Home

Every year when we start going through the entries for our annual Fix it with Flair competition, I realise once again that Home readers are my ‘tribe’. You’re probably familiar with this informal term that people use to describe those with whom they

Wicus Pretorius • editor@homemag.co.za Cape Town postal address PO Box 1802, Cape Town, 8000 General enquiries Yumna Tofey • yumna.tofey@media24.com 021 406 2205 Features Editor Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel beatrice.nothnagel@media24.com Creative Editor 

“When you want to break out a wall, you must be careful not to demolish a load-bearing wall which supports the roof.” But how does one know if a wall is load-bearing? “Go and look in the roof space where the ceiling beams rest on a wall,” he explains

Since the Pieterses love the Cape Dutch style, they wanted to give the facebrick walls a smooth finish. “The plaster initially cracked but thanks to a special bonding agent and quality paint, this is now a thing of the past. We realise that paint ent

Hilly Nachman of The Fireplace Studio offers advice on installing a fireplace: • When it comes to a new installation, a freestanding cast-iron fireplace, such as Annabel chose, is a good option. “It’s easy to position and more efficient than an open

Stephen Lew, an interior designer and architect, gives us the lowdown: Q: What are the considerations when adding another level to your home? A: It’s important to identify the function of this new space and explore its relationship with the existing

Jacque Sherman of Ikhaya Futurehouse Systems, a member of the Green Building Council, explains the advantages of building with corrugated expanded polystyrene (EPS): • The materials are manufactured in SA and due to their light weight (approximately

Islands have become increasingly popular in kitchens as they provide extra work and storage space and encourage socialising while cooking. Designer Nialè van der Merwe of Easylife Kitchens offers the following advice: • When incorporating an island i

• Live in the space first, if you can; this helps when it comes to figuring out how to optimise small spaces. • Create contrast with textures and colours, without overwhelming the eye. Bold but classic is my go-to. • Pay attention to detail – don’t f

Renovating apartments, where people live in close proximity, is a bigger challenge nowadays as many more people work from home, says Greg Anderson of SL Property Trust, the managing agent for the apartment block in which Brett lives. He outlines a fe

“In the past, the idea of putting wallpaper in a bathroom would have seemed ludicrous,” says Cara Saven of Cara Saven Wall Design. “The reason for this is that most wallpapers are made up of paper, at least in part. Paper and moisture are not friends

As an interior decorator, Cailin is very aware of the fact that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. “Bathrooms are one of the most used spaces in a home, but they are also a sanctuary in which to unwind in a hot bath after a busy day.” Here are her t

“The past few years have been stressful and as a result, the world now craves colour,” says Stevie Joubert, CEO of Stiles. “Nature-inspired tones, calming hues and warm palettes draw out a sense of euphoria that translates into exciting trends.” Here

“Artisan-style tiles with depth and a handmade look are right on trend,” says Nicole Russell of Italtile. She shares her favourite new designs: Embossed These wall tiles are the perfect example of an increasingly popular pattern-on-pattern trend. The

Paul Henry, retired managing director of Rawson Developers and Construction, has this advice for would-be DIYers: • If you draw up your own plans, make sure they are accurate and to scale. Keep your interior design in mind from the outset, especially

Before converting a vehicle into a motorhome, there are a number of aspects to consider. Leon Botha, caravanning and camping journalist at Go! Drive & Camp, has this advice: • The drivetrain is certainly the most important decision you make when cons

Frikkie Greeff, managing director of Woodoc, shares his expert knowledge on wooden countertops in the kitchen: Wood is a great option for countertops; it’s attractive, warm and naturally hygienic. However, it’s important that it is treated and mainta

“While grey and white are still on trend for kitchen cabinets, soft and dark blues as well as a variety of greens are becoming increasingly popular,” says Jenny Moolman, Duram’s brand manager. “These colours will work beautifully if you’re looking to

Jenny Collins, architectural designer at Red Cat Design, says large windows that flood the kitchen with warmth and sunlight, and connect us to the outdoors, are often a great addition during a renovation. Here are a few things to consider: The size o

Stephanie Forbes, national manager of the Kitchen Specialists Association (KSA), says that when installing a kitchen, consumers should expect the unexpected! Unforeseen issues can create massive inconvenience and usually cost time and money. Here is