Table of contents for VISI 92 in Visi

Exactly where I will be this weekend #visimagazine #minimalist – @fatimasaib Haven’t bought a magazine in a while so when I saw @visi_ mag on the shelf, I thought, “Let me feed my creative mind with beautifully designed spaces, places and experiences.” And I think I might’ve lit my ‘building a home’ flame. #design #spaces #day5 – @just_callme_delish VISI #Holiday #WinterHoliday #LoveSummer #Beach #Sun #Phillippines #Boracay #Love – Wilhelm Deveroux August VISI mag, my favourite #visi – @leighskinnertebbutt Catching up on the latest VISI while enjoying a cappuccino @visi_mag @melissas.za #stellenbosch #visimagazine – @mickybahr Such a beautiful issue. #VisiMagazine #SouthAfrica #Winter #June #July #Interiors #Lifestyle @visi_mag – @notionlifestyle WIN WITH MIELE One lucky reader will win a Miele Blizzard CX1 Excellence PowerLine bagless vacuum cleaner, worth R6 299. This nifty…

I have a super-demanding job, which means I am always eating on the run. I’m not a fan of junk food, so I like to make sure I have a loaf of artisanal bread and a supply of fresh produce for breakfast, lunch and anything in-between. All I need is my Smeg toaster. The recipe on the right is for one of my favourite lunch options – especially enjoyable on a Friday afternoon as I contemplate the weekend ahead! SAM’S AVO TOAST WITH A KICK INGREDIENTS • 2 slices artisanal wholewheat bread • 2 tablespoons cream cheese • 1 ripe avocado • lemon juice to taste • 1 spring onion, finely sliced, or 1 small mild red chilli, finely chopped • Maldon salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste METHOD…

THE ARCHITECTURE THAT HAS HAD THE MOST PROFOUND EFFECT ON MY WORLD VIEW IS AN OLIVE-GREEN TENT, SPANNING 90 CM IN WIDTH AND PEAKING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 75 CM. When its symmetrical polythene walls are stretched taut like animal hide on a djembe drum, they have reverberated the phrase “What am I doing here?”countless times for the past three years. The previous architectural design that influenced my thinking was a standard open-plan office scheme. These are intended to inspire feelings of community within teams and evoke a sense of transparency between those who don’t have a parking spot and those who start work on time. And since everyone knows when you’re on Facebook, you might as well get some work done. But there are rare glitches in these productivity-fostering arrangements;…

“WE PUSHED THE LODGE’S PROXIMITY TO THE RIVER TO THE MAX IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE DESIGN.” SHEEN IS JUXTAPOSED WITH MATTE, ROUGH TEXTURES WITH SMOOTH SURFACES. THE DESIGN AESTHETIC CELEBRATES THE AFRICAN WILD. “THE SITES WE WORK ON ARE EXTRAORDINARILY RICH IN INSPIRATION.” Burrowed into the Sweni River bank, Singita Sweni Lodge is a place of quiet reflection, a luxurious cocoon from which to watch the activities in the placid river winding beneath it. The 13000-hectare Singita concession in the Kruger National Park brims with wildlife, from the Big Five to scorpions and snakes. Crocodiles glide lazily through the water a stone’s throw from the safety of the heated lap pool at the lodge, elephants make their way down to the banks to drink, and…

Alabaster irregular bowl, tall vase and jar candle, Woolworths • R299, R299 and R120 • woolworths.co.za Bulb etched vintage glass vase in Silver Grey, Mr Price Home • R179,99 • mrphome.com Senzi vase in Grey, Sixth Floor, Superbalist • R129 • superbalist.com Vedic Leaf vase in Ocean Blue, Weylandts • R1295 • weylandts.co.za Clear Organic glass vase, @home • R299 • home.co.za Organic Geometry hand-blown vases by David Reade, OKHA • R9 800 and R8 800 • okha.com Calabash Bold Smokey vase, Hertex Haus • R790 • hertex.co.za/homeware Nachtmann lead-free crystal slice glass vase, Yuppiechef • R899 • yuppiechef.com DutZ Laguna vase in Denim, La Grange Interiors • R295 • lagrange interiors.co.za…

One of the world’s foremost luxury kitchen brands, AGA may be best known for its gorgeous cookers, but its range of cookware and accessories certainly doesn’t let the side down. We love the AGA stovetop whistling kettle with its easy-grip handle, solid base and quick boiling time. • agaliving.co.za GIFTS FOR YOU To stand a chance to win an AGA stovetop kettle, worth R1 500, enter at VISI.co.za/win.…

ANDREA BRAND DESIGNS Andrea Brand, owner  The trends “Nature is brought into interiors via leafy greens, not only in actual leaf motifs but also in the rich green colour spectrum used in other designs. The warmer colours are coming in through warm pinks and peaches, and soft coral mixed with sienna tones.” What I want in my home “A ceramic piece by Andile Dyalvane. I love Margrethe Odgaard’s rug designs – she combines craftsmanship and quality with everyday functionality. And anything from MUUTO New Nordic – the combination of form and colour in their designs is a pleasure to the eye.” • andreabrand.co.za T&CO FABRICS Tanya Sturgeon and her daughter Chloe, owners  The trends “Oversized flowers, abstract black and white and oversized patterns.” What I want in my home “It would…

With more than 35 years’ experience creating luxurious bespoke kitchens, Italian brand Valcucine emphasises sustainability and innovation in its designs, but always places the comfort and wellbeing of clients first. A case in point is Valcucine’s patented V-Motion system, whereby the mere flick of a hand can open or close a door, open a tap, turn off the lights or even change the colour of a splashback, taking the user’s kitchen experience into an entirely unexpected and highly individualistic realm. Material selection is another key focus area for the brand, and the health and wellbeing of clients and the broader environment are always top of mind. Available options include doors finished in tempered glass, which is 100% recyclable; Corian, a hygienic and non-toxic material; and Angel Skin, a PVC-free material…

The Rug Company is known for collaborating with famed fashion designers, including Vivienne Westwood, Elie Saab, Tom Dixon and the late Alexander McQueen. The most recent collaboration sees the brand turning to Thom Browne, whose work, says Christopher Sharp, co-founder of The Rug Company, is a natural fit in the world of decor. “We’ve been admirers of Thom and his work for many years. We knew his work would translate strongly into interiors. The rugs he has designed, in a similar way to his clothes, have a clarity and personality that make them both desirable and impactful.” The series features two designs, both of which have been hand-knotted using Tibetan wool and silk. The Cable Knit pattern, available in Grey and White, is inspired by a traditional Aran jersey and…

Humans are not meant to sit at a desk for eight hours a day, five days a week. But the reality is that we spend more time sitting at our desks than ever before, which, combined with hunching over our cellphone screens when we’re not working, often manifests in chronic back and neck pain, lack of productivity and absenteeism. Mounting evidence confirms that exercise will not undo the cumulative effect of prolonged sitting. Even the growing trend by companies to improve employee satisfaction by introducing things such as nap rooms and chair massages are not quite enough to counteract the harm. So what is the solution? Cecil Nurse believes that ergonomics – the science of fitting a workplace to the people who use it – is the answer to the…

NO matter how far technology advances, how crisp the picture or how flat the screen, a television tends to dominate the living room in most homes and, turned off, it’s just a big black void. Enter The Frame by Samsung. Designed to look as if it is mounted in a picture frame, this Samsung TV enters Art Mode when it is switched off, so it displays artworks or family photographs. The illusion of a framed picture is achieved as it sits flat against the wall thanks to an absence of wires and a no-gap wall mount. It has only a thin power cable and an optical cable linking the TV to a box where the regular cable connections are found. Samsung’s OneRemote lets you control the channels, art and connected…

“We were wrong!” says Yuppiechef co-founder and Managing Director Andrew Smith in reference to the statement he made when Yuppiechef was launched as an online kitchen tools retailer some 11 years ago. At the time, he believed that online retail was the only way forward. The brand has since gained a loyal following. The next step in the company’s journey is a venture into unknown territory: physical shops. And Yuppiechef will, thanks to the smart use of technology, offer an integrated experience across all channels, both virtual and physical: It’s called omnichannel shopping. For example, you will be able to go into the real-world shop, choose and pay for an appliance, and then have it delivered to your home. In time, couples putting together a wedding registry will be able…

“I think of entertaining as a little show that I put on, and I really enjoy the preparations as much as the actual event, says Louise, an artist who is best known for her ceramics. “It’s a sort of a zen activity, and I really believe food tastes better when the cook has been completely present mentally in the preparation thereof.”We selected two recipes from her book for dishes to serve at book club on a warm summer’s evening. VEGETABLE SUMMER ROLLS WITH A PEANUT DIPPING SAUCE You can add or substitute any vegetables you like in these Vietnamese spring rolls. MAKES 20 ROLLS warm water, to soak rice-paper wrappers in 10 rice-paper wrappers 1 large carrot, peeled and julienned 1 large cucumber, seeds scraped out with a teaspoon and…

• VISI competitions are open to all South African residents excluding employees of New Media Publishing, employees of the companies supplying the prizes, associated companies and advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate family members. • The winner will be chosen at the sole discretion of the judges, whose decision will be final. No correspondence will be entered into. • Winners will not be eligible for other prizes for three months after winning a competition. • The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. • Neither New Media Publishing nor any of its partners can be held responsible for disputes in connection with prizes or for any loss, damage or injury that may be suffered or incurred by prize winners. • Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these…

Perk up a beige room with an accent wall featuring stick-on ceiling tiles. Top T stocks light-as-a-feather polystyrene ceiling tiles in gold that you can stick onto any surface, using Prestik if you have a short lease or double-sided carpet tape in case of a longer lease. We paid R89,90 per pack of eight tiles, which will cover a 2 m 2  surface. • topt.co.za…

AS you read this, the magnificent Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa) has opened its doors to the public and the most important cultural experience on our continent so far this century is in full swing. This historical grain silo complex at the V&A Waterfront has been transformed into a home for 21st century contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. It’s been a long time coming – 12 years, to be exact – and architect Thomas Heatherwick wanted it to be unlike anything else in the world. And boy, did he succeed! This building with its striking multifaceted windows is an important landmark at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, but it is the colossal inner atrium of the museum that takes your breath away. Crafted by sculptors alongside contractors…

MANY HANDS “We are obsessed with everything hand-made, handwoven, hand-touched and hand-crafted! Craft is still the new luxury!” – IMFI RUG BY MONN CARPETS Social media producer Daisie Jo Grobler and Marianne Fassler creative director Lezanne Viviers weighed in on our selection of the hottest rugs around. Daisie Jo and Lezanne sport sassy linen-and-raffia kaftans from the Marianne Fassler SS17 CONSIDER(ED) collection. CROSS-DRESSERS “How things have changed in the global digital sphere, where multidisciplinary projects are created by slashies*. Millennials. Collaboration.” – #1 ZERO RUG BY CLINTON FRIEDMAN “Cross-pollination is the future. We are in the time of slashies*, multidisciplinary collaborations in a digital sphere.” – DAISIE JO * Slashies, according to urbandictionary.com, are those who believe they aren’t defined by their real jobs: waiter/actress;singer/secretary, security guard/ scriptwriter, and so on.…

A HOT-PINK VIENNA STANDS OUT IN A LABYRINTH OF BROWNS, NUDES, REDS AND PALE PINKS. IT IS NOT SITTING UPRIGHT OR LYING DOWN. Each piece of its kind leans on the next, some awkwardly propped against the walls of the glass enclosure, some accepting defeat and hiding under the bellies of others. None can mix with it. It might dye and discolour them if placed too close. It is too loud to get along with the paler bunch, so it keeps to itself and waits for permission to shine, to speak, to laugh, to live. It is different, yes, but there is nothing wrong with that. Why is it neon pink and what is in it? you wonder. Perhaps it was made with love and a dash of disco lights.…

“ALL HOUSES SHOULD HAVE A NAME,” MA SAID. THE NAME OF HER HOUSE WAS CARNEN. Though most people used the street address, Ma and I knew the true name of the house. “Is it a secret, then, Ma?”I’d ask. “No, my girl,” Ma would answer. “People just don’t use house names. Plus, the postman would get confused.” There was no sign on the house other than the weathered number 4 next to the front door. For the first five years of my life, I lived at Carmen with Ma, along with my parents and older sister. My uncle Wayne and his son Jody lived there, too, as did my auntie Joelene, my mother’s youngest sister, and her daughter Blanche. With so many people living in one house, arguments were bound…

“I STARTED TO BECOME A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE QUIRKY CHARM OF THE ORIGINAL ’60S HOUSE.” “I WAS INSTANTLY DRAWN TO THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE AND TOPOGRAPHY OF THE SITE.” For Kearnon O’Molony, his house in Bantry Bay is both a holiday home and an anchor to the country of his birth. Set on a 1 500 m2 stand amid tall granite boulders, the house hugs the contour of a cliff with a 45-degree gradient, some 35 m up from street level. “When I first saw this property 10 years ago, I was instantly drawn to the natural landscape and topography of the site,” says Kearnon, who has lived in New York for 20 years. “It reminded me of Llandudno, a residential suburb a little further along this…

ON Sunday, 15 October, the Garden Day movement wants us to celebrate our gardens and welcome summer back into our lives. This day is all about setting down tools, wiping your brow, and allowing yourself to appreciate the joys of a garden, whether it’s your own or a friend’s. The organisers of this movement want to raise awareness around how gardens can bring communities and people together. Many of those who own a garden work tirelessly to maintain it, yet, statistically, these same people spend up to 20% more time gardening than they do revelling in its splendours. “In this century of absolute convenience and consumerism, we have become disconnected from nature – especially those of us who live in cities,” says gardening author Jane Griffiths. “My organic vegetable garden…

Mami Wata, literally “Mother Water” in West African pidgin English, is a water spirit that appears in the form of a mermaid, and the namesake of this proudly local surf brand. Co-founder Nick Dutton believes that Africa is the new frontier in terms of design, and importantly for Mami Wata, surf exploration and culture. “We believe the brand is an example of how Africa’s role and impact on global creative culture is increasing, whether that’s in art, design, music, film-making or fashion,” he says. For him, it is important that this Cape Town-based brand’s products are designed, sourced and made on the African continent. The inaugural collection features a range of T-shirts, vests, shorts and caps for men and women, as well as surfboards and fair-trade coffee called Congo Black,…

In celebration of the recent developments at Bosjes, which include a boutique hotel, restaurant and chapel, the owners of the farm tasked interior designer Liam Mooney with creating textile art for the hotel bedrooms. He collaborated with Elbé Coetsee, the founder of Mogalakwena Craft Art Gallery, Village and Research Centre. Fine artists Daniella Mooney, Hanien Conradie and Lara Kruger Nieuwenhuis were commissioned to visit Bosjes and visually translate their experience. They worked with Elbé on their proposals and she in turn consulted with the beaders and embroiderers of Mogalakwena as to how to interpret the artworks. Daniella was inspired by the shapes and colours of rock formations. Elbé proposed a linen hand-dyed backing cloth, and the design was created in dense chain-stitch embroidery. Hanien focused on a critically endangered protea…

It all started with his search for a good sun lounger, says Mobelli co-founder Alon Sachs. Today, the business sells not only sun loungers but also lounge suites, coffee tables, accessories and more. Plus, the Mobelli Buyback programme means customers can trade in their old Mobelli outdoor furniture, regardless of the condition, and get 30% off the price of new items. “We know that furniture tastes and circumstances change,” says Alon, “which is why we created this guarantee: Upgrade every five years and own Mobelli furniture for life.”We chatted to Alon to find out more. What makes Mobelli stand out? The Mobelli philosophy is all about easy, practical living and quality furniture that is designed for purpose. Our outdoor furniture is made to withstand the elements, which means it is…

With coffee culture on the rise, it’s no surprise that many of us are hopelessly addicted to the bean. If you’re an ardent coffee drinker who loves making your own cuppa, this new KitchenAid gadget is worthy of your attention. At first glance, the KitchenAid Artisan Precision Press coffee maker may look just like your regular plunger, but it is so much more. Made of double-walled stainless steel, KitchenAid’s advanced new take on the traditional French press features a built-in scale, which makes it easier to measure your coffee grounds and hot water, and a timer to track the brewing time. These two features mean you never have to wonder again whether you’re using the correct coffee/water ratio or be concerned about the extraction time. The coffee-making process is quite…

One of the highlights among the multitude of artworks by some of the continent’s best artists at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town is a mid-career retrospective exhibition featuring the work of Swaziland-born and Johannesburg-based Nandipha Mntambo. We caught up with her ahead of the museum’s opening. What does the opening of the Zeitz MOCAA mean for South Africa? It’s a first for Africa, and it is going to change how people view art. When I was at school, most of the artists we studied were long deceased, or American and European artists. We knew very little about the artists working in our country and on the continent. For students to have the opportunity to see and experience the contemporary art they’re now learning about is…

“The soul requires beauty,” says Cape Town-based interior designer Mullerie Rabe-Taljaard, who has clients from the Atlantic Seaboard to Switzerland. She is the picture of grace and serenity, qualities she introduces in every interior project she handles, creating “pockets of serenity in a noisy world”. Mullerie completed her LLB with every intention of becoming a lawyer, but passion is hard to deny. After a period spent travelling the world, she embraced her love of interiors. Today, she mostly works with foreign clients who own residential and boutique leisure properties in South Africa. She makes it her business to source local products and services, and to place South African artists’works in collections all over the world. Before she settled in Cape Town three years ago, Mullerie’s base of operations was in…

INSECTA by Charles Nesbit and Adrienne Kaufman Nesbit, teNeues This 25 cm x 32 cm hardcover with more than 70 macro-photographs is both coffee-table book and educational compendium about insect species. The photographer, who specialises in still-life images of jewellery, cosmetics and fashion accessories, did an outstanding job shooting the insects. His co-author is his wife, a well-known casting director for film and television. The close-ups of the bugs, magnified 500% and more and shot against a white background, clearly show their anatomy, colouration and intricate patterns. Some species are familiar, others are rare. The images are accompanied by the name of each insect in five languages (English, French, Italian, Spanish and German). PRICK CACTI AND SUCCULENTS: CHOOSING, STYLING, CARING by Gynelle Leon, Mitchell Beazley, Octopus Books “Prick”is not only…

Carole Nevin has always been known for her original hand painted table linen. However, her printed textiles is less known. Seven years ago she purchased forty meter printing tables and started hand-printing textiles suitable for curtaining and upholstery. Most textiles are digitally printed these days so acquiring textiles that are hand printed is indeed unique. There is a certain charm in the irregularity and directness of the handprint as well as the freshness and aliveness of the color. Her designs are bold and contemporary and fusion tribal. Up till now her textiles have been sold directly from her factory and online but you can now find these original fabrics in her new store in the CBD ( 52 Burg Street- Corner of Burg and Church Street) , as well as…

INGRID JONES, CO-FOUNDER AND MD OF MIKATEKO MEDIA What’s the most exciting destination you’ve visited this year? Saint Petersburg, Russia: so much opulence built on the back of the long and bloody history of the Romanov dynasty. Your favourite South African restaurant? The Pot Luck Club: great food, great atmosphere, awesome chef, and a view second to none of the Cape Town CBD. What’s the last meal you ate there? Everything on the menu. It’s that kind of menu. What are your plans for summer 2017? To experience the Christmas markets in cold and snowy Europe. The last item you bought for your home that filled you with happiness? A set of Riedel glasses. What is the one item that is always on hand in your fridge? Champagne. What is…

WHEN YOU FIRST VISITED BERLIN IN 1999, THE FIRST PLACE YOU WENT TO SEE WAS A BUNKER: THE HOCHBUNKER ON PALLASSTRASSE. Hardly a place that would top most tourists’ list: a concrete colossus, graffiti- and water-stained, partially overgrown with ivy, sitting underneath a block of ’70s social housing – the latter crouching over the grey structure without touching it. You first encountered this structure when watching, as an entranced adolescent, the Wim Wenders film Wings of Desire, in which it features fleetingly. You’d rather not see the film again; its somewhat overblown imagery might impress you less than when you were 17 and easily hypnotised by continental auteurs. The bunker itself, unmediated by film, has, however, never disappointed you. So there you stood, and have stood many times since, witnessing…

“THE PEOPLE OF AFRICA HAVE TO DEFINE HOW THEY ARE GOING TO ENGAGE WITH THE MUSEUM AND ON WHAT TERMS.” “ACCESS FOR ALL IS A MAJOR COMMITMENT OF THE MUSEUM.” “THIS IS A PLATFORM, AND WE WANT TO INVITE VIEWPOINTS.” “TODAY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LAUNCH MOMENT THAT MY STUDIO HAS EVER HAD - AND WE'VE BEEB GOING FOR 33YEARS.” This, a statement from lead architect Thomas Heatherwick of renowned London-based architecture firm Heatherwick Studio as he introduces us to the monumental space that is the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. In fact, it is the first time that Thomas has seen the completed project since he got involved with it more than 12 years ago, and it is more powerful in reality than even he…

Fifties-style ice-cream shades are back in vogue, and The Sorbet Collection by Le Creuset is bang on-trend. The cool colour palette of this collection, which comes in various gift sets, includes the pastel favourites Coastal Blue, Cool Mint and Chiffon Pink; the familiar neutrals Cotton and Dune; and a brand-new buttery yellow shade called Mimosa. Le Creuset South Africa has a theory as to why throwback elements play a role in modern lifestyle trends: “The continual news flow from social media creates a very dynamic and non-stop environment. To counterbalance this, there is a natural and growing tendency to look back with love on the memories and experiences we hold dear from our past.” The Sorbet Collection includes mugs, square dishes, ice-cream bowls, mini ramekins, mini cocottes, mini bowls, fridge…

Raymond Weil has been creating luxury watches for 40 years. The brand is known for paying homage to the likes of music legends such as David Bowie, Buddy Holly and The Beatles. Recently, local musician Majozi was announced as the South African Raymond Weil ambassador. “His understated sophistication and attention to detail resonate with Raymond Weil, and we’re proud to be associated with such a star,” says Jennifer Moss of Picot & Moss, local stockist of Raymond Weil and other exclusive watch brands. • raymond-weil.com/en • picotandmoss.co.za High-end watches are coveted for their beauty and intricacy, which makes the opening of a new Patek Phillippe showroom on the upper level of Sandton City Shopping Centre, near the opulent Diamond Walk, a notable addition to the lineup. Now, aspiring watch collectors can learn…

When Houtlander debuted a new collection at 100% Design South Africa in August, furniture makers Phillip Hollander and Stephen Wilson not only attracted attention for their craftsmanship but also won the Best Furniture Design Award for their Coronation bench. The furniture they exhibited drew on Scandinavian traditions. The pieces, all made of oak, a durable wood with a lovely grain, are minimalist, functional and sturdy. “We aim to make furniture that will last a long time,” says Phillip. The duo started out making furniture in a garage, and have now become full-scale manufacturers. “We have worked with almost any material imaginable,” says Phillip. “In a way that gives us a good understanding of how material should and shouldn’t be used. We see ourselves more as makers who have learnt how…

There’s a new “trading post” along the R45 road between Paarl and Franschhoek, Die Handelshuis at Groot Drakenstein. This welcome attraction where there were once two derelict buildings is home to a number of businesses, among them an architect and a garden designer’s studios, and in a former barn the wonderfully eclectic Barn & Werf. The glowing chandeliers are what pull many people into her decor shop, says owner Vicki Bell, an expert in finding beautiful old and new collectibles, pieces that are authentic and have integrity. She is excited about being part of this new venture in the Paarl-Franschhoek valley, which she describes as a magical, magnificent place. One of her favourite pieces in the shop at the moment is an oak kist from England with the perfect patina…

“You don’t have to sacrifice style when it comes to security,”says Karina Palmer, Marketing Director at American Shutters. Safety is important, but no one wants to live in a home that resembles a high-security prison. The new Security Shutter range from American Shutters provides an elegant solution for homeowners who place equal emphasis on safety and style. “Our new shutters may look like our classic wooden window shutters, but they are made of architectural-grade aluminium, creating a tough barrier in windows and doorways,”says Karina. The aluminium is powder-coated in a satin white matte finish, a charcoal matte or textured finish, or customised colour options to match the beauty of timber shutters. The corrosion-resistant finish means that security shutters can be installed both inside and outside. “Many clients opt to install…

How have you kept LIM relevant for two decades? Through hard work, commitment and passion. I am still in the store every day. We constantly change and update our ranges, as well as our in-store and shop-window displays. In this day and age of social media, it is easy to keep abreast of international trends, which we interpret to suit LIM. And we listen to our customers, which often results in inspiration for a new piece or range of furniture. How do you balance exclusivity and accessibility? A customer can select the most economical piece of furniture we offer and still have the option to customise the dimensions and finishes, which makes it exclusive yet accessible. What is your current favourite piece? Our oak shelf unit with steel-wrapped shelves that…

Ihaven’t seen snow like this in ages. When I checked the Bavarian meteorological report a couple of days before the trip to BMW’s Holy Grail in Munich, it showed beer-garden weather. Now, at the top of the 1 570 m-high Roßfeldpanoramastraße (Rossfeld panorama road), the temperature in the cockpit of the (closed) BMW 430i Convertible shows a bone-chilling -6,5°C. Snow on the roads is the reason for the remounting of winter tyres, restricting autobahn speeds to 240 km/h – according to a sticker in the middle console. The new face-lifted two-door retain quite a few design elements of the 2012 BMW Concept 4-Series Coupé. There are hexagonal full LED headlights now, and for the first time in the 4-series full LED rear lights, which are perfectly visible, even in a…

IN HIGH SPIRITS Boschendal 10-Year-Old Potstill Brandy is best savoured neat or perhaps with an ice cube – no Coke for this one. Strong cheeses, rich dishes and decadent chocolate mousse are just some of the perfect culinary accompaniments to this deep amber liquor. • R600 • boschendal.com Biostilla Craft Organic Gin is a premium Italian gin made in the London dry style, with the addition of Mediterranean botanicals to add complexity. Featuring juniper berry, citrus and floral notes, this gin should be on your shopping list for summer – to be enjoyed over ice or with a splash of premium tonic. • R350 • biostilla.com Herradura Reposado Tequila is a premium barrel-aged Mexican tequila that is surprisingly smooth.. To make a Paloma cocktail, fill a lowball glass with ice, add 2 parts Herradura…