces.
The tops, sliding units and doors are made of lightweight
natural stone and cellular aluminium, and can be
combined with various wood veneers.
The kitchen also comes in a more robust outdoor
version, the K-OUT.

• From R1,3 million

· eurocasa.co.za

JUN/JUL 2018 122

 Discover Provence.

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VRSKLVWLFDWHGKXH/H&UHXVHWÖVODWHVWFRORXUFROOHFWLRQLVDYDLODEOHLQDUDQJHRI&DVW,URQDQG
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 34 REASONS
3
THE LATE DAME ZAHA HADID, AN AWARD-WINNING
ARCHITECT, COLLABORATED WITH BULGARI
ON ITS B.ZERO1 JEWELLERY LINE.
01
02
01 The B.zero1 ‘Labyrinth’ ring (left
bottom and middle) is available
in white gold, rose gold or
a combination, and some are set
with pavé diamonds.
02 The original B.zero1’Design
Legend’ has been updated with
pavé diamonds; it is available in
white or rose gold (seen left, top)
with matching pendants.
T F A
S with model Bella Hadid.
A
C
Bella Hadid,
F
the face of the new
B.zero1 collection, is
not related to Zaha
Hadid.
JUN/JUL 2018 124
he Bulgari B.zero1
T Labyrinth ring,
created in 1999, became
one of the most celebrated
designs of the decade.
It’s modelled on the
Colosseum, Roman Emperor
Vespasian’s architectural
statement of power.
Designed as an expression
of strength and character
with quintessential Italian
flair, the ring’s innovative
shape and form are
purposefully architectural.
In 2010, British sculptor
Anish Kapoor lent his vision
to the ring in a pink-gold
and steel execution with
a mirror-like finish.
For a more recent
incarnation, Bulgari joined
forces with Zaha Hadid. The
B.zero1 Design Legend was
launched in 2016 at Design
Miami. Wallpaper* described
the renowned architect’s
redesign as “a sumptuous,
spiralling ripple of gold”.
The wave-like shape of
the ring creates a feeling
of movement reminiscent
of her architectural
masterpieces, like The
Serpentine Sackler Gallery
in London.
The ring’s intricate
construction is both
free-flowing and linear.
The metal is given
movement, dynamism
and an organic feel. Like
the seeming lightness and
weightlessness of Zaha’s
buildings, the ring appears
to float on the finger.
The collection, which
includes Zaha’s B.zero1
Design Legend, has been
reimagined in a campaign
WORDS AMELIA BROWN
• Bulgari Boutique,
Diamond Walk,
Sandton City
• 011 883 1325
• bulgari.com
 TOUR DU MONDE

DEDON COLLECTION BRIXX

Design by Lorenza Bozzoli

www.dedon.de

CA N E TI M E
Loop Street · Maitland · Cape Town · Tel: + 27 21 510 10 72
cane@canetime.com · www.canetime.com
 4
eople are drawn to flames, says and light a fire? And what if you have
P Malcolm Sims, MD at Infiniti Fires. a minimalist interior and don’t like the
“We seek out not only the warmth of idea of a stove and chimney?
fire but also the mesmerising dance of That’s where sleek flueless gas fires
the flames.” But when it comes to new come in. You can still have flames but
home heating installations, fewer than with minimal emissions, so there’s
5% are open brick fireplaces. They’re no need for a chimney and no heat
just too inefficient, not to mention the is wasted. You can have warmth and
smell of smoke. And the days of heating ambiance at the flick of a switch.
a home cheaply on electricity are Infiniti Fires has just launched
certainly gone. a larger version of its popular Slimline
The market is now split fairly equally flueless gas fire, which is 2 m long!
between closed-combustion wood
stoves and flueless gas fires, says • infinitifires.co.za
Malcolm. A closed-combustion wood
stove, the cheapest form of heating
available, is designed to effectively 01 The Symphony flueless gas fire is
heat a large open-plan space, where a sleek wall-mounted unit with
WORDS MARY GARNER

you can sit around the stove and enjoy

FUELEFFICIENT HOME HEATING a brushed stainless steel rear wall
the warmth and the flames – both of AND LOW EMISSIONS ARE that magnifies the effect of the
flames. Installation is easy; it will
which can be controlled. CENTRAL TO INFINITI FIRES’ heat a 400 m3 space; and, being
But what if you don’t have the time PHILOSOPHY. wall-hung, it’s safer with young
or inclination to stock up on wood children in the house.

JUN/JUL 2018 126

 Fourways : Silver Lakes : Umhlanga :
011-691 7700 012-809 3519 031-566 6777
 34 RE

5 TWO NEW INDIGENUS PLANTER COLLECTIONS

ARE BOTH SCULPTURAL ARTWORKS AND PRACTICAL POTS.

01 Andile Dyalvane’s Bhaca planters come in three shades, including fire-pit black.
eter van der Post of Indigenus has again
P collaborated with top South African creatives
on two new planter collections, this time with
ceramic artist Andile Dyalvane and furniture designer
Laurie Wiid van Heerden.
Andile’s large clay-and-concrete Bhaca planters
with “scarification” detail, inspired by the traditional
Xhosa practice of cutting the skin, are scaled up from
smaller vessels using 3D scanning and CNC cutting.
Laurie’s Terra range comprises curvy concrete
WORDS MARY GARNER AND BIDDI RORKE

planters on stands made of iroko wood – an update

of the most popular Indigenus planter to date, the
Soma, also by Laurie. “With the Terra,” says Peter,
“I wanted to introduce a square planter and trough
as an original take on the mid-century planters on
stands that are so popular at the moment.”
Indigenus planters are lightweight and durable,
and come with an inner lining. They look as good
inside as they do in the garden.

02 Two pots in Laurie Wiid van Heerden’s Terra range. • indigenus.co.za

JUN/JUL 2018 128

 “Interesting things happen when the
creative impulse is cultivated with curiosity,
freedom and intensity.”
Saul Bass
Award-winning American Designer

MONOCIBEC ONE- Gris 1200mm x 600mm. Natural Surface.

STILES - Cape Town STILES - George STILES - Mossel Bay

37 Paarden Eiland Road 12 Commercial Close Bolton Street
Cape Town, 7405 George, 6529 Mossel Bay, 6506
T: 021 510 8310 T: +27 44 8713222 T: +27 44 6951800
F: 021 510 8317 F: +27 44 8710721 F: +27 44 6951877
info@stiles.co.za info@stiles.co.za info@stiles.co.za

www.stiles.co.za
 6
ith a background in graffiti
W and action board sports,
Matt W Moore relishes applying his
design principles to commercial
and personal projects. Here’s what
he had to say about his recent
collaboration with Rémy Martin.

What was your brief?

This project has a bunch of different
components and deliverables, such
as bottle and package designs,
displays, videos, and the amazing
augmented reality experience.
My role was to translate the
essence of the brand, bringing my
colourful abstract graphic styles
into the mix to create many design
compositions for bottle, box and
display. I developed a library of
all the elements: grapes, leaves,
vineyards, centaur, sunshine, rain, 01, 03 Matt W Moore designed this basketball
the flow and energy of Cognac. court at W South Beach Hotel in Miami.
This series of illustrations comes to
life in the videos and augmented
INTERVIEW TRACY GREENWOOD

reality app.

What is your approach when you

begin work on a new project?
I start with a lot of research.
I really enjoy this process, asking
questions, learning the history of
the brand, how they do what they 02, 04The Rémy Martin VSOP Limited Edition
do, and what they have done in Cognac is sold in a beautiful gift box. 02

JUN/JUL 2018
FRENCH COGNAC MAKER RÉMY MARTIN TEAMED UP WITH ARTIST AND GRAPHIC
DESIGNER MATT W MOORE ON SOME SERIOUSLY STRIKING INITIATIVES.

the past with their visual universe.

It is also important to research the
entire business sector, competitors,
and where the products will be
displayed and sold. I travelled to
Cognac, France, to observe the
entire process.

Describe your signature style.

Vectorfunk is the name I invented
for the abstract digital artwork
I create using Adobe Illustrator.
Vector graphics are created by
arranging points to create form,
as opposed to raster graphics that
are made up of pixels.

Which surfaces are your

favourite to work on?
I enjoy working big and in high-
visibility locations. Sometimes it’s
a brick wall, other times a three-
dimensional sculpture. It was a lot
of fun to design the Rémy Martin
basketball court for the Art Basel
Miami event at W South Beach
in December. That was a dream-
come-true project for sure!

• Exclusively available at
Norman Goodfellows in Cape
Town, Gauteng and Durban
01 • mwmgraphics.com
• remymartin.co.za
03

F A
S T C
A
VSOP stands
T
F

for Very Superior Old

Pale, meaning the
youngest brandy in the
cognac blend has been
barrel-aged for at least
four years.
04

131
 REFLECTIONS COPENHAGEN,
A DANISH COLLECTION OF CRYSTAL
PIECES AND DECORATIVE MIRRORS,
IS NOW AVAILABLE IN SOUTH 01 02
AFRICA, EXCLUSIVE TO CASARREDO.

eflections Copenhagen is
R a range of delicate crystal
bowls, vases and other pieces and
striking mirrors, designed by Danish
duo Hugau/Larsson – jewellery
designer Julie Hugau and interior
designer Andrea Larsson. They
are inspired by art and graphics,
specifically the graphic expression of
the Art Deco movement. Every piece
is made by hand; irregularities add
to the hand-crafted character and
delicate beauty of the pieces.
Casarredo, known for importing
top international luxury brands, is the
sole stockist in South Africa of the
Reflections Copenhagen range.

• casarredo.co.za
• reflections-copenhagen.com

F A
S T C
WORDS TRACY GREENWOOD

A
An expo held in 01 Utah vase,
T
F

Paris in 1925, R19 600.

Internationale des Arts
Décoratifs et Industriels 02 Ohio vase,
R14 200.
Modernes, gave its name
to the style known as 03 Madison bowl,
Art Deco. 03
R14 200.

JUN/JUL 2018 132

 Countertop: CALACATTA Silk I Residential Project in Ibiza (SPAIN) I Designed by Natalia Zubizarreta Interiorismo I Photography: Erlantz Bilderbost

www.neolith.com

NEOLITH®: Design, Durability, Versatility, Sustainability.

Interior and Exterior applications: Countertops, Flooring, Cladding, and Furniture. Resistant to stains, chemicals, extreme temperatures.
Light and 100% natural. Maximum format, minimum thickness, different finishes. More than 20 selections available.

TheSize Surfaces South Africa I www.neolith.co.za I Caroline Beyleveld hello@neolith.co.za I 076 771 6739

2017 2016 2015

 8
hat began as a hobby for Alexis
W Christodoulou – winemaker at
Ambeloui Estate in Hout Bay and artist in
his spare time – has turned into a portfolio
of works featuring imagined architectural
spaces. His renderings recently featured
prominently at the Belgotex stand at
Decorex Cape Town.
Drawing inspiration from the digital
world and a childhood spent playing video
games, Alexis noticed a lack of modern
aesthetics represented through this
medium. He uses the buildings around
him in South Africa as starting points for
his pieces. “I usually get my inspiration
from modern architecture or buildings that
I see around Cape Town, or wherever I go,”
he says.
As he has gained experience, the process
has become second nature. “I used to rely
quite heavily on photos, but now I start
with an idea and work outwards. I like
to think of something I’d like to achieve,
a mood, a form of lighting or a texture, and influence. “I do enjoy modernism,” Alexis relaxing as an empty Brutalist building with
then build around it. It’s quite intuitive now.” says, “but I’m not attached to it. My images a cold pool.”
His surreal pastel settings evoke a strong lean towards modernism and minimalism, Prints are available through his website
sense of escapism, featuring clean lines, because I think they are very effective in and he ships worldwide.
curved walls, striking light, shadow and conveying the mood I’m going for. For
empty spaces with a prominent modernist me, a deserted rustic farmhouse isn’t as • lektop.com

JUN/JUL 2018
 34 REASONS

AT FIRST GLANCE THE DIGITAL RENDERINGS BY ALEXIS CHRISTODOULOU

LOOK JUST LIKE PHOTOGRAPHS, BUT ON CLOSER INSPECTION IT’S OBVIOUS
THEY ARE TOO PERFECT TO BE REAL.
PORTRAIT SHAVAN RAHIM WORDS MICHAELA STEHR

135
 9
WHAT MAKES CARA
SAVEN WALL DESIGN
STAND OUT IS ITS
BROAD OFFERING
AND SERVICE WITH
A PERSONAL TOUCH.

01 Babylon, part of the Vintage range, R495/m2 (excluding VAT).

H aving previously worked as a retail

buyer at Woolworths, entrepreneur
Cara Saven has a well-trained eye for what
works where. Her custom-designed wall art
business is blooming.

Where do the designs come from?

All over. Many motifs are designed from
INTERVIEW AMELIA BROWN

scratch, some are sourced and then

given a different spin. I often see a design
or photo shoot that inspires me; I then
source the various components or have
my designer draw them.

What inspires you?

Instagram (I’m an addict!), nature (I get
a daily dose of it, so it’s bound to influence 02 Blooming Fabulous, part of the Floral range, R495/m2 (excluding VAT).

JUN/JUL 2018
 34 REASONS

my work) and my clients. I am a buyer by

trade, so I create and design with clients
in mind.

What are the wallcovering trends

for winter 2018?
Chinoiserie – the influence of the East – is
a big trend for 2018, with the use of birds
and nature and people in design. Botanicals
are here to stay, as are textures like marble,
metal and wood.

Tell us about the Cara Saven signature:

large-scale designs.
I’m a little obsessed with oversizing things!
I especially love oversized florals and prints.
They add a surprise Alice-in-Wonderlandish
element to a space. Wallpaper can either be
a backdrop or it can set the stage; I love my
wallpapers to set the stage.

Any interesting new developments

in the wallcovering market?
We have a new product that’s a game-
changer: seamless wallpaper. Traditional
printed wallpaper comes in 1,2 m-wide
panels that we join together on the wall.
Seamless wallpaper allows us to print up
to 3 m high and to any width we want.
That’s one big piece of wallpaper. And
the incredible thing is that if your wall has
been primed and prepped properly, it can
be reused on another wall.

03 Hooping Crane, part of the Vintage range, R495/m2 (excluding VAT). What’s next for Cara Saven Wall Design?
Last year, we completed a number of
corporate head offices (Cape Union Mart,
Ackermans, Shell) and saw the instant
benefits that uplifting their walls had on
the staff and general vibe. Our focus this
year is to get to the corporates that haven’t
given thought to their walls. It’s such a key
element of the work environment and an
easy way to uplift a space.

• carasaven.com

F O R
S
T
Y

You could win

F

Cara Saven Wall

G I

Design wallpaper, worth

R5 000 (about 350 cm wide
x 270 cm high). Enter
at VISI.co.za/win.
04 Sunshine Club, part of the Botanical range, R495/m2 (excluding VAT).

137 JUN/JUL 2018

 34 REASONS

10
DESIGNFOCUSED
AND FEATHERLIGHT,
RADO TRUE THINLINE
NATURE COLLECTION WATCHES
ARE REALLY RATHER SPECIAL.

the current chaotic timeframe

“IN where everything is changing,
humans feel the need for lightness as
well as light in the sense of illumination,
enlightenment and serenity. The remarkable
lightness encapsulated in Rado’s timepieces
is derived from the use of ceramic materials,
which, interestingly, are archaic and futuristic
at the same time.” So says Li Edelkoort,
renowned trend forecaster and one of the
many luminaries in the design world that
have collaborated with Rado over the years.
Rado started to experiment with using
ceramics as a watch-making material back
in the ’60s, and since then has developed
ground-breaking designs that feature both
matte and polished finishes and even
plasma high-tech ceramic, whereby white
ceramic is transformed into a material
with a distinctly metallic finish without
using any metal at all.
The True Thinline Nature Collection
incorporates elements from the natural
world into a high-tech ceramic design.
Recreating the colours of nature is no
mean feat, but Rado has nailed it with
watches in earthy brown, foliage green
and a shade of blue that’s reminiscent of
the colour of the sea under a dark sky.
Unsurprisingly, the Rado motto is,
“If we can imagine it, we can make it.”
• About R27 500
• rado.com

WORDS TRACY GREENWOOD

 34 REASONS

11 A SHARED LOVE OF THE KAROO LANDSCAPE HAS LED

TO A COLLABORATION BETWEEN LIFESTYLE BRAND
KARU AND MOHAIR RUG PRODUCER FRANCES V.H
ON A SERIES OF LUXURIOUS RUGS.

collaboration came about

THE when Frances van Hasselt,
T
S
F O R
We have a

Y
G I F
king-size quilt from

O U
founder of the hand-woven rug
Karu, worth R3 500, to
company Frances V.H, reached out
give away. Visit VISI.
to Karu’s founders on Instagram. She
co.za/win for
had noticed familiar influences in Alexis
details.
Barrell and Fiona Mackay’s line of artisanal
home textiles, sleepwear and clothing:
a reverence for natural fibres, artisanal textile production
and the evocative beauty of the Karoo. Alexis, who is Karu’s
creative director, worked with Frances on the designs.

WORDS AMELIA BROWN PHOTOS NADIA VON SCOTTI

The two launch designs are Patchwork, which references
vintage quilting techniques, and Blok Huis, which pays
homage to the simplicity of Karoo farmhouse architecture.
Part of the rugs’ appeal is the entirely local supply chain.
The Van Hasselt family’s angora farm in Prince Albert
supports ethical, sustainable mohair practices. After the
washing and combing process, the mohair is hand-spun
and -woven by skilled female weavers in the Eastern Cape.
Each rug takes six to eight weeks to produce. They’re
made to order, and colour customisation within the existing
palette is possible.

• From R5 500/m2 through Karu

• francesvh.com
• karu.world

02 Milky Way quilt, 260 cm

x 260 cm, R3 500.

01 Blok Huis rug, 120 cm x 180 cm, R11 880.

JUN/JUL 2018 140

 SHOP THE LOOK
LIVING ROOM
2

Furniture showcases your personality, style and taste.

However, planning a harmonious space isn’t always
as easy as it looks. The new furniture collections from
3 4
Mobelli are perfectly curated by an interior designer to 5

create a blended, cohesive interior scheme. You can

simply shop the entire look.

1. Onassis L-shape sofa R 49,795 6

2. Dune coffee / side tables from R 3,395
3. Large cement vase R 2,269
4. Herringbone Grey scatter cushion R 1,390
5. Boston Desk Lamp - White R 649 7
6. Glass pedestal standing lamp R 3,499
7. Glass pedestal table lamp R 2,299 8
8. Woodbed rug R 30,802

Find us on... mobelli.co.za

Sea Point | Illovo | Fourways | Menlyn Piazza
NEW Concept Showroom now open in Paarden Eiland
 12

PHOTO ANDREW MERDITH FOR MOO0I COMPILED BY AMELIA BROWN

Even Shade in Nite by Hertex, R1 220/m.
• hertex.co.za

Salvador in the La Garçonnière collection by Güell Lamadrid, R1 696,25/m. • tandco.co.za

JUN/JUL 2018
 FOR WINTER, WE’RE DREAMING OF DARK, MOODY BACKGROUNDS THAT SET THE SCENE
FOR LUSH, EXOTIC FLORALS TO GROW DENSELY AND COVER OUR WALLS.
THESE ELABORATE WALLCOVERINGS ARE MADE FOR THE SEASON’S STATEMENT
CHAIR COVERED IN LUXURIOUS VELVET. HERE ARE VISI’S FAVOURITES.

Menagerie of Extinct Animals by Moooi, POA from Weylandts. • moooi.com

Ferns by GP & J Baker, R3 108/10 m roll (excluding VAT). • stleger.co.za

Game Birds by Mulberry Home,

R3 108/10 m roll (excluding VAT). • stleger.co.za

Botanical
in the Room
13 Collection
by Room 13
Design,
R969,45/m.
• tandco.co.za
 34 REASONS

13 FURNITURE DESIGNER SIFISO SHANGE AIMS TO

ACHIEVE THE PERFECT BLEND OF AFRICAN CULTURAL
ELEMENTS AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGN IN HIS PIECES.

01 Sifiso Shange.
comes as no surprise that Joburg-
IT based furniture designer Sifiso
Shange was chosen as one of Design
Indaba’s Emerging Creatives this year. The
self-described Afri-Modern designer draws
inspiration from African art and cultural
heritage to tell stories of pride, honour,
excellence, celebration, everyday life
experiences and love.
“Afri-Modern is an expressive design
and art movement that aims to preserve
African culture and produce items that
have symbolic meaning,” he says.
Sifiso’s Muhle Muhle collection,
comprised of a server, cabinet and coffee
table in a range of finishes, is inspired by
traditional motifs found in Zulu beadwork. 02 Wooden Power server in Sifiso’s Muhle Muhle collection.

PORTRAIT KYLIE-ANNE BOWERS WORDS LINDI BROWNELL MEIRING

“The motifs express the essence of
women through the three elements of
mind, body and soul, which relate to the
three points of a triangle that represent
a woman,” he says.
His latest piece is a server he named
in tribute to Dr Esther Mahlangu,
who received an honorary doctorate
from the University of Johannesburg
in April 2018. “The server is a prime
example of Afri-Modern design and art,”
says Sifiso, “as it honours and celebrates
her excellence with strong Ndebele
elements, together with a modern look
and feel.”

• @sifiso_s
03 Mahlangu Honorary server.

JUN/JUL 2018 144

 34 REASONS

14
QUIRKY, QUAINT AND
UTTERLY GORGEOUS,
THESE ONE-OF-A-
KIND CABINETS
AND HEADBOARDS
ARE BOUND TO UPLIFT
ANY LIVING SPACE.

he Painting Shed in
T Wellington is a treasure trove
of decorative furniture pieces, and
customisation is the name of the
game. Owner Cornelia Linnegar
merges the practical with the
visual by adding eccentric beauty
to regular pieces. She is inspired
by the Dutch Masters’ famed 17th-
century paintings and influenced
by elements of the Renaissance 01 An on-trend armoire with big botanicals – Martin Johnson Heade’s Passion Flowers and Hummingbirds.
and Impressionist periods, but 02 A headboard with a replica of Vase of Flowers by still-life artist Jan Davidsz de Heem.
when working on a commissioned
piece, she incorporates images and
elements according to the brief.
A small team does the ground-
work for custom pieces, and
Cornelia does the decorative paint
finishes and final touches.
“Art on a furniture piece
personalises the space in which
it exists, makes a statement
and creates a focus,” she says.
“A beautiful headboard, for
WORDS MARY GARNER

example, can transform the mood

of your bedroom completely.”
For more information or to
commission Cornelia to do a piece
for you, call her on 082 621 4257.

• facebook.com/thepaintingshed

JUN/JUL 2018
 FIRST FOR FIREPLACES

Panadero Onix 7.1Kw

Every home needs a heart.
Choose from SA’s best.
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T&C | E&OE | V I E W O U R C O M P R E H E N S I V E P R O D U C T R A N G E A N D 2 2 N A T I O N W I D E S T O R E L O C A T I O N S O N L I N E .
01
1
The Circe lounge c table
are two pieces in the Below the Heavens collection for Sé.
HIS
mentor, Jerry Helling, creative
director of Bernhardt Design,
describes Ini Archibong as “one of America’s
design storytellers”. His creations, made of
a mix of luxurious materials like marble,
leather and glass, speak to his culturally
rich upbringing and experiences living
in various places around the world.
Nowhere is this more evident than in his
largest furniture collection yet, a 22-piece
collaboration with UK brand Sé called
Below the Heavens.
VISI chatted to this award-winning
designer when he visited Cape Town as
a Design Indaba Global Graduate.

How has your journey – from

growing up in California to moving to
Switzerland to study art and design –
influenced your work?
I think how and where I grew up have
a huge influence on my work. The way I see
the world around me was shaped during

PORTRAIT AND PHOTO FRANCK JUERY WORDS LINDI BROWNELL MEIRING

my formative years growing up in Southern
California. My philosophical perspective
and spiritual grounding is a product of how
my Nigerian parents raised me. And having
been able to spend time in different cities
and absorb the culture and experience their
history keeps me continually inspired.
Having had these experiences and
cultural exposure, I knew I was ready to
take on the next stage of my education at
ÉCAL in Switzerland. My background and
my experience living in Asia and travelling
extensively helped me to be a more well-
rounded designer, and I think it put me
in a position to absorb and learn with
a different perspective. Having graduated
with a more thorough understanding of
how to work with craft and with a more
developed conceptual approach has
allowed me to apply my experiences to
my work in a more profound way.
 34 REASONS

SWITZERLAND-BASED DESIGNER INI ARCHIBONG, FOUNDER OF DESIGN BY INI,

FINDS INSPIRATION IN MYTHOLOGY, LEGEND AND RELIGION.

02 Lighting from Ini’s Formentera collection. What did you take away from your
experience in Cape Town in February?
Participating in Design Indaba was nothing
short of life-changing. A lot of what
I shared on the stage was very personal,
and there were things I had never talked
about publicly before. Something about
the energy and the sense of community
made it feel like a safe place and the right
time to let people know who I am and
what I stand for as a designer.
It was an amazing opportunity to
address such a large international
audience, especially so soon after
graduating. It was like a dream come
true to be able to share my thoughts and
philosophy with so many people. As I am
of African descent, it was also exciting to
finally be able to share my work on the
continent, as well as to be there in the
flesh to absorb South Africa’s creativity.

• designbyini.com

Your creations are often inspired by

escapism and fantastical stories. Which
one of your pieces do you feel speaks to
these ideas or stories the most?
These notions seem to inevitably touch on
everything I work on, and I don’t think I can
be the best judge of how well my approach is
working. If I had to choose, however, I would
highlight the pieces from my Secret Garden
collection. Much of my work is predicated
PHOTOS THOMAS CANET, ANDREAS ZIMMERMANN

on a developing philosophy about personal

legend/destiny, the power of mythology
and religion, and the primacy of the object
and environment as a means for affecting
the emotional and spiritual states of those
that interact with them. This collection is
a response to the world we live in today.
Each of the pieces has its own inspiration and
story, stories about hope, perseverance, and
faith in oneself as a hero and in humanity at
large. Just like a fantasy story offers a chance
at escape to a magical realm of infinite
possibility, the objects in this collection will 03 Ini’s Galilee and Orion tables from the Secret Garden
hopefully provide a similar escape. collection have coloured glass legs and solid marble tops.

149 JUN/JUL 2018

 34 REASONS

he fashion accessory brand Verse is the

T brainchild of Shelley Lee, a Design Indaba
2018 Emerging Creative. She makes leather bags
using patterns cut straight from the hides, which
she sources from local tanneries – first scrutinising
every hide’s texture, weight and colour. Her
process involves saddle-stitching hand-punched
holes with blunt needles.
“The Haiku tote from my new collection is

PHOTOS J’DEE ALLIN ART DIRECTOR KRISTI VLOK MODEL NYARA ABOUCH
a response to having observed people’s concerns
around keeping their belongings safe,” she says.
“By not being precious about the traditional tote
shape, I found that by simply tucking the corners,
the bag is made secure.”

MAKE-UP ARTIST CELESTE MUNGE WORDS MARY GARNER

The brand name pays homage to Shelley’s
openness to adaptation and the versatility of her
creations. To add a unique signature, each bag
is embossed with a poem or a piece of prose.
Shelley will have a stand at KAMERS/Makers
in Stellenbosch and Pretoria this summer.

• @verse_thelabel • versethelabel.com

F O R
S
T We have

Y
G I F
a Verse Haiku tote,

O U
worth R1 550, to give
away. Enter at VISI.
co.za/win.

16
JUN/JUL 2018
DESIGNER SHELLEY LEE
HAS REIMAGINED THE TOTE
BAG, AND IT’S A BEAUTY.

150
 34 REAS

OP FOR VINYL RECORD PLAYERS AND JOIN

E NEWAGE OLDSCHOOL MUSIC REVOLUTION.

MARY GARNER
Rec eaming may be convenient, some sounds are just meant to be heard on vinyl.
Whether you’re a fan of classic blues or just want to pump out the latest dance tracks our selection won’t disappoint

RELOOP RP-7000 MK2 PROFESSIONAL DJ TURNTABLE

This is a good-looking high-performance turntable that delivers
pro sound; the sturdy housing makes it resistant to vibrations.
• tradelius.co.za • R9 500

PRO-JECT DEBUT CARBON TURNTABLE

It’s well made and we love the sleek design – the Debut Carbon is available
in six high-gloss shades, including Piano Black. Worth noting is the light yet
strong carbon-fibre tonearm, usually found only on pricier turntables.
• takealot.com • R9 990

THORENS TD-206 TURNTABLE

The two models above and below share all the high-quality parts
and materials of Thorens’ award-winning TD-309. These two only
differ in shape and the TD-206’s dust cover is an optional extra.
• homemation.co.za • R18 690

DENON DJ VL12 PRIME TURNTABLE

This is the latest model on the high-calibre DJ turntable market. A standout THORENS TD-209 TURNTABLE
design feature is the illuminated RGB LED trim around the record platter – the Available in a glossy red, white or black, this turntable’s shield-
colour can be changed and the brightness adjusted. shaped plinth is the same as that of the iconic TD-309.
• vivaafrika.co.za • R13 790 • homemation.co.za • R18 690

JUN/JUL 2018 152

 34 REASONS

18
NOVA BY WORK & CO,
THE FIRST MOBILE OFFICE
POD IN THE COUNTRY, IS NOW
AVAILABLE FOR HIRE.

promote thinking out of the box, how

TO about getting out of one? NOVA is the
latest offering from Julien Verspieren and Jolize
Pienaar, the duo behind Cape Town co-working
office space Work & Co.
Committed to offering functional yet well-
designed spaces that stimulate conversation,
ideas and business, they have just launched
the NOVA, a 5 m-long mobile office pod with
space for six people to meet or work.
Julien and Jolize spent six months on the
design and build process. They designed the
interior themselves, taking into account the
challenge of limited space. NOVA features office
essentials such as fast Wi-Fi, a smart TV, Apple TV,
PHOTOS MICKEY HOYLE WORDS AMELIA BROWN

a printer, a whiteboard, a Nespresso machine,

a stocked fridge, a charging station, plug points,
a toilet and running water. Solar panels and
batteries allow NOVA to function off-grid.
Take your pick from one of five prime Cape
Town locations, including Signal Hill and Mouille
Point, or speak to the team to tailor-make your
experience. The Work & Co chauffeur will collect
you and your team, and transfer you to your
exclusive office, where lattes and croissants await.

• Bookings available for half or full day;

call 021 202 6040
• workandco.co.za 01–03 Office for a day in a spot with a view up the West Coast.

JUN/JUL 2018 154

 34 REASONS

19 TOUCHSCREENS HAVE CHANGED THE WAY WE INTERACT WITH

TECHNOLOGY. THIS TOUCH-SENSITIVE TAP FROM GROHE
IS SET TO CHANGE THE WAY WE WORK IN THE KITCHEN.

Minta Touch by
THE GROHE is not only
lovely to look at but also a joy
to use. Greasy or sticky fingers?
A light touch with the back of
your hand, wrist or arm is all it
takes to release a flow of water
thanks to EasyTouch technology.
The water runs out cold, so you
don’t have to worry about being
scalded, or you can upgrade in
order to preset the temperature
if you’d prefer it warmer.
The Minta Touch is available
in the elegant C-shaped or
contemporary L-shaped swivel
spout, both with the signature
ergonomic GROHE lever. The
tall spouts make filling large
pots or vases easy. And the
GROHE StarLight chrome
plating process ensures the
finish retains its sparkle.
Good looks mixed with
invisible technology and next-

WORDS AMELIA BROWN

level convenience… Now that’s
kitchen couture that counts.

• grohe.co.za

A F R I C A ’ S F I R S T M O B I L E S H O W R O O M
The Pro Tour Truck is The Pro Tour Truck is fitted
a showroom on wheels that out with a range of taps,
aims, quite literally, to deliver showers, baths and toilets of
the latest LIXIL Africa news, the various brands: GROHE,
products, expertise and services Cobra, Isca, Vaal and Libra.
to audiences around Africa and Joburg-based Cube Design
to offer free expert advice and Innovations was tasked with
inspirational ideas for bathroom building the mobile showroom.
and kitchen renovations. Track the truck on the GROHE
(LIXIL, you say? LIXIL is the Facebook and Instagram pages.
Japanese water, housing and
urban development company • facebook.com/GROHE.
that acquired a 100% share- Africa
holding in GROHE Dawn Water • instagram.com/grohe_
Technology.) africa

JUN/JUL 2018 156

 34 REASONS

20
A FUTILE SEARCH FOR
LOCAL SHEEPSKINS WITH
WHICH TO DECORATE
HER APARTMENT LED
EMMA SHORTT TO LAUNCH
THE SOUTH AFRICAN
SHEEPSKIN COMPANY.

lunchtime conversation about the

A shortage of local sheepskins led
Emma Shortt to embark on a journey of
discovery for superb quality product and
the establishment of The South African
Sheepskin Company, which specialises in
luxurious wool-on-skin rugs, throws and
decor accessories. “I was able to find lots
of rugs imported from New Zealand and
Australia, but it was impossible to find
local sheepskins of the quality I required,”
says Emma.
She turned to hide specialists Richard
Kane and Company for advice. “The MD “It’s my hope that by growing the MATTER OF FACT
himself very kindly gave me the name awareness of this fabulous product we can • Each SA Sheepskin Company sheepskin
PHOTO THE SOUTH AFRICAN

of a factory that still produces wool-on help to sustain and grow the local sheepskin – a byproduct of the meat industry –
sheepskins, and after I met with them they industry. Who knows? Perhaps we can even is hand-selected and has a unique
SHEEPSKIN COMPANY

agreed to produce unshorn sheepskins
for me.”
The collaboration between Emma and
the tannery led to the creation of a range
of luxurious deep-pile sheepskins that can
be used as rugs and decor accessories.
reverse the trend of importing sheepskins
from overseas, not to mention the sale of
so many synthetic rugs and blankets that
ultimately contribute to plastic pollution.”
• facebook.com/TheSAsheepskinCo
number on the reverse.
• Sheepskin is a sustainable material.
Unlike synthetic materials, these rugs
will naturally degrade and will not add
to either sea or landfill pollution.
• Sheepskin is naturally hypoallergenic.

JUN/JUL 2018 158

 1
VERSATILITY AND EXQUISITE
DESIGN DETAILS TYPIFY THE
DJINN BAR
MELVILL & MOON BRAND. Designed in the style of campaign furniture
(pieces made for travel), this drinks cabinet
consists of separate parts that can be used
For more than two decades, family-owned individually – the removable base is also
brand Melvill & Moon has been making a tray; and the leg stand, which has leather
safari equipment such as canvas seat straps at the top, is a handy luggage rack.
covers, luggage and accessories right here • R14 150
in South Africa. These are two of the VISI
team’s must-haves from its latest collection.
• melvillandmoon.com

GROGAN BACKPACK
Inspired by the rucksacks of early
mountaineers, the Grogan is
a classic design with a modern
twist. It is made of washable canvas F A
with leather trim and brass buckles. S T C
The two zipped side pockets are A
The term
T

large enough for water bottles or

F

food, and the front pocket is handy “campaign furniture”

WORDS MICHAELA STEHR

for a bunch of keys, wallet, phone, refers to pieces that British

notebook and map. An adjustable army officers, during the
webbing strap connected to expansion of the Empire,
a metal frame keeps the carrier’s
could pack up and
back cool on a long hike.
transport easily.

JUN/JUL 2018 160


FO
2
naturally; it’s one of the reasons she
has garnered international praise and
accolades for her work as a creative
ding
creative solutions comes
director. It’s this spirit of enquiry and
innovation that has led her into the next
phase of exploration as an entrepreneur:
In search of a hanging chair, Joanina
quickly assessed that the South African
market offered either low-end and mass-
produced or high-end and imported
options, so she decided to design her own.
02 03
JUN/JUL 2018
01
STUDIO STIRLING’S HANGING CHAIRS AND
DAYBEDS ARE A TESTAMENT TO SOUTH
AFRICAN INGENUITY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP.
She worked with a metal artist on her first
designs, and this hands-on process would
remain even as the business grew. Prototypes
are still made by hand. The physical designs
then get refined, remade and tested for
different body types before 3D drawings are
available in different colour finishes, as
well as swings and custom options. “Our
chairs facilitate relaxation. When people sit
in them, I see them change physically and
mentally. They relax. Their moods change.
It’s awesome to observe.”
produced. “We’re really passionate about the Joanina takes inspiration from her
hand-made aspect,” says Joanina. “It allows surroundings, especially nature, the city,
for each piece to have individualism. The people and experiences. “We like to think
structure, form and ergonomics are the same, of ourselves as South African-inspired and
but no two are alike.” globally relevant,” she says.
The range currently includes hanging
chairs and daybeds, made of steel and • studiostirling.com
01 Nest Egg, R13 727.
02 Bubble, R13 134. PHOTOS DAVID PASTOLL WORDS AMELIA BROWN
03 Leaf, R14 558.
F O R
S
T
We have one
Y
G I F
Bubble hanging
O U
chair, worth R13 134,
to give away. Visit
VISI.co.za/win for
details.
162
 When is a bed more than a bed?
When it’s la différence!

Neither words nor pictures can adequately

describe what it’s like to lie on a la différence
bed, because you have to feel the difference
to believe la différence!

An incomparable la différence experience

awaits at a quality Sealy stockist near you.

ESSENSUAL LUXURY
M A D E B Y S E A LY
19249

www.sealy.co.za
 01 Amor de Mãe.

ronically,” says artist and airline pilot

“I Ricardo Pinto Jorge, “flying keeps
me grounded.” The 29-year-old has been a
commercial pilot for five years, but he has been
an artist for a great deal longer.
“As a child I would record my favourite
cartoons and then replay them, pressing pause
and tracing images straight from the TV screen.”
His most recent exhibition, Bits of Maputo,
is “an audio-visual project that includes a
soundtrack by some of Maputo’s finest musicians
and a catalogue of a wide array of texts by a
diverse set of people”.
This kaleidoscopic series of photographic and
video works inspired by his childhood memories
of Maputo architecture surged organically, says
Ricardo. “I never meant for Bits Of Maputo to be
a project until a very close friend suggested it.”
As a child, Ricardo would lie in the back of his
parents’ car as they drove through the city, from
where he could see the tops of buildings. A few
years ago, he began taking pictures of the tops
of Maputo buildings using his cellphone camera.
“After a while I had more than 200 photos with
recurrent framing and composition, so I started
looking into what I could do to get more out of
these photos.”
That’s when he started using apps to
manipulate the images, eventually creating
kaleidoscopes. “I realised what I was doing was
an attempt to revisit the sensations and feelings
I had when I was a kid inside my parents’ car, and
the kaleidoscopes had that effect.”
Fast-forward to 2017, and Ricardo revisited
the same buildings armed with a professional
camera and an understanding of editing
software beyond those initial cellphone apps,
and so Bits of Maputo was born.

• @ricardopintojorge

JUN/JUL 2018
 34 REASONS

THE WORK OF MOZAMBICAN VISUAL ARTIST RICARDO PINTO JORGE

SPANS PAINTING, VIDEO, PHOTOGRAPHY AND KALEIDOSCOPIC IMAGES FILLED
WITH NOSTALGIA FOR THE MAPUTO ARCHITECTURE OF HIS YOUTH.

04 24 de Julho + Albert Luthuli.

02 Xapazine.

05 Entre O Franco E O Tunduro.

WORDS MALIBONGWE TYILO

03 Recolha. 06 Rua da Mesquita.

165
 34 REASONS

24 SKINNY LAMINX NOT ONLY DESIGNS

AND PRODUCES FABRIC COLLECTIONS
BUT IS ALSO INVOLVED IN AN EXCITING
NEW COLLABORATION WITH FECHTERS
FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS.

kinny laMinx has teamed

S up with Fechters of
Knysna, one of the country’s
oldest and most trusted
furnisher manufacturers, to
create three chairs upholstered
in a variety of Skinny laMinx
fabrics. “This partnership is not
only about a shared aesthetic,
but also about shared values:
Both Fechters and
Skinny laMinx are
proud to be made
in South Africa,
we prioritise quality
materials and construction,
and we value the people
who work with us,” says Skinny
laMinx owner Heather Moore.
Order your chair in any
Skinny laMinx fabric online or
in-store. Manufacture takes
up to six weeks and chairs are
delivered countrywide.

• fechters.co.za
• skinnylaminx.com

F O R
S
T
We have an
Y
F

Oslo chair from the

O U

WORDS TRACY GREENWOOD

G I

01 Oslo chair (R7 250, excluding delivery),

Skinny laMinx Fechters
upholstered in Breeze Concrete;
the pattern is screenprinted with range, worth R7 250, to
waterbased ink on a cotton/linen- give away. Visit VISI.co.
blend cloth. za/win for details.

JUN/JUL 2018 166

 I N
25 T H E K I T C H E N

1
The KitchenAid Artisan Cook Processor boils, fries,
steams, stews, roasts, purées, emulsifies, whips, flips and
stirs, and even has its own smart app and microsite.
• R17 999
• kitchenaidafrica.com

Retro Espresso
coffee machine,
now stocked by
Woolworths.
• R6 599
• woolworths.
co.za

How fabulously loony are these Croc

Moonlight wooden place mats from Ardmore?
• R600 per pair – you can win a pair

3
• Shop 17, Hyde Park Square Centre, JHB
• ardmore-design.com WIN
WIN

This Ant
espresso set of
two cups and
saucers embodies
warm minimalism.
• R476 for a set
of two – you
can win a set
• lovemilo.com

JUN/JUL 2018
 F O R
S
T

Y
We have

O U
a selection of items

G I
HOME IS THE ONLY PLACE TO BE WHEN THE WEATHER TURNS FOUL. on this page, worth more
HERE’S OUR ROUNDUP OF 10 MUST-HAVE WINTER GOODIES than R7 000, to give away.
Visit VISI.co.za/win for
THAT WILL MAKE YOU RELISH TIME SPENT INDOORS. details.

5 7
100% cotton bed linen from The Dermalogica’s
new Sound Sleep
D

T-Shirt Bed Co never needs ironing.

• From R2 040 (double duvet cover Cocoon aids the
set and fitted sheet) – you can win overnight repair
a set in the size of your choice and recovery
• tshirtbed.com of the skin.
• R1 295
• dermalogica.co.za
WIN
E

!
8
The A Whole
Lot of Lovely
candle is housed

E
in a ceramic pot.
• R180
• poetry.co.za
B

R
E
H
W
N

9
Gavin
I

Rajah Soy
WIN Wax Geisha
candle.
• R399
COMPILED BY TRACY GREENWOOD

• home.co.za
E

Coral fleece Fragonard

V

blankets to Pistache Cèdre

Diffuser with

0
snuggle under.
• R159 10 sticks.
• mrphome.co.za • R1 195 – you
can win one
E

• thebeautiful
lifestore.co.za

169
 34 REASONS

SPIER NEETHLINGSHOF
21 GABLES THE OWL POST
PINOTAGE PINOTAGE 2015

26
2013 A rich and velvety
Spier has been dark-red wine
making wine for with vanilla and
more than 300 ripe fruit flavours,
years. The Spier this wine can be
21 Gables range enjoyed now or
of single-varietal left to mature for
Pinotage carries another 10 years.
flavours of black Enjoy it with a rich
cherry, chocolate red meat casserole
and spices. Enjoy or venison.
it with springbok • R200
pie or a robust
risotto. HOME- • neethlingshof.
co.za
• R260
• spierwines.
co.za
GROWN

PINOTAGE IS
A PROUDLY
SOUTH AFRICAN
VARIETAL
THAT DESERVES
OUR UNDIVIDED
ATTENTION THIS
WINTER.

ANGELS TEARS DELHEIM

LE CHOCOLAT In the 1920s, a professor of PINOTAGE
PINOTAGE 2017 viticulture at Stellenbosch 2015
This smooth, easy- University (and a chemist by This elegant
drinking medium- training), Abraham Perold, got wine with its
bodied wine has it into his head to cross Pinot deep red, almost
toasty notes and Noir and Cinsaut (then known in purple, hue and
a ripe fruitiness South Africa as Hermitage). And notes of clove
enhanced by hints that’s how the Pinotage varietal and berries spent
of chocolate. Have was created. Here are a few of 15 months in
a glass or two with our favourite Pinotage wines. French oak. Enjoy
freshly caught it with marinated
game fish or a bowl lamb around the
of ratatouille. F O R braai fire.
• R70
S • R140
T
Two readers
Y

• grandeprovence. • delheim.com
F

O U

co.za will win a hamper of

G I

some of the wines

featured on this page,
worth more than
R1 200 each.

JUN/JUL 2018
 34 REASONS

27 ith the use of their 3D food printer,

W Studio H aims to find solutions
around challenges in the food system,
or at least create a buzz around certain
pressing topics. In the near future, 3D food
printing could allow us to print food with
customised nutritional content. So, instead
of eating something mass-produced,
you could soon consume something
designed for your particular dietary needs
and preferences, on demand. Imagine the
next ready-to-eat meals as cartridges of
food printed into shapes determined by
downloadable designs.
WITH THE DROUGHT WE’RE EXPERIENCING IN CAPE TOWN,
“3D printing could be the perfect vehicle POSSIBLE FOOD SHORTAGES ARE TOP OF MIND. THE FOOD-
to reduce food waste,” says Studio H DESIGN COLLECTIVE STUDIO H HAS BEEN THINKING
founder Hannerie Visser. “To experiment ABOUT SOLUTIONS TO TRANSFORM “UGLY” FRUIT AND
with the medium, we designed VEGETABLES INTO SOMETHING DESIRABLE.
Salad 2.0. We cooked down a batch of
unconventional-looking fruit and veg,
which would normally have gone to waste,
into purées and added gelatine so we
could print the concentrate into colourful
three-dimensional jelly shapes high in
nutritional content. Imagine serving these
to picky children?”
Read about Salad 2.0 in Studio H’s
online food and culture magazine
Chips! and watch a video on the
Studio H and VISI websites.

• chipsonline.co.za
• studio-h.co.za

01 These flapjack faces were designed

PHOTOS JAN RAS

for a breakfast presentation at the

Cape Town office of M&C Saatchi Abel.
The agency’s glasses-shaped logo was
printed, and everyone had fun creating
their own faces.

JUN/JUL 2018 172

*HWL;V^U!/PNO^H`7HYR5VY[ONH[L,Z[H[L ‹;LS!
4PKYHUK!  6SK 7YL[VYPH 9VHK /HSM^H` /V\ZL ‹ ;LS!
:HUK[VU  9HUKI\YN!  9OVKLZ :[YLL[ ‹ ;LS!   
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+\YIHU!  :V\[O *VHZ[ 9K 4VILUP ‹ ;LS!   
7PUL[V^U!*UY6SK4HPU9K :[1VOU»Z(]LU\L‹;LS! 
.OHUH!:WPU[L_9K(JJYH‹;LS! 
 34 REASONS

ARTVARK GALLERY HAS BEEN MAKING

A QUIRKY STATEMENT ON KALK BAY’S MAIN
ROAD FOR 20 YEARS. WE CHATTED TO OWNER
AND CURATOR THERESA JO WESSELS.

01 02

known for a c
03
Artvark Cutlery, which was our bus
when my husband CP and I still lived in
Johannesburg, was inspired by an implement
PORTRAIT JAC DE VILLIERS FOR CRAFT ART IN SOUTH AFRICA INTERVIEW TRACY GREENWOOD

from West Africa used to measure gold.

The initial basic sugar spoon developed
into a complete dinner set. We had outlets
all over, including the MoMA gallery shop
in New York. Paloma Picasso owns an olive
spoon and Donna Karan has a complete set.

How did you decide on the name?

When CP and I were looking for a name for
our cutlery brand in 1991, we didn’t think
much of all the pseudo-French names in
South Africa, so we coined the name Artvark.

What prompted your move to Cape Town

and opening a gallery?
It was at an exhibition of our cutlery range in
Nantes, France, in 1998 when I first heard of
an old house and gallery in Kalk Bay for sale.
Buying the property gave us the opportunity
to relocate to this beautiful village on the
Cape Peninsula from the centre of Joburg artists, and still do. Today, Artvark is a fine-art 01 Theresa was inspired by her children’s
with our two young daughters. gallery with paintings, ceramics, steelwork, drawings to make this silver leopard brooch.
jewellery and textiles, as well as crafts. I now
How has the gallery changed over 02 Theresa and CP in front of their creations.
focus on printmaking and CP manufactures
the years? larger-than-life steel art. 03 Paintings by MJ Lourens, Karin Daymond,
In the beginning, Artvark’s emphasis was Hennie Niemann and Joshua Miles, and
on craft. We have always worked with street • artvark.org a wire sculpture by Simon Wojciechowski.

JUN/JUL 2018 174

 34 REASONS

WORDS MARY GARNER

29 A LOVE STORY INSPIRED THE DESIGN A
S
T F A

C
Marquetry, or
OF THE THREE ROCKS TABLE

T
decorative wood
COLLECTION BY INSIDHERLAND. inlay, became popular
in Europe in the
17th century.
It was her parents’ steady love for
each other that inspired Joana
Santos Barbosa, the founder and
creative director of Portuguese
luxury brand Insidherland, to
create the Three Rocks collection
of coffee and side tables. The
original iteration comprised
three wooden tables featuring
leaves inlaid in the wood by
skilled marquetry craftsmen to
represent an autumnal landscape.
The collection has since been
extended to include tables with
various finishes, such as a black
gloss veneer (above) and gold- or
copper-leaf veneers (left and right).
“These pieces can be customised
with almost 30 finishes, glass
and mirror,” says Joana, so they
can be adapted to virtually any
decor scheme.

• insidherland.com

JUN/JUL 2018 176

 30
S T F A
A C
Open-plan

T
F
offices, developed in the
USA in the 1940s, were
originally called
“American plan”.

NOISE CAN BE A HUGE DISTRACTION, ESPECIALLY IN AN OPENPLAN OFFICE, WHICH

IS WHY WE’RE SO IMPRESSED WITH CECIL NURSE’S GOOD-LOOKING SOLUTION.
ver the years, rows of boxy soundproof rooms that can
O offices have given way be slotted into almost any
to informal huddle rooms and workspace has been designed for
sardine-like work hubs, making hosting small meetings or video
confidentiality and the ability to conferences, taking phone calls,
concentrate more than a little or simply as an escape from noise.
bit challenging. The acoustic room creates
“Offices are often designed as a sound-protected haven inside
beautiful workspaces without an open-plan office for meetings
enough consideration given to and other situations requiring
the needs of users or people privacy and focus. Four modules
working within them – resulting in different sizes create soundproof
in employees working with islands, protected from the
headphones, isolating themselves surrounding work environment
from workplace noise and or from busy areas with high
distractions around them to foot traffic. The walls are fitted
improve individual productivity,” with sound-absorbing mineral
says Cecil Nurse CEO Herbert wool and fire-resistant wooden
WORDS TRACY GREENWOOD

Meyer. “People should have the slats, and the exterior is finished
right to ‘turn up the volume’. with vertical melamine or fabric-
On the flip side, employees should covered panels. Doors are made
also have the right to work in of insulated glass, helping to
silence. At Cecil Nurse, we believe further soundproof the cubicles.
these two options can coexist.”
The Cecil Nurse range of • cecilnurse.co.za

JUN/JUL 2018 178

 31
01

uilt around a sheltered

B private cove that
faces north onto the Indian
Ocean, LUX* Grand Gaube
in Mauritius is a place of
generous proportions – it is
ultra-sophisticated yet blissfully
informal.
I say the resort has been
reimagined rather than
revamped because (literally)
no stone was left unturned
by architect Jean-Francois
Adam – a UCT graduate, no
less – who was tasked with
designing a contemporary
space that paid homage to the
comfortable tropical setting
while preserving the natural
setting.
Known for designing spaces
with generous volumes, precise
lines and an unpretentious
feel, Jean-Francois is of the
belief that architecture has
a heart and a soul, an ethos
that is evident in the way the
resort hugs the sheltered cove, 02

JUN/JUL 2018
 34 REASONS

THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO LOVE THE NEWLY IMAGINED

LUX* HOTELS AND RESORTS GRAND GAUBE ON THE NORTH TIP OF MAURITIUS,
AS ASSISTANT EDITOR TRACY GREENWOOD DISCOVERED FIRSTHAND.

01 Interior designer
Kelly Hoppen.

02 The impressive
vaulted lobby
was furnished by
Mavinci Designs.

03 Many of the pieces

in the public areas
were sourced from
local designers
such as Meubles
Meunier and
Yuni Furniture
& Lifestyle.

04 Inspired by the
flavours of Peru
and Argentina,
Inti is one of six
restaurants at
the resort.

03

04
 34 REASONS

dipping in and out between

lush pockets of horticultural
magic created by renowned
British landscaper Stephen
Woodhams.
“Jean-Francois’s artistic
talent and rational mind
bring life to his designs,”
says interiors maestro Kelly
Hoppen, whose job it was to
dress the interiors.
The Cape Town-born
interior designer, who works
out of London, is known for
her love of tactile design and
appreciation of understated
glamour, concepts she
included in the overall
look of the resort by the
bucketload.
“The natural setting and
the incredible vast space
were extremely inspiring.
Wherever you sit, at any
angle, it has to be perfect; 01

the ergonomics are just as 01 All the suites, which open on views of a private cove, have been decorated with barefoot luxury in mind.
important as the aesthetics,”
02
she says.
By gently layering, Kelly’s
designs breathe uplifting
style and soul into each
space.
“I tried to fuse the Eastern
principles of simplicity
with the Western taste for
sumptuous textures and
luxurious finishes. I always
start with a neutral base
then complement this with
accents of colour.”

• airmauritius.com
• jfa.archi
• luxresorts.com

Tracy Greenwood would like

to thank Air Mauritius and
LUX* Grande Gaube for their
hospitality.

03 Loungers and tables

from the DALA
Collection by Stephen
Burks for Dedon adorn
the terrace outside
Inti restaurant. 02 The LUX* Me Spa is another area that heroes natural and organic materials and textures.

JUN/JUL 2018
03
 32
01 The new Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV features reshaped headlights.

ercedes-Benz couldn’t have chosen 02 The silver buttons to engage the three diff locks are still clearly visible on the dashboard.
M a better guy to unveil the brand-new
G-Class. In a derelict theatre in the most
neglected part of Detroit, flanked by Daimler
CEO Dr Dieter Zetsche, Arnold Schwarzenegger
(above) presented the new G-Wagen to the
world. The car is so Schwarzenegger. It is
vehicular primary rock. Around for decades and
still going strong. And at first glance the new
one looks very much like the old one. Despite
being a completely new car. Apparently
only the door handles of the previous model
were reused.
That definitely wasn’t an easy task for the
Mercedes-Benz design team; it would have
been much easier to just develop a new car
instead of reinventing a legend. Mercedes-Benz
did the almost impossible… It saved the iconic
signature G design elements: the boxy Bauhaus
style; the characteristic door handles; visible
hinges; spare wheel mounted on the rear door;

JUN/JUL 2018
 34 REASONS

WHEN MERCEDES-BENZ ANNOUNCED A REPLACEMENT TO ITS ICONIC G-WAGEN

AFTER 38 YEARS OF MANUFACTURE, SHOCK WAVES RIPPLED THROUGH
THE BRAND’S FAN BASE. EVEN OUR INTREPID MOTORING WRITER WAS CONCERNED
ABOUT THE FATE OF HIS FAVOURITE RIDE, UNTIL HE SAW THE NEW ONE.

The G-class has shed 170 kg thanks to

a new mix of materials – the doors and
bonnet are aluminium, and the body
is made of various grades of steel.
The new G is still made in Graz, Austria
(Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hometown),
at the Magna Steyr plant, where the
300 000th G-Wagen was manufactured
in the summer of 2017. The first available
model will be the G 500, which features
a new bi-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine, followed
by the even more ballistic G 63 AMG.
Diesel models – G 350d and G 400d –
will be available from early 2019.
The success story of the workhorse-
turned-lifestyle-object-of-desire will
continue. Mercedes-Benz has managed
to bring the legend into the here and
now without compromising its unique
character. I am very much looking forward
to taking the new one on a trip into
the bush.
03 Ground clearance is 241 mm.
• mercedes-benz.co.za

protruding turn signals; and the unique

sound the door makes when thrown shut
– like the safe door in a Swiss bank vault.
The engineers’ motto was clear:
“The new G stays a G, only better.”
Their challenge and chance was to
advance the icon technologically. The new
G is longer and wider than its predecessor,
thus gaining even more presence, as well
as comfort for driver and passengers,
including the ones in the back.
Surprisingly (and the biggest relief for all
G-Wagen fans), the off-road performance
is even better than before. And on-road
WORDS DIETER LOSSKARN

this G finally drives in a straight line –

the new electro-mechanical steering is
precise, something nobody ever expected
from the old one. It still has all three 100%
diff locks and low-range gears. There are
five driving programmes in Dynamic
Select: Comfort, Sport, Eco, Individual and
(the new) G Select for off-road use.
04 The new G-Class is 53 mm longer and 121 mm wider than its forerunner.
 34 REASONS
33
BOUTIQUE HOMES
Handpicked Vacation Rentals,
Cool Escapes and Avedition, R865
This coffee-table book by the founders
of the Cool Escapes Boutique Homes
brand is for world travellers looking for
vacation rentals that are cool, stylish
and sophisticated, with all the amenities
of modern living. The idea is that you
download the interactive app by the same
name on your phone, so you can point
your smartphone camera at any page in
the book showing a home and the app will
connect you to the property page to watch
videos, look at extended galleries, listen to
soundtracks and visit related websites.
The book features a collection of about
60 homes for rent, sorted into the chapters
Seaside, Country Living, Cabins, Extra
Large and Urban. They include a renovated
18th-century tower-house in Greece; new
apartments in Porto, Portugal; a modern
glass house on the island of Tasmania; and
a retreat in Baja, Mexico.
JUN/JUL 2018
WINTER MAKES US THINK OF COSY
CABINS AND TIME TO BROWSE
THROUGH BOOKS ON ESCAPES,
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN.
HIDE AND SEEK The Architecture
of Cabins and Hide-Outs, Gestalten, R857
Who hasn’t fantasised about having access
to a log cabin in the woods or a cottage by
the sea? The proliferation of hashtags and
Pinterest pins about rustic cabins is one of
the signs of the growing trend among city
dwellers towards experiencing a simpler life
and being closer to nature.
Long on photographs and short on
text, Hide and Seek offers mostly visual
inspiration for those who dream of escape
and tranquillity, if only for a weekend.
It showcases 80 cabins, cottages, summer
houses and other shelters across the world,
organised into chapters according to
their location in nature: from places at the
water’s edge to dwellings hidden among
trees. Some are refurbished structures and
some are mobile, and in-between there
are a couple of saunas, a few pavilions,
a photographer’s studio and a tree tent.
The interiors are mostly minimalist, focusing
attention on the architecture.
186
T
S
F O R
We have
Y
G I F
a copy of each of
O U
these books to give
away. Visit VISI.co.za/
win for details.
DIGITAL HANDMADE
Craftsmanship in the New Industrial
Revolution by Lucy Johnston,
new edition, Thames & Hudson, R482
Advances in technologies like computer-
aided design (CAD), laser-cutting and
3D-printing have opened up a world of
possibilities for creatives, as illustrated
by the collection of beautiful objects by
80 artists and artisans featured in this book.
PHOTOS SHAVAN RAHIM WORDS KAY-ANN VAN ROOYEN
It is fascinating and inspiring to see
the results of the meeting of creativity
and high tech, such as clothes made
using digital knitting and embroidery
and incorporating circuit boards and
organic solar cells.
Fashion design, woodcraft, goldsmithing,
ceramics, furniture design… In every
creative field we are seeing the integration
of technology and tradition, or seeing
technology being used “to take our craft
beyond the traditional and create the
extraordinary,” as Australian ceramicist
Valissa Butterworth says.
Extraordinary, indeed.
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C O N T E M P O R A RY A N D
CLASSIC HANDCRAFTED
K I TC H E N S A N D F U R N I T U R E
TO S U I T YO U R L I F E S T Y L E

info@sybaris.co.za | www.sybaris.co.za |
+27(0)44 382 2866 | Unit B1 Delmeer Factories, Knysna.
 4
Siemens EQ.9
THE s500 coffee
machine with its stainless
steel body is a covetable
addition to any caffeine
connoisseur’s kitchen.
A number of features
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the sensoFlow System,
which ensures a constant
ONE LUCKY VISI READER WILL WIN A brewing temperature;
SIEMENS EQ.9 S500 24-INCH BUILT-IN and the fact that the milk
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FULLY AUTOMATIC COFFEE MACHINE, steam-cleaned every
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oneTouch DoubleCup,
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two cups simultaneously,
picking your coffee and
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and baristaMode, which
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Better still, the superSilent
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• siemens-home.
bsh-group.com/za
T F A
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A
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To stand a chance to win this fabulous prize, go to VISI.co.za/win to enter.
JUN/JUL 2018 188
VISI
COMPETITION
RULES
• VISI competitions are
open to all South African
residents excluding
employees of New Media
Publishing, employees
of the companies
supplying the prizes,
associated companies
and advertising and
promotion agencies,
and their immediate
family members.
• The winner will be chosen
at the sole discretion
of the judges, whose
decision will be final.
No correspondence
will be entered into.
• Winners will not be
eligible for other prizes
for three months after
winning a competition.
• The prize is not
transferable or
redeemable for cash.
• Neither New Media
Publishing nor any of
its partners can be held
responsible for disputes
in connection with prizes
or for any loss, damage
or injury that may be
suffered or incurred by
prize winners.
• Entrants will be deemed
to have accepted
these rules and agree
when entering VISI
competitions.
• Data collected may be
shared with the prize
sponsor company, but
will not be sold or passed
on to third parties.
• New Media Publishing
reserves the right to
cancel, modify or amend
competitions at any time
if deemed necessary.
 SHOPPING DIRECTORY

Escape... and indulge

in the finest the Midlands
has to offer. THE CHAIR COLLECTION

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SMART IDEA

BE SEATED P H OTO M A R I J K E W I L L E M S P R O D U C T I O N & WO R D S A N N E M A R I E M E I N TJ E S

Humble benches and utility stools can be great finds, but their
honest lines are often spoilt by a lunch guest’s demand for
a cushion – which often ends up on the floor anyway! A quick
fix is to use Sellotape Hook & Loop, a length of hook-and-loop
fastening tape that comes in a handy dispenser – it will keep
the cushion from slipping to the floor and can be removed after
the meal. It does the job and it looks good.

We bought Sellotape Hook & Loop (20 mm x 2 m) for R55 at

Builders Warehouse and the utility stool is from Amatuli (R880).
 sa852018/58/e

MURA
a new generation of crafted carpets

Proudly manufactured in Harrismith, South Africa | Head Office 058 623 2805

monn.co.za