Thursday 31 May 2012

It's Sunflower Breakfast time again!


Monday 28 May 2012

Showroom/Offices to Let

56 Adrain Road, Durban

270 square metres in listed building, in excellent condition, in well- kept garden opposite park.

Limited on-site parking, unlimited off-site parking.


Air-conditioned, sprung wooden floors, trapeze lighting, sash windows and French doors, wrap around verandah.

Can be divided into smaller areas for the right tenant

Contact karrin@karrinhatfield.co.za Tel: 0837754555

Friday 25 May 2012

Grand Designs Live celebrates three years in South Africa



Its hard to believe that Grand Designs Live, brought to you by DSTV, celebrates its third year in South Africa this year and devotees of the ‘grandest’ event on the home design, décor, garden and building scene will be happy to know that the show returns to the Coca Cola Dome in May, as always promising to deliver a unique, award-winning home show packed with even more design and inspiration for your abode. Grand Designs Live 2012 is certainly taking it to an all-new level with a focus on interactivity, innovation, experts and trending.  In line with this, well known Johannesburg-based TV personality, designer and writer, Colin O’Mara has been commissioned to join the Grand Designs Live Team as Guest Editor of this years show – bringing even more creative flair to this grand affair!

Grand Designs Live Home & Garden Show brought to you by DSTV takes place from the 25th – 27th May 2012 and has become recognised as a not-to-be-missed event for anyone who is seeking to improve their home whether it be by renovating, building or simply re-decorating.  It's about being inspired by the latest and greatest in all areas of design for your home and garden, a place where experts that normally charge for their time are available and on hand to offer advice, and where the latest trends are showcased to make sure you are in the know when making decisions in the pursuit of your own Grand Design.

Anyone who has visited the show in the past knows that the best way to know which area you are in is by looking at the floor which is colour-coded to match the area you are in. This year Belgotex is the official floor sponsor of the show and will be providing grass in the garden section, and eco-friendly tiles in the build section.
Once again, firm favorites from previous shows will return, namely The Design Arcade – an area within Grand Designs Live, which focuses on featuring new up and coming products, companies and designers.  Come and see how you can transform your home and create the latest designer looks and discover distinctive, vibrant, bespoke pieces to decorate your home. 
This year Grand Bathrooms is a feature all of its own. It might be the smallest room in the house, but the bathroom is also one of the most important spaces in your home.  From elegant baths and stunning showers to designer basins and taps - the hottest designs and coolest technologies are on tap.  Experts are on hand to offer their advice on everything from planning the perfect bathroom to the latest energy-saving ideas.

Situated within the dedicated Grand Kitchens area is the Chefs Theatre, sponsored by Micah Kitchens and in association with Food and Home Entertaining Magazine and the South African Chefs Association.  Catch well-loved foodie Taryn Jackobi from Food and Home Entertaining Magazine as well as a stellar line-up of South African Chefs doing demonstrations and giving tips on how to cook the perfect meal - all within the magnificent state-of-the-art Micah kitchen.  This area gives you the opportunity to find everything you need to make your dream kitchen a reality.

Continuing with the foodie theme, one can take a bit of time out to sit down and enjoy the 6th Sense Bistro at Grand Designs Live sponsored by Whirlpool. This gorgeous café-style restaurant offers visitors delicious food in a tasteful setting. Our very own Culinary Team South Africa will be presenting and cooking the dishes in the 6th Sense Bistro, which is a ‘money can’t buy experience’ being cooked by the best in the industry over the 3 days at the show.  Guests are also urged to visit the Grand Gourmet in association with The Food Network area where you can get a taste of the most mouth-watering delights, taste and test the latest in foodie fare - all within a great market vibe.  Take this opportunity to stock up your larder with some genuine home grown goodies.  Right next door to Grand Gourmet is Grand Designs brand new Grand Shopping Boulevard – this area offers great decor items for visitors to add that finishing touch!

When walking into the Grand Build section of the show, visitors will find the brand new Builders DIY Theatre sponsored by Builders Express and Builders Warehouse which will be showcasing their very own experts, giving visitors their most up to date ideas when it comes to renovating and decorating their gardens and homes. Well know DIY guru  Aidan Bennetts will be giving the best tips in the business along with Janice Anderson from DIY Divas.

Within the Grand Interiors Section, the feature this year will be our groundbreaking Living Spaces  inspired by Design.   The idea for this much-loved feature of Grand Designs is to build six desired spaces within a home.    The spaces we have identified include a kiddies room, a powder room, a bachelor pad, a study , a library and a music room. Each room has been matched with a celebrity namely, Ashley Hayden, Bridget Masinga, Gregg Hammond, Mark Pilgrim, Bailey Schneider and Kahn Morbee from the Parlotones who will work closely with Colin O’Mara Davis to bring their room to life at Grand Designs Live.   We encourage visitors to pay a visit to the Grand Theatre in association with BBC Lifestyle and TLC to hear their favourite celebrity share their inspiration behind each design .

In the Grand Garden section at Grand Designs Live, there is a new addition, the Garden Meander, sponsored by PPC Cement and in association with The Gardener Magazine.  Here, Tanya Visser and the PPC team will be working with South Africa’s top landscapers to bring some amazing gardens to life at Grand Designs Live.   Once again hosting its own theatre feature, guests this year will be able to garner even more expert gardening tips at the not to be missed Garden Theatre is association with The Gardener Magazine

SA Garden and Home Magazine are the media partners for the Design-A-Garden display at Grand Designs Live.  After designing a garden in SA Garden & Home Magazine, legendary landscaper, Jan Blok will create this garden at Grand Designs Live.  Jan will also be on hand at the show to offer advice to visitors on how to bring magic and life back into their own gardens. Also within this tranquil section lives our picnic area, Forest Hill brought to you by Grow-a-Tree and SA Garden Magazine, an area of lush grass, gorgeous trees and plants – a quiet space to sit, relax, enjoy a delicious picnic lunch and rejuvenate your energy. 

Our green-fingered friends will be delighted to know that this year, SA Garden will be bringing the most famous flower show to Grand Designs Live – the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show.  This event showcases the highest quality horticulture and SA Garden will bring this event to life at Grand Designs by showing pictures and sharing ideas, giving South African gardeners a chance to catch up on the latest trends and ideas – straight from the UK.  

The Grand Theatre in association with BBC Lifestyle and TLC offers visitors an interactive  experience where celebrities and experts offer tips, advice, ideas and inspiration. Look out for the Chelsea Flower Show slot which will be scheduled at the Grand Theatre on all three days of Grand Designs Live – this is a must for our garden loving guests.

Featuring products recently released to the market and in some instances about to come to market, the House of the Future, in association with Popular Mechanics, will showcase the latest and impending technology, design, innovation and eco/sustainable products for your home.  You will see the very latest must-have technology, home automation by Crestron and even some items not yet available in stores. 

No one ever leaves this event empty handed, whether it is with a wonderful soft furnishing, a tasty addition for their pantry or simply a great idea for their renovation, but this year, every guest of Grand Designs Live will also receive a parting gift of a lavender plant sponsored by PPC Cement and The Gardener Magazine.  Promising to outdo its own high standards from previous years, this years Grand Designs Live Home & Garden Show promises to be even grander than ever before! Tickets cost R80 for adults with children under 12 attending for free, making the Grand Designs Live Home and Garden show one that the whole family can enjoy. This year, compliments of Grow-a-Tree, the first 1000 people through the door at Grand Designs Live will receive a Grow-a-tree pack for them to plant. For ticket bookings or more information, visit
www.granddesignslive.co.zaTel: +27 11 835 1565

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Open Day at Catalisa - 24 May

Stunning new pieces just arrived!




Open Day at Liz’s home
18 Hazel Road ,
Gillitts
Thursday 24th May
From 10 am until 4 pm- or by appointment.

Call Liz 083 458 6680 for directions or more information.

Feel free to trade in any of your old 9ct/ 18ct white or yellow gold for jewellery or vouchers

Friday 18 May 2012

Winter Warmers

As the coldest time of the year approaches, with winter solstice (for the southern hemisphere) just over one month away, the thick jerseys are unearthed from the back of the closet and the electric blankets taken out of storage. Those of us lucky to enjoy the beauty of a roaring fire on a cold winter's night know that there is nothing better to accompany a good blaze than a glass of gluhwein.


We found a wonderful recipe at dreamingofwinter.blogspot.com:

To 4 litres of red wine you need:
Caster sugar (amount proportional to quality of red wine, the worse the wine the more sugar you need, add it to taste, but start with about 2 cups)
6 - 8 Cinnamon sticks
Whole cloves
2 Oranges
Whole allspice
2 cups of orange juice

If you wish to get your friends and yourself tipsy even more quickly, or just to add a little extra kick, add brandy, sweet sherry or port to the mix. (optional but rather tasty)

Method:
  • Pour the red wine into a large pot and put it on the stove on a very low heat – you must not let the wine boil or the world could end… and that is not something you want to risk...
  • I tend to cut the oranges into slices and then put about 4 cloves into each slice, then put them in with the wine.
  • Break the cinnamon sticks in half or thirds and put them in with the wine as well as 10 of the whole all spice.
  • Add in the sherry or port as well as 2 cups of orange juice.
  • Add in 2 cups of sugar and stir.
  • Stir on and off for about 30 mins to give the spices time to infuse with the wine and for the magic to occur, then taste it, and add more sugar as needed (possible up to 4 or 5 cups more in the wine is really bad).
  • Let it cook/infuse/whatever for about 30 mins more (again, not letting it boil).
  • Drink and be happy :)
Sometimes I like to add berries, which soak up the alcohol quite nicely and add to the cuteness of the drink.

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Corbett's Freedom

In April 2012, conservationist John Varty was attacked by one of the tigers that he is working with at the Tiger Canyon conservation project. The attack and John's subsequent newsletter regarding the attack have resulted in a huge amount of feedback and questions concerning the tiger, Corbett's, future. After receiving so many angry, caring and passionate emails, messages on his blog, twitter and Facebook, John now feels positive about Corbett's future.


During his convalescence following the attack, John has had time to decide what to do about this extremely aggressive tiger, and has come up with the following solution:
  • He will create a 300 Ha area for Corbett. On the ground, the fence will be heightened and strengthened. Where there may be danger, double gates will be installed.
  • Animal communicators will be invited to communicate with Corbett in his boma and then when he is set free to see how he feels.

If you would like to contribute to Corbett's boma, you can do this through the Savannah Fund (see below).

In addition, an auction will be held in Johannesburg to raise some of the R3 million that is required for this project (details will follow).

1) The highlight of the auction will undoubtedly be a life size bronze statue of Corbett. Well-known artist John Bassi is working out the logistics of how to create this magnificent bronze which will weigh 300 kilograms.
2) Also on auction will be 15 of the best photos by Daryl and Sharna Balfour, Lorna Drew and Yvette van Bommel.
3) Safaris from well known lodges will be auctioned: two big cat safaris will go under the hammer.
4) For any collectors, replicate jackets of the one John Varty wore, which gave him protection against Corbett's teeth, will be auctioned.

John's new book "Hand Brake Safari - A Journey with Tigers" will also be launched at this event. Written with humour, it tells of the last 12 years of tiger conservation. The blood, the sweat, the tears, the joy, the sadness and, of course, the attack.

If anyone has anything of value, a painting, an art piece, a herd of blesbuck, a sable bull antelope, anything that has value that can be auctioned, please contact Sunette (info@jvbigcats.co.za)

The final details of the auction are to be confirmed, however June first at 6pm in Johannesburg has been targeted.

More information on the amazing Tiger Canyon project, and a background on Corbett and the other tigers that live there, is available on John Varty's website, or you can him at info@jvbigcats.co.za

Donations can be made to the Savannah Fund:
SEVEN FALLS TRADING (PTY) LTD
FIRST NATIONAL BANK - TROMPSBURG
A/C 62094732693
BRANCH CODE: 230932
SWIFT CODE: FIRNZAJJ
IBAN: 230932 62094732693
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
32 CHURCH STREET
TROMPSBURG
9913
SOUTH AFRICA

Friday 11 May 2012

Currently Showing at artSPACE Durban

I Spy - Dee Donaldson's painting students show


This is a group exhibition to highlight the work that comes out of Dee Donaldson's painting studio at the artSPACE Durban studios.
Contributing artists are:
Lori Clarke, Geoffrey Harrison, Aubrey Penning, Kim Pereira, Laurienne Baitz, Julie Mayo, Hillary Wilson, Gwynn Smith, Tracey Kurby, Michelle Waters Wilson, Rosemary Williams, Moira Burne, Christie Rowse, Adrienne D'Aeth, Edwina Grossi, Dolores Williams, Mbhekeni Mbili, Renee Leslie, and Sue Marshall.

AND

Bits and Pieces by Gerald Baise




This exhibition is Baise's second at artSPACE durban and once again involves Baise’s fascination with wood - laminating, chiselling, rasping, sanding and deconstructing.  Simply shapes without philosophical import that is pleasing to the viewer and engender a desire to touch and feel the wood.


Biography: Gerald Baise studied with the late Basil Jones for several years and has had 5 previous sculpture exhibitions.  He works almost exclusively in wood both indigenous and imported. The main focus is on simple shapes manipulating the wood to achieve this with little emphasis on the grain.

Exhibitions close on 26 May at 2:00pm

Contact artSPACE Durban on 031 312 0793
3 Millar Road (Off Umgeni Road)
Durban
4001

Wednesday 9 May 2012

Kirsten Goss' Most Wanted!

Autumn must-haves picked by the Kirsten Goss team:



Be sure to check out the Kirsten Goss blog as well, for up-to-date news and information on all new Kirsten Goss designs.

Tuesday 8 May 2012

Chef's Table of Food and Wine - 11 May


Proudly Present a Chef's Table of Food and Wine!
Date: Friday 11 May 2012  Time 18:30 - 19:00
Dress code: Smart Casual
Cost: R575 per person

We have incorporated fine wine with our Chef's tables to make your  experience
that much more enjoyable!

MENU

Amuse-bouche
Cheese and Tomato

Starter
Vodka Cured Scottish Salmon with Apple and Champagne Jelly,
Pickled Seaweed, Beetroot Chips, Lemon Crème Fraîche and Micro Herbs

Pallet Cleanser
Passion-Fruit and Chilli Mint

 Main course
Grilled Sirloin on Malt Soil with Pea Pesto,
Crispy Potatoes, “Mushroom-mallow” and Madeira Jus

OR

Pan Fried Chicken Breast, Chicken Lollypop with Carrot Purée,
Pomme Pont-Neuf, Aubergine and Peanut Butter Quenelle and Fennel Jus

Cheese course
Parmesan Frozen Cream
with Balsamic Crisp, Tomato Crisp, Tomato Confit and Cold Basil Gelée

Dessert
Elderflower White Chocolate Mousse with Almond Praline Truffle Meringue Flakes,
Scorched Apple Vanilla Bean Caviar, White Chocolate Smoked Oak Soil,
Liquorice and Sour Apple Sauces

With Tea and Coffee
White Couveture, Violet Candy and Dehydrated Berry Medallions
Milk Couveture , Toasted Sesame and Maldon Salt Medallions
Dark Couveture and Mint Medallions

Debi van Flyman will be representing Wine Cellar, by introducing wines paired with each course that we will offer on the evening.


Join us for an exclusive and unique evening and let us make you feel like royalty when dining with us!


Upcoming Food and Wine Dates:


Thursday, 21 June2012
Thursday, 26 July 2012

Contact
nico@sugarchoc.com
www.sugarchoc.com

Contact details: 011 462 8964
Contact Jess for bookings and further details.

Saturday 5 May 2012

Theo Paul Vorster at the SA National Print Gallery

Opening on Saturday, 05 May 2012, the South African National Print Gallery is proud to present a collection of hand-coloured lino prints by Theo Paul Vorster.

Theo Paul Vorster was born in Oranjemund, Namibia and currently resides in Cape Town, South Africa. He started taking art classes at school and went on to study BA Graphic Art at The University of Stellenbosch (S.A) specializing in printmaking. He pursued Art full time from 1996 onwards. Originally only focusing on silkscreen and etching, Theo started experimenting with Lino in 2006 as he was looking for other print mediums to work with. Theo loved working with the Lino and its three dimensional feel. The black and white print also allowed him to experiment with color. The Lino cut is completed and only a limited edition Lino prints are made and hand printed by the artist on 300 gram 50% cotton paper and then individually hand colored with acrylic. The Original Lino is colored in oil and is also sold. This unique practice ensures exclusivity as a very limited edition is available to the local and international market. Theo’s work is at all times represented by many galleries countrywide.


The exhibition ends 24 May 2012.

Thursday 3 May 2012

Define your landscaping style with Joanne Hilliar Landscape Design School

Email admin@hillscapes.co.za or visit our website: www.hillscapes.co.za.


House & Leisure does it again: Artist's pied-a-terre in Jozi

Don't you love this? I can't decide which I prefer: the striking red wall or breathtaking Jozi skyline. I'll always love Jo'burg's edgy energy and stark contrasts, and our team agree that artist Sam Nhlengethwa has really captured the spark in his funky Newtown apartment. Read the full article on House & Leisure online.


Sam Nhlengethwa On Art

I collect what I like – small or big names – it doesn’t matter. 
Music
 plays a big role in my life. I always listen to music when I paint. 
When I was growing up
 art didn’t feature prominently in my family. I was the first to feel its influence. 
I can’t live without
 colour. All the walls were white when I bought the flat. I painted one wall red to give the space some character and to break up the white. Gerard Sekoto had an amazing sense of colour. 
There’s no way I’m parting with
 my vinyl records. I have over 4 000 records (and nearly 3 000 CDs). 
I began collecting art
 when I was at school. My friends and I would exchange works with other school kids. Even as a young artist, I’d exchange works with other artists. 
When we were young
 we never studied African artists. I admired Matisse, and Henry Moore when it came to sculpture. For me, the American Romare Bearden was the master of collage. 
Every year
 in about October or November, I start moving things around and rearranging our art collection, so the walls constantly change.
This article was originally featured in the April 2011 issue of House and Leisure.

Wednesday 2 May 2012

Joanne Hilliar presents ...


Jo-Anne Hilliar Landscape Design School
Journey into the green world with our correspndence programmes



Your Time & Your Pace

  • Short courses now in correspondence format
  • Freedom to study at your own pace
  • Study in your own environment


Single or Package Courses

Study either as:
  • An Individual Course
Or
  • In Package format allowing you to study related subjects together
Comprehensive Courses
  • Modular format
  • One module at a time
  • In-depth assignments
  • Constructive feedback
  • Personal attention
Individual Correspondence Courses
  • Landscape Design Business Practise Correspondence Course
  • David Stevens International Landscape Design Correspondence Diploma
  • Gardening for Bio-Diversity Correspondence Course
  • Landscape Maintenance and Management Programme
  • Garden Workers Training Course
  • Advanced Gardeners Programme
  • Basic Landscape Design Programme
Correspondence Course Packages
  • Package 1 - Introduction into Gardening
  • Package 2 – Garden Lovers Training Programme
  • Package 3 – Landscapers Training Programme
  • Package 4 – Gardeners Training Programme
  • Package 5 – Garden Landscapers Training Programme
  • Package 6 - Complete Landscapers Training Programme

Email us on admin@hillscapes.co.za for more information.
Visit our website on www.hillscapes.co.za
Call us on 031 266 4650 / 082 447 4824.