Table of contents for VISI 111 in Visi

So hand sup, who needs a holiday? Given the year we ve all had, I m pretty sure you re holding VISI in one hand and have the other in the air. Me, I’d go back to the Greek islands in a heartbeat. We’ve had some of our most memorable holidays there: Kefalonia, Lefkada and Asos in the Ionian Sea; and Naxos and Santorini in the Aegean. But – yup – that’s not going to happen this festive season, so like most South Africans, we’re planning to spend our time off in a local setting. And that’s not a bad thing: we live in a beautiful country with a diverse array of holiday options that even the most indifferent of us could not take for granted. We’ll be taking a…

If there’s one thing that tends to rile up architect Jo Noero, it’s a waste of space. “I am sick and tired of overblown, expensive houses that serve no purpose other than to satisfy the misplaced ambitions of their owners and architects,” he says. “We live in a world of diminishing resources, and we need to marshal what we have as carefully as possible. We should reduce the footprint of the houses in which we live.” It’s predominantly for this reason that, in his almost four decades as an architect, Jo has mostly steered clear of residential projects, focusing instead on structures that have an impact on the greater public – works such as the West Coast Fossil Park, a minimalist, sprawling place, partially sunken into the excavated site on…

“But why, mama?” This was our chosen battle cry as we were marched to church services every Christmas till I was about 10 years old, dressed in the brightest, newest designs from Ackermans and Edgars, shoes polished to a mirror finish, freshly gelled S-curl hairstyles, sulking facial expressions completing the look. For the next four to five hours, we would be stuck in a hot church with a single spinning fan hanging on for dear life as it twisted and turned in an attempt to keep us cool in the stifling December heat. This was Christmas. Until it wasn’t. When I turned 10, something in my parents clicked. They started to allow my brother and me more freedoms to read about other religions and other cultural practices. We were no…

holiday homes evoke images of blissful summer days filled with nothing but hours spent on the beach and sipping homemade (somewhat punchy) lemonade to keep cool. And this Buffelsbaai beachside gem most certainly lives up to that billing, ticking all the boxes for what’s required to ensure that the Ferreiras’ getaways are always restful, invigorating and, quite simply, a holiday. An existing structure was demolished on this third-generation property to make way for a new home for the family. Richly reflective of the opportunities and constraints of the landscape, the design of the house was inspired by the sea and the milkwood forest that surrounds it. As lead architect Guillaume Pienaar of Pinard Architecture says, the house skilfully combines “natural materials, colours and textures: natural timber, off-shutter concrete, rope and…

“ONCE WE FIND THE LOCATION, EVERYTHING ELSE FOLLOWS.” – DESIGNER EVI ELSNER AN INTIMATE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SMALL COASTAL TOWN OF YZERFONTEIN has made Evi Elsner something of an expert when it comes to creating beach homes in this idyllic enclave. Originally from Germany, Evi and her husband Jochem lived in Somerset West for 15 years before relocating to Yzerfontein, where they established themselves as sought-after dream-house developers. Combining architectural, interior design and building skills, the husband-and-wife team found a winning formula: Home Concept, their business, starts from the ground up, quite literally. They find a special piece of land, plan and design the structure, furnish the space, and only then find a buyer. The house is handed over complete, down to cutlery in the kitchen drawers and food in the…

It’s rather unusual to have to present one’s portfolio before being accepted to tenant a building. But that was the process favoured by Richard Lemkus, whose family owns the Exchange Building – a 1930s building on Cape Town’s St George’s Mall, where 85-year-old sneaker store Jack Lemkus occupies the ground floor. “I want the Exchange to be a collaborative environment, so I felt that it was necessary to curate the experience,” says Richard. The portfolios of interior curator and creative consultant Maybe Corpaci (responsible for furnishing The Nest on the cover of VISI 109) and her partner, sculptural artist Rodan Kane Hart, made the right impression: they took over the entire top storey on the sixth floor. It was to become their new home and Rodan’s studio, and would also…

Featuring more than 260 photographs, Zanele Muholi’s exhibition at London’s Tate Modern museum showcases two decades of images in which they have masterfully and truthfully documented themselves and the lives of the LGBTQI community. Zanele’s work is a carefully created world in which identity and the quest to give a voice to the voiceless take centre stage. One of the most prolific contemporary South African artists and LGBTQI activists, Zanele is part of a generation whose survival allows many new artists to tell their stories today. “Photography has allowed me to express myself in a way that I would not have been able to had I used another medium,” they say. “I knew that something important had to happen with my work, but I didn’t know it would end up…

The opportunity to fuse her aesthetic eye for fashion with home decor is something Palesa Mokubung describes as the realisation of a dream. The local fashion designer was the first African brand to partner with global retailer H&M in 2019 – a collaboration that cemented the footprint of her brand, Mantsho, firmly in the world of fashion. Now, with Palesa’s keen eye for design guiding the way, Mantsho has moved into the decor realm in partnership with Airloom. The collaboration is born out of mutual respect. “I chose to work with Airloom because they are the best at what they do,” says Palesa. “I also wanted to create accessible, quality lifestyle pieces – and Airloom caters to that.” Rose Bradshaw of Airloom echoes this sentiment, and describes the joint venture…

MARK SERRA CREATIVE DIRECTOR What are you most looking forward to doing during your December holiday? My holiday will be all about doing what I have not done this year. The time off will give me space for my family, my friends, and most importantly myself. It’s a time to reflect, unplug, be carefree, celebrate, do some memorable things – and take many afternoon naps! An architect recently told us, “The most wonderful thing about VISI is the sheer artistry with which each page is laid out.” We wholeheartedly agree – and that artistry belongs to the one and only Mark Serra, VISI’s creative director. Mark brings his decades of experience in magazines to bear on every layout he designs, and his creativity takes everything the rest of the team…

There’s an irony to writing a piece on “Dezember”, the sea-celebrate-sun holiday season, and what this means to South Africans. I’d have to live at the bottom of a well to be unaware of the frenzied energy that seizes the nation every year around mid-December, peaking over Christmas and New Year. Yet I’ve never been part of this bubble and buzz. Growing up, I must have been the only white middle-class suburban child whose family didn’t take holidays. This was due to fiscal restrictions, a menagerie of animals, and eccentric priorities. If we went anywhere during school holidays, it was to accompany my botanist father on plant-collecting trips to deserted corners of the country. Mostly, however, the December holidays presented an opportunity for us to stay home and read voraciously.…

The Hout Bay home that creative director, interior designer and curator Tracy Lynch and husband Frank van Reenen (the equally off-the-charts artist, sculptor and animator) share with their teenage daughter Franny perfectly expresses their unique view on the world. As founder of Studio LeeLynch and the creative director of Nando’s Design Programme, much of Tracy’s is work is about reinvention; Frank’s is also inventive, but with a side order of dark, playful and wacky. Three years ago, when they decided to swap their inner-city Victorian home in Cape Town for a spacious out-of-towner, they were looking for a well-designed space they could move into immediately. “A new, modern space is contrary to anything we’d ever lived in before, but as my days are creatively charged, I was hankering after something…

SOUTHOOWNS Residential Estate in Irene, developed on the grounds of a former a dairy farm, has strict aesthetic guidelines. They require that new houses relate architecturally to the “turn of the century” Irene architectural vernacular at the heart of the estate’s identity. They add, however, that a contemporary interpretation of the guidelines is encouraged. The order and uniformity of the architecture are part of what attracted businessman Albé Geldenhuys to the estate; but when he commissioned Mathews + Associates Architects led by Pieter Mathews, he encouraged them to “think out of the box”. Pieter immediately noticed the prominence of the site Albé had selected and its importance to the character of the estate. It’s on a circle where three roads converge, demanding a certain architectural presence. At the same time,…

In January 2020, the first Okra Candle moulds were produced. “It’s about childhood memories combined with traditions that add fire to adult dreams,” says Okra Candle’s Michelle du Preez. Her background in TV production and luxury events helped her spot a gap in the South African market for something different when it comes to candles – and combining her eye for detail and design with co-founder Erik Rust’s background in biochemistry and computer-aided design soon brought Okra Candle to life. “Until recently, each candle that left our Somerset West studio was modelled, moulded, refined, hand-poured and packaged by Erik and me,” says Michelle. “But our team is growing! We’ve opened a weekend getaway studio in Ceres; it’s managed by our two new candle-makers, Ilze Rust and Celia Potgieter. And Keisha…

You have previously stressed that collaboration is an important element of the Tiaan Nagel brand. Can you tell us a bit more? The premise of the brand has always been about working with like-minded people in a sophisticated way. So far, I have been fortunate enough to work with amazing people in a relaxed environment, with nothing forced or contrived. From a creative-process point of view, it’s very important – it layers the conversation and enriches the thinking and possibilities. Then, from a product point of view, it forces a level of compromise where both people operate outside their comfort zone. It’s challenging, but the product ends up being more interesting. What do you mean by “interesting”? Not “more complex” – if we did that, we failed. Collaborations are not…

Parkhurst’s 7th Avenue has become a bit of a haven for design in Johannesburg, and the arrival of the spectacular new showroom for Oggie has taken the suburb’s design status to a new level. Created by Carl Jacobsz of architects C76, and with interiors by Megan Hesse and Andrea Kleinloog of HK Studio, the sprawling structure of wood, glass and abundant vegetation is the perfect setting for Oggie’s marvellous wooden flooring options. The building, which faces 7th Avenue, rises up from the street in a series of brick and glass boxes that are framed in a connected façade of shoji screen-like wooden apertures, shielding yet also ever so elegantly revealing what might be going on inside the interior spaces. Inside it is a glorious expression of light, and Parkhurst’s abundance…

Babylonstoren’s new subterranean tunnel links the wine production cellar with the underground barrel storage, and provides more processing space for the winery’s extensive offering. As you head down into the tunnel, it’s clear that the design of the space was developed with the sights and sounds of winemaking firmly in mind. According to Chris Fick of Malherbe Rust Architects – part of the team behind the project – a key driver of the flow was accommodating the cellar tours that the farm runs daily, and which are central to celebrating real farm activities as part of the guest experience. The tunnel architecture adds to the immersive nature of the tours, during which visitors learn about farm processes. In the cellar, a terracotta-coloured concrete floor and exposed-brick walls support an undulating…

YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND Striking, classic and light (they’re hollow inside), these 18ct-gold-plated Georgie hoop earrings are one of our favourite designs by ultra-cool local brand Best Jewellery. PS: we’re coveting their new tote bag too! R2 190 | ourbestregards.com COFFEE COOL No genuine java aficionado should be without at least one (or more, as they come in different sizes) Italian-made Bialetti Moka Express pot. It’s a classic piece of design – and one of the world’s best ways to make a properly strong espresso. From R640 | bialetti.co.za ADD SPARKLE A definite cut above your usual carbonator in terms of looks, the Swedish-designed Aarke Carbonator II is available in six on-trend colours, including matte-black and rose-gold, and is compatible with a range of carbon-dioxide cylinders by all the major…

The wonders of Christmas on the Cape Flats are wrapped in big bows we call our family. This is an expensive present you get to enjoy for most of the year with love, as your cousins remain your best and closest friends for most of your life. Although a love-filled and happy childhood is not the tale of everyone who grew up on the outskirts of the Mother City, fortunately it is mine, and it has filled many of the holes usually masked with the commercial, superficial things that are splashed in our faces so regularly at this time of year. Every year, my aunt and three cousins would come to our tiny house in Belhar the day before Christmas to prepare for the festivities and have some much-needed bonding…

ARCHITECT GREG TRUEN’S HERITAGE FARMHOUSE IN THE KLEIN KAROO HAS BEEN RE-IMAGINED AS A COUNTRY RETREAT IN HARMONY WITH ITS PAST AND FUTURE. With a reputation for designing trailblazing buildings across the globe, Greg Truen and his partner Nancy Kashimoto chose to use a different approach when taking on the renovation of a 200-year-old farmhouse. Instead of putting their own contemporary spin on the structure, they breathed new life into the property in the most respectful way. “The idea was always to keep what I found on the farm as pure as possible,” says Greg. Lured by the charming building in Buffelsdrift, a farming district nestled between the Swartberg and Langeberg mountains, Greg embarked on a design and renovation process that spanned four years and would transform the neglected property…

1. LIFE MEETS ART: INSIDE THE HOMES OF THE WORLD’S MOST CREATIVE PEOPLE by Sam Lubell Phaidon, R1 000 This remarkable coffee-table book rounds up the private spaces of no less than 250 of the world’s most creative people – past and present – providing an unparalleled behind-the-scenes tour of some of the most fascinating, inspirational and unique interiors ever. With the homes of painters, sculptors, novelists, poets, fashion designers, composers, musicians, architects and more represented here, Life Meets Art is decor inspiration second to none. 2. ACCIDENTALLY WES ANDERSON by Wally Koval Trapeze, R1 050 Ever wondered whether acclaimed director Wes Anderson’s stylish sets had counterparts in real life? Author Wally Koval has discovered just such locations around the world, and collected Anderson-style photographs of them – as well…

Family-run Simon and Mary offers an extensive range of popular hats, but fourth-generation hatmaker Dean Pozniak has always wanted to bring a sustainable alternative to the business’s repertoire. After some in-depth research, which took him all the way to Mexico, Dean discovered a substitute to animal leather in the prickly arms of the Opuntia cacti, known in Spanish as nopal. In addition to being cruelty-free, non-toxic and partially biodegradable, the cactus leather is super-sustainable, as farming it uses much less water than farming animal leather. The new capsule collection consists of peak and bucket hats in three colours: beige, black and cactus green. “The material works beautifully with the styles we’ve gone for – the colours and shape,” Dean says. “We’ve also introduced a new ingot that features our Simon…

The launch of the Joburg Contemporary Art Foundation (JCAF) may have been delayed by lockdown, but there was something prescient about its up-to-the-minute online booking system and by-appointment approach that brilliantly facilitate pandemic protocols. And the foundation’s “slow art” perspective means the first exhibition will run until the end of January 2021, so there’s time to get there. Because businessmen and art collectors Gordon Schachat and Adi Enthoven (later joined by former MTN chairman Phuthuma Nhleko) are behind the foundation, you might have expected something similar to the recent spate of large-scale private museums that have opened locally, with individual collections at their heart – such as Zeitz, Norval and Javett. But the JCAF is emphatically not a vehicle for a private collection. (Schachat and Enthoven are partners in a…

VISI’S GIFT TO YOU One lucky VISI reader will receive a bottle of each of the Champagnes featured on this page, worth a total of R5 800. Go to visi.co.za/win to enter.…

Style Safari South African luggage, furniture and accessories brand Melvill & Moon creates products that speak of the glamour of a bygone era. These safari-inspired pieces make great gifts for lovers of the classic, the handmade and the retro. ANOTHER ROUND? A drumroll for the best bottle carrier/cooler shape in the world! Holding four bottles – or three with stacked glasses – the Djembe Wine Cooler (R1›980) is both versatile and practical for picnics, parties, beaches and birthdays. melvillandmoon.com STAY COOL A friendly two-bottle tote, the Side by Side Wine Cooler (R1›200) is perfect for taking along drinks when visiting friends. Just remember to bring it home with you at the end of the evening – or you’ll never see it again… MOVEABLE FEAST Travel legend Kingsley Holgate is a…