The Property Magazine - Kwazulu-Natal September 2012

Propertydecor, trends, luxury, design & real estate

KWAZULU-NATALEst. 2004, Issue 280

Winner of 10 publishing awardsSEPTEMBER 2012

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WINA SHAMWARI TRIP WORTH

R27 000

PROFILING JOHN RABIE

BATHROOMS & KITCHENS

CONOR MCCREEDY’S SOHO APARTMENT

SA’S HOT SPACESPLUS: IDEAS AND PRODUCTS TO INSPIRE YOU

thepropertymag.co.za | 1

ON THE COVERThe Kitchen & Tasting Room

@ Maison. Turn to page 11

for the full story.

22

ON THE COVERBeach house kitchen,

Brittania Bay. See

page 24 for details.

ContentsDECOR

9 HOT DECOR & DESIGNCalling all collectors

TRENDS

7 SHOPPETILL YOU …Shoppe celebrates the

best of local design

8 HOT PLATE We celebrate Italians and

vegetarians, and catch

up with the ‘godfather of

Italian gastronomy’

12 WHAT’S ONWhat you should be

doing this month

38 PIPING HOTThe experts talk

bathroom and

kitchen must-haves

39 MAKING MOVES ON THE MIDLANDS

Why you should be living

in the KZN Midlands

54 TREND WATCHGet the look! Inspirational

ideas for bathrooms

and kitchens

LUXURY

10 HOT INDULGENCE Wines you should be

sampling, clothes you should

be wearing and indulgences

you should be exploring

22 LUXURY WIN Win three nights at the fi ve-

star Shamwari Game Reserve

42 READER OFFER Exclusive Azura at Quilálea

resort special

43 HUNTER GATHERING

A Property Dinner in

honour of Karien Hunter’s

25 years at the helm of

AMC Hunter Inc.

DESIGN

14 AN ARTIST’S SANCTUARYRevealing SA-born

artist Conor Mccreedy’s

quirky SoHo apartment

24 SPACES THAT SPEAK VOLUMES South Africa’s top bathrooms

and kitchens

35 A NEW LEASEJohn Rabie’s new vision

REAL ESTATE

13 LAYERED LUXURY An intricate and

opulent villa on the

Atlantic Seaboard

46 CAPE TOWN’S PREMIER ADDRESSHouse 3 at Nettleton Ridge

estate, Clifton, Cape Town

47 EYES WIDE OPEN Rabie Property

Group Director Colin

Anderson looks at the

market’s infl uences

48 KWAZULU-NATAL RESIDENTIAL

A luxury development in

Amanzimtoti

49 KWAZULU-NATAL COMMERCIAL

The most recent

incarnation of

Musgrave Centre

50 SOUTH AFRICA New opportunities to buy

into Fancourt, plus holiday

homes in the Klein Karoo

54

35

14

24

2 | September 2012

ED’S LETTER

Two of the busiest rooms in our houses are undoubtedly the bathroom and the kitchen. Both get the most foot tra� c, so it makes sense that these rooms should get the most thought and devotion when it comes to layout and features, design and decor, and appliances and accessories.

Kitchens are no longer a place to merely cook and eat. They are now functional spaces where family and friends can congregate and engage, catch up, play, do homework, read the paper …

Today’s kitchen has evolved and therefore its design has too. Kitchens are now masterpieces of architecture and design, pieces of art if you will, that we showcase proudly. High-gloss cupboards hide unsightly appliances, leaving gleaming surfaces uncluttered and allowed to shine in all their glory. Technology allows for us to call on espressos, ice, cold water – the list goes on – from a hidden machine at the simple touch of a button. Art and light installations merge until they are indistinguishable. Kitchens now boast TVs, wine coolers, bars, sofas … All within reach, meaning you may never need to leave the room.

The same can be said of the bathroom. Once merely a room to in which to cleanse ourselves, the bathroom now takes centre stage in the home. Bathtubs have grown, shower

THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE

ONLINE

VISIT thepropertymag.co.za for the

latest features.

FOLLOW US on Facebook

and Twitter:

facebook.com/thepropertymagazine

twitter.com/thepropertymag

DOWNLOAD our National edition for

iPad and Galaxy tablets from Zinio:

zinio.com

SUBSCRIBE

Call 0860 100 209 (local) or

+27 (0)21 530 3112 (foreign)

to learn more about our special

subscription offer.

Nicky Manson, Editor

Pho

tog

rap

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rant

Diffo

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If you can’t stand the heat …… renovate your kitchen. Or your bathroom

� is month I covet …

A bathroom by Lavo Bathroom Concepts. When did

sanware get so sexy? +27 (0)21 461 0180, lavo.co.za

The Beluga Light by Fabbian, available from Pure

Light SA. +27 (0)82 576 2048, purelightsaonline.com

The Benjamin Mirror by Egg Designs. Simply

gorgeous. +27 (0)11 262 5940, eggdesigns.co.za

walls have disappeared and wet rooms have emerged. Views have become important and technology and green devices rule (you can save a Third World country’s water supply with the one-touch � ush). Mouldy bathmats have been replaced by sexy concrete � oors or natural wooden planks, sauna and steam functions are now par for the course, and you can have warming towel racks, warming loo seats and even under� oor heating installed. And yet, despite all these advances, the bathroom remains our sanctuary, a serene and calming space in which to wash away the day’s problems and renew our vigour.

So important are these rooms to us and to our readers that we have devoted 10 pages to SA’s top bathrooms and kitchens. We hope you are left awestruck, inspired and a tad envious. We were.

22156_W&A Facebook link ad 340x245.indd 1 2011/09/20 3:51 PM

2 | September 2012

ED’S LETTER

Two of the busiest rooms in our houses are undoubtedly the bathroom and the kitchen. Both get the most foot tra� c, so it makes sense that these rooms should get the most thought and devotion when it comes to layout and features, design and decor, and appliances and accessories.

Kitchens are no longer a place to merely cook and eat. They are now functional spaces where family and friends can congregate and engage, catch up, play, do homework, read the paper …

Today’s kitchen has evolved and therefore its design has too. Kitchens are now masterpieces of architecture and design, pieces of art if you will, that we showcase proudly. High-gloss cupboards hide unsightly appliances, leaving gleaming surfaces uncluttered and allowed to shine in all their glory. Technology allows for us to call on espressos, ice, cold water – the list goes on – from a hidden machine at the simple touch of a button. Art and light installations merge until they are indistinguishable. Kitchens now boast TVs, wine coolers, bars, sofas … All within reach, meaning you may never need to leave the room.

The same can be said of the bathroom. Once merely a room to in which to cleanse ourselves, the bathroom now takes centre stage in the home. Bathtubs have grown, shower

THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE

ONLINE

VISIT thepropertymag.co.za for the

latest features.

FOLLOW US on Facebook

and Twitter:

facebook.com/thepropertymagazine

twitter.com/thepropertymag

DOWNLOAD our National edition for

iPad and Galaxy tablets from Zinio:

zinio.com

SUBSCRIBE

Call 0860 100 209 (local) or

+27 (0)21 530 3112 (foreign)

to learn more about our special

subscription offer.

Nicky Manson, Editor

Pho

tog

rap

h G

rant

Diffo

rd

If you can’t stand the heat …… renovate your kitchen. Or your bathroom

� is month I covet …

A bathroom by Lavo Bathroom Concepts. When did

sanware get so sexy? +27 (0)21 461 0180, lavo.co.za

The Beluga Light by Fabbian, available from Pure

Light SA. +27 (0)82 576 2048, purelightsaonline.com

The Benjamin Mirror by Egg Designs. Simply

gorgeous. +27 (0)11 262 5940, eggdesigns.co.za

walls have disappeared and wet rooms have emerged. Views have become important and technology and green devices rule (you can save a Third World country’s water supply with the one-touch � ush). Mouldy bathmats have been replaced by sexy concrete � oors or natural wooden planks, sauna and steam functions are now par for the course, and you can have warming towel racks, warming loo seats and even under� oor heating installed. And yet, despite all these advances, the bathroom remains our sanctuary, a serene and calming space in which to wash away the day’s problems and renew our vigour.

So important are these rooms to us and to our readers that we have devoted 10 pages to SA’s top bathrooms and kitchens. We hope you are left awestruck, inspired and a tad envious. We were.

SAPOA Property Journalism Awards 2011: Winner – Best Property Publication Nedbank Property Association Awards 2010: Winner – Mover & Shaker Award (Tony Vaughan) PICA Awards 2009: Winner – Special Award, Overall Publishing Excellence PICA Awards 2008: Winner – Consumer Magazines, Largely Free Distribution, and Highly Commended: Editorial Excellence, Public Interest Writer of the Year (Ed Suter) 20th SAB Environmentalist of the Year & Environmental Journalists of the Year Awards 2008: Winner – Merit Award, Print & Internet SAPOA Property Journalism Awards 2008: Winner – Best Property Publication, and Special Mention – Property Feature Journalist (Ed Suter) PICA Awards 2007:B2B – Publishing Excellence, Leisure Mondi Magazine Awards 2005: Winner – Foresight SAPPI PICA Awards 2005: Winner – Philip Tyler Trophy for Innovation in Magazine Publishing Brandhouse Media Owners Challenge Awards 2005:Winner – Innovation in Publishing SAPPI PICA Awards 2005: B2B – Highly Commended Mondi Magazine Awards 2004: Industry – Finalist

Launch Edition: April 2004

WESTERN CAPE 3rd Floor, 33 Bree Street, Cape Town, 8001.PO Box 50601, The Waterfront, Cape Town 8002.

Phone +27 (0)87 230 0101 Fax +27 (0)21 421 7891

GAUTENG 49 6th Street, Parkhurst, Johannesburg, 2193.Phone +27 (0)87 230 0101

NAMIBIA Phone +264 (0)61 248 161 Fax +264 (0)61 245 942

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Email [email protected] Online magsathome.co.za Local Phone 0860 100 209 Fax 0866 704 101

International Phone +27 (0)21 530 3112 Fax +27 (0)21 530 3143SMS 41871 with reference ‘Property Magazine’ (R2/SMS) for subscription enquiries

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES General [email protected] Society [email protected].

Hot Property [email protected]

Print edition published monthly in four regional issues: Western Cape, Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal and Pretoria

Current ABC Audited Circulation (Q2 2012, April–June):Western Cape – 23 001, Johannesburg – 18 633, KwaZulu-Natal – 13 735. Total Nationally – 55 369

Pretoria print run – 10 000Web Stats: Property Club Members – 24 884AMPS National Readership (2011A): 287 815

Disclaimer The publisher and editor of this magazine give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any

goods or services advertised within this edition. Copyright Media Nova (Pty) Limited. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be

reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Media Nova (Pty) Limited.

The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material.

ON THIS MONTH’S COVERSWestern Cape: Meerendal Boutique Hotel.

Johannesburg: Designer bathroom with Cobra throughout – 0861 21 21 21, cobra.co.za.

KwaZulu-Natal: Beach house, Brittania Bay.Pretoria: Pod Boutique Hotel, Camps Bay.

South Africa (National Digital Edition): Bathroom, The Glass House, Gauteng.

Property thepropertymag.co.za

medianova.co.za

EDITORIALEditorNicky Manson [email protected] Bureau ChiefAnne Schauffer [email protected] SubeditorYaron BlecherFeatures WritersGenevieve Fisher (Western Cape)André Fiore (KwaZulu-Natal)Gisela Nel (Pretoria)

ARTSenior DesignerKeverne MorlandJunior DesignerChané JoematSenior RetoucherTim Lake

CONTRIBUTORSDeborah Curtis-Setchell, Candace King, Tammy Sutherns

PHOTOGRAPHERSVal Adamson, Nic Baleta, Fiona Barclay-Smith, Sally Chance, Deborah Curtis-Setchell, Michael Glenister, Tim Lake, Candace Marshall-Smith, Gisela Nel

DISTRIBUTIONEzweni Magazine Distribution

ADVERTISING Gauteng & KwaZulu-NatalRegional Sales & Marketing ManagerJenni McCallumGauteng & KwaZulu-Natal Sales AssistantLiezel BarnardJohannesburg SalesMilos Kovacevic, Tracey-Lee Schuster

Western Cape Regional Sales& Marketing ManagerMichèle JonesWestern Cape SalesChantal Barton, Susan ErweePretoria SalesLorna MacPhailKwaZulu-Natal SalesClaire VeitchDirectory SalesLufuno MudauEvent CoordinatorBianca van DeventerMedia CoordinatorTamlyn PasqualieTraffi c AssistantPortia Mbele

PUBLISHED BY MEDIA NOVA (PTY) LTDManaging DirectorTony Vaughan [email protected] ManagerMark Pettipher [email protected] ManagerTaryn TownsendAssociate Publisher PretoriaObed SealetsaAssociate Publisher NamibiaMynard SlabbertFinancial ManagerLeanne Cox [email protected] AssistantEleanor ScipioCredit ControllerAnthea OdendaalCollections ClerkCasmia GysmanIT CoordinatorAdrian PetroDriversThemba Gumede, Joseph Khoza, Willem September

DISTRIBUTIONREGIONAL CIRCULATION ABC Audited National Circulation (Apr.–Jun. 2012)The Property Magazine – KwaZulu-Natal 13 735The Property Magazine – Johannesburg 18 633The Property Magazine – Western Cape 23 001The Property Magazine – Combined 55 369

THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE KWAZULU-NATAL DISTRIBUTION

NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION Retail:CNAExclusive Books (select stores)SparAirport-based retailers

FREE VIP DISTRIBUTION – NATIONAL& INTERNATIONALAirlines and Luxury Railways (Rovos Rail)HRG Rennies Travel Premier Club LoungesSouth African Airways – Domestic& International LoungesAir Namibia – Domestic & International fl ightsCape Aviation Business CentreBIDAir Premier Lounges

Plus free distribution to VIPs in these sectors:PropertyMediaAdvertisingMarketingNational and local government-related industries

INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTIONSelect servicesShowroomsIndustry-related businesses and eventsNamibia-specifi c distributions

ADDITIONAL FREE DISTRIBUTION – NATIONAL & INTERNATIONALDecor housesBanksTop industry-related businessesGolf clubsRestaurantsCoffee shops

PRETORIA DISTRIBUTION10 000 copies, including 6 500Free-To-Home, 500 copies to luxury outlets and embassies and 3 000 copiesto select retailers

8 925 copies free-to-home in the following areas (including residential estates):BereaMusgraveMorningsideWindermereBeverly HillsCowies HillWaterfall/KloofHillcrestMaytimeUpper UmhlangaLower UmhlangaUpper La LuciaLower La LuciaPrestondaleBroadwayMount EdgecombeHiltonWembleyBallitoUmdloti

4 529 copies to luxury outlets:The Boat HouseThe Vineyard on BallitoZimbali LodgeFairways LodgeTeremok MarineLa BordelloMadeline Grove B & BThe Palms Guest HouseEssenwood HouseThe BalmoralPhezulu Game EstateThe Royal HotelRiverside Hotel & SpaSica’s Guest HouseThe Westville HotelEndless Horizons Boutique HotelQuarters HotelThe Manor HouseFairway Guest HouseDocklands Hotel

� e Property Magazine is now available onall domestic and international Air Namibia � ights!




RS

A R

34

.95 (

incl.

VA

T)

Oth

er

co

untr

ies

R21.9

0 (

excl.

Tax)

Beach h

ouse

, Bri

ttania

Bay.

perf

ecth

ideaw

ays.

co

.za


R27 000




SA’S HOT SPACESPLUS: IDEAS AND PRODUCTS TO INSPIRE YOUPLUS: IDEAS AND PRODUCTS TO INSPIRE YOU

National Readership287 815

AMPS (2011A)

PropertyKWAZULU-NATAL

WIN





PropertyPRETORIA

WINA SHAMWARI VISIT WORTH

R27 000

MODERN RETRO

INSIDE A TRENDY PECANWOOD HOME



SA’S HOT SPACESPLUS: INSPIRATIONAL PRODUCTS & IDEAS

WESTERN CAPE

PropertyWIN




INTRODUCING MEERENDAL BOUTIQUE HOTEL

PropertySOUTH AFRICA

THEZINIO

EDITION! PROFILING JOHN RABIE




PropertyJOHANNESBURG


R27 000


COBRA THROUGHOUT


INSPIRATION

DISCERNING HOMEOWNER GOES WITH STYLISH COBRA SANWARE AND TAPS

CONOR MCCREEDY’S

SOHO APARTMENT

SAPOA Property Journalism Awards 2011: Winner – Best Property Publication Nedbank Property Association Awards 2010: Winner – Mover & Shaker Award (Tony Vaughan) PICA Awards 2009: Winner – Special Award, Overall Publishing Excellence PICA Awards 2008: Winner – Consumer Magazines, Largely Free Distribution, and Highly Commended: Editorial Excellence, Public Interest Writer of the Year (Ed Suter) 20th SAB Environmentalist of the Year & Environmental Journalists of the Year Awards 2008: Winner – Merit Award, Print & Internet SAPOA Property Journalism Awards 2008: Winner – Best Property Publication, and Special Mention – Property Feature Journalist (Ed Suter) PICA Awards 2007:B2B – Publishing Excellence, Leisure Mondi Magazine Awards 2005: Winner – Foresight SAPPI PICA Awards 2005: Winner – Philip Tyler Trophy for Innovation in Magazine Publishing Brandhouse Media Owners Challenge Awards 2005:Winner – Innovation in Publishing SAPPI PICA Awards 2005: B2B – Highly Commended Mondi Magazine Awards 2004: Industry – Finalist

Launch Edition: April 2004

WESTERN CAPE 3rd Floor, 33 Bree Street, Cape Town, 8001.PO Box 50601, The Waterfront, Cape Town 8002.

Phone +27 (0)87 230 0101 Fax +27 (0)21 421 7891

GAUTENG 49 6th Street, Parkhurst, Johannesburg, 2193.Phone +27 (0)87 230 0101

NAMIBIA Phone +264 (0)61 248 161 Fax +264 (0)61 245 942

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Email [email protected] Online magsathome.co.za Local Phone 0860 100 209 Fax 0866 704 101

International Phone +27 (0)21 530 3112 Fax +27 (0)21 530 3143SMS 41871 with reference ‘Property Magazine’ (R2/SMS) for subscription enquiries

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES General [email protected] Society [email protected].

Hot Property [email protected]

Print edition published monthly in four regional issues: Western Cape, Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal and Pretoria

Current ABC Audited Circulation (Q2 2012, April–June):Western Cape – 23 001, Johannesburg – 18 633, KwaZulu-Natal – 13 735. Total Nationally – 55 369

Pretoria print run – 10 000Web Stats: Property Club Members – 24 884AMPS National Readership (2011A): 287 815

Disclaimer The publisher and editor of this magazine give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any

goods or services advertised within this edition. Copyright Media Nova (Pty) Limited. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be

reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Media Nova (Pty) Limited.

The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material.

ON THIS MONTH’S COVERSWestern Cape: Meerendal Boutique Hotel.

Johannesburg: Designer bathroom with Cobra throughout – 0861 21 21 21, cobra.co.za.

KwaZulu-Natal: Beach house, Brittania Bay.Pretoria: Pod Boutique Hotel, Camps Bay.

South Africa (National Digital Edition): Bathroom, The Glass House, Gauteng.

Property thepropertymag.co.za

medianova.co.za

EDITORIALEditorNicky Manson [email protected] Bureau ChiefAnne Schauffer [email protected] SubeditorYaron BlecherFeatures WritersGenevieve Fisher (Western Cape)André Fiore (KwaZulu-Natal)Gisela Nel (Pretoria)

ARTSenior DesignerKeverne MorlandJunior DesignerChané JoematSenior RetoucherTim Lake

CONTRIBUTORSDeborah Curtis-Setchell, Candace King, Tammy Sutherns

PHOTOGRAPHERSVal Adamson, Nic Baleta, Fiona Barclay-Smith, Sally Chance, Deborah Curtis-Setchell, Michael Glenister, Tim Lake, Candace Marshall-Smith, Gisela Nel

DISTRIBUTIONEzweni Magazine Distribution

ADVERTISING Gauteng & KwaZulu-NatalRegional Sales & Marketing ManagerJenni McCallumGauteng & KwaZulu-Natal Sales AssistantLiezel BarnardJohannesburg SalesMilos Kovacevic, Tracey-Lee Schuster

Western Cape Regional Sales& Marketing ManagerMichèle JonesWestern Cape SalesChantal Barton, Susan ErweePretoria SalesLorna MacPhailKwaZulu-Natal SalesClaire VeitchDirectory SalesLufuno MudauEvent CoordinatorBianca van DeventerMedia CoordinatorTamlyn PasqualieTraffi c AssistantPortia Mbele

PUBLISHED BY MEDIA NOVA (PTY) LTDManaging DirectorTony Vaughan [email protected] ManagerMark Pettipher [email protected] ManagerTaryn TownsendAssociate Publisher PretoriaObed SealetsaAssociate Publisher NamibiaMynard SlabbertFinancial ManagerLeanne Cox [email protected] AssistantEleanor ScipioCredit ControllerAnthea OdendaalCollections ClerkCasmia GysmanIT CoordinatorAdrian PetroDriversThemba Gumede, Joseph Khoza, Willem September

DISTRIBUTIONREGIONAL CIRCULATION ABC Audited National Circulation (Apr.–Jun. 2012)The Property Magazine – KwaZulu-Natal 13 735The Property Magazine – Johannesburg 18 633The Property Magazine – Western Cape 23 001The Property Magazine – Combined 55 369

THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE KWAZULU-NATAL DISTRIBUTION

NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION Retail:CNAExclusive Books (select stores)SparAirport-based retailers

FREE VIP DISTRIBUTION – NATIONAL& INTERNATIONALAirlines and Luxury Railways (Rovos Rail)HRG Rennies Travel Premier Club LoungesSouth African Airways – Domestic& International LoungesAir Namibia – Domestic & International fl ightsCape Aviation Business CentreBIDAir Premier Lounges

Plus free distribution to VIPs in these sectors:PropertyMediaAdvertisingMarketingNational and local government-related industries

INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTIONSelect servicesShowroomsIndustry-related businesses and eventsNamibia-specifi c distributions

ADDITIONAL FREE DISTRIBUTION – NATIONAL & INTERNATIONALDecor housesBanksTop industry-related businessesGolf clubsRestaurantsCoffee shops

PRETORIA DISTRIBUTION10 000 copies, including 6 500Free-To-Home, 500 copies to luxury outlets and embassies and 3 000 copiesto select retailers

8 925 copies free-to-home in the following areas (including residential estates):BereaMusgraveMorningsideWindermereBeverly HillsCowies HillWaterfall/KloofHillcrestMaytimeUpper UmhlangaLower UmhlangaUpper La LuciaLower La LuciaPrestondaleBroadwayMount EdgecombeHiltonWembleyBallitoUmdloti

4 529 copies to luxury outlets:The Boat HouseThe Vineyard on BallitoZimbali LodgeFairways LodgeTeremok MarineLa BordelloMadeline Grove B & BThe Palms Guest HouseEssenwood HouseThe BalmoralPhezulu Game EstateThe Royal HotelRiverside Hotel & SpaSica’s Guest HouseThe Westville HotelEndless Horizons Boutique HotelQuarters HotelThe Manor HouseFairway Guest HouseDocklands Hotel

� e Property Magazine is now available onall domestic and international Air Namibia � ights!




RS

A R

34

.95 (

incl.

VA

T)

Oth

er

co

untr

ies

R21.9

0 (

excl.

Tax)

Beach h

ouse

, Bri

ttania

Bay.

perf

ecth

ideaw

ays.

co

.za


R27 000




SA’S HOT SPACESPLUS: IDEAS AND PRODUCTS TO INSPIRE YOUPLUS: IDEAS AND PRODUCTS TO INSPIRE YOU

National Readership287 815

AMPS (2011A)

PropertyKWAZULU-NATAL

WIN





PropertyPRETORIA

WINA SHAMWARI VISIT WORTH

R27 000

MODERN RETRO

INSIDE A TRENDY PECANWOOD HOME




WESTERN CAPE

PropertyWIN




INTRODUCING MEERENDAL BOUTIQUE HOTEL

PropertySOUTH AFRICA

THEZINIO

EDITION! PROFILING JOHN RABIE




PropertyJOHANNESBURG


R27 000


COBRA THROUGHOUT


INSPIRATION

DISCERNING HOMEOWNER GOES WITH STYLISH COBRA SANWARE AND TAPS

CONOR MCCREEDY’S

SOHO APARTMENT

MO

HLA

LEN

G_8

60/E

1_ES

KD

For more information on this limited offer and how to save, contact us on (011) 800 4744 or [email protected] or visit our website at www.eskom.co.za/idm

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DURBAN FACTORY AND SHOWROOMDURBAN FACTORY AND SHOWROOM46 Buro Crescent, Mayville, 409146 Buro Crescent, Mayville, 4091

Tel: +27 31 208 4418 / +27 31 207 2868 Fax: +27 31 207 2869Tel: +27 31 208 4418 / +27 31 207 2868 Fax: +27 31 207 2869E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

PIETERMARITZBURG SHOWROOMPIETERMARITZBURG SHOWROOMCnr. Victoria & West Street, PietermaritzburgCnr. Victoria & West Street, Pietermaritzburg

Tel: +27 33 345 9805 Fax: +27 33 345 9901Tel: +27 33 345 9805 Fax: +27 33 345 9901

w w w . l e i s u r e l o u n g e . c o . z aw w w . l e i s u r e l o u n g e . c o . z a

hans coetzeea r c h i t e c t

Tel:Fax:�031�566�0007

Mobile:�+27�83�650�9775Web:

E-mail�:

031�566�5750

[email protected]

CommercialIndustrialResidential

Our�hallmark�is�the�unwavering�commitment�wehave�to�designing�environments�that�shape�the�waypeople�live,�learn,�work,�and�play.

”You�Fabricate�The�Dream,�We�Bring�It�To�Life”

DURBAN FACTORY AND SHOWROOMDURBAN FACTORY AND SHOWROOM46 Buro Crescent, Mayville, 409146 Buro Crescent, Mayville, 4091

Tel: +27 31 208 4418 / +27 31 207 2868 Fax: +27 31 207 2869Tel: +27 31 208 4418 / +27 31 207 2868 Fax: +27 31 207 2869E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

PIETERMARITZBURG SHOWROOMPIETERMARITZBURG SHOWROOMCnr. Victoria & West Street, PietermaritzburgCnr. Victoria & West Street, Pietermaritzburg

Tel: +27 33 345 9805 Fax: +27 33 345 9901Tel: +27 33 345 9805 Fax: +27 33 345 9901

w w w . l e i s u r e l o u n g e . c o . z aw w w . l e i s u r e l o u n g e . c o . z a

hans coetzeea r c h i t e c t

Tel:Fax:�031�566�0007

Mobile:�+27�83�650�9775Web:

E-mail�:

031�566�5750

[email protected]

CommercialIndustrialResidential

Our�hallmark�is�the�unwavering�commitment�wehave�to�designing�environments�that�shape�the�waypeople�live,�learn,�work,�and�play.

”You�Fabricate�The�Dream,�We�Bring�It�To�Life”


HOT PROPERTY

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1Suitcase Chair by Re-Create, cushions by My Favourite Colour and woollen throw by Evolution. 2Paper Book lights by Shaw Sisters and painter’s doll and ceramics by Tamarillo. 3Books published

by Quivertree and ceramic Dragonfly tea set from Homebakes 4Funky soaps by Daniel Ting Chong.

Visit thepropertymag.co.za for other

boutique stores in your area.

Sonia Vosloo’s past and present is in

clothing, but a visit to Cape Town’s

Design Indaba saw her falling head

over heels in love with creative

South Africans’ world-class bespoke crafted

goods. By her next Cape Town visit, she was

convinced that Durban needed a ‘local is

lekker’ outlet, and she set out to achieve it.

A self-confessed regular at everybody’s

favourite meeting place, Market in Morningside,

Sonia was at the right place, at the right

time, when retail space became available

there. It’s the perfect space, the perfect

place, spilling out into the courtyard, where a

diverse clientele sips lattes in the shade of the

leopard trees.

Within six weeks, Sonia had stocked the

store with everything South African, but she

added a little vintage element too. Easy to

justify, really: ‘I reckoned the vintage had

been around in Durban long enough to claim

citizenship.’ She sourced work from around SA

and put her energy into seeking out known and

unknown artists in and around Durban. She was

committed to stocking what others didn’t, so

if she fell for artists or crafters who were well

known, she chose alternative works of theirs.

All the surfaces of Shoppe are covered in

merchandise – often wacky, always wonderful.

The walls are draped in all shapes and sizes of

artwork by the likes of René Rutgers and Terry

Angelos. Marguerite Beneke’s Karoo scenes

on kiln-fused glass mounted on wood are also

stocked. On the floor, tree trunks, vintage crate

tables and painted school chairs sit on Nguni

floor mats dyed in delicious greens and blues.

On Koop’s pale and graphic tables are tactile

piles of glorious ceramics by Mick Haigh of the

Midlands, and a host of creatively upcycled or

recycled pieces.

A visit to Shoppe will never be a simple

shopping experience – it’s more a South

African adventure. Sonia aims to replenish

sold gaps with fresh, new stock rather than

repeats. All the more reason to go there often.

Be prepared to leave with something you

had no intention of buying but couldn’t risk

leaving behind. +27 (0)83 626 6088

3

2

41

Sonia Vosloo’s Shoppe brings us the best of local talent, both quirky and contemporary

ShoPPetill you …

8 | September 2012

HOT PROPERTY

We caught up with ANTONIO CARLUCCIO, OBE OMRI, the ‘godfather of Italian gastronomy’,

when he visited SA recently to star in

Durban’s Good Food & Wine Show.

Should one use traditional Italian

recipes as springboards for their own

interpretation? Italian regional food is

good as it is. The over 10 000 recipes

don’t need to be improved upon. It’s

extremely satisfying to cook perfectly

in the traditional way, which is the

quintessence of Italian culinary culture.

However, development can take place

by combining northern and southern

traditions and making positive new

discoveries, without changing the

essence of Italian food, and basing it

on simplicity and good taste. There

are some foods in nature, such as

truffl es, bottarga, special mushrooms

like morels, porcini, Caesars and many

others, precious enough to use in

sophisticated but still very simple dishes,

appreciated by the high priest of taste.

My motto of ‘MOF, MOF’ (‘minimum of

fuss, maximum of fl avour’) is also the

philosophy of culinary Italy. Worldwide,

Italian food, not only pizza, spaghetti

and lasagne, has now taken a fi rm place

in the cooking habits of all countries,

and is sometimes integrated into ethnic

cuisines, such as French, Spanish, Indian

and others. Tell us about your passion

for mushrooms. I adore mushrooms. It

is part of Italian culture that, in season,

everybody – young, old and of any social

class – goes into the woods to search for

wild mushrooms. This passion has grown

gradually since I was a child, as I learned

from adults to distinguish the poisonous

from the edible mushrooms. It is the

searching or hunt that gives the kick –

the eating is a bonus.

Wo

rds

And

ré F

iore

MAKING TIMEMarco Nico always dishes up something splendid, and his newest venture, La Storia, at the

Westville Hotel, is no different. ‘We’d like you to take the time to sit back, put the rush aside and

linger over a relaxed meal with friends and family. Enjoy the fl avours, enjoy the wine and enjoy the

people who mean the most to you,’ say Marco and his wife, Kerryne. Their dishes, rooted in Italy,

but with a nod to SA infl uences, will ensure you do just that. +27 (0)31 266 8793, lastoria.co.za

We celebrate Italians, vegetarians and others

VEG OUTHere’s a book that’ll have

vegetarians and others heading

straight to the kitchen. Hirsch’s

Living the Modern Vegetarian

Life offers an appealing selection

of meals that can be served

as stand-alone dishes or as

accompaniments for those

wanting a little chicken, meat

or fi sh on their plates too. The

book’s focus on unpretentious

entertaining for family and

friends results in a collection

of inexpensive, easy-to-

prepare recipes, while the food

styling by Natasha Barnes and

photography by Roy Reed

inspire. Available from Hirsch’s

countrywide. hirschs.co.za

TOWNSHIP STYLEFrom its humble roots, Max’s Lifestyle in Umlazi

has become a hot and happening destination.

Here’s a place that started out as a butchery and

shisa nyama in a one-room shack near a taxi rank,

from where it sold hot meat with hotter chilli

sauce as a remedy for Sunday morning babalaas.

Today, with decks overlooking the nearby stream,

regular opening hours, and Executive Chef

Jay- Cee Zondi presiding over the kitchen, Max’s

Lifestyle is one venue you can’t miss.

+27 (0)31 906 1393, maxslifestyle.co.za

BOTTLED UPShe calls her products ‘chefs in a bottle’ and vows they’ll simplify your life, add character to your

plate and entertain your palate. Local young chef Nardia Adams has branched out into Fudart, a

fun, funky range of 19 preserves, dips, dressings and pastes. These magic fl avours are great served

with cheeses, biscuits, or used as marinades. With no preservatives, colouring or thickening

agents, they’re made from ingredients sourced as close to home as possible, to keep the carbon

footprint low. Find Fudart at The Food Market or at The Wonder Market, or order direct.

+27 (0)83 252 8885, facebook.com/fudart

HOT PLATE

8 | September 2012

HOT PROPERTY

We caught up with ANTONIO CARLUCCIO, OBE OMRI, the ‘godfather of Italian gastronomy’,

when he visited SA recently to star in

Durban’s Good Food & Wine Show.

Should one use traditional Italian

recipes as springboards for their own

interpretation? Italian regional food is

good as it is. The over 10 000 recipes

don’t need to be improved upon. It’s

extremely satisfying to cook perfectly

in the traditional way, which is the

quintessence of Italian culinary culture.

However, development can take place

by combining northern and southern

traditions and making positive new

discoveries, without changing the

essence of Italian food, and basing it

on simplicity and good taste. There

are some foods in nature, such as

truffl es, bottarga, special mushrooms

like morels, porcini, Caesars and many

others, precious enough to use in

sophisticated but still very simple dishes,

appreciated by the high priest of taste.

My motto of ‘MOF, MOF’ (‘minimum of

fuss, maximum of fl avour’) is also the

philosophy of culinary Italy. Worldwide,

Italian food, not only pizza, spaghetti

and lasagne, has now taken a fi rm place

in the cooking habits of all countries,

and is sometimes integrated into ethnic

cuisines, such as French, Spanish, Indian

and others. Tell us about your passion

for mushrooms. I adore mushrooms. It

is part of Italian culture that, in season,

everybody – young, old and of any social

class – goes into the woods to search for

wild mushrooms. This passion has grown

gradually since I was a child, as I learned

from adults to distinguish the poisonous

from the edible mushrooms. It is the

searching or hunt that gives the kick –

the eating is a bonus.

Wo

rds

And

ré F

iore

MAKING TIMEMarco Nico always dishes up something splendid, and his newest venture, La Storia, at the

Westville Hotel, is no different. ‘We’d like you to take the time to sit back, put the rush aside and

linger over a relaxed meal with friends and family. Enjoy the fl avours, enjoy the wine and enjoy the

people who mean the most to you,’ say Marco and his wife, Kerryne. Their dishes, rooted in Italy,

but with a nod to SA infl uences, will ensure you do just that. +27 (0)31 266 8793, lastoria.co.za

We celebrate Italians, vegetarians and others

VEG OUTHere’s a book that’ll have

vegetarians and others heading

straight to the kitchen. Hirsch’s

Living the Modern Vegetarian

Life offers an appealing selection

of meals that can be served

as stand-alone dishes or as

accompaniments for those

wanting a little chicken, meat

or fi sh on their plates too. The

book’s focus on unpretentious

entertaining for family and

friends results in a collection

of inexpensive, easy-to-

prepare recipes, while the food

styling by Natasha Barnes and

photography by Roy Reed

inspire. Available from Hirsch’s

countrywide. hirschs.co.za

TOWNSHIP STYLEFrom its humble roots, Max’s Lifestyle in Umlazi

has become a hot and happening destination.

Here’s a place that started out as a butchery and

shisa nyama in a one-room shack near a taxi rank,

from where it sold hot meat with hotter chilli

sauce as a remedy for Sunday morning babalaas.

Today, with decks overlooking the nearby stream,

regular opening hours, and Executive Chef

Jay- Cee Zondi presiding over the kitchen, Max’s

Lifestyle is one venue you can’t miss.

+27 (0)31 906 1393, maxslifestyle.co.za

BOTTLED UPShe calls her products ‘chefs in a bottle’ and vows they’ll simplify your life, add character to your

plate and entertain your palate. Local young chef Nardia Adams has branched out into Fudart, a

fun, funky range of 19 preserves, dips, dressings and pastes. These magic fl avours are great served

with cheeses, biscuits, or used as marinades. With no preservatives, colouring or thickening

agents, they’re made from ingredients sourced as close to home as possible, to keep the carbon

footprint low. Find Fudart at The Food Market or at The Wonder Market, or order direct.

+27 (0)83 252 8885, facebook.com/fudart

HOT PLATE


HOT DECOR & DESIGNCalling all collectors of art, decor and furnishings

HOT PROPERTY

PENCILS AND PASTELSThe just-launched South African Road Trip

is a poetic pictorial account by French artist

Jacques de Loustal of his Winter 2011 journey

through the Karoo, around Cape Town and along

the Wild Coast. Loustal’s media are pencil and

pastel, and his work is noted for its evocation

of atmosphere, milieu and sense of place. His

books are available from Alliance Française

branches in Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth,

Johannesburg and Pretoria. +27 (0)31 312 9582,

alliance.org.za

TANYA VISSER is best known as

the presenter on The Home Channel’s

The Gardener. Her passion for getting

her hands dirty with soil goes back to

the times when she would garden as a

child with her parents. ‘I’m pretty sure

my blood is green …’, she says.

Who is your favourite landscaper?

Diarmuid Gavin, the infamous Irish

landscape designer. He has such a

creative mind, which allows him to come

up with the most off-the-wall designs, his

latest being the 80 ft, six-storey tower

garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. No

one knows how to move your cheese

like Diarmuid. You’ve got to love it!

What design elements do you consider

to be indispensable in a garden? Every

garden needs to amplify the personality

of the person living in that space. It’s

so important that this aspect isn’t

overlooked, but that happens so easily

if you’re not intimately involved with the

garden. What herbs or veggies should

be planted in every garden? It should

be what you love eating or love cooking

with! No matter how small your space,

there’s no excuse not to have a veggie

or herb garden. Once you’ve picked

that fi rst handful of fresh produce, you’ll

never look back. Start off small, so

you can learn and grow as your plants

do. Only then expand your range. The

golden rule is sun, and you need at

least fi ve hours of it to make sure your

garden is a blooming success! You deem

gardening a therapy … That simple

connection with the earth, when you’re

digging or planting, releases tension

and calms you. And … Dig a 1 m square

hole for a tree and tell me that’s not

good exercise!

Catch Tanya at the 2012 Sunday Tribune

Garden & Leisure Show from 21 to

24 September, at Pietermaritzburg’s

Royal Showgrounds. royalshow.co.za

Wo

rds

And

ré F

iore

FURNITURE AND PLAYThe new showrooms of Design Meets Life, in Bute Street, provide a clean and promising

palette for the designer’s just-launched range of contemporary children’s decor. Furniture

pieces in funky shades complement the themed wallpapers and include tables, chairs, drawers,

bookshelves, lamps and desks. The swatch books include popular themes, such as Safari,

Hearts, Flying is Fun, Transport and the brand-new World Map. There’s also a range of soft

furnishings to match. +27 (0)84 451 4683, designmeetslife.com

LINEN, COTTON AND CANVASFresh from the Fabric Library, the Vacation

and Plantation ranges are hitting store shelves

nationwide. Available in crisp linens, cottons,

cotton weaves and canvas, across a range

of colour palettes, these collections will look

great in almost any space. Find them at Home

Fabrics in Durban. +27 (0)31 303 1202,

homefabrics.co.za

LINOCUTS AND CERAMICSWorks by local artists Clive Sithole

and William Zulu have long been

highly sought after. Sithole’s

ceramics and Zulu’s linocuts grace

many international collections as

well as shelves and walls closer to

home. The African Art Centre has in

stock new works by both of these

artists. So hurry along, collectors!

+27 (0)31 312 3804, afriart.org.za

10 | September 2012

HOT PROPERTYHOT PROPERTY

HOT INDULGENCE

HOT PROPERTY

Wines, destinations, fashion and toys to brighten up your winter days

A HITCH IN TIMECape Town-based business Cowgirl

Blues specialises in designer-crafted

knitwear made from quality wool

and mohair from the Karoo as well

as from other natural fi bres. Its range

includes clothing, accessories and

decor items. All the manufacturing is

done by hand. Taking the personal

touch a step further, Cowgirl Blues

gives its products familiar names,

such as Erika (loop-knit mohair/ wool

chair seat cover), Eva (mohair/ wool

blend shoulder bag), Chloe (kid

mohair/silk shawl), Victoria

(pure- wool snood) and Harry

(woolen neckwarmer).

+27 (0)83 445 1150,

cowgirlblues.co.za

INGENIOUS WINEMAKINGNederburg’s new vintages of Ingenuity are now available, and they do not disappoint. We

tried the Ingenuity White 2010, a combination of Sauvignon Blanc (39%), Chardonnay,

Semillon, Viognier, Rhine Riesling and Gewürztraminer, and found it simply delightful from

start to fi nish. It’s full of fl avour, with a smooth fi nish. Paired with pork chops, it’s a treat.

The Ingenuity Red 2008 is presented in an interestingly shaped bottle, and the Barbera,

Nebbiolo and Sangiovese blend is as intriguing, particularly the Sangiovese aspect, which

contributes hints of cherry and plum. Try it with savoury dishes. The new Ingenuity range is

available from liquor outlets nationwide. +27 (0)21 862 3104, nederburg.co.za

THE DARKER SIDEKirsten Goss’ new Tough Luxe

collection screams ‘provocative’.

Think spikes, bullets and studs.

Industrial designs have been

wrought in rich 18 ct gold vermeil

and cool sterling silver. It’s edgy

yet sophisticated. Available from

her Durban and Joburg stores

and online. +27 (0)31 312 7573,

+27 (0)11 447 2234,

kirstengoss.com

LET IT OUT Pandora has a new jewel in its treasure

chest – an elegant, hand-fi nished Murano

glass charm with pink ribbons. Pandora

donates 15% of the proceeds from the sale

of these charms to breast cancer awareness

organisations worldwide. The charm is

available from Pandora concept stores and

from selected Edgars stores and jewellers

nationwide. +27 (0)11 706 2377,

pandora.net

INGENIOUS WINEMAKING


+27 (0)11 706 2377,

pandora.net

10 | September 2012 September 2012 September 2012

kirstengoss.com

10 | September 2012

HOT PROPERTYHOT PROPERTY

HOT INDULGENCE

HOT PROPERTY

Wines, destinations, fashion and toys to brighten up your winter days

A HITCH IN TIMECape Town-based business Cowgirl

Blues specialises in designer-crafted

knitwear made from quality wool

and mohair from the Karoo as well

as from other natural fi bres. Its range

includes clothing, accessories and

decor items. All the manufacturing is

done by hand. Taking the personal

touch a step further, Cowgirl Blues

gives its products familiar names,

such as Erika (loop-knit mohair/ wool

chair seat cover), Eva (mohair/ wool

blend shoulder bag), Chloe (kid

mohair/silk shawl), Victoria

(pure- wool snood) and Harry

(woolen neckwarmer).

+27 (0)83 445 1150,

cowgirlblues.co.za

INGENIOUS WINEMAKINGNederburg’s new vintages of Ingenuity are now available, and they do not disappoint. We

tried the Ingenuity White 2010, a combination of Sauvignon Blanc (39%), Chardonnay,

Semillon, Viognier, Rhine Riesling and Gewürztraminer, and found it simply delightful from

start to fi nish. It’s full of fl avour, with a smooth fi nish. Paired with pork chops, it’s a treat.

The Ingenuity Red 2008 is presented in an interestingly shaped bottle, and the Barbera,

Nebbiolo and Sangiovese blend is as intriguing, particularly the Sangiovese aspect, which

contributes hints of cherry and plum. Try it with savoury dishes. The new Ingenuity range is

available from liquor outlets nationwide. +27 (0)21 862 3104, nederburg.co.za

THE DARKER SIDEKirsten Goss’ new Tough Luxe

collection screams ‘provocative’.

Think spikes, bullets and studs.

Industrial designs have been

wrought in rich 18 ct gold vermeil

and cool sterling silver. It’s edgy

yet sophisticated. Available from

her Durban and Joburg stores

and online. +27 (0)31 312 7573,

+27 (0)11 447 2234,

kirstengoss.com

LET IT OUT Pandora has a new jewel in its treasure

chest – an elegant, hand-fi nished Murano

glass charm with pink ribbons. Pandora

donates 15% of the proceeds from the sale

of these charms to breast cancer awareness

organisations worldwide. The charm is

available from Pandora concept stores and


nationwide. +27 (0)11 706 2377,

pandora.net

INGENIOUS WINEMAKING


+27 (0)11 706 2377,

pandora.net

10 | September 2012 September 2012 September 2012

kirstengoss.com


HOT PROPERTY

DEFROST YOURSELFA visit to Life Day Spa Rosebank is ideal for dispelling

the winter blues. Try the signature Sulis Relax Ritual,

the perfect remedy for winter-dry skin. It begins with a

full- body Neroli sugar scrub, followed by an hour-long

oil massage that leaves your skin silky smooth and your

muscles warm and relaxed. The deliciousness is enhanced

with a warming eye pad and gloves and a blissful scalp

massage. Other facilities include a steam room, heated

pool, Rasul chamber and fl otation chamber, where a half-

hour treatment is the same as four hours’ sleep. Find your

nearest Life Day Spa in Rosebank, Fourways or Cape

Town. +27 (0)11 447 2255, lifedaysparosebank.co.za

STARS ABOVEThis infl atable solar system set has us over the moon. The educational toy is

available from The Toy Cupboard, Craighall, and is fun for children and adults.

Sarah Heurlin, the store’s owner, is passionate about games and toys that

help children to acquire new skills. Available online; nationwide delivery.

+27 (0)11 886 0715, thetoycupboard.co.za

HIGH FIVENew to the Constantia Glen family is the 2008

vintage of Constantia Glen Five. This gold-winning

blend (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon,

Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot) is elegant and

refi ned and ages well. We savoured ours with

beef, but winemaker Justin van Wyk says oven-

roasted quail is the way to go. Available from

boutique wine shops and restaurants nationwide.

+27 (0)21 795 6100, constantiaglen.com

SIZEABLE SIPPINGHolden Manz Big G 2009

does not disappoint.

Named after the

Franschhoek wine estate’s

co-owner, Gerard Holden,

the wine is a blend of

Cabernet Franc and

Cabernet Sauvignon and

is bold and full of fl avour,

with a lingering fi nish. We

paired it with braaied lamb

chops and found them a

perfect combination. The

winner of a Decanter wine

magazine gold medal, the

Big G 2009 is available

from boutique wine shops

nationwide or at the cellar

door. +27 (0)21 876 2729,

holdenmanz.com

GET STROPPYThe Revolution Barber is now open at Revolution

House in Maboneng Precinct and is said to give

the closest shave in town. Late opening hours

and a space pared down to the minimum (arcade

machines and couches – who needs more?) hammer

home that macho feeling. +27 (0)84 280 3688

THE SKINNY ON FRANSCHHOEKDelicious Hotel is the no-frills younger sister of the boutique

Le Quartier Français hotel. There are three room styles – Itsy Bitsy,

Teeny Weeny and Bigger than a Bikini – and less fussing makes

for a cheaper stay. But, guests may choose some little luxuries

from the ‘Supe-Up My Stay’ menu. Side orders include breakfast at

Le Quartier Français, World-Famous Sticky Buns, Devilish Daiquiris,

gym access (to work it all off) and daily room cleaning (as opposed

to every three days). Delicious is listed among Elle UK’s Five Best

New Hotels 2012. +27 (0)21 876 4232, delicioushotels.com

12 | September 2012

HOT PROPERTY

Send your 2012 event information to [email protected].

Jomba Contemporary Dance Experience 2012, 29 August – 9 SeptemberThis year’s contemporary dance festival is imbued with a strong French

fl avour. Highlights include Henriette et Matisse by French choreographer

Michel Kelemenis, a return to Durban by South Africa’s legendary dance-

maker, Vincent Mantsoe, who’s putting on a premiere of a solo work,

and Johannesburg’s provocative PJ Sabbagha, who is collaborating with

Réunion’s Éric Languet. On at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre and other

venues. +27 (0)31 260 2506, cca.ukzn.ac.za

Pinotage On Tap, 1 SeptemberOn at The Litchi Orchard, the Diemersfontein festival includes free- fl owing

pinotage, local foods, a chocolate dessert table, music and games.

Tickets: R250, including a meal and wine. 0861 915 8000,

computicket.com; diemersfontein.co.za

Indigenous Plant Fair, 1–2 SeptemberThe Botanical Society Indigenous Plant Fair showcases a wide variety

of KZN’s indigenous plants available and is a wonderful opportunity for

beginners and experienced gardeners to learn more about indigenous plants.

On at Munies Sports Field. +27 (0)31 201 5111, indigenousplantfair.org.za

Double Take, 7–9 SeptemberThe Durban public will have the opportunity to do a double take with

stand-up comedians Al Prodgers and Warren Robertson at the Rhumbelow

Theatre. Double Take carries a no-under-18s age restriction to allow for the

odd unscripted rant or improvised audience interaction.

Tickets: R100. 0861 915 8000, computicket.co.za

The Witness Hilton Arts Festival, 21–23 SeptemberKZN’s premier arts and culture festival is held in the beautiful grounds of

Hilton College, Hilton. The festival turns 20 this year, so it’s going to be

a sensational arts, crafts, dance and fi ne-theatre experience. It attracts

phenomenal South African performers and artists gleaned from the most

prestigious stages around the country, including the National Arts Festival in

Grahamstown. To make the most of the programme, make a weekend of it.

+27 (0)33 383 0126, hiltonfestival.co.za

37th Sunday Tribune Garden Show,21–24 SeptemberHeld at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg, the ‘South African

Chelsea Show’ is themed ‘Out of Your Paintbox’ and promises a

technicolour green experience, from keynote gardens to landscaping

techniques, innovative design features and displays of indigenous and

exotic plant material. The show also features other lifestyle and outdoor

attractions, so on with your boots! royalshow.co.za

HOT PROPERTY

KWAZULU-NATAL DIARY

Jomba Contemporary Dance Experience

Pinotage On Tap

12 | September 2012

HOT PROPERTY

Send your 2012 event information to [email protected].

Jomba Contemporary Dance Experience 2012, 29 August – 9 SeptemberThis year’s contemporary dance festival is imbued with a strong French

fl avour. Highlights include Henriette et Matisse by French choreographer

Michel Kelemenis, a return to Durban by South Africa’s legendary dance-

maker, Vincent Mantsoe, who’s putting on a premiere of a solo work,

and Johannesburg’s provocative PJ Sabbagha, who is collaborating with

Réunion’s Éric Languet. On at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre and other

venues. +27 (0)31 260 2506, cca.ukzn.ac.za

Pinotage On Tap, 1 SeptemberOn at The Litchi Orchard, the Diemersfontein festival includes free- fl owing

pinotage, local foods, a chocolate dessert table, music and games.

Tickets: R250, including a meal and wine. 0861 915 8000,

computicket.com; diemersfontein.co.za

Indigenous Plant Fair, 1–2 SeptemberThe Botanical Society Indigenous Plant Fair showcases a wide variety

of KZN’s indigenous plants available and is a wonderful opportunity for

beginners and experienced gardeners to learn more about indigenous plants.

On at Munies Sports Field. +27 (0)31 201 5111, indigenousplantfair.org.za

Double Take, 7–9 SeptemberThe Durban public will have the opportunity to do a double take with

stand-up comedians Al Prodgers and Warren Robertson at the Rhumbelow

Theatre. Double Take carries a no-under-18s age restriction to allow for the

odd unscripted rant or improvised audience interaction.

Tickets: R100. 0861 915 8000, computicket.co.za

The Witness Hilton Arts Festival, 21–23 SeptemberKZN’s premier arts and culture festival is held in the beautiful grounds of

Hilton College, Hilton. The festival turns 20 this year, so it’s going to be

a sensational arts, crafts, dance and fi ne-theatre experience. It attracts

phenomenal South African performers and artists gleaned from the most

prestigious stages around the country, including the National Arts Festival in

Grahamstown. To make the most of the programme, make a weekend of it.

+27 (0)33 383 0126, hiltonfestival.co.za

37th Sunday Tribune Garden Show,21–24 SeptemberHeld at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg, the ‘South African

Chelsea Show’ is themed ‘Out of Your Paintbox’ and promises a

technicolour green experience, from keynote gardens to landscaping

techniques, innovative design features and displays of indigenous and

exotic plant material. The show also features other lifestyle and outdoor

attractions, so on with your boots! royalshow.co.za

HOT PROPERTY

KWAZULU-NATAL DIARY

Jomba Contemporary Dance Experience

Pinotage On Tap


ON SHOW

On the market for R35 million, this 944m2 home on Clifton’s Kloof Road personifies exclusivity. TMA Architects have modelled their design

on the work of the famous Geoffrey Bawa.The many balconies and large windows maximise

the spectacular ocean views. Inspired by the simplicity of Asian design, the house has dark wooden finishes and multilayered walls and floors, with a generous use of white surfaces. From the double-volume living area, the banister-free staircase leads to the upper level and three beautiful bedrooms, which all have en-suite

bathrooms and modern finishes. The bedrooms are individually designed and feature either dark timber ceilings or smatterings of wood with plenty of white wall space. The bedrooms are spacious and have a classical look.

The open-plan kitchen is fitted with marble countertops and is the perfect entertainment area.

Other luxuries in the home include a wine cellar, elevator, study, sauna and cinema, air conditioning, heating, piped music and five garages. There is also a Crestron home automation system that controls the eco- friendly grey-water system and the lighting.

Foldaway doors let the light in, while the courtyard beckons from beyond. The Asian design element is prominent in the garden, with its wooden walkways and water features. The private pool, Jacuzzi and waterfall are designed over two layers. Stairs lead up to the pool symmetrically on either side. A few steps lead into the pool, where the waterfall runs down from the bottom.

The Jacuzzi is accessed via a wooden walkway and situated on the same level as the pool.

There are five garages on the property too. +27 (0)82 416 6103, seeff.com

1Ocean views from the Jacuzzi and swimming pool. 2Trendy open-plan bathroom/bedroom layout. 3Timber deck overlooking the sea. 4Natural hardwood is a key design

element of the spacious villa.

HOT maNdaTe

If you would like to have your hot mandate featured, email [email protected].

An intricate and opulent villa on the Atlantic Seaboard

1

32

Layered Luxury

4

14 | September 2012

prime property

‘The knowledge ThaT I had roamed free wITh lIonS Should have Served aS a red flag To any new york real eSTaTe broker’


prime property

An Artist’s

Words and photographs Deborah Curtis-setchell

Conor Mccreedy magic has transformed a Lower Manhattan factory shell into an upmarket Chelsea home

sanctuary

16 | September 2012

prime property

Acclaimed South African artist Conor Mccreedy has been equally obsessed with Picasso and the idea of New York for as long as his mom, Carole, can remember.

For Conor, the youngest artist in history to have a solo exhibition at the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, a fixture in the New York art world, setting up home in the Big Apple was a natural choice: when you have slept at home on a South African farm for over a decade, with images of the iconic Chrysler and Empire State buildings swinging strategically above your headboard, complementing a naive display of your own school art, it is only a matter of time before your creativity and boyhood dreams manifest in bricks, mortar and the keys to a 3 000sq. ft (2 800m2) Chelsea penthouse and art studio above the meat-packing district in Lower Manhattan, with the real Empire State Building in triumphant view.

‘The knowledge that as a child I had roamed free with lions on several hundred acres of Tuli savannah on a Botswana game reserve should have served as a red flag to any New York real estate

broker saddled with a shoestring budget and the task of finding me living quarters spacious enough to accommodate my grand aspirations coupled with an entire collection of 9ft × 5ft paintings on the most densely populated island on the planet,’ says Conor. ‘But 50 “rejected’”apartment blocks later, Ron Malin was still standing and pointing Mom and me in the direction of an old glue gun and drill factory in the densest industrial suburb of Manhattan, bordering the High Line.’

The High Line was built in the 1930s as an elevated bridge above the cheek-by-jowl, smoke-belching factories between 9th and 30th streets on the West Side and was used for railing milk, other dairy products and meat to the retail outlets, without congesting the residential streets or endangering the communities below. A group of landscape architects recently restored the High Line as a public park and walkway. It stands more than 9m above the still-seething streets, bridging the gap between old and new. Like the town planners, Conor saw the potential in rising above the stark streets and rough neighbourhood as

well as the charm in living in a factory warehouse, with its raw brick walls, ceilings littered with strips of aluminium drill hook rails, wooden pigeonholes, clusters of suspended industrial lighting and a red steel door with an illuminated exit sign above it.

‘What immediately sold me on this pad was one glimpse of that historic facade of the Empire State Building majestically framed by the floor-to-ceiling sash windows, and two skylights flooding the screed floors with this amazing light, the sort of surreal light that exhorted Monet and Manet to pick up their paintbrushes and embark on their respective masterpieces. Also, the sight of private helicopters landing across the gleaming Hudson River on the West Side Highway directly opposite could have been the opening scene of a Spielberg blockbuster and helped clinch the deal,’ says Conor. He had to do some serious blockbusting himself to break through the solid concrete dividing wall/cupboard, in order to create a brighter bedroom alcove, hitherto only separated from the open-plan living area by fringed red velvet theatre curtains.

16 | September 2012

prime property

Acclaimed South African artist Conor Mccreedy has been equally obsessed with Picasso and the idea of New York for as long as his mom, Carole, can remember.

For Conor, the youngest artist in history to have a solo exhibition at the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, a fixture in the New York art world, setting up home in the Big Apple was a natural choice: when you have slept at home on a South African farm for over a decade, with images of the iconic Chrysler and Empire State buildings swinging strategically above your headboard, complementing a naive display of your own school art, it is only a matter of time before your creativity and boyhood dreams manifest in bricks, mortar and the keys to a 3 000sq. ft (2 800m2) Chelsea penthouse and art studio above the meat-packing district in Lower Manhattan, with the real Empire State Building in triumphant view.

‘The knowledge that as a child I had roamed free with lions on several hundred acres of Tuli savannah on a Botswana game reserve should have served as a red flag to any New York real estate

broker saddled with a shoestring budget and the task of finding me living quarters spacious enough to accommodate my grand aspirations coupled with an entire collection of 9ft × 5ft paintings on the most densely populated island on the planet,’ says Conor. ‘But 50 “rejected’”apartment blocks later, Ron Malin was still standing and pointing Mom and me in the direction of an old glue gun and drill factory in the densest industrial suburb of Manhattan, bordering the High Line.’

The High Line was built in the 1930s as an elevated bridge above the cheek-by-jowl, smoke-belching factories between 9th and 30th streets on the West Side and was used for railing milk, other dairy products and meat to the retail outlets, without congesting the residential streets or endangering the communities below. A group of landscape architects recently restored the High Line as a public park and walkway. It stands more than 9m above the still-seething streets, bridging the gap between old and new. Like the town planners, Conor saw the potential in rising above the stark streets and rough neighbourhood as

well as the charm in living in a factory warehouse, with its raw brick walls, ceilings littered with strips of aluminium drill hook rails, wooden pigeonholes, clusters of suspended industrial lighting and a red steel door with an illuminated exit sign above it.

‘What immediately sold me on this pad was one glimpse of that historic facade of the Empire State Building majestically framed by the floor-to-ceiling sash windows, and two skylights flooding the screed floors with this amazing light, the sort of surreal light that exhorted Monet and Manet to pick up their paintbrushes and embark on their respective masterpieces. Also, the sight of private helicopters landing across the gleaming Hudson River on the West Side Highway directly opposite could have been the opening scene of a Spielberg blockbuster and helped clinch the deal,’ says Conor. He had to do some serious blockbusting himself to break through the solid concrete dividing wall/cupboard, in order to create a brighter bedroom alcove, hitherto only separated from the open-plan living area by fringed red velvet theatre curtains.


prime property

Opening page The Blue Lady hangs in the living room, which is filled with a mix of old and

new finds. This spread, left Antique meets modern. Fresh lilies complete the effect. Above

The view that clinched the sale. Below The marble for the kitchen counter was found on site.

He also came up with a typically imaginative plan to convert a huge oak-framed gate into a giant screen for viewing his own digital blockbusters. He removed all the wiring, antique nuts, bolts and wooden frames and stretched canvas over the exposed framework and attached it to the living room wall. He then suspended a camera from one of the drill hooks to project onto this makeshift cinema screen.

The original glue gun factory shell was not without its hidden gems, including a vast marble countertop in the kitchen area, wall brackets for tool storage that could serve as bookshelves, a magnificent Victorian ball-and-claw bath and washstand, and the ‘Trump’ card, a wooden deck with 360° city views stretching as far as the New York Sound.

Conor embarked on a restoration job to rival the High Line in its ingenuity and creativity, transforming discarded items and garbage from the streets below into bespoke collectible accessories. There is a benefit to having your design-astute mother alongside you. Carole – an accomplished architectural designer and a Pratt graduate in her own right – was unfazed by

being assigned the task of assembling two chandeliers from scratch.

Conor had talked a local antiques dealer into selling him the glass parts at a reduced price rather than the end product. Carole says it was one of the worst mistakes she’s ever made: ‘Three days and multiple wounds later, we hung the darn things up on the gun glue hook railings. But, I must admit, the blood, sweat and tears were worth it when I saw how spectacularly “Swarovski” they looked!’

There are other perks to residing downtown, if you can dispel any notions of elitism, and in spite of his private-school background, Conor has found every advantage in embracing his working-class neighbours, who have proven perhaps infinitely more loyal than the Park Avenue equivalent.

‘The first guy I befriended was the night watchman from the Gotham Wholesale Seafood Factory next door. Despite the lingering fishy smell on the threshold, Ellison, or ‘Elle’ as I called him, used to invite me into the factory fridges on nights when I was expecting mates around for dinner, to help myself

‘Al PAcino APProved of

the scent of mAssed

white orchids nestling in

bots, flickering Jo mAlone

cAndles And uncorked bordeAux

sAint-Émilion’

18 | September 2012

prime property

‘LouiSe waS bLown away by my “crazy JameS bond anticS”, and with a few SipS of champagne and the Sight of my paintbruSheS StaShed in a SiLver champagne bucket – it waS a 007 home run’

18 | September 2012

prime property

‘LouiSe waS bLown away by my “crazy JameS bond anticS”, and with a few SipS of champagne and the Sight of my paintbruSheS StaShed in a SiLver champagne bucket – it waS a 007 home run’


prime property

to fresh crayfish and prawns straight out of the export crates. We ate like kings! I repaid him with a couple of my paintings, probably some of the most inspired Atlantic Waves I ever produced on a seafood diet. I knew my apartment was safe as houses, with Elle and his fish knives on the doorstep. In fact, I have him to thank in my quest to seduce my first girlfriend in New York, Scottish actress, Louise Lytton.

‘I arrived home on our first date, having forgotten my keys at a SoHo restaurant, and old Elle, armed with his forklift, came to my rescue, right on cue, and hoisted me 10 floors up the side of the building, through one of the sash windows. ‘Louise was blown away by my “crazy James Bond antics”, and with a few sips of champagne and the sight of my paintbrushes stashed in a silver champagne bucket, it was a 007 home run. She proceeded to bring Al Pacino around for crayfish a few weeks later. When I told him that in Scent Of A Woman he reminded me of my wild Irish grandfather, Francis William, he promptly adopted a heavy Irish accent for the rest of the evening and threw in the regular ‘hoo-hah!’ as he approved of the scent of massed white orchids nestling in pots, flickering Jo Malone candles and uncorked

Bordeaux Saint-Émilion. The outside smell of fresh fish didn’t seem to phase him at all.’

Streetwise Conor has a nose for a bargain as well as an eye for detail. He salvaged a solid partners’ desk – the ripped leather added character – off the street, a leather Ralph Lauren ottoman and chair from a second-hand store, and a Persian carpet and solid metal aviator chest from the famous Garage antique market between 25th and 27th. His only extravagances are brand-new navy Ralph Lauren silk cushions and leather trays and a mountain of African-themed coffee table books, his ‘most precious possessions’.

And who needs wall accessories when your uptown friends bring 20 bottles of Veuve Cliquot to a party, and you immediately recycle the bottles as a Damien Hirst-type wall display?

Right out of Boardwalk Empire comes another of Conor’s downtown mates, ‘Baby’ Sal, son to one of New York’s construction mogul’s, ‘Big Salvatore’

‘This is my sancTuary

from The ouTside

world, and ThaT is one

Tough ouTside world’

20 | September 2012

prime property

Previous spread A theatre curtain separates living room from the bedroom, which features the reconstructed chandeliers. This page, clockwise from top The

living room doubles as Conor’s studio, where the famous silver champagne bucket holds his paintbrushes; sunlight streams through the skylight and washes over

Conor’s quirky apartment; Conor’s beloved collection of coffee table books about Picasso, other artists and designers, and South Africa.

Termini. ‘Baby’ Sal helped Conor with all his domestic and exhibition installations and it was he who introduced Conor to the benefits of taking a short drive up the Connecticut coast to scour Montauk Beach in a rainstorm. They returned to 29 West Street with enough driftwood to make a fence for the penthouse deck, and enough starfish to hang decoratively alongside the potpourri of pots and

pans in the kitchen. ‘I love the sea and anything that reminds me of it,’ says Conor.

No Conor sanctuary would be complete without his trademark blue canvasses extending beyond the separate studio into the adjacent living area. His favourite, the Picasso-inspired portrait, The Blue Lady, hangs against the raw brick backdrop and is even more compelling than the Empire State Building’s

silhouette against the skyline. ‘This is my sanctuary from the outside world, and that is one tough outside world,’ says Conor contentedly, gesturing towards it. ‘At the end of the day, you have to be able to enter through that red door, feel surrounded by harmony and light and want to reach out immediately for your blue paint. Oh … And a few king prawns on ice!’ conormccreedy.com

20 | September 2012

prime property

Previous spread A theatre curtain separates living room from the bedroom, which features the reconstructed chandeliers. This page, clockwise from top The

living room doubles as Conor’s studio, where the famous silver champagne bucket holds his paintbrushes; sunlight streams through the skylight and washes over

Conor’s quirky apartment; Conor’s beloved collection of coffee table books about Picasso, other artists and designers, and South Africa.

Termini. ‘Baby’ Sal helped Conor with all his domestic and exhibition installations and it was he who introduced Conor to the benefits of taking a short drive up the Connecticut coast to scour Montauk Beach in a rainstorm. They returned to 29 West Street with enough driftwood to make a fence for the penthouse deck, and enough starfish to hang decoratively alongside the potpourri of pots and

pans in the kitchen. ‘I love the sea and anything that reminds me of it,’ says Conor.

No Conor sanctuary would be complete without his trademark blue canvasses extending beyond the separate studio into the adjacent living area. His favourite, the Picasso-inspired portrait, The Blue Lady, hangs against the raw brick backdrop and is even more compelling than the Empire State Building’s

silhouette against the skyline. ‘This is my sanctuary from the outside world, and that is one tough outside world,’ says Conor contentedly, gesturing towards it. ‘At the end of the day, you have to be able to enter through that red door, feel surrounded by harmony and light and want to reach out immediately for your blue paint. Oh … And a few king prawns on ice!’ conormccreedy.com

22 | September 2012

LUXURY WIN

*Terms and conditions: Flights and transport to and from the reserve are not included. Extras, such as additional spa treatments, alcoholic beverages and gifts from the curios store, are for the winner’s expense. The prize cannot be used on long weekends or public holidays. Accommodation depends on availability. Prize not transferable and not exchangeable for cash. Competition closes on 30 September 2012.

Shamwari Game Reserve, one of the largest malaria-free

Big 5 private game reserves in the Eastern Cape, is situated

along the Bushman’s River between Port Elizabeth and

Grahamstown, forming a natural extension to the world-famous

Garden Route.

Shamwari, which means ‘friend’ in the local Shona language, is the

fl agship of the Shamwari Group and boasts fi ve eco-systems which

support many forms of plant, bird and animal life. Shamwari offers fi ve

luxury lodges, a villa and an Explorer Camp. Some lodges are built into

their natural surroundings; others are memorials to Settler history.

Home to one of South Africa’s most experienced wildlife teams,

a wildlife rehabilitation centre that guests can visit and the Born Free

Rescue Centre, Shamwari offers a Kids on Safari programme, bush walks

and relaxation retreats.

Shamwari ensures that there is something for everyone to learn and

experience at this exceptional conservation project.

Shamwari also offers a unique bush-walking experience called the

Explorer Camp. This is a two-day safari on foot within Big 5 territory, where

guests truly get back to basics and learn more about their natural heritage

at grassroots level. They are accompanied by a qualifi ed specialist game

ranger and camp in mobile tents in the bush.

Shamwari is all about ‘conserving a vanishing way of life’.

+27 (0)41 509 3000,

[email protected]

Winter special: 50%-Off Five-Star Safari SpecialBook and pay within seven days and get 50% off. Travel must take place before 30 September 2012. Rates include all game drives, meals, and selected beverages and accommodation. Phone and quote code ‘50/50’. Please note: Offer cannot be used in conjunction with other offers. Full payment required on confi rmation of booking. All payments non-refundable. Offer based on availability at the time of booking.

WIN!A three-night stay for two at Shamwari Game Reserve, valued at R27 000. Prize includes accommodation, all meals, all game drives, and a back, neck and shoulder massage for each guest. To enter, simply send your contact details to [email protected] and put ‘Shamwari’ in the subject box. Ts & Cs apply*.

Simply stunning, simply ShamwariStand a chance to win a three-night stay for two at Shamwari Game Reserve

PRIZE

VALUED AT

R27 000!

EXCLUSIVE KITCHENS • BEDROOMS • BARSEXCLUSIVE KITCHENS • BEDROOMS • BARS

Living at Le Domaine means financial peace of mind. Due to the robust Levy Stabilisation Fund and its continued growth, future levy increases will be kept well below the rate of inflation.

Village Versailles, the final phase of this active adult community is now under construction, presenting the last opportunity to purchase here at off plan prices starting from R969 000, or on the life rights scheme.

Just two of the many good reasons to invest in your future at Le Domaine.

Sales Office: 031 716 8008 100 Acutts Drive, Hillcrest

www.ledom.co

WITH OUR SOLID

LEVYSTABILISATION

FUNDYOU WON’T BE IN FOR

ANY SURPRISES

24 | September 2012

BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS

Words Genevieve Fisher and Nicky Manson

SPACES THAT SPEAK

We bring you inspiring bathrooms and kitchens that excite the senses

If done right, bathrooms and kitchens are guaranteed deal clinchers when it comes to the sale of a home – just ask any estate agent. Of all the rooms in a home, bathrooms and kitchens work the hardest, so functionality is key, but equally important are aesthetics that excite the senses. Here are a few remarkable bathrooms and kitchens that do just that.

VOLUMES

QUANTUM OF SILENCEThis spectacular en-suite bathroom belongs to the ‘James Bond House’ in Pezula Estate in Knysna. The

remarkable setting is very much a defi ning feature of the home. The house was designed by Greg Truen

of Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects (SAOTA), and no expense was spared in its design or

technologies. The bathroom is set off from the bedroom by a curtain instead of a door, creating a more

intimate effect and keeping the suite open and airy. The free-standing oval bath is set against a glass wall,

creating the effect of being suspended above both the Indian Ocean and the waves crashing against the

dramatic cliffs below. What better way to enjoy a spectacle of nature than from a warm bath?

24 | September 2012

Ce

ntr

ep

iece

sP

erf

ect

Hid

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ays



RESTFUL REDThe refurbishment of this bathroom was part of a broader renovation done to a home in Sandton, Gauteng. Sharon Fihrer of Head Interiors

oversaw the design of this quiet, beautiful bathroom, where the client can indulge in their favourite pastime of reading in the bath, which

naturally also forms the focal point of the room. The bathtub is located in the centre of view from the entrance of the room, underneath the

skylight and close to a large window. The white of the bathtub is enhanced by the deep rust red of the walls. These colours combine to create a

soothing, almost ethereal space.

Head

Inte

rio

rs

26 | September 2012


ROCKING ITThis Great Karoo guest lodge in the

hills of the Sneeuberg Nature Reserve

belongs to Charlotte Daneel of

La Grange Interiors in Franschhoek.

With her expert eye for design, she

oversaw the construction of the lodge

in a reclamation project that saw

as much of the original stonework

as possible being retained and a lot

of the construction materials being

sourced from the immediate surrounds.

The lodge’s main-en-suite bathroom

was one of the nodes to be rebuilt

from scratch, and Charlotte wanted

to give it a natural, earthy feel with

a modern twist. All the stonework

in this bathroom was made by local

stonemasons. A standout feature is

the recess above the basin, which has

been hewn out of the dolostone from

the original dwelling. Most of the fi rst

homes in the area were built from

stone, which is why the shelving in

this bathroom has been crafted out of

stone instead of wood. Concrete has

been used along the walls and bath, to

add a contemporary touch.

Natu

ral

26 | September 2012

MINIMALIST MAGICEver since she and her husband, Philip, decided to renovate, designer Regina Rüther has been collecting references and

creating a mood board for her dream bathroom. The couple enlisted Lello Design, a young design lab in Cape Town, and

briefed them to transform the pokey master bathroom into a minimalist space that wasn’t just functional, but also well

integrated with the new master bedroom. To achieve this, the designers at Lello Design have used Italian tiles of various shapes

and sizes and brought them to life by fl ooding the bathroom with light. Wooden fi ttings have been used to add some warmth

to the space and bring in a natural element.

Natu

ral

Giv

e It

Bag

Perf

ect

Hid

eaw

ays

26 | September 2012


ROCKING ITThis Great Karoo guest lodge in the

hills of the Sneeuberg Nature Reserve

belongs to Charlotte Daneel of

La Grange Interiors in Franschhoek.

With her expert eye for design, she

oversaw the construction of the lodge

in a reclamation project that saw

as much of the original stonework

as possible being retained and a lot

of the construction materials being

sourced from the immediate surrounds.

The lodge’s main-en-suite bathroom

was one of the nodes to be rebuilt

from scratch, and Charlotte wanted

to give it a natural, earthy feel with

a modern twist. All the stonework

in this bathroom was made by local

stonemasons. A standout feature is

the recess above the basin, which has

been hewn out of the dolostone from

the original dwelling. Most of the fi rst

homes in the area were built from

stone, which is why the shelving in

this bathroom has been crafted out of

stone instead of wood. Concrete has

been used along the walls and bath, to

add a contemporary touch.

Natu

ral

26 | September 2012

MINIMALIST MAGICEver since she and her husband, Philip, decided to renovate, designer Regina Rüther has been collecting references and

creating a mood board for her dream bathroom. The couple enlisted Lello Design, a young design lab in Cape Town, and

briefed them to transform the pokey master bathroom into a minimalist space that wasn’t just functional, but also well

integrated with the new master bedroom. To achieve this, the designers at Lello Design have used Italian tiles of various shapes

and sizes and brought them to life by fl ooding the bathroom with light. Wooden fi ttings have been used to add some warmth

to the space and bring in a natural element.

Natu

ral

Giv

e It

Bag

Perf

ect

Hid

eaw

ays



MONOCHROMATIC MAGICDesigned by MLB Architects and featuring interiors by Les Harbottle

Design, this bathroom belongs to the penthouse suite of Pepper Club

Hotel. The double-storey suite has a modern, sophisticated look inspired

by the glam apartments of New York’s high society. Parquet fl ooring,

voluminous spaces and opulent chandeliers characterise the suite, and

this aesthetic carries through to the main-en-suite bathroom, which

follows a monochromatic scheme and features classic consoles, oversized

oval mirrors, crystal light fi ttings, marble fl ooring and an oval jet-bath. The

bathroom’s grandest feature, however, is its view of Table Mountain. Mo

de

rn

THE MARBLE EFFECTThis bathroom forms part of a newly

built home in Senderwood, Gauteng,

undertaken by Nico van der Meulen

Architects. It is called the Glass House,

and by looking at the main-en-suite

bathroom, you can see why. On one

side the bathroom is lined with fl oor-to-

ceiling glass sliding doors that open up

completely and overlook the garden, so

that, in Nico’s words, the client can bathe

al fresco. The sense of space is enhanced

by the orientation of the room, which

admits a lot of sunlight, as well as by the

mirrors, which have gaps in them too, to

let in even more natural light. A modern

aesthetic has been achieved through the

laying of a light, bright marble fl oor and

the fi tting of a clean-lined square bath.

M Square Lifestyle Designs have added

their touch, using interior accessories,

such as light-coloured vases that pick up

on the shades in the marble and overhead

strips of sandblasted oak (the strips also

accommodate the air-conditioning ducts).


Nic

o v

an d

er

Meule

n A

rchit

ects

Seeff

28 | September 2012


ALL INCLUSIVEPod Boutique Hotel in Camps Bay is the accommodation of choice of visiting design afi cionados.

Not only is it in a prime location – a few metres up from the Camps Bay strip – but it is also an

example of exceptional contemporary design. Pod was designed by Greg Wright Architects

(GWA), who were briefed to create a contemporary, elegant hotel brand. The minimalist design

language of this penthouse’s bathroom has been softened by the use of natural materials,

resulting in a large, airy space that’s characterised by the extensive use of natural stone, designer

sanitaryware and an open shower.

Ch

icP

od

Bo

uti

que H

ote

l



A SERENE SPACEThis master bathroom in a private

home in Plett exudes sophistication

and elegance while evoking feelings

of calm and quiet. The objective of

Head Interiors’ Shereen Firher was

to create a serene, tranquil space

where the views of the sea and the

mountains provide the drama. The

all-white colour scheme and simple

but luxurious interior reinforce this

goal: nothing competes with the

stunning vista.

BAREFOOT CHICThis uber-luxurious main-en-

suite bathroom forms part of a

fi ve-star villa, 26 Sunset Avenue,

Llandudno, which overlooks

the beach and lies adjacent to

Sandy Bay. The house itself

was designed by well-known

architect, Johan Slee, who drew

inspiration from both the area’s

light and its natural surrounds.

This bathroom is essentially a wet

room, which is an indication of

the overall philosophy that this

property was built on: barefoot

luxury. You don’t have to worry

about walking around wet, as the

water drains away through the

wooden fl oorboards. As with the

rest of the home, this room has

been designed to maximise on the

180° vistas of the Atlantic Ocean,

as the glass and mirrors present

you with a view from anywhere in

the room.

A SERENE SPACEThis master bathroom in a private

home in Plett exudes sophistication

and elegance while evoking feelings

of calm and quiet. The objective of

Head Interiors’ Shereen Firher was

to create a serene, tranquil space

where the views of the sea and the

mountains provide the drama. The

all-white colour scheme and simple

but luxurious interior reinforce this

goal: nothing competes with the

stunning vista.Head

Inte

rio

rs

Liv

ing

on L

ocati

on

30 | September 2012


Mo

de

rn

SEX APPEALDesigned by Fabrizio Cavazzuti from Chic Products, this kitchen in a

Johannesburg home is the epitome of sophistication and chic design. The brief

called for a contemporary tailor-made boutique space that combined design

and functionality. And the result is fl awless. The Porto Cervo range that has

been used for the cabinetry incorporates a dark wenge oak with transparent

doors, creating a sleek and uncluttered space.

Chic

Pro

ducts

30 | September 2012


Mo

de

rn

SEX APPEALDesigned by Fabrizio Cavazzuti from Chic Products, this kitchen in a

Johannesburg home is the epitome of sophistication and chic design. The brief

called for a contemporary tailor-made boutique space that combined design

and functionality. And the result is fl awless. The Porto Cervo range that has

been used for the cabinetry incorporates a dark wenge oak with transparent

doors, creating a sleek and uncluttered space.

Chic

Pro

ducts



EFFICIENT BY DESIGNThis contemporary kitchen forms part of a

newly built home in Bryanston, Johannesburg,

and was designed by Blu-Line, who specialise

in luxury kitchens. The client wanted a modern,

clean-lined, uncluttered kitchen – a space that

would fi t the overall design of the home. The

house itself was designed by Nico van der

Meulen Architects, and the interiors were done

by M Square Lifestyle Design. Makassar ebony

timber, black glass, wall cladding, high-gloss

lacquer, light quartz stone and an attractive

island counter have been employed in the

kitchen, to complement the luxurious, modern

aesthetic evident in the rest of the home. The

kitchen also features many functionalities

not visible to the naked eye, such as non-slip

rubber matting, stainless steel cutlery and

utensil inserts, and knife blocks and steel spice

wracks and drip trays within the drawers. We

love kitchens that not only have a bit of gloss

and sparkle, but also work effi ciently.

GRAND OPENINGThe owners of this new home on

Linksfi eld Ridge, Johannesburg,

worked with Aurelio Cimato of

Cimato & Moroldo Architects Inc.

on the design of the property. They

wanted the kitchen to be the hub of

the home, and so they decided on an

open-plan, contemporary design that

was light, clutter-free and allowed

for easy access to all appliances.

There is a multifunctional central

island where friends and family can

socialise over drinks or informal

meals. The scullery, work area, cold

room and pantry are separate from

the kitchen. The entire space opens

up directly onto a covered patio

with braai area, pool and views of

the Johannesburg skyline. High-tech

designer Smeg appliances have been

installed, as have natural stone fl oors,

white Technistone countertops

and timber, creating a space that

epitomises luxurious modern living.

EFFICIENT BY DESIGNThis contemporary kitchen forms part of a

newly built home in Bryanston, Johannesburg,

and was designed by Blu-Line, who specialise

in luxury kitchens. The client wanted a modern,

clean-lined, uncluttered kitchen – a space that

would fi t the overall design of the home. The

house itself was designed by Nico van der

Meulen Architects, and the interiors were done

by M Square Lifestyle Design. Makassar ebony

timber, black glass, wall cladding, high-gloss

lacquer, light quartz stone and an attractive

island counter have been employed in the

kitchen, to complement the luxurious, modern

aesthetic evident in the rest of the home. The

kitchen also features many functionalities

not visible to the naked eye, such as non-slip

rubber matting, stainless steel cutlery and

utensil inserts, and knife blocks and steel spice

wracks and drip trays within the drawers. We

love kitchens that not only have a bit of gloss

and sparkle, but also work effi ciently.

Blu

-Lin

e

Lew

Geff

en S

oth

eb

y’s

Inte

rnati

onal R

ealt

y

32 | September 2012


With thanks to …

Blu-Line, 0860 548 464, blu-line.co.za

Chic Products, +27 (0)11 325 2342, chicproducts.co.za

Head Interiors, +27 (0)11 325 2700, headinteriors.co.za

Give It Bag, +27(0)21 424 59 46, give-it-bag.com

Perfect Hideaways, +27 (0)21 790 0972, perfecthideaways.co.za

Pod, +27 (0)21 438 8550, pod.co.za

Jawitz Properties, +27 (0)11 656 0888, jawitz.co.za

Living on Location, +27 (0)21 439 0770, livingonlocation.co.za

Nico van der Meulen Architects, +27 (0)11 789 5242, nicovdmeulen.com

Seeff, +27 (0)21 481 1044, seeff.com

Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, +27 (0)11 886 8070, sothebysrealty.co.za

GETTING IT RIGHT WITH WHITEThe kitchen of this modern home in Hyde

Park, Johannesburg, is a great example of

how you can soften a stark, clinical look by

using natural fi nishings – in this case, wood.

White marble tiles for the fl oors and clean

white countertops have been contrasted

with timber cabinets and a timber panel in

the overhead bulkhead. The kitchen has been

fi tted with high-end appliances, including a

Miele coffee machine and a free-standing, six

burner gas hob and oven by Smeg.

WARMING WOODSilverbay Villa on the West Coast is the

holiday home of SAOTA’s Greg Truen. Its

thatched roof allows it to blend in with

the slopes leading down to the secluded

Stompneusbaai. The villa’s spacious

open-plan living/kitchen/dining area and

the pool courtyard, separated by fl oor-to-

ceiling glass sliding doors, are all on the

top fl oor. The kitchen node is designed

for entertaining – the fridges, freezers

and wash-up areas are concealed,

leaving only the gas hob, microwave and

faucet visible. The most striking feature

of this kitchen is the use of timber and

the overall natural aesthetic and colour

palette, enhanced by the thatched roof,

and light fi ttings that resemble birds’

nests. The long oak table (designed

by James Mudge) and wooden stools

contribute to the warm look.

Natu

ral

Natu

ral

Perf

ect

Hid

eaw

ays

GETTING IT RIGHT WITH WHITEThe kitchen of this modern home in Hyde

Park, Johannesburg, is a great example of

how you can soften a stark, clinical look by

using natural fi nishings – in this case, wood.

White marble tiles for the fl oors and clean

white countertops have been contrasted

with timber cabinets and a timber panel in

the overhead bulkhead. The kitchen has been

fi tted with high-end appliances, including a

Miele coffee machine and a free-standing, six

burner gas hob and oven by Smeg.

leaving only the gas hob, microwave and

faucet visible. The most striking feature

of this kitchen is the use of timber and

the overall natural aesthetic and colour

palette, enhanced by the thatched roof,

and light fi ttings that resemble birds’

nests. The long oak table (designed

by James Mudge) and wooden stools

contribute to the warm look.

Jaw

itz

Pro

pert

ies


Bringing the outside inThis beautiful beach house in Brittania Bay on the West Coast is everything you would imagine this type of home to be. A relaxed

seaside aesthetic with cool grey tones refl ects the surrounds, and an open-plan living area adjoins the outdoor deck. There is,

however, an element of glamour and luxury evident throughout the home, particularly in the kitchen. The owners enjoy cooking,

and they wanted a semi-professional kitchen where they could entertain friends and family while whipping up a meal. The kitchen

features a large oven with gas hob, a prep sink, scullery with deep sinks, and top-of-the-range dishwashers. The treasures of this

sea chest are the sliding doors, which enable the open-plan living/kitchen area to open up completely so that the divide between

home, beach and ocean disappears.

Vie

ws


Perf

ect

Hid

eaw

ays

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FIX YOUR FUTURE ELECTRICITY COSTS NOWPAY AS LITTLE AS 65C/KWH FOR THE NEXT 25 YEARS*

Every year millions of South Africans are increasingly aff ected by elec-tricity price hikes. Solar power from SolarWorld is the alternative. Self-produced solar power from your own roof is already cheaper than the electricity you buy from your power utility. Solar power solutions from SolarWorld are optimized to achieve maximum effi ciency through the highest quality, made in Germany.

Fix your future electricity costs now by visiting us at WWW.SOLARWORLD.CO.ZA

*Price has been calculated based on the following assumptions: 1. Off er consists of 1440Wp of SolarWorld modules with a 25 year linear performance guarantee, one SMA inverter (5 year guarantee) and installation accessories. 2. System price excl. fi nance cost, is valid for a standard roof installation within a 50km radius of the certifi ed SolarWorld distributor. 3. Electricity generated by this system must be utilized as it is produced. 4. Gene-ration price example is based on a system price of R36 000 incl VAT, installed at a 30 degree pitch, north-facing in the Gauteng region. 5. Please consult your municipality or power utility to ensure that you comply with legal requirements. 6. This off er is valid until the end of November 2012.


DESIGN profIlE

A new leaseWords Genevieve Fisher

John Rabie’s new urban renewal concept, Signatura, has not only given him renewed vigour, but also revived Cape Town’s property market and some of

its prized neighbourhoods

It’s hard to believe that property development mogul John Rabie, non-executive chairman of Rabie Properties, came close to retiring some months ago. At 57, this stalwart of SA’s property

industry has passion and energy, which comes as quite a surprise, considering the state of the property market. ‘I started Rabie Properties 35 years ago and have been through two recessions, a change of political dispensation and a global financial meltdown. I’ve always been an inspired and energetic person and am even more so now,’ says John. He’d have to be to survive all of that and snub his nose at retirement, an option that John admits ‘just didn’t work for him’.

Rabie Properties has been at the helm of some of Cape Town’s most sought-after mixed- use

developments for 20-odd years, including the multimillion-rand Marconi Beam development, which saw shack dwellers being rehoused and unlocked a new commercial, industrial and residential node; the transformation of Westlake Estate from derelict state-owned land into an award-winning mixed-use area where, for example, the top private school Reddam coexists alongside a commercial office park; the redevelopment of the Milnerton Race Course as the 1 800-unit residential development, Royal Ascot; and the Atlantic Beach development on the West Coast.

The jewel of Rabie Properties’ portfolio is the multibillion-rand development, Century City, which it owns, and which encompasses various residential, commercial, leisure, hotel and retail ventures. ‘I’m so

36 | September 2012

DESIGN ProfIlE

proud of what we’ve done at Century City. We’ve literally created a city within a city,’ says John.

‘I’ve been in business for 35 years and didn’t want to retire so I thought about how I could reinvent myself. With all the knowledge of the property industry and its cycles I accrued over the years, Rabie Properties being an expression of that, my “baby”, I knew I had to do something in the field of property development,’ he says. Welcome, Signatura.

‘Because we are, and have been, in a recession, the solution, I believe, is urban renewal, and so I decided this was the way to go,’ says John. He is quick to point out that his new self-funded venture is not of the ‘typical inner-city renewal kind’ – a big trend globally, – but one that is more innovative and which

responds to the demands of a new market of ‘fussy’ buyers who want to be a stone’s throw from the city yet still within suburbia.

John has identified Vredehoek, Tamboerskloof, Sea Point and Green Point as points of development. ‘I call these “areas of tension”, because they are where the commercial meets the residential, creating an interesting energy of sorts,’ he says. He gives the example of Brooklyn, New York, a suburb outside Manhattan. It’s easily accessible, historical, and has a vibrant mix of commercial and residential entities. ‘If you look at Vredehoek, it has all the potential to be like that – a bohemian feel, with all the restaurants and cafés intermingled with apartment blocks and houses, many of which have historical relevance,’ he says.

John envisions Signatura as ‘a concept-driven private-label property brand’. The idea is to pick out unique urban sites in these neighbourhoods for ‘master-crafted urban renewal’. He says, ‘We have already earmarked a number of existing opportunities and, in keeping with the City of Cape Town’s spatial development framework, will be transforming them to create “new-style”, upmarket accommodation and potential commercial spaces that are relatively affordable. We work with what’s already on these sites, whether it’s an existing home or apartment block, we convert them, and build on and upgrade them to create something new. All of this is done as joint ventures with the land or property owners as well as within the guidelines of the municipality.’

‘John enviSionS Signatura aS “a concept-driven private-label property brand”’

36 | September 2012

DESIGN ProfIlE

proud of what we’ve done at Century City. We’ve literally created a city within a city,’ says John.

‘I’ve been in business for 35 years and didn’t want to retire so I thought about how I could reinvent myself. With all the knowledge of the property industry and its cycles I accrued over the years, Rabie Properties being an expression of that, my “baby”, I knew I had to do something in the field of property development,’ he says. Welcome, Signatura.

‘Because we are, and have been, in a recession, the solution, I believe, is urban renewal, and so I decided this was the way to go,’ says John. He is quick to point out that his new self-funded venture is not of the ‘typical inner-city renewal kind’ – a big trend globally, – but one that is more innovative and which

responds to the demands of a new market of ‘fussy’ buyers who want to be a stone’s throw from the city yet still within suburbia.

John has identified Vredehoek, Tamboerskloof, Sea Point and Green Point as points of development. ‘I call these “areas of tension”, because they are where the commercial meets the residential, creating an interesting energy of sorts,’ he says. He gives the example of Brooklyn, New York, a suburb outside Manhattan. It’s easily accessible, historical, and has a vibrant mix of commercial and residential entities. ‘If you look at Vredehoek, it has all the potential to be like that – a bohemian feel, with all the restaurants and cafés intermingled with apartment blocks and houses, many of which have historical relevance,’ he says.

John envisions Signatura as ‘a concept-driven private-label property brand’. The idea is to pick out unique urban sites in these neighbourhoods for ‘master-crafted urban renewal’. He says, ‘We have already earmarked a number of existing opportunities and, in keeping with the City of Cape Town’s spatial development framework, will be transforming them to create “new-style”, upmarket accommodation and potential commercial spaces that are relatively affordable. We work with what’s already on these sites, whether it’s an existing home or apartment block, we convert them, and build on and upgrade them to create something new. All of this is done as joint ventures with the land or property owners as well as within the guidelines of the municipality.’

‘John enviSionS Signatura aS “a concept-driven private-label property brand”’


DESIGN PROFILE

Opening page, top Horizons in Vredehoek is the

fi rst Signatura project to be developed. Bottom left

Property mogul John Rabie. This spread, from far

left A home in Westlake in Cape Town’s Southern

Suburbs; Horizons, interior view; Mercedes-Benz

Century City; Royal Ascot, Milnerton; Dune Ridge

Estate in Big Bay on the West Coast.

John amicably disagrees with my observation that it sounds a little like a mid-life crisis. He prefers ‘mid-life love project’. John is hands-on, and he makes all the executive decisions with regard to Signatura. These include all the design features, from choice of architects to paint colours for the walls to the look and feel of the interiors and the landscaping – what John calls the ‘triangle of excellence’.

He explains, ‘People looking to buy property in these areas are fussy and will only part with their money if something is completely to their liking. The pre-sale concept has been dominating the market for a long time now, but the kind of consumers that we’re targeting not only want to see completed projects, but excellence too. All aspects of design, from

architecture to interiors and landscaping, have to be expertly thought out and top-notch.’ Over the years, John has developed an expert’s eye for this ‘triangle of excellence’ and calls many of the professionals who can deliver it his friends.

The properties in his Signatura portfolio will all be completed before being put on the market, enabling property owners to see and experience this excellence, as opposed to being shown marketing material of what a project should look like.

Coinciding with the launch of Signatura last month was its � rst project, Horizons, in Vredehoek. There used to be a double-storey house dating back to the 1940s on the Horizons site. What stands there today are four two-bedroom apartments and a three-

bedroom penthouse, all with terraces, landscaped indigenous gardens and secure o� -street parking. Priced from R1,65 million to R3,95 million, each apartment has panoramic views of the City Bowl and Table Mountain and has been put together by a team of well-known local professionals, including Juan Bernicchi Architects (architectural design), Anthony Wain of Planning Partners (landscaping) and Francois du Plessis (interiors).

Forthcoming Signatura projects include two more developments in Vredehoek as well as developments in the City Bowl and on the Atlantic Seaboard. If John’s track record is anything to go by, it looks like Cape Town’ property market just got a new lease of life. +27 (0)83 270 2434, signature.biz

ASK THE EXPERTS

38 | September 2012

ASK THE EXPERTS

PIPINGHOT

Photographs Sally Chance and

Michael GlenisterLocation Le Châtelat Boutique

Guest House, Sandton

Inspiration from the kitchen and

bathroom experts

What look is hot in kitchens right

now? Of course, from my point

of view, Miele appliances, with

their timeless design and absolute

luxury, enhance the appearance of

any kitchen. On the cabinetry side,

however, white or gloss white

remains a key colour infl uence in

modern open-plan kitchens. And

having an island in this open-plan

environment, with a counter-type

eating area included, is all about

modern in-kitchen entertaining.

What’s the quickest way of

making over a kitchen? Change

the panelling of the cupboard

doors and replace cupboards

with soft closing drawers instead

of shelves for better use of

space. Add good lighting. What’s

considered a luxury purchase

for kitchens? The fi nishing

touches, such as your choice

of tops, hinging and runners,

which provide soft closing and

no rattling for both cupboards

and drawers. Miele as a luxury

purchase? No. Miele cooking

appliances are a necessity, as

their performance is outstanding.

If someone could add just one

of your appliances to his or

her kitchen, what would you

recommend? One of our ovens –

for perfect cooking results every

time. We call it ‘performance

meets function’. As one of our

customers said, ‘My Miele oven

has turned me into a superb chef.

Before I had it, I couldn’t cook.’

That’s the Miele difference!

MIELE

+27 (0)11 875 9000

miele.co.za

0861 372 653

franke.co.za

What look is hot in bathrooms

right now? The current trends

for bathrooms are open spaces,

walk-in showers, free-standing

showers and baths, and a clinical

or marbled look. What’s the

quickest way of making over

a bathroom? The introduction

of 4 mm Italian wall tiles gives

any homeowner the perfect no-

mess tiling revamp because it

lets you tile on tile. Furthermore,

the introduction of the Geberit

Monolith cistern allows you to

swap your existing toilets for the

latest look. These are standard

stock items at Classic Trading.

What are considered luxury

purchases for bathrooms?

The Hansgrohe Axor Starck

Shower Heaven and the Fantini

Acquapura free-standing shower

column. Bathroom accessories

with Swarovski elements also

add a nice touch of bling to

luxury bathrooms. These items

are in stock at Classic Trading.

If someone could add just one

of your products to his or her

bathroom, what would you

recommend? An eco-friendly

shower head that is refreshing

and invigorating.

CLASSIC TRADING

+27 (0)31 579 1900

classictrading.net

What’s the quickest way of

making over a kitchen? The

quickest way to renovate your

kitchen would be to replace

the external cupboard doors

and handles and to replace the

countertops with either a granite

or synthetic top accompanied by

one of the latest Franke sinks and

sink mixers. Stainless steel does

not date and, most importantly,

it is very hygienic. What’s

considered a luxury purchase

for a kitchen? The ZIP HydroTap

is the ultimate in convenience,

offering the homeowner instant

chilled, fi ltered water and instant

boiling water on tap. The ZIP

HydroTap, with its fi ve-micron

fi lter system, removes impurities

but leaves essential fl uoride,

giving you healthy boiling or

chilled fi ltered water instantly.

Impurities such as dirt, rust,

chlorine and microorganisms are

not good for your health. They

also affect the taste of what you

eat and drink. If someone could

add just one of your products to

his or her kitchen, what would

you recommend? The Franke

Waste Disposer, as it offers a

hygienic and effective disposal

of waste within the home, in turn

minimising waste and odours,

and the Kubus Filterfl ow water

purifi cation sink mixer, as our

water source is under scrutiny

and water fi ltration systems are

becoming essential to ensuring

the health of your family.

FRANKE KITCHEN SYSTEMS

Brennan MendayDeputy Managing Director

Arief MoosaDirector

Clinton SoutterNational Sales Manager


Living

From Pietermaritzburg to Mooi River and

everywhere in between, the rich, green,

undulating stretch of KwaZulu-Natal known

as the Midlands has a gentle, welcoming

reputation. Nothing invasive or brash, but an open-door

warmth which emanates from an eclectic community

of artists, crafters, farmers, hospitable innkeepers and the

like. As with all farming communities, there’s a certain air

of ‘help mekaar’, and even though some farms gave way

to smallholdings, residential developments and so-called

progress, that sense has prevailed.

Living in the Midlands was always a lifestyle choice,

from the time of the traditional farming communities to

a few decades ago, when artists, crafters and free spirits set

fire to their briefcases, cultivated a ponytail and fled the city

for the stress-free, homemade bread-and-butter life of the

Midlands. Courtesy of a handful of passionate craftsmen

and craftswomen, the Midlands Meander route was born

and became the blueprint for similarly sustainable tourism

ventures countrywide.

The Midlands Meander provided a springboard for the

brave to live a life less complex while earning a living doing

what they loved best. Visitors to the area meandered around

the beautiful country roads, eating, drinking, overnighting,

shopping and wishing they lived there too.

As the crafters grew in number, so too did the number

of food vendors and accommodation options. Meanwhile,

green crusaders guarded conservancies and created wonderful

trails and wilderness activities.

Today, a trip to the Midlands includes a host of

adventures and outdoor activities. The Meander routes

extend from Rietvlei and Curry’s Post to Dargle Valley and

Fort Nottingham. There are over 150 places at which to

eat, drink and shop, 80 km of activity, history and exquisite

scenery, no matter the season.

But there’s more to the Midlands than a meander. Not

everyone moved to Dargle or Nottingham Road because

they were crafty, but because it was often more affordable

and promised a healthier place in which to raise children

and reduce stress. The fact that a number of the province’s,

and indeed the country’s, top private schools are in the area

(in particular, Michaelhouse and Hilton College, which are

both in Balgowan) also played a significant part in these

homebuyers’ decision.

This gave rise to a number of residential developments,

so that parents no longer stayed at B & Bs when visiting their

children, but in their own sectional homes. Good investments,

considering the schools aren’t going anywhere.

The Midlands is home to farmers, artists and crafters and to those who choose country over city every time or part-time

Words Anne Schauffer

MidlandsMaking Moves on the

40 | September 2012

Living

Six Midland MuSt-doS

1. Meander: Get yourself a Midlands Meander map (or go online) and choose a route which includes a great restaurant for lunch (you can’t

beat La Lampara for Italian), shopping for leather or wooden goods and, perhaps, a Piggly Wiggly farm stall for fresh produce. Find

(or catch) some fresh trout too.

2. attend The Witness Hilton arts Festival: This year it’s running from 21 to 23 September, and you’ll find theatre fresh from the

Grahamstown festival, including Marc Lottering, and Fugard’s Boesman and Lena, as well as music, art exhibitions and other activities.

3. Get married: There are a number of sensational venues, little and large, five stars or fewer, with accommodation on site or nearby. Venues

include Hartford House, Lythwood Lodge, Cranford Country Lodge, Woodridge Country Hotel, Providence and Netherwood.

4. Get naturally active: Hey, you’re in the country. Don those gumboots and head down a trail. There are dozens of them, whether you’re

pedalling on your mountain bike, flying through the trees on cables courtesy of a Karkloof canopy tour, or chasing after the elusive Karkloof

blue butterfly.

5. Eat, drink and be merry: You can collect seven-course picnics from Horizons Gourmet Picnics in Lions River (eat in the grounds), tuck into

pub grub at the legendary Notties Pub (Nottingham Road), savour country meals at Cooking Bear (Lidgetton), have a light bite of German

or Swiss sausages at Günthers (Caversham) or go five star at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse (Kamberg).

6. Escape to a five-star spa: Karkloof Spa (winner of the World Spa Award), Fordoun, Hilton Country Estate and Spa, Brookdale and Indigo

Fields await you.

opening page and this page Gowrie Farm, and a recently completed home there. The home is for sale through Meander Real Estate & Rentals. opposite, top and bottom

A Hilton home for sale through Pam Golding Properties. opposite, middle Charming country interior of a home at Gowrie Farm. The home is for sale through Meander

Real Estate & Rentals.

For those parents whose children are being schooled in

the region, it also became viable for the breadwinner who

was tied to Johannesburg for work to set up home in one of

the little villages. Off to Johannesburg on Sunday or Monday,

return on Friday. A drive of four to five hours that many

considered worth the pot of gold at the end of it: a country

outing with a myriad outdoor activities every weekend.

Horse riding, canoeing, mountaineering, birdwatching …

You name it, it’s here.

The area is well known for its waters: little dams for

trout fishing, and vast dams, such as Midmar, for water

sports. The new Spring Grove Dam, formed off Mooi

River, is situated upstream of the existing Mearns Weir and

about 2 km south-west of Rosetta and has a similar surface

area to Midmar Dam. It’s due for completion in February

2013, and, says Peter Greene of Meander Real Estates and

Rentals, it will take two years to fill (weather permitting).

Although the dam doesn’t have public access, in time

development opportunities around the dam will no doubt

arise, Peter adds.

Nottingham Road is the heart of the Midlands, certainly

residentially and probably socially too. This year it celebrates

its 125th anniversary, and those who enjoy country fairs

and fresh air should diarise the weekend of 31 August to

2 September. It’s the start of spring – festival time – and

rumour has it this historic village will be throwing some

historic parties, so book your bed.


Living

With thanks to …

Meander Real Estates & Rentals, +27 (0)33 266 6456, meander.co.za

Pam Golding Properties Hilton, +27 (0)33 343 1233, pamgolding.co.za

WHat tHE aGEnt saysWe chat to Peter Greene, principal of

Meander Real Estates & Rentals about

what’s hot and what’s not in his area.

Who’s moving to the Midlands, and

why? The trend is similar to that of

the past few years. There’s an early

retirement element. We don’t have frail-

care facilities in this area, so we tend to

get the 60- rather than the 70-year-old

age group. (Howick, of course, does

have numerous retirement complexes

with frail care). Some people have based

their families in the area and commute,

primarily to Johannesburg. There’s still a

strong influence stemming from parents

of children at local private schools who

are either renting or buying.

What factors play a role in the

popularity of the Midlands? Proximity

to private schools is the most important

driver. Being in the Johannesburg/

Durban corridor also plays a part, in

that towns such as Nottingham Road

are very accessible, compared with, say,

Underberg, which is pretty, but quite far

off the beaten track.

Which are the main residential

developments, and what is the price

range? Gowrie Village and Gowrie Farm

still seem to attract the most interest in

terms of developments. This is driven

primarily by their centrality, in the heart

of Nottingham Road. Primary demand

is for lock-up-and-go, three-bedroom

units averaging around the R2- million

mark. These are trading quite well,

particularly in Gowrie Village. Houses

outside the developments are slow to

trade, as are the more expensive homes

on the bigger estates, in the R4-million-

and-upwards bracket. There seems to be

resistance to spending over R4 million on

a weekend dwelling.

Is there a healthy rental market in the

Midlands? The rental market is buoyant,

as many people are opting to rent rather

than buy. I believe there’s been a shift

by parents of children at local private

schools to either buy a small lock-up-

and go or rent. A two-bedroom flat in

Gowrie goes for R5 000/month, a three-

bedroom home for R10 000 to R12 000

in the Village, and the larger houses on

Gowrie Farm for R17 000 to R21 000.

are farmers giving up and moving out?

Commercial farming in the area is strong,

and genuine commercial farm land is in

demand. Smallholders are generally not

reliant on farming income – this is mostly

a sideline. Many of them run B & Bs to

supplement their income.

42 | September 2012

Pho

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Cand

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AMC HUNTER INC. PROPERTY DINNER

Guest list

Gareth Bailey Re/Max Address, John Christie J Leslie-Smith & Company Inc., Gavin Cunningham Zultrans, Karien Hunter AMC Hunter Inc., Stephen

Hunter, Liz Kieck Le Bonheur, Annemarie Labuschagne Off Plan SA.com, Lauraine Lafferty Re/Max Address, Jenni McCallum The Property

Magazine, Belinda McLaughlin Le Bonheur, Charmane Nel AMC Hunter Inc., Chris Pearson Re/Max Address, Lisa Pearson Re/Max Address, Siobhan

Perrigo AMC Hunter Inc., Bjern Petzer Re/Max Address, Penny Petzer Re/Max Address, Anne Schauffer The Property Magazine, Adrian Stowell

Stowell & Co., Chris Tyson Tyson Properties, Claire Veitch The Property Magazine, Gert Vorster Engel & Völkers, Jana Vorster Engel & Völkers,

Gregg Wilson Seeff Hillcrest, Michelle Wilson Seeff Hillcrest.

It was never going to be a quiet a� air – 24 people celebrating Karien Hunter’s 25 years at the helm of AMC Hunter Inc. Frankly, there was enough heart and heat in the room to carry the

company through the next 25 years with ease.The venue? The glam-and-glitz dining room at

The Saint James on Venice luxury boutique hotel, where a stylish renovation has transformed this grand old lady into a 21st-century venue designed for living it up.

The welcome? That age-old social dance where � utes of sparkling wine are juggled with the exuberant reunion of friends and associates. The occasion? A group of property professionals who’d crossed The River and The Bridge and were all delighted and honoured to celebrate Karien’s milestone.

Sedateness was spurred on to spiritedness, and the party was on. The wine of the evening was

Le Bonheur, which translates as ‘happiness’. Linguists or not, after a single glass, we’d have guessed that.

The question is, what didn’t we talk about, for no subject was taboo. Property may be our drug of choice, but it’s never exclusive, for conversation ranged far and wide, touching on everything from sex and drugs to rock ’n’ roll.

No doubt it was a landmark occasion, but the mood was far from formal. We took as many trips down memory lane as we did in the present and into the future. Karien got the ball rolling: ‘It wasn’t always easy as a woman starting out in business 25 years ago, particularly with three children under the age of � ve. For that, I honour my husband, Stephen.’ Any other advice, Karien? ‘Just keep at it. As long as you care about your clients, it’ll all work out.’

Nobody argued with that. No matter the property industry niche, it always comes back to relationships

with clients and colleagues. As Chris Pearson of Re/Max Address said, ‘It doesn’t matter how technology has supposedly changed the face of the industry. As estate agents, nothing replaces the value of a face-to-face interaction.’

Chris has been in the industry since ’79. Before that he owned a gym, and he sees a fair amount of synergy between the two. Fit body, � t mind. He attributes his success as an estate agent to discipline: ‘Mental toughness,’ he said. ‘Never raise a white � ag; never give up. To my mind, a quality agent doesn’t look at the money; it’s the thrill of the ride, the skill of the negotiation.’

‘What you’ve sold to a client must come back to you,’ agreed Annemarie Labuschagne of O� Plan SA. com. For her, that’s not only the sign that you’re doing it right, but it makes smart business sense too. She has a number of clients whom she counts as

Karien Hunter celebrates 25 years of heading up leading legal � rm, AMC Hunter Inc.

Words Anne SchaufferPhotographs Val Adamson

Karien Hunter celebrates 25 years of heading up leading legal � rm, AMC Hunter Inc.

Hunter gathering

44 | September 2012


Menu

Starter

New Zealand mussels in a chermoula dressing served with bruschetta.

Soup du jour served with garlic croutons.

Main

Spinach and bacon chicken breast served on mushroom risotto with a Madagascan

green peppercorn sauce.

Beef fillet served with a potato spring roll and green vegetables with Béarnaise and a

demi-glace sauce.

Dessert

Chocolate and pecan nut brownies served with praline ice cream.

The Saint James on Venice Luxury Boutique Hotel

100 Venice Road, Morningside, Durban.

+27 (0)31 312 9488, stjamesonvenice.co.za

1Belinda McLaughlin 2Karien Hunter 3Annemarie Labuschagne 4Charmane Nel 5Stephen

Hunter 6Gert Vorster 7Lisa Pearson 8Jana Vorster 9Siobhan Perrigo 10Liz Kieck 11John

Christie 12Anne Schauffer 13Gareth Bailey 14Jenni McCallum 15Lauraine Lafferty 16Claire Veitch 17Michelle Wilson 18Gregg Wilson 19Bjern Petzer 20Chris Tyson 21Lisa and Chris Pearson, Karien

Hunter 22Penny Petzer 23Gavin Cunningham 24Adrian Stowell.

1 2

6 7

21

16 17

close friends today. ‘If you’re honest in everything, from your advertising to your dealings with clients, they’ll be back.’ Or as Karien put it, ‘Essentially, people buy you.’

Whatever Karien’s done, in the eyes of her guests, she’s done good. John Christie of J Leslie Smith & Co. Inc. and Adrian Stowell of Stowell & Co. are based in Pietermaritzburg, round the corner from the deeds office, and they had journeyed to Durban to celebrate with Karien, who said earnestly, ‘If I send Adrian an email at 7.30 a.m., he responds by 7.31 a.m. That’s efficiency. They register as many as 80 to 100 property transactions a day for KZN law firms, and that signals a property market that is perhaps more buoyant than many may think.’

Everybody agreed. But still, these are times when fewer staff do far more work (and earn less, whimpered someone, begging a refill of Le Bonheur Cabernet Sauvignon). It’s about lean-and-mean efficiency and quality, and Adrian praised Karien on the quality of her staff: ‘Superior training spells the difference between “average” and “outstanding”.’

Advocate Charmane Nel started at AMC Hunter as a professional assistant in 1998 and considers Karien an inspiration to other women: ‘She’s the rainmaker. I went to the bar largely because of her. She’s a great supporter of other women in the profession. Karien’s where she is today through sheer hard work, and there’s a good reason why it’s still AMC Hunter.’ A grin. ‘She’s a force to be reckoned with.’

No argument from Siobhan Perrigo, Karien’s associate attorney at AMC Hunter, who’s been with her for five years: ‘My very first job, and I’ve learned a massive amount!’

Chris Tyson of Tyson Properties has just sold his house. He was matter-of-fact: ‘I’ve known Karien for 10 years. No question about who’d handle the transfer.’ And then, ‘Did you know she’s an artist – paints really well?’ No of course we didn’t. But as we had learned, there’s an art to being successful.

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46 | September 2012

PREVIEW

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The newest

development by

Land Equity Group

is the exclusive

Nettleton Ridge estate in

Clifton, Cape Town. Designed

by Peerutin Architects,

Nettleton Ridge comprises

four homes with some of the

best views in Cape Town:

all four Clifton beaches,

Camps Bay and the Twelve

Apostles. Each house has its

own private-use driveway

within the gated estate, which

has 24-hour security that’s

controlled from a central

guardhouse situated at the

estate’s entrance. House 3 is

the only unsold home to date.

Livia Coetzer, the project

coordinator at Land Equity

Group, explains that the other

three houses were sold off plan

and were custom designed for

their owners. On completion,

House 3 will have four levels,

including 1 500 m2 of under-

roof living space and garaging

for six cars. It is currently on

the market for R110 million. The

entire project is scheduled for

completion between the end

of 2012 and mid 2013, says

Livia. +27 (0)87 354 5050,

nettletonridge.co.za

Top The living area in House 3, Nettleton Ridge. With its views of the Atlantic Seaboard and a wind shadow protecting it from the elements, Nettleton

Road, Clifton, is arguably the best location in Cape Town. Centre House 3 has indoor and outdoor entertainment areas, including the swimming pool and

deck. Bottom Clean, modern lines define the architectural style of the home.


Real estateGUEST EDITO

R

Colin Anderson

residential & commercial

Rabie Property Group Director Colin Anderson explains why the group has renewed its development activity and why it’s focusing on sustainable building

Colin Anderson,

Director, Rabie Property Group

The commercial property market is cyclical and is influenced by three main factors, namely the investment market, the occupier market and the development

industry. The investment market is generally outside the industry’s direct control, as it is influenced by the risk and returns of all asset classes and the global financial markets. The occupier market is driven by supply and demand and overall economic growth. The development industry is the third and most influential market, as it controls the production of new space.

The property market experiences peaks and troughs, and these are directly related to the supply and demand for new space. This cycle is further influenced by the fairly long lead-time necessary for bringing new stock to the market (18 to 24 months, assuming the land is appropriately zoned). As vacancies start to drop, increasing rents start to support new developments. Therefore, if one waits too long to begin a new development, it is possible that the project could be delivered as demand starts to slow down and development reaches its maximum.

So the million-dollar question is, where are we now in this cycle? The answer depends on the vacancy

figure in the specific node in which the development is to be situated. One also needs to consider the quality and size of the available premises that make up the total vacant space.

Using Century City as a case study, we find that the vacancy figure has come down from a high of 13% in 2008 to the current figure of below 6%. It is generally believed that when the vacancy level moves below 6% it is an indication that the market is moving out of a slump towards a period of higher demand, if not a boom.

I am also often asked whether or not all new developments should be Green-Star rated. I think we are still a while away from that situation, because there will always be occupiers who are extremely cost sensitive. Having said that, I do not believe that green buildings are that much more expensive – certainly not when compared with a corporate office building.

Because property is a cash-flow business, anything that improves that cash flow should make commercial sense. Internationally, green buildings are achieving higher rentals than lower-rated buildings because there is strong demand for them. More tenants are starting to understand the principle of ‘total cost

of occupation’ and are therefore not using the rate-per-square-metre as the sole yardstick for choosing new premises. Rental is only on one of a tenant’s overheads (the single largest contributor to overheads is probably salaries).

Not only does the Green Star rating process strive to make buildings far more efficient, but it also encourages architects and other professionals to design buildings which are more desirable and productive spaces to work in.

A Green-Star-rated building is more likely to be a ‘future proof ’ building, namely a building that will deliver improved rental growth and higher capital values, as compared with unrated buildings, which may experience longer vacancy periods and could become obsolete.

EyEs widE opEn

kwazulu-natal Residential

48 | September 2012

Toti luxuryThe Rocks in St Winifreds, Amanzimtoti, is a complex consisting of four 209m2 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom units in a tropical garden setting. High-quality

finishes, attractive open-plan kitchens, balconies and courtyards with braai facilities all add to the lifestyle offerings of this complex. Large double

garages with storage space and good security are also drawcards of this pet-friendly complex. The Rocks is situated approximately 4 km from a large

shopping precinct and the Winklespruit swimming beach. ‘Priced from R1,55 million, this is an attractive investment opportunity,’ says Anne Fullarton

of Wakefields Amanzimtoti. +27 (0)31 903 2077, wakefields.co.za

Opportunity blossoms Royal Windsor, a newly released complex of 27 flats within walking distance of Hibiscus shopping mall, Netcare Margate Hospital and Margate’s

swimming beach, offers a selection of one- and two-bedroom units with open-plan living spaces, balconies, sea views, braai facilities and quality finishes.

‘Starting at R555 000, with property prices here set to increase, and rental returns on these units, whether long-term or holiday lets, already extremely

good, this one of the best investment opportunities of 2012,’ says Dee Monteith of Wakefields Margate. +27 (0)72 199 1610, wakefields.co.za

A nest with a viewLaunching in spring, Weavers Nest in Brettenwood Coastal Estate

is a sectional title development of 24 units situated in a natural

amphitheatre around a small dam on the estate. Peter Whitehouse of

Whitehouse Designs has planned the rooms in such a way that every

one of them has excellent views, and a number of the rooms allow you

to see as far as the surfing spot at Tiffany’s. The style of architecture

incorporates large picture windows, water features and the use of

natural materials, natural light and horizontal lines. These luxury units

are priced from R2,2 million. +27 (0)32 525 4581, brettenwood.co.za;

+27 (0)31 764 6666


KWAZULU-NATAL Commercial

Northern significanceScheduled to open in April 2013, Jozini Mall will be the fi rst large retail centre in north-eastern KZN. The R140-million mall is being developed by

Greater Atlantic Properties and will feature 45 shops, 400 parking bays, 36 taxi bays and 8 bus bays. Synonymous with Lake Jozini and situated at

the gateway to Maputaland, Jozini has about 42 000 households, with 240 000 people in the primary and secondary catchment areas. The 18 100m2

mall will be situation on the main road, 3 km from the Jozini CBD and next to a densely populated housing development. ‘While accessing this market

represents an excellent trading opportunity for retailers, local consumers will also enjoy big benefi ts from Jozini Mall,’ says Gavin Tagg of Retail

Network Services. + 27 (0)11 807 6995, rns.co.za

Umhlanga boomWith construction scheduled to start in early 2013, Ghandi Square,

a planned retail centre of approximately 20 000m2, will join the

85 000m2 mixed-use Melrose Arch-type development in prime

Umhlanga. Bounded by four roads, including Lighthouse Road and

Lagoon Drive, this 9 ha development will include four separate offi ce

blocks totalling 35 000m2, as well as 56 residential apartments, a fi ve-

star 180-bedroom hotel and 3 200 parking bays. The retail centre will

take advantage of the extensive Lagoon Drive frontage via pavement

cafés and boutique stores of top international brands. The unique design

and architecture is set to create a statement. ‘Broll Property Group has

the exclusive retail leasing mandate on this exciting development,’ says

broker Beverley-Ann Fink. +27 (0)82 578 5052, broll.co.za

The next incarnationThe recently relaunched Musgrave Centre, owned by SA Corporate Real Estate

Fund and managed by Old Mutual Property, has enjoyed an extensive renovation

and refurbishment process that is set to reposition the centre as an industry

innovator. Coupled with the renovation has been a shift in branding philosophy.

The centre’s ‘Accentuate an Icon’ rebranding campaign has been acknowledged

internationally: Musgrave Centre took home silver in the International Council of

Shopping Centre’s Solal Awards in Budapest in June. The event recognises the

most effective retail campaigns and is seen as a benchmark of quality. Musgrave

Centre is home to over 120 retail outlets and a busy Ster-Kinekor complex. Among

other benefi ts, the reconfi guration of the centre has created a dedicated food

court, custom-designed retail spaces, new retail options and an upgraded parking

system. One of the pioneering shopping centres in KZN, Musgrave Centre was built

around 1953, long before malls were popular, and has reinvented itself periodically.

+27 (0)31 201 5129, musgravecentre.co.za

Wo

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And

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Centres such as the Musgrave Centre are proof of the fact that properties which are

kept up to date can still serve their markets and win awards – Colin Anderson, Director,

Rabie Property Group

50 | September 2012

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sF

ancourt Estate o� ers players three of the world’s best golf courses, namely the Links, Outeniqua and Montagu, but there is far more to this beautiful estate

than golf clubs and handicaps.The 150-year-old Manor House is a national

monument that has been remodelled as a boutique hotel. It o� ers guests a 24-hour personal butler service, a sunlight-swaddled garden and tea lounge overlooking the gardens and terrace, a plush library and bar and the � ne-dining restaurant, Henry White’s, which was named after the original owner of Fancourt. Guests at the Manor House can choose between the master bedroom, the grand suites and the luxury suites.

Set on 613 ha, Fancourt Estate is also a feast for property buyers. Links Avenue is one of the most exclusive developments on the estate, with only nine properties to this private address.

There are two architectural designs: the Cape Dutch style, with thatched roofs and white external walls, and the contemporary Links Ridge design, with earth-coloured external walls complemented by elegant slate roofs.

Set between the Montagu and Links golf courses, these homes o� er views of the Links Dam, and residents may make use of the Links Clubhouse. Stands in Links Avenue start from R2,3 million. The Cape Dutch-style homes are priced from R4,95 million and the Links Ridge homes from R5,472 million.

Oaklands Village exudes rustic Provençal charm. The village is lined with immaculate rose and lavender gardens. There are four villages, for a total of 43 homes. These include two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, at prices starting from R1,159 million.

Montague Ridge Villas, one of the latest o� erings on the market, has a fractional ownership option.

The ultramodern villas are situated next to the Montagu course.

Colonial lodges are also available here. Prices start from about R2,15 million. There are also 110 fully furnished executive lodges available.

Residents are spoilt for choice of activities. In addition to playing golf, club members can make full use of the Links Clubhouse, where they can swim, play a game of tennis or work out at the gym.

There are also plenty of trails on the scenic estate where resident can go running, walking, cycling, mountain-biking and horse-riding.

To wind down they can have a sauna, soak in the Jacuzzi or enjoy a gentle dip in the heated Roman baths at the on-site health and beauty spa.

The spa o� ers a range of treatments, including hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, re� exology, facials and massages. +27 (0)44 804 0000,

fancourt.com

Visit thepropertymag.co.za for luxury

residential real estate and getaways in SA.

1Fancourt Estate. In addition to upmarket accommodation and championship golf

courses, there are a number of residential options for discerning homebuyers.

South AfricaFabulous Fancourt� is legendary estate is not a destination – it’s a lifestyle

1

50 | September 2012

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Fancourt Estate o� ers players three of the world’s best golf courses, namely the Links, Outeniqua and Montagu, but there is far more to this beautiful estate

than golf clubs and handicaps.The 150-year-old Manor House is a national

monument that has been remodelled as a boutique hotel. It o� ers guests a 24-hour personal butler service, a sunlight-swaddled garden and tea lounge overlooking the gardens and terrace, a plush library and bar and the � ne-dining restaurant, Henry White’s, which was named after the original owner of Fancourt. Guests at the Manor House can choose between the master bedroom, the grand suites and the luxury suites.

Set on 613 ha, Fancourt Estate is also a feast for property buyers. Links Avenue is one of the most exclusive developments on the estate, with only nine properties to this private address.

There are two architectural designs: the Cape Dutch style, with thatched roofs and white external walls, and the contemporary Links Ridge design, with earth-coloured external walls complemented by elegant slate roofs.

Set between the Montagu and Links golf courses, these homes o� er views of the Links Dam, and residents may make use of the Links Clubhouse. Stands in Links Avenue start from R2,3 million. The Cape Dutch-style homes are priced from R4,95 million and the Links Ridge homes from R5,472 million.

Oaklands Village exudes rustic Provençal charm. The village is lined with immaculate rose and lavender gardens. There are four villages, for a total of 43 homes. These include two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, at prices starting from R1,159 million.

Montague Ridge Villas, one of the latest o� erings on the market, has a fractional ownership option.

The ultramodern villas are situated next to the Montagu course.

Colonial lodges are also available here. Prices start from about R2,15 million. There are also 110 fully furnished executive lodges available.

Residents are spoilt for choice of activities. In addition to playing golf, club members can make full use of the Links Clubhouse, where they can swim, play a game of tennis or work out at the gym.

There are also plenty of trails on the scenic estate where resident can go running, walking, cycling, mountain-biking and horse-riding.

To wind down they can have a sauna, soak in the Jacuzzi or enjoy a gentle dip in the heated Roman baths at the on-site health and beauty spa.

The spa o� ers a range of treatments, including hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, re� exology, facials and massages. +27 (0)44 804 0000,

fancourt.com

Visit thepropertymag.co.za for luxury

residential real estate and getaways in SA.

1Fancourt Estate. In addition to upmarket accommodation and championship golf

courses, there are a number of residential options for discerning homebuyers.

South AfricaFabulous Fancourt� is legendary estate is not a destination – it’s a lifestyle

1


Fabulous Fancourt

Prime Vaal propertiesPam Golding Properties Area

Principal, Phil Medlock, says there are

development opportunities in the Vaal

Dam and upper Vaal River areas. One

of these is River Home Estate, a 220 ha

property with over 5 km of Vaal River

frontage. ‘This property is situated

about 45 minutes from the Vaal

Triangle and 60 minutes from the East

Rand. The asking price is R20 million,’

says Phil. Valued at R35 million,

River Home Estate incorporates

124 residential erven as well as fi ve

stands with group housing rights for

up to 30 dwellings per site. Another

opportunity is an un-zoned 300 ha

farm with 3,5 km of Vaal Dam frontage.

+27 (0)16 371 1377, pamgolding.co.za

Remarkable retailersSA’s best retail developments are to be

recognised at the South African Council of

Shopping Centres’ (SACSC) annual Retail

Design & Development Awards (RDDA).

Sponsored by Nedbank Corporate Property

Finance, the awards cover four categories.

‘Qualities which feature strongly on the

evaluation scorecard include excellent design

resolution, overall development objective,

response to environment and market,

innovative solutions and sustainability,’

says Amanda Stops, general manager of

the SACSC. There’s also an overall winner

selected from the top performers in each

category. Last year’s winner of the Overall

Design and Development Award was Mall

of the North in Polokwane, Limpopo. The

winners will be announced in September.

+27 (0)11 884 8940, rdda.co.za

Big change in Klein KarooThe property market in the Klein Karoo is picking up, says Pam Golding Properties Area Manager Masood Husain. Masood says that buyers from the

city who want a lifestyle change are being drawn to smaller towns in their pursuit of a more tranquil lifestyle in a scenic setting. ‘Many enquiries are

from Gauteng residents, some of whom wish to relocate permanently, while others are looking to move in the future and are enjoying this as a leisure

getaway in the interim.’ He adds that the area offers an escape from the stress and crime of the city and that, in the Karoo, residents can dabble in

farming and enjoy a better quality of life. +27 (0)28 551 1783, pamgolding.co.za

Mall of the North, Polokwane

A house in LadismithVan Wyksdorp smallholding

River Home Estate

AUCTIONVENUE: DALES BROS, Redlyn Business Park, 5 Riverhorse PLace, Riverhorse Valley Estate DATE: 5th September 2012 @ 1PM

ANDREW 082 871 5546 [email protected] (031) 701 3251

9 Gardens Road, HILLCREST

69 Worlds View Road, HILTON

823 Old Main Road, COWIES HILL

140 Ridge Road, DURBAN

An extraordinary home , ideal for business & entertaining. Beautifully arranged

home with gourmet kitchen & large sliding doors leading to entertainment area

& garden. Plenty of parking and diplomatic-level security.

A stately character mansion totalling 1,315m2 of improvements on 1ha of land. 5 Bedrooms,

4 bathrooms all with walk-in wardrobes, 3 lounges, dining room, 2 studies, 6 garages,

self- contained cottage, stables, pool, koi pond & many other wonderful features.

A unique piece of real estate in an even more unique setting. Extensive potential to create a

B & B, boutique hotel or possibly even a development. This massive home of 1,000m2 sits on

2ha of land and has unrivalled views over the city and beyond.

R20 000 REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT ON REGISTRATIONRefer to website for Auction Conditions & Buyer’s Commission. All above is subject to change without prior notice. Errors & Omissions Excepted.

Terms of sale: Buyers to register with I.D. & Proof of Residence. The rules of Auction comply with Section 45 of the Consumer Protection Act, Act 68 of 2008.

Vacant land. Capture the gracious African farm lifestyle on a wildlife estate whilst

being within easy reach of Hillcrest & Pietermaritzburg. A horse lover’s paradise

and outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Breathtaking views. Secure private environment.

VIEWING: BY APPOINTMENT




Portion 61, TANGLETHORN ESTATE

Very neat, well-kept property with a lot to o� er. 5 Bedrooms & 3 bathrooms.

Mature garden, sparkling pool and fantastic sea views. Has to be seen.


For an appointment to v iew, p lease phone Judy Bezu idenhout on ce l l 083 230 0646.

Kloof R7,500,000 – Sole MandateQuality Endures Forever

Situated in the beautiful suburb of Kloof on the upper part of Everton Road, enabling easy access to all the Kloof/Hillcrest schools and shops and easy freeway access to Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Truly positioned for convenience, this home has only had one owner, and now, because of “empty nest” syndrome, they are relocating. This immaculate and modern home has been designed with family and entertaining in mind. There are 4 double bedrooms, a beautiful wood-panelled study and 3 lounges, one with a built-in cinema system. The casual lounge has a built-in braai, bar and billiards room. The beautifully appointed kitchen flows to the dining room and 3rd lounge. There is also a room that would be ideal for a salon. In addition, there are two 2-bedroom cottages – one comes fully and beautifully furnished. Two acres (possible subdivision) of beautiful gardens and rolling lawns provides a feeling of country living, peace and privacy. 4 garages and a tennis court are a few of the other extras this unique property offers.

The By Invitation Only exclusive La Lucia Mall Fine Wine Privé saw the mall bustling with over 520 discerning guests all wanting to experience the amazing variety of wines from 50 top South African wine estates. This Wine Privé is being talked about as the classiest of its kind that Durban has ever seen. Winemakers, wine estates, VIP guests, customers and

the who’s who of Durban had their taste buds tantalised with world-class wines and mouth-watering canapés.

1

2 3 4

5 6 7

1Nazrana Premlall, Praneel Premlall, Simon Blevins, Cindene Smith, Vanessa Blevins, winemaker Eben Sadie of Sadie Family Wines 2Erica Platter, Vergelegen MD Don Tooth, John Platter 3Celebrate Life 2012 receiving their cheque from La Lucia Mall Centre Management: Cindene Smith, Vanessa Blevins, Cherry Armstrong, Megan Harris, Lara Plumtree and event organiser Cheryl Kirsten 4John Plumtree, Jack Wilson, Craig Davidson, Mellissa Davidson 5Just some of the 50 wine estates showcasing at the Wine Privé: Cederberg and

Beyerskloof wine estates 6Cheryl Kirsten, Megan Harris, Cindene Smith7Winemaker Stephan du Toit from Dieu Donné Vineyards shares the fruits of his vines with Stephen Uppink and Diana and Brett Straw.

54 | September 2012

TREND WATCH

Wo

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n

TREND WATCH

Recreate the fabulous kitchens and bathrooms you’ve seen in our mag with these inspiring ideas and products

GET THE LOOK

Today’s modern kitchen is all about sleek and beautiful surfaces and kitchen counters.

Made from 93% quartz, Samsung Radianz surfaces are strong as well as good-looking.

+27 (0)11 472 8899, samsungradianz.co.za

Make a bold statement in any bathroom with Italcotto’s Gemstone Blue

range of fl oor tiles. Available on order nationwide. +27 (0)21 425 4192,

italcotto.co.za

Shellshock Designs is

responsible for this steam

room’s luminescent walls,

which have been created out

of mother-of-pearl mosaic

tiles. +27 (0)21 790 0726,

shellshockdesigns.com

Sometimes a loud pop of colour can quite simply make

a room. The use of brightly painted turquoise antique

dressers in La Residence Villa’s makes for splendid

bathrooms. +27 (0)15 793 3977, laresidencevillas.co.za

1 2

3 4

54 | September 2012

TREND WATCH

Wo

rds

Nic

ky M

anso

n

TREND WATCH

Recreate the fabulous kitchens and bathrooms you’ve seen in our mag with these inspiring ideas and products

GET THE LOOK

Today’s modern kitchen is all about sleek and beautiful surfaces and kitchen counters.

Made from 93% quartz, Samsung Radianz surfaces are strong as well as good-looking.

+27 (0)11 472 8899, samsungradianz.co.za

Make a bold statement in any bathroom with Italcotto’s Gemstone Blue

range of fl oor tiles. Available on order nationwide. +27 (0)21 425 4192,

italcotto.co.za

Shellshock Designs is

responsible for this steam

room’s luminescent walls,

which have been created out

of mother-of-pearl mosaic

tiles. +27 (0)21 790 0726,

shellshockdesigns.com

Sometimes a loud pop of colour can quite simply make

a room. The use of brightly painted turquoise antique

dressers in La Residence Villa’s makes for splendid

bathrooms. +27 (0)15 793 3977, laresidencevillas.co.za

1 2

3 4thepropertymag.co.za | 55

TREND WATCH

Add glam with metallic tiles. To get this

look, visit Pudlo Mosaics.

+27 (0)21 448 0607, pudlomosaics.co.za

For small bathrooms or guest loos, add

oomph with a feature wall by using wallpaper.

Wallpaper from CP Decor. 0861 000 273,

cpdecor.co.za

We love these

Tabouret Haut bar

stools, created by

Jean Prouvé for

Swiss company, Vitra.

Available from Créma

Design. Order online.

Nationwide delivery.

+27 (0)21 434 0661,

cremadesign.co.za

Wooden panelling is

ideal for creating a

seamless designer look.

This bathroom was

designed by Nico van der

Meulen Architects.

+27 (0)82 410 4911,

nicovdmeulen.com

Walk on the dark side by

choosing black as the theme

for your bathroom. This

sexy, super-sophisticated

bathroom was designed

by Laurie Owen Interiors.

+27 (0)11 463 6942,

laurieoweninteriors.co.za

Nothing makes a better

centrepiece than this

Victoria & Albert Cheshire

bath – perfect for a royal

dip. Get it from On Tap.

+27 (0)21 556 7911,

ontap.co.za

Well-placed windows let in

streams of light and great

views and eliminate the

need for ugly frosted glass.

Designed by CA Interiors.

+27 (0)21 790 3370,

cainteriors.co.za

5 6

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Directory

The Marine Building22 Gardiner Street, Durban

Tel: (031) 374 8100Fax: (031) 374 8135www.nhbrc.org.za

The Marine Building22 Gardiner Street, Durban

Tel: (031) 374 8100Fax: (031) 374 8135www.nhbrc.org.za

No 1 Adam Park, Garlicke Drive, Ballito Business ParkTel 032 586 3332 [email protected]

RVVTILE GALLERY KZN

www.rvv.co.za

Shop 1 Lower Level, Illovo Square Shopping Centre, SandtonTel: 011 447 4495 Fax: 011 447 4844 Cell: 082 850 5439

There’s nothing like Frette

The Wish CollectionShop L24 Lower Level

Entrance 5 Sandton CityTel: 011 784 0408 / Cell: 082 850 5439

www.thewishcollection.co.za / www.frette.com

Space Planning

Turnkey Offi ce Fit-Outs

Drywalling

Ceilings

Design

Shaun McCallum | Tel: 031 301 0958 | Cell: 083 296 0247

FEE INCLUSIVE OF TRAVEL

OUR SERVICES:

We come to you!We come to you!FEE INCLUSIVE

OF TRAVEL

• Home and business computer problem-solving and repairs;• ADSL installations;• Networking (Wireless and Local Area Network);• Hardware and software sales;• Monthly data/email backups;• Recovery of deleted files;• Tracking of internet usage;• Installation of internet security;• Building of custom gaming machines.

031 262 0577 [email protected] www.rct-it.co.za

Contact Roaming Computer Technicians:Contact Roaming Computer Technicians:Contact Roaming ComContact Roaming ComContact Roaming ComContact Roaming Computer Technicians:puter Technicians:puter Technicians:puter Technicians:Contact Roaming ComContact Roaming ComContact Roaming ComContact Roaming ComContact Roaming ComContact Roaming ComContact Roaming ComContact Roaming Computer Technicians:puter Technicians:puter Technicians:puter Technicians:

08431524880843152488

Computer TechniciansComputer Technicians

4517 Property Classic Aug-repro.indd 1 2012/08/02 10:12 AM

0800444000www.pergo.com

Grand Hyatt, Beijing China

OriginalLaminate

Making beauty lastall over the worldAn extraordinary environment needs an extraordinary floor. That’s why you’ll find Pergo laminate floors in some of the world’s most demanding places. Like the Luxor Museum with its never-ending stream of tourists. Or the Harley- Davidson showroom in Switzerland.

It doesn’t matter whether your project is a hotel, trendy restaurant, airport, high street boutique or a private home. With a combination of stunning design and unrivalled wear resistance, Pergo helps to deliver on your promises.

Harley-Davidson, Lausanne Switzerland

Harley-Davidson, Lausanne SwitzerlandSEAT, worldwide

The Property Magazine - Kwazulu-Natal September 2012

Documents

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