Table of contents for Nov 2025 in Home

I recently had my house painted, and what a disruption that was! My project manager Adriaan doesn’t take shortcuts, so when I slipped out to run a few errands on the day they started working and arrived home in the late afternoon, loose items had been packed away in boxes, all the artworks had been secured in bubble wrap, and the cupboards – including my wardrobes – had been covered with thick black plastic to keep out the dust. Adriaan believes that when you paint (see his DIY project on page 98), you should also do maintenance – so cracks had been repaired and the spongy wooden floor in the living room hadn’t escaped his eagle eye. Finally, after 12 years in my house, the TV cabinet is no longer crooked.…

Send décor and lifestyle news to johane.neilson@tuis.co.za. So comfy! Italian leather Rodger recliner chair (pictured in tan) R16 900 and fully outdoor Chapala lounger (pictured in Henley Graphite fabric) R14 200, both from hertexhaus.co.za It’s a classic The second chapter of Cole & Son’s 150th anniversary Classics Collection of wallpaper celebrates the design house’s legacy of “living art and living history”. Seven archival designs are reimagined in striking new palettes. We love leafy Iris, shown here in the Violet on Citrine colourway! The range is available from St Leger & Viney; for details, go to stleger.co.za. Newsflash! Cara Saven, well-known for her extensive range of wallpapers, is taking things further with fabric. The entire wallpaper range with more than 3 000 designs is now available as printable fabric for curtains,…

WHO LIVES HERE? Two friends, Dahla Hulme and Karin Schiesser WHERE Stanford SIZE 238m² It’s not every day that you walk into a house and want to make almost no structural changes. But this was the case for Dahla Hulme and Karin Schiesser as everything about this beautiful home in Stanford in the Overstrand was perfect in its simplicity. Although the house was only built in 2002, its architectural style creates a fascinating picture of an old-world home reminiscent of those on the Karoo plains. In fact, Dahla was so enthusiastic about the house that she wanted to throw her arms around it in appreciation. This Namibian-born artist is passionate about design and décor. She believes that the home you fall in love with should fill your heart with so much joy…

PROJECT NOTE Not all raw bricks are suitable for bagging. The smoother the brick face, the easier the application and the better the end result. YOU WILL NEED SHOPPING LIST bonding liquid plaster cement builder’s sand primer paint in the colour of your choice TOOLS masking tape claw hammer block brush (or steel brush) small sharp-pointed trowel plaster trowel sponge bucket mohair paint roller 50mm paintbrush HERE’S HOW… 1 If the raw brick wall is directly next to a plastered or painted surface, mask off the area where you’ll be working with masking tape to protect the adjacent surfaces. 2 Remove any screws or nails from the bricks. 3 Sweep away all dust and loose cement with a clean, dry block brush or steel brush. Note: if your wall is…

Dr Lizahn von Zeuner of TAH replies Growing older comes with a few challenges and these can be stressful for both cat and owner. Here are some adjustments to consider: Nutrition We refer to cats as seniors from age 8-12 and recommended switching to a good quality senior cat food at this time. Diet is the cornerstone to treating certain common diseases, such as chronic kidney disease. Including omega-3s and antioxidants in their diet can reduce joint inflammation and pain associated with joint disease. Both diseases are common in older cats. Hydration Adding wet or tinned food to their diet is a great way to improve hydration. Adding new and exciting water sources throughout the house will encourage them to drink more. Water should always be fresh and clean. Tips…

Chicken and cucumber pitas Under R145 • Serves 4 • Preparation: 20 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes ½ cucumber, seeded and diced 400g mini chicken fillets (or 2 chicken breast fillets cut into strips) 30ml olive oil 5ml each cumin, paprika and dried origanum 1 tin (400g) chickpeas, rinsed 200ml double-cream yoghurt  45ml creamy mayonnaise 125ml soft herbs (parsley, mint and dill), chopped 30ml finely chopped red onion juice and zest of 1 lemon 4 pitas, halved and toasted 125ml pitted black olives 150g cherry tomatoes, sliced (optional) Pan-fry until golden-brown and cooked through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. For the last 2 minutes, mix in the chickpeas and stir-fry until fragrant. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Mix with the yoghurt, mayonnaise, herbs, onion, juice and…

Write to editor@homemag.co.za and remember to use the word ‘Letters’ in the subject line (please include your full name and where you live in your letter). Follow us on facebook.com/homemag or Instagram @TuisHomeMag. WINNING LETTER A devoted reader Riekie Kruger of Klerksdorp writes I bought the August 2025 issue of Home on Saturday, then stopped, calmed myself down and quietly, slowly read the editor’s note. I’m usually so anxious to get my teeth into the rest of the magazine that I sometimes skip the editor’s note. Forgive me, please! But now that has changed. Yes, magazines DO still play a huge role in our lives! Technology and digital have robbed us of the pure joy and excitement we feel when purchasing a hard copy of printed material. As Wicus’s colleague…

WHO LIVES HERE? Francois and Chantal Haasbroek with their kids, Emile (15) and Ado (14) WHERE Greyton SIZE 498m² EXTERIOR WALLS The Haasbroeks don’t like plastered walls, so they used more natural finishes for the house. Grout mixed with bonding liquid was used for the exterior walls and only one coat was applied with a block brush. “I like it when the rain washes it off a little so you can see more of the bricks,” says Francois. For nature lovers like the Haasbroeks, picturesque villages have always been a balm for the soul. Eleven years ago, when the hustle and bustle of city life on the Highveld became too much, they set off for the Western Cape, seduced by the charm of Greyton in the Overberg. Initially, they rented elsewhere, but…

KICK BACK ’N RELAX Subtle terracotta, pinks and greens are still big news this summer; here, they create a contemporary and inviting palette in the pool area. Light-weight steel furniture (available in an abundance of colours) offers an easy way to introduce trendy tones outdoors. A large cactus in a terracotta pot creates a sculptural focal point against the softer vegetation in the background. LOCAL IS LEKKER Big fans of iconic South African designers Haldane Martin and James Mudge, the homeowners used contemporary furniture in trendy colours for the outside areas. “These are the colours we like at the moment – we want to create as much visual interest as possible.” #1 WHO Willeen le Roux and Craig Ferguson WHERE Zwaanswyk, Cape Town Another brick in the wall Willeen le Roux and…

Email your queries to experts@homemag.co.za. Meet the designer A playful perspective We’re smitten with the gorgeous colours and trendy products offered by Roxanne Ferreira and her team at Arrange Studio. Founded in 2016, the company is well-known for its stunning Paradise lamp – a hot item at the top of many décor lovers’ wish list! Besides designer table lamps and wall lights, Roxanne also makes funky benches and curvy rugs in custom colours – more stylish must-haves! Q&A WITH ROXANNE 1 What does colour bring to a space? It adds depth and richness to what could otherwise be quite a ‘flat’ experience. I’m not only referring to bold and bright colours but also soft and neutral shades. It’s important to choose the right hue for the right space: consider how the…

Send garden info and queries to gardens@homemag.co.za. Flowers are an essential part of a biodiverse edible garden and cutting flowers for the vase can be just as satisfying as harvesting herbs and veggies for the pot. Blooms that are rich in pollen or nectar will attract pollinators as well as other beneficial insects to your garden. The new range of cut flower seeds from Kirchhoffs features updated and improved versions of heirloom plants such as Ammi visnaga, Moluccella laevis, Achillea millefolium, Gomphrena haageana and Craspedia globosa. These easy-to-grow plants will add height, texture and colour to your flower garden. They range in height from tall (1–1.2m), medium to tall (60–90cm) and compact (45–50cm). TALL These flowers can be grown towards the back of a bed. 1 Ammi visnaga ‘Green Mist’…

Tomatoes STARTERS Gazpacho soup This cold tomato soup is the perfect summer starter and it can also be served as a welcome drink (with or without a shot of tequila)! Makes 1L Preparation: 20 minutes, plus overnight marinating time 1 small red onion, finely chopped 45ml red wine vinegar a bunch of fresh basil or coriander, stems and leaves separated 6 large plum tomatoes, diced 1 large red pepper, diced 1 garlic clove, chopped (optional) 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced 30ml olive oil, plus extra to garnish 10ml light brown sugar This will temper the raw taste. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper and the brown sugar. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least two hours if you’re making and serving the soup the same day. I…

ADD MORE FIZZ! Robertson Winery’s Mimosa Berry Infused Sparkling Spritzer reimagines a classic citrus formula with a berry beautiful twist, while the Mimosa Non-Alcoholic Orange Flavoured Sparkling Spritzer adds all the sparkle with none of the alcohol (R100 each, robertsonwinery.co.za). Best for bakers The highly desirable Nordic Ware cast aluminium cake pans are now available at Woolworths – and you’ll want them all! We love the Brilliance Bundt and Classic Fluted loaf pans (R1 499 each, woolworths.co.za). THE GOLDEN HOUR Make the most of sunny afternoons and sultryy nights at Ocaso, a new Mexican-inspired dining and cocktail destination in Oxford Parks, Johannesburg. As Corona’s first dedicated flagship venue in South Africa, it was created to embody the brand’s love of the golden hour, inviting guests to linger longer. To view…

It was one of those harsh winter days when I stopped over in Calvinia recently. A scoundrelly wind was chasing the cold down the collar of your coat, rubbing your cheeks raw. The rocky façade of the lovely old Hantam mountains was crouching low under a rug of shaggy clouds being blown across the sparse bossie-veld of the Bushmanland Karoo. As for me, I was warm and snug in front of a wood stove in one of the beautifully restored townhouses of The Hantam Huis complex, having tall mugs of tea with ‘plaasbeskuit’ along with a couple of very dear friends. As soon as the wind stops its mischief and the sun is out, we told each other, we’ll be moving to the stoep. Because that’s where the blessing of…

FIRE IN FOCUS Sihan transformed the wood-burning fireplace in the dining room with blue KitKat tiles laid vertically from floor to ceiling. Klompie bricks were added to the base to form a step and protect the wooden floor, and a brick inset creates definition. IN HARMONY A gas fireplace was installed in the non-functional fireplace in the living room. The surround was turned into an artistic focal feature with yellow KitKat tiles on the wall above and colourful triangular tiles below. “The woven pendant lights echo the tones in the tiles, creating a visual link. This careful play of colour adds energy and personality to the room, while ensuring that the various elements – furniture, finishes and décor – work together for a cohesive look,” explains Sihan. BETTER CONNECTED Originally,…

Light itself is a building material – something that can be shaped, filtered and celebrated. With this premise in mind, an interior architect teamed up with her former architecture lecturer to update and restore to its former glory a 1960s house in the Pretoria Regionalist style – with a modernist influence. “Natural light was a core principle of our vision for the project,” explains Janien Kluge of Wonen+ Studio. “Architect Chris Wilkinson is a master when it comes to light and has been a source of creative energy since my student days. He paints with light, so to speak.” Although Janien qualified as an architect, she prefers to work with interiors. “An architect and an interior architect look at the same space, but through different lenses: one focuses on structure,…

Get set for summer! Email queries to pets@homemag.co.za. WIN! Each owner whose pet is featured here wins a gift voucher worth R500 from Petshop Science (petshopscience.co.za). Find all your pet products under one roof at Petshop Science where knowledgeable assistants can help you make the right choice. Play is essential to your furry friend’s wellbeing, whether it’s a fun game of fetch or a quiet moment with their favourite chew toy. The right toys will keep pets physically active and stimulated – and help you create quality bonding time. From bouncy balls to plush companions, you’ll find a wide variety of playthings at your nearest Petshop Science store – or have them delivered straight to your door by Sixty60. The Dog Days Elephant Plush Dog Toy with Squeaker (R79.99) doubles as…

Serves 4 • Preparation: 40 minutes, plus marinating time • Cooking time: 10 minutes per batch The raw drumsticks are butterflied to ensure that the meat is seasoned throughout and cooked to the bone. All you need for this twist is a sharp knife. 8–10 chicken drumsticks 300ml buttermilk a generous dash of hot sauce (optional) 5ml Worcestershire sauce 1 garlic clove, finely grated  5ml BBQ salt (your favourite blend) a pinch of paprika a few sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary (optional) 250ml self-raising flour  60ml cornflour a pinch of smoked paprika 5ml dried herbs canola oil for deep-frying 1 Make a deep incision down to the bone of each drumstick, preferably at the bottom (bone side). Scrape the meat away from the bone to create more surface area,…