Tabla de contenidos para August 2016 en Ideas

I have seldom in my life been as knee-deep in paint swatches, wall measurements, light catalogues, furniture websites, showrooms and mood boards as this year. And especially while there’s been nothing on the go at my own home. First it was my friend who always swore she would never buy anything that needed any work, but then fell in love with a mountain plot with the most gorgeous sea views. The only things missing were a builder and a heap of ideas. And so I helped long distance with the building, sourcing, choosing colours and giving advice until eventually I could go and visit a brand-new hillside house that at the same time felt very familiar. A few months later and I’m doing it all again. This time Carin and…

VEGETABLES: asparagus, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, new potatoes, onions, parsnips, peas, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, spring onions, Swiss chard, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips. FRUIT: avocados, bananas, Cape gooseberries, grenadillas, grapefruits, guavas, kiwi fruit, lemons, limes, loquats, naartjies, oranges, pawpaws, pineapples. HERBS: bay leaves, dandelion, fennel, chives, lavender, lemongrass, marjoram, mint, nasturtiums, origanum, parsley, perennial basil, rocket, rosemary, sage, sorrel, thyme. FLOWERS AVAILABLE IN AUGUST: alstroemeria, anemones, arum lilies, banksia, berzelia, blombos, blushing bride, buxiflora, calendula, carnations, chincherinchees, chrysanthemums, daffodils, delphiniums, ericas, freesias, gerbera, golden rod, gypsophila, heather, hypericum, iris, Irish bells, lace flowers, larkspurs, orchids, pincushions, proteas, snapdragons, statice, St Joseph lily, strelitzias, stocks, sweet williams, sweetpeas, tuberose, tulips, sterretjies, leucadendrons.…

Jewellery with a twist Liandri Fouché is the creative designer behind this eclectic jewellery range, called NANA. Orders can be customised. • Contact her on 084 252 4194 or go to freidesign.co.za. Warm treat for winter Need something sweet, warm and indulgent to ward off the winter blues? Visit a Marcel’s Store nationwide. They now serve hot toasted waffles topped with two scoops of your favourite Marcel’s Frozen Yoghurt for R36. Add extra toppings or sauce for an even more decadent treat. DECORATOR'S DELIGHT The new The Beautiful Life Store in 4th Avenue, Parkhurst, Johannesburg, is filled with interesting, finely crafted products from ceramics to napkins. If you’re looking for a gorgeous gift this is the place to visit. • For more information, go to thebeautifullifestore.co.za. CERAMIC WONDERLAND The new…

Put the eggs into a saucepan and cover them with cold water. They should be covered by at least 2cm of water. Bring to the boil over a medium to high heat. As soon as the water starts to boil, set the timer. Reduce the heat if necessary to maintain a steady but gentle simmer. If the water boils too rapidly, the shells will crack. Cook for 2 minutes for soft-boiled eggs. Cook for 4½ to 5 minutes for medium-cooked eggs that are still a bit soft in the centre. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. Remove the eggs from the hot water and immediately place them under cold running water. Transfer the eggs to a bowl of iced water and leave them there for a couple…

Makes: about 150ml Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 12-15 minutes • 125g butter • 2 large egg yolks • 15ml lemon juice • 15ml white wine vinegar • 5ml Dijon mustard (optional) Melt the butter. Skim and remove the white solids from the surface. Whisk the egg yolks, lemon juice and vinegar together in a bowl. Add 5ml cold water and a pinch of salt. Add the mustard, if using. Put the bowl over a saucepan of lightly simmering water. The bottom of the bowl should not touch the water. Whisk the mixture over the heat for about 3 minutes, then start adding the melted butter, a little at a time, whisking well after each addition. (If you see that the sauce is starting to split during the cooking…

TOMATO SOUP WITH HERBS DE PROVENCE Recipe inspired by THE LITTLE PARIS BOOKSHOP by Nina George. A bookseller with a floating bookstore prescribes novels to his customers as a kind of medication for the problems they have in their lives. He travels through France to Provence on his barge in search of his lost love, prescribing books as he goes. We focused on some of the delicious ingredients popular in Provence to create a tomato soup and tasty vegetable tarts. There are also a few recipes in the book that would be ideal to serve at a book-club gathering. Serves: 8 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes • 45ml olive oil • 2 onions, chopped • 3 cloves garlic, crushed • 2 sticks celery, chopped • 1 carrot,…

TWO-TONE SHIFT This three-quarter-sleeved shift dress is the perfect hero item for every wardrobe. It suits most body types and is very versatile. STATEMENT SHIRT Everyone should own one well-fitting white shirt – but it doesn’t have to be boring. Look for one that you can also wear as a dress, or even as a lightweight coat. BACK TO BLACK A classic LBD (little black dress) with a twist is a must-have for everyone. TROUSERS ON TREND Wide-legged trousers worn with heels will immediately make you look taller. This houndstooth pair adds a little drama too.…

VINTAGE-STYLE WARDROBE Use a simple paint technique to turn a wardrobe into a focal point. DIFFICULTY: easy TIME: 1-2 days (with drying time) YOU WILL NEED • water-based paint in the colours of your choice • paintbrush • paint scraper • rough sandpaper • candle • water-based varnish (optional) TO MAKE 1 If your wardrobe is unpainted, you first need to paint it in the colour you want to be visible where the top coat ‘peels off’. Ours had already been painted cream and we could skip this step. 2 Rub candle wax over the areas where you want the paint to ‘peel’ to reveal the bottom coat. Focus on the edges and corners where the paint would naturally wear away first. 3 Paint the entire cupboard, including the waxed…

DIFFICULTY: challenging TIME: one day Use the template on page 78 and adjust it to the size of the back board (ours is 60 x 80cm). Mark the pattern onto the back board and the foam with a pencil. Drill holes in the board where you’ve made the marks. Use the plastic pipe to punch corresponding holes through the foam. Place the foam on the board, lining up the holes, and use the staple gun to secure the foam to the board. Start in the middle on one side and then staple the corners on the same side. Repeat on the opposite side. Continue stapling in a criss-cross way, pulling the foam taut, and then repeat for the remaining two sides. Place the fabric over the foam. Press the fabric…

MAKE YOUR OWN FRAME LOOM DIFFICULTY: average TIME: about 1 week YOU WILL NEED • wooden picture frame • thin dowel • suitable cotton or nylon cord for the warp • cotton cord and a variety of wool for the weft • needle with a large eye • wide-toothed comb • ruler and marking pen • scissors • tools (pliers, handsaw, and so on) Remove the glass and back board from the picture frame – you will be working with only the frame. Measure and mark 1cm intervals along the top and bottom edges of the frame with the ruler and marking pen. We fitted in 25 marks. Start and end a short distance from the sides of the frame so there is a large enough space to fit your…

IDEAS magazine, you got me started on something... A while ago, a friend presented me with several Ideas magazines, one dating back to November 2009. I paged through that issue and, to my joy, discovered that it was the one that included a pattern for a calico spotty dog. At the time I was, in fact, looking for patterns for soft toys or something I could make with materials that would cost me less than the mohair teddies I was making, and it had to be something I could make all year round. I could really only work on the mohair teddies in winter, as the fabric was too hot and uncomfortable to work with during the summer months. Also, for the six months prior to that November I had…

First choice I had two toss-ups. As a photographer and principal of a photography school I had the choice of going out early in the morning, which I adore, for a photoshoot in the dust and mist, or I could slide deeper beneath our fluffy, soft, mulberry-coloured blanket and lay low. The blanket won. The next toss-up was which magazine to open and read first. I subscribe to a travel magazine and Ideas. Both arrive in our postbox on the same day. Choices, choices! Ideas won hands down. Two hours later I had read it from cover to cover (I never read it halfway), I had oohed and aahed over all the delightful creativity and folded over the corners of some pages. The first issue I bought was November 2015…

Accessorize 021 447 7718 Call It Spring 021 551 1527, 031 584 7431 Exclusive Books 011 798 0000 H&M 086 0690 707 Habits 021 671 7330 Maizey Plastics 086 1100 420 Mango 021 418 0916 MRP Home 0800 21 25 35 Plan B Vintage 082 491 3677 Super Floral 021 510 7759, 011 613 4046 The Deckle Edge 021 180 4442 The Space 011 783 1935, 021 674 6643 Weylandts 011 467 8001, 021 425 5282 White Rabbit Days 079 665 3850 Woolworld 021 448 4004 Woolworths 0860 022 002 Zara 011 302 1500, 021 446 8700…

It’s early on a Monday morning when we drive in under branches full of glorious autumn leaves to Wilna’s house-in-a-barn on the family farm Riverside between Paarl and Franschhoek. The large barn door is open to welcome us and although we don’t immediately see our hostess, we are greeted enthusiastically by the great Danes, Kohler and Hendrik, and a flock of Swedish bantams. They all look very much at home in the large space that is Wilna’s bedroom, lounge, dining room and semi kitchen. I say ‘semi’, because this is the type of house that stylists love – there is no stove, fridge or washing machine to spoil the picture. We simply smile, because this is how we know Wilna. She styles a room without even realising that’s what she’s…

Makes: 4 Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 5 minutes • 1 litre of water • 45ml white vinegar • 4 large eggs, as fresh as possible Half fill a saucepan with water. Add the vinegar and bring to a gentle simmer on the stove. Crack one egg into a small bowl. Swirl the water in the saucepan and then pour the egg gently into the simmering water. Repeat with the remaining eggs. Simmer gently for 3½ to 5 minutes or until the yolks are cooked to your liking. Remove the eggs from the water with a slotted spoon. Drain on absorbent paper and serve hot.…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH HULETTS DIFFICULTY: medium TIME: 20 minutes YOU WILL NEED • cupcake, curd and meringue recipes on facing page • small saucepan • clean pastry brush • sugar thermometer (or use ice water to do a ball test) • stand mixer or electric hand beater Place the Huletts Castor Sugar and water in a saucepan and stir over medium to high heat until the sugar has dissolved. Brush down any crystals from the sides of the pan with a little water and a clean pastry brush. Bring to the boil without stirring. Simmer for about 5 minutes, keeping the thermometer in the syrup. When the sugar syrup reaches 113o C, beat the egg whites in a large, clean, grease-free bowl until stiff peaks form. Once the syrup reaches…

DIFFICULTY: easy TIME: 15 minutes Cut a square from decorative paper – ours is 9 x 9cm – and place it in front of you with the wrong side facing upwards. Fold the paper in half lengthways. Fold it open and then fold it in half widthways. Fold it open again. Fold the bottom edge up to the centre, turn the paper over and fold the bottom right-hand corner to the centre. Fold the bottom left-hand corner to the centre. Turn the paper over again. Fold the bottom corner up to meet the top edge. Turn over the paper again. Press the small right-hand flap slightly open and press it flat. Do the same with the left-hand flap. Fold over the top right-hand corner to the top edge. Do the…

YOU WILL NEED • old trunk or sturdy suitcase • craft paint, sponge roller and small paintbrush for hard-to-reach places • 4 PAR timber support battens (about 22 x 96mm; the length will depend on the trunk measurements) • 4 woodscrews (20mm) • 2 pieces hardboard (cut 10mm smaller than the bottom and lid of the trunk) • fabric and batting • staple gun • screw-in cup hooks • hanging rail or lightweight curtain rod • giftwrap or coloured paper • decoupage medium (such as Mod Podge) • double-sided tape • rubber feet and swivel castor wheels (optional) 1 Paint the outside of the trunk and allow the paint to dry thoroughly. 2 Using the woodscrews, screw the support battens horizontally to the back of the hardboard, lining them up…

The kitchen is the heart of any home. It’s where we cook, bake and spend time with family and friends. Why not give your kitchen the love it deserves with pretty accessories and practical items that can be sewn quickly and easily? Add a pop of colour to your kitchen by turning your tea towels into eye-catching works of art (or a beautiful gift) by adding some decorative stitching. All you need is the special embroidery presser foot #20 for your Bernina and you are guaranteed perfect stitching every time. Oven mitts are a must in every kitchen. And they’re so easy to make. The Bernina walking foot helps you to create quilted fabric effortlessly as it works wonders with fabric layers. Have some fun with fabric muffins that you…

CROCHET SHAWL SIZE: Designed in one size: 230cm wide along the long edge and 115cm long, measured vertically from the long edge to the triangle tip YOU WILL NEED • Cowgirlblues Variegated Lace Yarns were used for this shawl. Different qualities of their lace yarns were combined – we used 2 x100g skeins of Merino Lace Single and 1 x 100g skein of 2ply Merino Lace. • Colours: Forest Glade (A), Mountain Blooms (B) and Spring Flowers (C ) • 1 x 25g ball of Cowgirlblues Kidsilk Semi-Solid in Sable • 3mm crochet hook • tapestry needle ABBREVIATIONS TENSION We didn’t worry too much about the tension and simply worked the crochet with a 3mm hook. TO MAKE Special notes The shawl is worked as a triangle starting in the…

A couple of years ago I worked with a small company making handblown glass objects from recycled glass. Their work was beautiful but it wasn’t selling very well. On closer examination it became obvious they didn’t understand their market. They thought they were making art pieces for wealthy tourists and frowned on requests from locals for more functional items like jugs and vases. They saw themselves as artists and believed anything ‘touristy’ would devalue their work. We did a simple market research exercise together for a month, to find out who their customers really were. We asked five questions: Who was the customer? What were they buying? How much were they spending? When and where did they shop? New or repeat customer? We collected enough information on a spreadsheet to…

We’re back at JanHarmsgat se Agterplaas from Friday afternoon 26 August to Sunday afternoon 28 August for a weekend packed with creative inspiration and good company. And of course at least two completed crochet projects to take home with you. To be able to fully appreciate this fun weekend of crocheting and creativity, you must be able to do the basic crochet stitches, or come with someone who can help you learn as we go along. Your getaway, with accommodation, all meals and materials included (although you’re welcome to bring your own yarn too), will cost you R2 850 for a single room and R2 650 per person sharing. Invite your friend, sister or daughter to join you and book your place. We only have space for 30 people –…

joythebaker.com Joy Wilson is a self-taught baker, turned professional baker, turned food photographer and cookbook author. She does most of her living, working, eating, cocktailing and related horsing around in New Orleans ‘deep in the French Quarter, inspired by the people, the culture, and the beignets’. On her blog you’ll find sweet and savoury seasonal recipes, a few cocktail recipes, a sprinkling of the books she reads and the lipstick she’s into. Food and life . . . and more food. theinspiredroom.net Melissa Michaels is budget conscious but also appreciates good design and a well-kept home, and doesn’t think that having all three is impossible. She and her husband are remodelling a 1950s cottage and she shares tips for decorating, homemaking and organisation, and posts on topics like how to…

   SET THE SCENE Set a table with tongue-in-cheek egg elements in white, bright yellow and black. We drew simple line drawings on graph paper and used that as our tablecloth. Paper egg cutouts were placed here and there on the table and we displayed our ‘egg academy’ coat of arms on the blackboard. We hung up an egg piñata and decorated some lampshades with egg pictures to add to the fun. AMAZING EGG FACTS • Eggs are one of the healthiest foods you can eat. They are also the most versatile and economical source of high quality protein in our diet. • Eggs contain the highest quality food protein known. Eggs are second only to mother’s milk for human nutrition. • In addition to the nine essential amino acids…

Makes: 12 Preparation time: 1 hour Cooking time: 2 hours 10 minutes, plus drying time Oven temperature: 70o C • 6 large eggs whites, at room temperature • 110g (125ml) castor sugar • pinch of cream of tartar Put the egg whites into a clean bowl and add the castor sugar and cream of tartar. Put the bowl over a saucepan of lightly simmering water. The water should not touch the base of the bowl. Use an electric hand mixer to beat the mixture over the simmering water for about 5 minutes until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is thick. Remove from the heat and continue to beat for about 6 minutes until very thick and stiff peaks form. Turn over two large muffin trays and spray the…

LEMON MERINGUE CUPCAKES Makes: 12 – 16 Preparation time: 1 hour + cooling time Oven temperature: 170o C Baking time: 15 minutes CUPCAKES • 125g butter • 250ml Huletts Yellow Sugar • 2 large eggs • 250g self-raising flour • 5ml baking powder • 250ml milk • 15ml vanilla essence 1 Cream the butter and Huletts Yellow Sugar together. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 2 Sift the flour and baking powder together and add to the creamed sugar mixture alternately with the milk and vanilla essence. 3 Spoon into paper-lined muffin tins and bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until light golden brown or a skewer inserted comes out clean. 4 Leave to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before…

CURATE YOUR TREASURED SOUVENIRS of your wedding in a memory box and journal. We made our memory box with a touch of Chanel as inspiration, but you can decorate yours to reflect your wedding colours and theme. IDEAS FOR KEEPSAKES Offcuts and buttons from your wedding dress and your bridesmaids’ dresses, a special piece of jewellery, a photo of the two of you, photos of your parents and other family members, and a pressed flower from your bouquet. WEDDING JOURNAL Make your own wedding journal and use it as a diary, notebook for wedding to-do lists and scrapbook for mementos. YOU WILL NEED • old hardcover book such as a love story or poetry collection • 80gsm paper in the colour of your choice (or download our paper, to-do and…

FOUNDATION Lifespan: Liquid or cream foundation will keep for 8-12 months after first opening it. If it remains sealed it can last for years. Powder foundation can last up to two years. Why it should go: Bacteria grows happily in foundation, especially when it’s not sealed or closed properly. Foundations with a screw top have a shorter lifespan than those with pump action lids. Throw it out when. . . your foundation thickens, becomes lumpy or runnier, turns oily or watery, separates or has changed colour. CONCEALER Lifespan: 1-2 years. A cream-based concealer stick or powder will keep longer than a liquid concealer. Why it should go: Concealers should cover marks and blemishes, not cause them! But this is exactly what will happen if you keep them past their expiration…

BULLDOG BOARD Clip your art supplies onto a noticeboard for an organised studio. DIFFICULTY: average TIME: half an hour Nail rows of bulldog clips to a board made from old wooden planks and use the clips to hang up your paint tubes. It’ll keep the tubes neat and you can see all the colours at a glance. tip We spray painted our clips with a few coats of copper paint before nailing them in place. Use a spray paint that is suitable for a metal surface. RIBBON LATTICE A few strips of ribbon and an art canvas are all you need for this noticeboard. DIFFICULTY: easy TIME: one hour YOU WILL NEED • block-mounted canvas • ribbon in the colours and designs of your choice • staple gun • ruler…

STORAGE HOOPS DIFFICULTY: easy TIME: half a day YOU WILL NEED • 3 embroidery hoops (we used hoops 14, 21 and 27cm in diameter) • 3 fabric remnants of your choice • matching machine thread • polyester stuffing • fabric marking pen • cardboard • glue gun • masking tape • strong toothpicks COTTON REELS   1 We arranged 11 cotton reels around a 21cm hoop, but you can use more or fewer, as you prefer. Take 11 toothpicks and cut off about 1cm from each. Make sure they are all the same length. 2 Open the hoop to its widest without taking it apart. Cut 11 narrow strips of masking tape to use as markers that can be removed easily later without leaving a blemish (washi tape also works…

GIFT IN A JAR Q What can I do with my old glass jars? A USE THEM FOR GIFTS. HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS: Food mixtures. Fill the jar with the dry ingredients for home-made biscuits, sweets, chai, hot chocolate or a soup mixture, so the recipient simply has to add the wet ingredients. Attach the recipe to the jar. Terrariums. Create a small garden in a jar with cactuses or succulents. Place a layer of stones on the bottom of the jar, followed by a layer of moss and then cactus soil (available from nurseries). Add the plants. Sewing container with pincushion. Fill the jar with cotton reels and other small sewing items. Make a pincushion for the lid by stuffing a round piece of fabric with sponge and…

Life is too short. This might be a cliché for some, but the global anti-consumerism trend seems to have made professionals more aware of the deeper meaning of those four words. While many of us use them lightheartedly whenever we refer to bad coffee, boring books or toxic relationships, they have also become the mantra of professionals who started questioning the rat race, and the vicious cycle of materialism that sparks little joy and generally leaves them with no time to do the things they love. Having considered their priorities, the four former professionals we spoke to all came to exactly this conclusion: life is too short to be a stuck in a job that you don’t love. And so they swapped professional careers for something that makes them tick,…