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Improver<br />
<strong>AUG</strong>UST | <strong>SEPT</strong>EMBER | 2021<br />
Kitchen<br />
TASTY DECOR AND STYLE TO<br />
trends<br />
GET YOU COMING BACK FOR MORE<br />
Also inside: Great cleaning hacks •<br />
Grow a kitchen garden
CONTACT US<br />
AFRICAN<br />
NEWS<br />
AGENCY<br />
PUBLISHER:<br />
Vasantha Angamuthu<br />
vasantha@africannewsagency.com<br />
PICTURE SAMSON KATT<br />
EXECUTIVE EDITOR PROPERTY:<br />
Vivian Warby<br />
EDITOR <strong>HOME</strong> IMPROVER:<br />
Vivian Warby<br />
vivian.warby@inl.co.za<br />
DESIGN:<br />
Kim Stone<br />
kim.stone@inl.co.za<br />
PRODUCTION:<br />
Renata Ford<br />
Renata.ford@inl.co.za<br />
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT:<br />
Keshni Odayan<br />
Keshni.odayan@inl.co.za<br />
SALES:<br />
Charl Reineke<br />
charl.reineke@inl.co.za<br />
DO JOIN US ON:<br />
@homeimproverZA<br />
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR<br />
WHAT I know about kitchens I learnt from<br />
my mom Dot and my grandmother Niddy.<br />
To me, as a young girl, whatever<br />
was going on in this room was totally<br />
otherworldly.<br />
I’d be in awe as I watched pickled<br />
turnips turn bright pink overnight,<br />
believing it was some form of magic<br />
and not knowing it was thanks to the<br />
chunk of beetroot thrown in with the<br />
vinegar and salt.<br />
It also took me a long time to<br />
realise that the chickens in the velhok<br />
were not my pets but instead dinner on<br />
the table. I never much liked<br />
eating chicken after that.<br />
That said, Mom and Gran spent<br />
many hours and days cooking for family,<br />
friends and strangers. Squashed around<br />
a small table, they’d prepare delicacies<br />
that people would drive from all over to<br />
come and eat. Just two ordinary woman<br />
concocting such magic in this room –<br />
our home’s headquarters – where many<br />
a plot and plan was brewed for the<br />
longevity of our family.<br />
I remember how excited my mom was<br />
when, finally, my dad had enough money<br />
to fix up the kitchen which would afford her<br />
more space to prepare these meals.<br />
A kitchen renovation is a big deal.<br />
This is, after all, the place from where<br />
the weary, the disheartened, the broken<br />
hearted, the jovial and the lonely get<br />
nourished.<br />
This kitchen edition hopes to be<br />
aspirational and inspirational to our<br />
readers, but also a practical guide on<br />
how to honour this most special room<br />
in your home.<br />
Enjoy!<br />
Vivian Warby<br />
Vivian warby<br />
Vivian.Warby@inl.Co.Za<br />
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contents<br />
<strong>AUG</strong>UST | <strong>SEPT</strong>EMBER 2021<br />
27<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
11<br />
14<br />
15<br />
Letter<br />
Contents<br />
Trends<br />
Kitchen on a tight<br />
budget<br />
Must-haves<br />
Mom’s dos & don’ts<br />
19<br />
20<br />
24<br />
26<br />
27<br />
30<br />
Contractor’s tips<br />
Makeover<br />
Best cleaning hacks<br />
Outdoor kitchen<br />
Chefs’ choices<br />
A feast growing<br />
in the garden<br />
15 29<br />
A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 HI | 0 3
trends<br />
SERVE UP SOME<br />
style<br />
PICTURE FRANCESCA TOSOLINI / UNSPLASH<br />
The kitchen has become the heart of the<br />
home, where we not only cook but also<br />
entertain and sometimes work, create<br />
and dine. Home Improver editor<br />
Vivian Warby explores trends and ideas<br />
for a pandemic world<br />
FLOORING – WOOD<br />
We personally love wooden floors<br />
because of their warm ambiance<br />
and nowadays you have an unlimited<br />
selection of laminated flooring – it’s<br />
completely budget dependent.”<br />
SUE LEDERLE, FOUNDER OF LEDERLE DESIGN<br />
“I’m all for wooden floors – which<br />
these days have great finishes,<br />
making them kitchen-friendly.<br />
I like a seamless look from the<br />
kitchen throughout the house.”<br />
WILL ENGELBRECHT OWNER OF WillDesign<br />
PICTURE MAX VAKHTBOVYCH<br />
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PICTURE LEDERLE COLLECTION<br />
GREEN IS THE NEW KITCHEN COLOUR<br />
We are seeing a huge shift from a more neutral, traditional colour<br />
palette to one of colour, such as reds and greens, and also<br />
interesting textures.”<br />
SUE LEDERLE OF LEDERLE DESIGN<br />
“There’s a definite move to colour for the kitchen. We are seeing<br />
more pastel and comforting shades: think pistachio green,<br />
ballet-pump pink and duck-egg blue.”<br />
WILL ENGELBRECHT OF WillDesign<br />
trends<br />
A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 HI | 0 5
trends<br />
LIGHTING<br />
In your kitchen you want the<br />
lighting to be both inviting<br />
as well as bright enough to<br />
see what you’re doing while<br />
preparing your meals. For<br />
warmth, we enjoy a woven<br />
lampshade but this will<br />
depend on the style of the<br />
home and its owner.”<br />
SUE LEDERLE OF LEDERLE DESIGN<br />
“Think flexible lighting –<br />
especially the new “train<br />
lights” that you can move<br />
and adjust to where you<br />
need them. Layered lighting<br />
is still big – go for spotlights,<br />
pendants, table lamps, floor<br />
lamps. A multi-purpose<br />
kitchen, which serves so<br />
many uses today, means you<br />
need lighting to change the<br />
mood in an instant.”<br />
WILL ENGELBRECHT OF WillDesign<br />
PICTURE MAX VAKHTBOVYCH / PEXELS<br />
And don’t forget natural light<br />
– skylights and windows<br />
are big in the trend to bring<br />
the outside in.<br />
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PICTURE ADAM WINGER / UNSPLASH<br />
trends<br />
THE KITCHEN-DINING ROOM<br />
With the move to a more open-plan multipurpose<br />
kitchen, it makes sense that the<br />
formal dining room has been ditched and<br />
is now part of the kitchen. This offers a<br />
practical and functional answer to how<br />
we operate in a pandemic world. The<br />
trend is multi-pronged. Some families are<br />
converting the formal dining room into a<br />
study, using it as a storage space or an<br />
“isolation bedroom”. Another way to bring<br />
the dead space of a dining room back to<br />
life is to break down a wall and incorporate<br />
it into the kitchen. The extended island (see<br />
overleaf) is a result of this trend.<br />
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trends<br />
PICTURE CHRISTIAN MACKIE / UNSPLASH<br />
THE EXTENDED ISLAND<br />
One of the biggest trends right now is the extended<br />
island, with seating hidden under it and not jutting<br />
out. This is partly because of the death of the dining<br />
room. Extended islands functioning as dining tables<br />
also reflect the bigger trend of having more kitchen<br />
seating. A table abutting the island similarly creates<br />
a versatile workspace or a homework spot for the<br />
kids. It becomes a casual gathering place as well as a<br />
designated dining area. Added to that, extra storage<br />
can be incorporated into the island.<br />
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PICTURE MARKHILLTOUT.COM<br />
trends<br />
ROOM DIVIDERS<br />
With the move to more<br />
open-plan kitchens,<br />
designers are having<br />
to come up with clever<br />
ways to handle the bigger<br />
space. We are seeing<br />
glazed walls, sliding<br />
panels – such as the<br />
ones in the picture by<br />
artist Mark Hilltout – and<br />
slatted screens being used<br />
instead of walls, offering<br />
greater flexibility. The<br />
key, say the experts, is to<br />
ensure the space can be<br />
transformed into different<br />
areas, if necessary.”<br />
TIPS: Use removable<br />
wallpaper, painted panels,<br />
a big rug or different<br />
flooring to separate areas,<br />
for instance a patterned<br />
vinyl floor in the cooking<br />
area and hardwood in the<br />
dining/living section. But<br />
use colours and textures<br />
that link the areas.<br />
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trends<br />
PICTURE ANDREA DAVIS<br />
EXTRA STORAGE<br />
No, we are not just talking about extra cabinets<br />
for pots and pans which, of course, are a must.<br />
We are talking about spaces beyond the pantry.<br />
The pandemic has seen people stock up on food<br />
and other goods and often the pantry or shelves<br />
are just not enough to contain them. Never<br />
mind all that extra toilet paper. There is a move<br />
to second freezers, bigger pantries and using<br />
cupboards in other rooms (think the dining room)<br />
for storage.<br />
CAFE CORNER NOOK<br />
This trend is growing as a small-space solution.<br />
To recreate it, conjure up the idea of your<br />
favourite coffee shop. You can do this by<br />
adding a wooden bar counter against a wall or<br />
a window and accompanying that with bright<br />
bar stools creating a place to eat, drink, read<br />
or even work. Plus a view outdoors, if you have<br />
one, will create the illusion of more space.<br />
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PICTURE VITALIY ZAMEDYANSKIY \ UNSPLASH<br />
Budget menu<br />
A renovated kitchen is a good selling point - and it need not be expensive<br />
ONE PLACE that adds value when selling a home is the<br />
kitchen, say estate agents.<br />
But budgeting to redo a kitchen can be scary, especially<br />
now with the cost of building materials.<br />
Experts say the cost of a new kitchen depends on the<br />
finishes you use and on the size of your kitchen.<br />
ROUGH COST ESTIMATES:<br />
The average cost of renovating a large kitchen with high-end<br />
appliances and semi-custom cabinets can range from<br />
R200 000 to R300 000 and up.<br />
For a full designer kitchen that figure jumps to R1 million,<br />
while a small to medium kitchen renovation can range from<br />
R10 000 to R200 000.<br />
A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 HI | 1 1
WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST COSTS:<br />
KITCHEN cupboards will<br />
be your biggest expense.<br />
Building work your<br />
second biggest expense.<br />
Counter tops come in<br />
at number three for costs.<br />
You will also have to<br />
fork out for electrical work,<br />
plumbing and also gas<br />
points which could<br />
altogether set you<br />
back over R40 000.<br />
You need to know<br />
what you can skimp on<br />
and what you can’t, says<br />
designer Will Engelbrecht.<br />
HIS ADVICE: If you<br />
want a kitchen you’ll love,<br />
and one that will last, you<br />
will have to spend money<br />
to get you the longevity,<br />
however, if you do some<br />
DIY you can cut costs<br />
dramatically.<br />
You need to know<br />
what you can skimp<br />
on and what you<br />
can’t skimp on<br />
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PICTURE ARNO SMIT, CHASTITY CORTIJO \ UNSPLASH<br />
A KITCHEN RENO ON A BUDGET<br />
THERE are many ways to<br />
renovate a kitchen on a budget:<br />
Spray or paint old cabinets<br />
This will cost about R8 000 –<br />
that is about R70 000 less than<br />
getting new ones made.<br />
TIP Ensure you use a paint that<br />
can resist moisture and that has<br />
a sheen for ease of wiping.<br />
Go second-hand Use movable<br />
furniture instead of built-in<br />
cabinets. Buy these pieces<br />
from a second-hand shop and<br />
DIY as regards restoring them.<br />
Create a feature of open<br />
shelving (but mind the dust)<br />
for decorative purposes by<br />
removing the doors of one of<br />
the cabinets.<br />
DIY as much as possible<br />
This is one of the best ways to<br />
reduce costs as professional<br />
installation and repairs<br />
contribute significantly to the<br />
cost of kitchen renovation.<br />
Go for white appliances<br />
Make an art gallery on a<br />
wall. This can include recipes<br />
that are framed or photos of<br />
family and friends eating meals<br />
together or having celebrations<br />
around food. This will work to<br />
remind you of good times too.<br />
Backsplashes can be made<br />
of off-cuts of bigger slabs of<br />
kitchen counters, which can<br />
be cut into various sizes and<br />
stacked up.<br />
A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 HI | 1 3
GASTRONOMIC<br />
must-haves<br />
Gleaming gadgets to gladden<br />
the heart of any cook or budding<br />
barista - and all just a few clicks<br />
away from your kitchen<br />
VICTORINOX<br />
CLASSIC<br />
KITCHEN SET<br />
BLACK (4 piece)<br />
Every kitchen needs a<br />
great set of knives and<br />
this Swiss classic range<br />
is a must for<br />
any chef.<br />
Loot price: R1 780<br />
CLICK HERE TO<br />
BUY NOW<br />
BOSCH<br />
14- PLACE<br />
SETTING<br />
DISHWASHER<br />
(silver/inox)<br />
Its high energy efficiency<br />
means this dishwasher is<br />
better for the environment<br />
– and we are always for<br />
greener options.<br />
Loot price: R7 399<br />
CLICK HERE TO<br />
BUY NOW<br />
EIGER ROMEO<br />
2-CUP ESPRESSO<br />
MACHINE<br />
This retro-style machine<br />
has an easy-to-use<br />
three-switch operating<br />
system. The two-inone<br />
professional<br />
filter works<br />
with ground<br />
coffee or pods<br />
for creamy<br />
espresso,<br />
while the<br />
stainlesssteel<br />
milk<br />
frothing<br />
arm makes<br />
for great<br />
cappuccinos.<br />
Loot price:<br />
R1 999<br />
CLICK HERE<br />
TO BUY NOW<br />
SMEG CPF9GMAN<br />
PORTOFINO COOKER AND<br />
MULTI- FUNCTION OVEN<br />
(90cm, anthracite)<br />
An energy-efficient, large-format cooker,<br />
with a European A+ energy rating. We<br />
also love its good looks and the fact<br />
that it is freestanding.<br />
Loot price: R44 999<br />
CLICK HERE TO BUY<br />
SMEG STAND MIXER<br />
(pastel blue) We love this iconic,<br />
retro-looking stand mixer with its<br />
soft curves and in trendy blue.<br />
Loot price: R8 999<br />
CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW<br />
MILEX POWER<br />
AIRFRYER (3.6 litre)<br />
This seven-in-one airfryer will cook<br />
you up healthier versions of your<br />
favourite fried foods in no time.<br />
Loot price: R1 299<br />
CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW<br />
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PICTURE <strong>AUG</strong>UST DE RICHELIEU \ UNSPLASH<br />
WORDS VIVIEN HORLER<br />
Mom knows best<br />
REAL-LIFE stories about<br />
kitchen wins and<br />
disasters are the best<br />
place to find out if an<br />
idea works well.<br />
For this article, we are happy<br />
to team up with Renovating<br />
Moms (Cape Town and Joburg)<br />
– a Facebook group of women<br />
with a membership of more than<br />
65 000, full of useful ideas, tips<br />
and advice. Here are some dos<br />
and don’ts from moms who have<br />
tried and tested them.<br />
WASHING THINGS Will<br />
you have a separate scullerycum-laundry?<br />
If you do, have<br />
the dishwasher in the kitchen or<br />
you’ll be carrying dirty dishes and<br />
crockery into the scullery and then<br />
clean dishes back into the kitchen,<br />
says one mom. It’s much easier to<br />
pack and unpack if the dishwasher<br />
is near the crockery cupboard.<br />
A wall-mounted drying rack<br />
above the sink in the scullery can<br />
accommodate larger dishes that<br />
don’t fit into the dishwasher.<br />
If you have both a washing<br />
machine and a tumble dryer, the<br />
dryer can be mounted on the<br />
wall above the washing machine,<br />
saving floor space.<br />
PREP BOWLS Is it necessary<br />
to have a prep bowl in the<br />
kitchen if you have a scullery?<br />
There were mixed feelings on this<br />
one, but having one won out.<br />
How do you know designers’<br />
ideas will work for you and your<br />
family’s needs? Welcome the<br />
Renovating Moms who don’t<br />
mince words on what works<br />
and what doesn’t<br />
However, do ensure you have a<br />
hot as well as a cold tap.<br />
“The plumber who said I needed<br />
only a cold tap on the prep bowl<br />
obviously didn’t do the cooking in<br />
his home,” said one mom.<br />
Another mom says if both the<br />
main sinks are full of dirty dishes,<br />
a prep bowl can be “invaluable”<br />
and if your main sinks are in a<br />
A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 HI | 1 5
The plumber who said I<br />
needed only a cold tap on the<br />
prep bowl obviously didn’t do the<br />
cooking in his home<br />
separate scullery, a prep bowl in<br />
the kitchen “proper” saves a lot<br />
of walking.<br />
For those who don’t have<br />
much counter space, place a glass<br />
cutting board on top of a prep<br />
bowl and voila! extra space.<br />
FRIDGE One mom says it’s a<br />
good idea to have a free-standing<br />
fridge rather than one tucked<br />
away surrounded by cupboards.<br />
Should you buy a bigger fridge at<br />
some point, it won’t fit in the gap.<br />
COOKING What sort of oven<br />
are you wanting? Many people<br />
swear by eye-level ovens, rather<br />
than an under-hob version which<br />
requires bending every time you<br />
want to check on the progress of<br />
the roast or cake.<br />
If you’re going to have a gas<br />
hob, figure out where you’re going<br />
to put the gas cylinder. There are<br />
compliance rules about this, so<br />
check with the installer.<br />
And whatever you do, say<br />
two moms, do not go for stoves<br />
and ovens with touch displays,<br />
especially not one with a hob<br />
above.<br />
“I am constantly inadvertently<br />
making the oven beep, and once<br />
even turning it on, while I stand<br />
and use the hob. Biggest pain<br />
ever. I hate it.”<br />
Another mom agrees: “We<br />
had one and would often use the<br />
counter top to drop groceries on<br />
when coming home – and a few<br />
times the hob would turn on and<br />
melt the bags before I noticed.”<br />
Create a built-in niche for<br />
the microwave which means it<br />
doesn’t take up counter space.<br />
STORAGE Do you have room<br />
for a pantry or at least a decentsized<br />
pantry cupboard? If you go<br />
for a pantry cupboard, make sure<br />
it has a light.<br />
You’ll need plenty of storage –<br />
more than you think.<br />
PLUGS The same goes for plug<br />
points. You want lots.<br />
“There is a new life-changing<br />
electrical appliance every year<br />
which you’ll have to plug in.”<br />
Another mom says: “You get<br />
plug points with two-point plugs<br />
in them. I am going to change<br />
some of mine as most appliances<br />
come with two-point plugs. Also,<br />
plugs with USB charger points.<br />
Life changer.”<br />
ISLANDS Will you have an<br />
island? “We’ve got a huge island<br />
and got rid of our dining table<br />
which was the best decision. The<br />
dining room was a wasted space<br />
as we never used it. Nowadays we<br />
sit as a family at the island,” said<br />
on on-trend mom.<br />
Another suggested extra<br />
cupboards under the island.<br />
“I would recommend – if<br />
you can – putting cupboards<br />
underneath the island on the<br />
‘outside’ – the side that you<br />
normally have the seating.<br />
“Your island obviously<br />
needs to be deep enough and<br />
the overhang far enough to<br />
accommodate this, but it is<br />
great for extra storage for all the<br />
random things that one does not<br />
use every day – tablecloths, extra<br />
glasses, wine decanters, fancy<br />
cutlery, etc etc. It doesn’t detract<br />
from the look of the island at all,<br />
so it is basically bonus space.”<br />
Will you have room for an<br />
appliance cupboard? These allow<br />
you to put away things like the<br />
toaster and food mixer so they<br />
are not occupying valuable<br />
counter space.<br />
Or you could build, as one<br />
mom suggests, “a waist-high shelf<br />
in the pantry for all appliances<br />
with plug points so you can use<br />
them immediately and not have<br />
to climb a ladder, drop a lid or<br />
trip over your feet”.<br />
RUBBISH Plan where the<br />
dustbin and recycling bin will go.<br />
SHELVING Do open shelves<br />
work better than storage<br />
cupboards? The moms are<br />
pretty dubious. Says one: “Open<br />
shelving is a design feature, not a<br />
storage solution. You’ll find you<br />
have dust everywhere.”<br />
Says another: “Open shelving<br />
is great for plants and recipe books<br />
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PICTURES SARAH CHAI \ PEXELS • JACEK DYLAG, DANE DEANER \ UNSPLASH<br />
If you’re considering<br />
open shelving, take<br />
your cupboard doors<br />
off for a few weeks<br />
and see how that<br />
works for you before<br />
you commit<br />
A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 HI | 1 7
PICTURE OPTICAL SHADES MEDIA SANGROHA<br />
and glass storage containers, but<br />
they need constant styling, and<br />
cleaning, and they’re more hassle<br />
than they’re worth. If you are<br />
considering open shelving, take<br />
your cupboard doors off for a few<br />
weeks and see how that works for<br />
you before you commit.”<br />
STORAGE AND<br />
CABINETRY Cupboard units<br />
should go all the way to the floor<br />
or you’ll spend your life cleaning<br />
under them, says one mom. And<br />
take them right up to the ceiling<br />
too, or you’ll end with dust and<br />
unsightly clutter on top of them.<br />
Large pot drawers are the<br />
storage solution for everything<br />
you keep below counter height.<br />
Obviously, they are good for<br />
pots, but also for Tupperware and<br />
other plastic containers, as well as<br />
casserole and other cooking and<br />
serving dishes.<br />
Another mom suggests a drawer<br />
for spices. She advises you consider<br />
the height of items you have to<br />
store in cupboards. Sometimes two<br />
shelves are better than three for tall<br />
items like vases and olive oil, fabric<br />
softener and so forth.<br />
Avoid corner cupboards,<br />
unless they are tall, walk-in ones.<br />
Or, as one mom says, “Corner<br />
cupboards are where things go<br />
to die.”<br />
And think carefully about<br />
your counter tops. One mom<br />
said: “Wish I hadn’t put in black<br />
counter tops. Yes, we were at the<br />
end of our budget and I didn’t<br />
care too much about the colour<br />
as long as it was granite... But it’s<br />
difficult to tell how clean they are<br />
(and to spot any lurking ants).”<br />
• Find renovating moms on Facebook<br />
in Cape Town here and in Joburg here<br />
Cupboard<br />
units should<br />
go all the<br />
way to the<br />
floor or you’ll<br />
spend your<br />
entire life<br />
cleaning<br />
under them<br />
1 8 | HI A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1
COOKING UP<br />
A FAIR DEAL<br />
We have all come<br />
across terrifying<br />
accounts of<br />
homeowners<br />
wanting to update<br />
their kitchens, and<br />
being left in the lurch<br />
by unscrupulous<br />
building contractors.<br />
So, how do you<br />
ensure this doesn’t<br />
happen to you?<br />
WORDS DON MACALISTER<br />
WHAT DO YOU WANT? Before calling<br />
in contractors for quotations, draw up a<br />
detailed plan of what you want done and<br />
what you can afford.<br />
For substantial work, get a detailed<br />
cost estimate.<br />
Find a qualified person to draw up<br />
plans, determine specifications and submit<br />
them to the local authority for approval. If<br />
you don’t do this, you may have problems<br />
later when it comes to selling the property.<br />
CHOOSING A CONTRACTOR Go with<br />
recognised companies that have a track<br />
record and are registered and compliant.<br />
A so-called bakkie builder may be cheap,<br />
but does he have insurance should one of<br />
his workers be injured in your home? If the<br />
builder doesn’t, the worker could sue you.<br />
Do you have any recourse if the contractor<br />
causes defects to your existing home?<br />
Contractors don’t have to be members<br />
of the Master Builders Association but<br />
membership will give you some protection<br />
if things go wrong.<br />
Ensure your contractor is registered<br />
with the necessary legal or statutory<br />
bodies, such as Workman’s Compensation<br />
Insurance, the Bargaining Council for the<br />
Building Industry and the Receiver<br />
of Revenue.<br />
Get references from all contractors.<br />
QUOTES Get quotations from at least<br />
three reputable contractors.<br />
To compare costs, make sure each<br />
contractor is quoting on the same written<br />
specifications and conditions and includes<br />
VAT. Be cautious of unrealistically low<br />
quotations. Do not begin any work while<br />
the price is still under negotiation.<br />
ACCEPTING THE QUOTATION<br />
Get a written agreement with the<br />
contractor you have chosen. Don’t sign<br />
acceptance unless the contractor’s offer<br />
is firm, in writing, clear, covers all your<br />
requirements and is signed.<br />
Make sure the agreement includes the<br />
starting date, the approximate duration of<br />
the work, the anticipated completion date,<br />
specifications for cleaning up during the<br />
work, including the disposal of waste or<br />
rubble, and payment details.<br />
Use a Master Builders SA or Master<br />
Builders Association-approved building<br />
contract.<br />
INSURANCE Your contractor should<br />
be insured for public liability and have<br />
contract insurance.<br />
Appropriate insurance should be<br />
agreed to cover any damage to your<br />
existing building and contents. Tell your<br />
insurance company you are having<br />
renovations done.<br />
EXTRA WORK AND/OR<br />
VARIATIONS Establish the cost of any<br />
extra work you want the contractor to do,<br />
again in writing, before the work is carried<br />
out and confirm any changes, in writing,<br />
with both you and the contractor signing.<br />
PAYMENT Usually, you will not be<br />
expected to pay a deposit before work<br />
starts or be asked to pay the wages of<br />
workers during the contract. With fairly<br />
large jobs, interim payments on completion<br />
of certain sections can be specified in a<br />
contract or agreement.<br />
A request for a progress payment<br />
should be accompanied by an invoice<br />
detailing the percentage and value of the<br />
work completed. For a small job, payment<br />
is usually made in one lump sum when the<br />
work is satisfactorily completed.<br />
Before making the final payment,<br />
inspect the completed work and detail<br />
in writing any complaints or defects. It is<br />
acceptable to withhold money for defects<br />
or incomplete work but it is unfair to<br />
withhold a large sum for minor defects.<br />
A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 HI | 1 9
BEFORE The client<br />
wanted a timeless look and<br />
feel for the new kitchen<br />
in her traditional southern<br />
suburbs home, which would<br />
fit in with the palette of the<br />
rest of the house.<br />
Thought<br />
for food<br />
Interior designer Kimberley Richmond, of Beautiful Spaces, tells us how she<br />
recreated the kitchen of her client’s Cape Town home<br />
CLIENT I was looking for a timeless look and<br />
feel for my new kitchen. One of my limitations<br />
was that the house was painted and tiled with the<br />
same palette throughout when it was bought, so I<br />
had to use that palette and make my kitchen fit in<br />
with it.<br />
DESIGNER The house has quite a traditional<br />
southern suburb, Cape Town, feel so I couldn’t go<br />
too modern. My client likes to cook and entertains<br />
a lot, so the design had to work with that. I<br />
wanted it to be convenient, easy for her and<br />
family to move around in and practical in terms<br />
of cooking.<br />
The main kitchen felt too spacious and I felt<br />
an island would make it more complete. We also<br />
created a mini “bar” area for her husband from<br />
where to serve drinks as they like entertaining.<br />
I also made the oven area with spice racks, pullout<br />
drawers and all requirements close at reach.<br />
I added wood, and a hint of grey as a finish, to<br />
make it look less sterile. The scullery was divided<br />
by a gorgeous barn door in charcoal to separate<br />
the main kitchen and to allow that to be the<br />
coffee station/cleaning area.<br />
ADVICE Have your list of requirements before<br />
you design. Look at the size of your family and<br />
make life convenient. Have your wish list and<br />
design around that. A good kitchen design is one<br />
of the biggest investments in your home so it<br />
needs to be right.<br />
AFTER The designer<br />
used wood, and a hint of<br />
grey as a finish.<br />
2 0 | HI A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1
AFTER A centre island was<br />
added to the kitchen which was<br />
designed to be convenient, easy<br />
to move around in and practical<br />
in terms of cooking.<br />
My client likes to cook and<br />
entertains a lot, so the design<br />
had to work with that<br />
A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 HI | 2 1
Improver<br />
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M A R C H 2 0 2 1<br />
PICTURE CHRIS SNOOK/HOUZZ—THE WASHINGTON POST<br />
Improver<br />
Bathroom<br />
splash issue<br />
Also inside: A palatial home • Gardens that will grow on you<br />
To advertise here contact<br />
Charl Reineke | charl.reineke@inl.co.za | Vivian Warby | vivian.warby@inl.co.za<br />
2 2 | HI A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1
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WORDS VIVIAN WARBY<br />
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WORDS VIVIEN HORLER<br />
GREAT KITCHEN<br />
CLEANING HACKS<br />
Kitchens are busy spaces and get grubby fast. Here’s how to get yours spotless<br />
SUCH a high-traffic area can be<br />
tough to keep clean. There are often<br />
dirty dishes in the sink, there might<br />
be gunk in the secret spaces of the<br />
dishwasher and cooking means<br />
surfaces, stove tops and cupboard<br />
tops tend to get sticky with grease.<br />
Here are some ideas for getting<br />
your kitchen gleaming.<br />
THE COUNTERS Some people<br />
manage to keep their counters<br />
spotless and clear, others let them<br />
attract clutter. It’s much easier<br />
to clean an uncluttered kitchen.<br />
Remove everything that doesn’t<br />
belong on the counters, or in the<br />
kitchen at all, and put it away. Then<br />
wipe down with a cleaner.<br />
White vinegar can be great to<br />
wipe down surfaces but be careful<br />
with natural stone tops like granite –<br />
vinegar can eat into the stone.<br />
THE OVEN This is one of the most<br />
disliked cleaning jobs in the kitchen.<br />
Some ovens have an auto-clean<br />
setting but forget it. It’s a very high<br />
temperature setting and has been<br />
known to set off fire alarms.<br />
But there’s an easy way to clean it<br />
overnight. Fill a spray bottle with a<br />
solution of a third of a cup of water,<br />
a third of a cup of white vinegar and<br />
half a cup of bicarbonate of soda.<br />
When the oven is cool, take out<br />
the shelves and spray the inside,<br />
avoiding the heating elements. Then<br />
close the door and go to bed, while<br />
the solution does its work.<br />
Twelve hours later, you can clean<br />
the oven with soapy water, then dry<br />
it with a dish towel.<br />
THE HOB AND OVEN<br />
EXTERIOR When cleaning your<br />
oven, don’t forget the hob and the<br />
exterior of the oven.<br />
Start at the top. If you have a gas<br />
stove, remove the grids and wash<br />
them if they’re sticky. Then clean the<br />
surface of the hob with all-purpose<br />
cleaner. Electric plates can be wiped<br />
off with diluted dish-washing soap.<br />
An electric glass hob is the<br />
easiest of all – just wipe it down<br />
2 4 | HI A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1
with warm, soapy water.<br />
Once the top is clean, wipe<br />
down the front of your oven with<br />
all-purpose cleaner, white vinegar,<br />
or diluted dish-washing soap. Don’t<br />
forget the knobs and displays.<br />
THE EXTRACTOR FAN You just<br />
have to look at it to know that the<br />
extractor fan casing collects grease.<br />
The grease catches dust and the<br />
whole thing becomes disgusting.<br />
But you can clean it simply by<br />
wiping it down with a few drops of<br />
sunflower oil on sheets of kitchen<br />
paper. Then wipe it down again with<br />
your usual spray and a sponge.<br />
Inside the extractor fan you’ll<br />
find a fabric filter which needs to<br />
be washed from time to time. You<br />
might need to unscrew the grill to<br />
get at it. It can be washed in hot,<br />
soapy water, left to dry and replaced.<br />
THE SINK First rinse it out. Then<br />
use a scrubbing cleaner – or bicarb<br />
– and scrub it with a sponge or<br />
cleaning brush.<br />
Clean the taps, sponge holders<br />
and soap dishes. Wipe down the<br />
drying rack.<br />
When you’re done, fill the sink<br />
with hot water with some bleach<br />
added, let it sit for about 10 minutes,<br />
then drain.<br />
If your sink isn’t draining well,<br />
it might be that you have a build-up<br />
of grease in the drain. A kettleful of<br />
boiling water might well sort out<br />
the problem.<br />
SMALL APPLIANCES Wipe off<br />
the exteriors. Check the filter in the<br />
kettle and clean it. Empty the toaster<br />
of crumbs. Check both the interior<br />
and exterior of the microwave and<br />
clean them.<br />
THE FLOOR Sweep or vacuum<br />
clean the floor. Use a dust-buster to<br />
get into nooks and crannies.<br />
Then wash it with a mop dipped<br />
in soapy water. Some people prefer<br />
those ghastly string mops, others<br />
prefer the ones you can squeeze to<br />
wipe dry.<br />
When<br />
cleaning<br />
your oven,<br />
don’t forget<br />
the hob<br />
and the<br />
exterior of<br />
the oven<br />
A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 HI | 2 5
SETTING UP YOUR<br />
Outdoor kitchen<br />
Make a space where you can cook al fresco while entertaining guests<br />
PICTURE IBIZA IBIZA IBIZA / UNSPASH<br />
IT MAY be winter but warm days in between the<br />
cold ones mean that an outdoor kitchen can be a<br />
year-round asset.<br />
Choosing the right location is important.<br />
It should be wind free and as close to the kitchen<br />
as possible, so going back and forth is not a chore,<br />
as often these kitchens do not have a second set of<br />
dishes, cookware or appliances.<br />
Whether your space is a back garden in the<br />
suburbs, a roof deck in the city or a wide porch in the<br />
country, you’ll want to consider hard-wearing materials<br />
for built-in counters, seating benches and storage<br />
units which remain fresh-looking while surviving the<br />
onslaught of cooking activities, dirt, dust and rain.<br />
YOU WILL<br />
NEED<br />
Cooking and<br />
grilling areas<br />
Counter tops and<br />
prep stations<br />
Storage<br />
A dining area<br />
Accessories<br />
HOW TO GET COOKING<br />
If you already have a sizeable patio or deck area, incorporating<br />
an outdoor kitchen into that space is relatively simple.<br />
An existing deck can easily be turned into a basic outdoor food<br />
prep and dining area by adding a braai stand or grill, a counter top<br />
and a table with comfortable chairs.<br />
Remember to consider the lighting and power points for<br />
appliances. In the luxury market, we’re seeing full-on outdoor<br />
kitchens complete with bar areas, islands, ovens, stoves and extra<br />
storage space.<br />
These features allow the host to be present with their guests<br />
outside while they are preparing a meal.<br />
While custom kitchens give you more choices, a prefab outdoor<br />
kitchen will be more cost effective.<br />
2 6 | HI A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1
AT YOUR<br />
SERVICE<br />
Two local chefs give us<br />
the low-down on their<br />
style and fare<br />
I have loved cooking and creating dishes from an early<br />
age and used to help my granny and mom stir pots for<br />
family gatherings. I saw how food was a good enough<br />
reason to gather even the busiest of family members around<br />
the table and even the simplest of dishes was enjoyed amidst<br />
chatter, gossip and laughter. Food is also a great peace<br />
offering and has always been my secret weapon.<br />
CHEF<br />
Lerato Zondi<br />
Twenty-five-year-old chef Lerato<br />
Zondi from Thornton, Cape Town,<br />
established her own food company<br />
during the pandemic called Otarel,<br />
baking custom-made cakes to fit<br />
any occasion as well as catering<br />
for events big and small. Against<br />
all odds, it has been doing well.<br />
Otarel is her name backwards.<br />
FAVOURITE<br />
COOKING TOOLS:<br />
I love my cakesicle mould. As a girl<br />
who lives for close to zero waste,<br />
I love the idea of being able to use<br />
my cake off-cuts in a beautiful way.<br />
Also my pastry-horn baking mould<br />
which makes it really easy for me<br />
to make pastry shells. I make a<br />
“milktart” cannoli<br />
STYLE:<br />
Food is my unspoken language of<br />
love, with energy and love being<br />
the main ingredients, and I hope<br />
that other people feel that too<br />
whenever they eat my food. One of<br />
my goals is to introduce the world<br />
to South African flavours.<br />
I am also passionate about<br />
ensuring no one is denied access<br />
to wholesome and nutritious food<br />
and my dream job would be to<br />
somehow be involved in a project<br />
aimed at ending world hunger.<br />
CONTACT<br />
otareleats@gmail.com<br />
A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 HI | 2 7
PICTURE CHRIS VON ULMENSTEIN<br />
In my restaurants, fresh is best and<br />
less is more. I keep it simple. No smears,<br />
smoke, foam or gel. The ingredients<br />
are the heroes of the plate<br />
CHEF<br />
Pavel Dimitrov<br />
Bulgarian-born Chef Pavel Dimitrov<br />
arrived in South Africa at the<br />
age of 21 and connected with the<br />
Gonsalves family in Johannesburg<br />
at its popular Vilamoura in Rosebank<br />
and at Gold Reef City. Dimitrov<br />
followed restaurateur Victor<br />
Gonsalves to Cape Town, helping<br />
him to open Pigalle in Green Point<br />
and NV-80 in The Point Shopping<br />
Centre in Sea Point. When The Vue<br />
changed to Utopia Cape Town,<br />
Dimitrov became co-owner of the<br />
restaurant and its executive chef<br />
about two years ago. He has also<br />
recently opened Zest Restaurant at<br />
the newkings boutique hotel in Sea<br />
Point. Dimitrov speaks highly of<br />
Gonsalves, regarding him as one of<br />
the best restaurateurs in the country,<br />
one who is honest and who<br />
keeps his word.<br />
FAVOURITE COOKING TOOLS:<br />
The brand-new wood-fired grill that<br />
was installed at Zest. The coals of<br />
the kameeldoring wood give a woodsmoked<br />
aroma to the meat, fish<br />
and vegetables. Another essential<br />
is a good chef’s knife – a Swiss or<br />
Japanese one being a priority.<br />
STYLE<br />
Fresh is best and less is more. I<br />
do not use smoke, gels, foams or<br />
smears in my dishes and I do not<br />
use more than three ingredients per<br />
dish, to give texture and flavour. Fish<br />
is a favourite, prepared with some<br />
salt and olive oil. Ingredient sourcing<br />
is also important for a restaurant –<br />
buying the best quality at a good<br />
price. For example, I use a small<br />
olive oil producer for extra-virgin,<br />
cold-pressed olive oil.<br />
CONTACT:<br />
www.zestcapetown.co.za<br />
Insta: @chefpavelcapetown<br />
2 8 | HI A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1
Let’s<br />
help<br />
rebuild<br />
Mzansi<br />
Support local<br />
food businesses.<br />
Let’s #EatLocal<br />
Register your<br />
business now.<br />
Visit:<br />
eatlocal.org.za
PICTURE ALEKSANDRA BOGUSLAWSKA / UNSPLASH<br />
FOOD GARDEN<br />
The pandemic and fears of food shortages have turned even the<br />
most diehard convenience foodies into avid gardeners.<br />
WORDS KAY MONTGOMERY<br />
3 0 | HI A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1
You can harvest a carrot<br />
crop in about three<br />
months after planting.<br />
The garden<br />
is nature’s<br />
classroom<br />
and gives kids<br />
insight on<br />
how food is<br />
produced<br />
eDIBLE gardening<br />
has become a<br />
popular trend<br />
that continues<br />
to grow.<br />
And there are<br />
pluses which<br />
go beyond being able to grow<br />
to eat. Growing veg is also a<br />
great way to introduce children<br />
to the hobby of gardening and<br />
encourage them to spend more<br />
time outdoors. The garden is<br />
nature’s classroom and gives<br />
kids first-hand insight on how<br />
food is produced.<br />
PREPPING A NEW PATCH<br />
Correct placement is the key to<br />
success with vegetables. Find<br />
a space that receives about<br />
six hours of sun every day.<br />
However, if this is a challenge in<br />
your garden, there are a number<br />
of crops which can grow well in<br />
partial shade. A vegetable patch<br />
doesn’t have to be huge – 1.5m<br />
by 2m is ample.<br />
Assess your soil quality.<br />
Sandy soil runs through your<br />
fingers and clay soil forms<br />
clumps when squeezed. Loamy<br />
soil, considered best for<br />
gardening, is a crumbly, dark<br />
soil that retains water without<br />
becoming waterlogged.<br />
If you have sandy or clay<br />
soil, improve the quality by<br />
digging in plenty of organic<br />
matter (compost and manure)<br />
for better retention, drainage,<br />
texture and air flow.<br />
REWORKING AN<br />
OLD PATCH<br />
Remove the last of the summer<br />
crops and any weeds that might<br />
have invaded the patch. You<br />
don’t want them completing<br />
for nutrients and water with the<br />
new crops later on.<br />
If you put mulch down<br />
earlier in the season, don’t<br />
remove it, just dig it into the<br />
soil. Add more compost or<br />
manure to condition the soil<br />
and dig it over to break up clods<br />
for better drainage.<br />
BOXES AND RAISED<br />
BEDS<br />
Raised beds not only protect<br />
your crops from pests but also<br />
make weeding and watering that<br />
much easier.<br />
A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 HI | 3 \
MAIN: Raised beds not<br />
only protect your crops<br />
from pests but also<br />
make weeding easier.<br />
PICTURE: LUKAS OTTO<br />
TOP: Keep the soil moist<br />
as dry periods can spoil<br />
the crop<br />
ABOVE: As cabbage<br />
heads begin to mature,<br />
cut back on watering<br />
as too much water can<br />
cause heads to split.<br />
PICTURE: LUKAS OTTO<br />
In smaller gardens,<br />
wooden crates can be used for<br />
vegetables.<br />
They don’t take up too much<br />
space and can provide a good<br />
supply of food for the family<br />
table.<br />
In larger gardens, consider<br />
raised beds that provide the<br />
look and feel of the potagers or<br />
kitchen gardens of yesteryear.<br />
Raised beds also provide a<br />
solution in gardens where soil<br />
quality is poor.<br />
Beds can be constructed<br />
out of wooden planks or bricks<br />
and a rich top soil and organic<br />
matter added before seeds are<br />
sown.<br />
GETTING STARTED<br />
Several vegetables can be grown<br />
throughout the year in some<br />
locations, while others are<br />
seasonal.<br />
What you grow depends<br />
on your climate. You can sow<br />
seeds or get a head start with<br />
seedlings purchased from your<br />
local nursery. Remember to<br />
mulch after planting to keep the<br />
soil moist.<br />
TIPS FOR VEGETABLES<br />
Onions take four months or<br />
longer from seed to harvest, but<br />
they have a relatively good shelf<br />
life so you can plant a goodsized<br />
crop.<br />
Sow seeds in trays and<br />
transplant seedlings into the<br />
garden. Soil needs to drain well.<br />
Ask your local nurseryman<br />
which onion varieties are best<br />
for your region.<br />
Beetroot is easy to grow.<br />
Sow seeds in rows, every 3cm<br />
to 5cm, with rows about 30cm<br />
apart.<br />
Keep the soil moist as dry<br />
periods can spoil the crop.<br />
Cabbages thrive in welldraining,<br />
fertile soil. Sow seeds<br />
in seed trays or beds, with<br />
successive planting every three<br />
to four weeks.<br />
Carrots enjoy a loose<br />
soil, but don’t add too much<br />
3 2 | HI A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1
compost when working the soil.<br />
Loose, friable soil will ensure<br />
that your carrots are straight<br />
and not misshapen. Sow seeds<br />
in furrows (1cm deep), with<br />
successive plantings every three<br />
to four weeks.<br />
Seeds which you can sow<br />
now (Western Cape): dwarf<br />
beans; beetroot; broccoli,<br />
Brussels sprouts, carrots – all<br />
year; cabbage – all year; celery<br />
and lettuce – all year. From<br />
March: leeks; spinach; radishes;<br />
Swiss chard and turnips. Plant<br />
onions in April and May.<br />
Sow seeds now (Gauteng):<br />
broccoli; beetroot; Brussels<br />
sprouts, cabbage; carrots – all<br />
year; leeks; spinach; lettuce –<br />
all year; cauliflower; onions,<br />
radishes; Swish chard as<br />
well as turnips.<br />
EARTHWORMS ARE<br />
GOOD GUESTS<br />
Earthworms break down<br />
organic matter in the soil and<br />
release nutrients for plants.<br />
They are an important part of a<br />
garden’s ecosystem, themselves<br />
providing a tasty meal for birds.<br />
As earthworms tunnel down,<br />
they aerate the soil, providing<br />
better water penetration and<br />
space for roots to grow.<br />
Earthworms feed on<br />
decaying plant matter and small<br />
micro-organisms in the soil.<br />
Their castings (waste) are a rich<br />
fertiliser that supply nutrients<br />
to plants.<br />
Encourage them to stay by<br />
improving your soil quality.<br />
Dig in organic matter such<br />
as compost, manure or leaf litter<br />
and add organic mulch to the<br />
soil surface. Earthworms don’t<br />
like to be disturbed. Use a fork<br />
when you dig.<br />
Garden earthworms should<br />
not be confused with red<br />
wigglers (Eisenia fetida), which<br />
are used in vermiculture, to<br />
compost waste matter.<br />
These earthworms cannot<br />
live in garden soil.<br />
MAIN: Ask your local<br />
nurseryman which onion<br />
varieties are best for your<br />
region.<br />
TOP: Swiss chard is<br />
as ornamental as it is<br />
delicious. It grows well in<br />
partial shade.<br />
PICTURE: LUKAS OTTO<br />
ABOVE: Earthworms<br />
break down organic<br />
matter in the soil and<br />
release nutrients for<br />
plants. PICTURE:<br />
LUKAS OTTO<br />
A U G U S T | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 HI | 3 3