Designer Profile: Jan Blok

Another talent that we've recently come across is landscape artist Jan Block.

Jan is repeatedly lauded as the country’s leading most intuitive garden designer, an artist with the design talent to see beyond the obvious, and the vision to transform ordinary into exta-ordinary. Jan Blok sculpts contemporary or classic landscapes which enchant and enhance...glorious green vistas which compliment the underlying architectural lines of the dwelling and the lifestyle of those who live, work and play in it.

More information on Jan and his company Blok Designs is available on their website.

Elizabeth Gordon celebrates Madiba

is holding a group exhibition "MANDELA'S WORLD" to celebrate Madiba's birthday on Wednesday, 18 July 2012.

The artists have been asked to do works relevant to the life of Madiba, and to interpret the significance of the man through their own field of specialty.

The exhibition closes on 25 July 2012.

For further information please phone 031 303 8133 or view the Elizabeth Gordon website

Designer Profile: Chevaune Allers

We recently discovered a gem on the up-and-coming young designers front, which we're excited to share with you.

Chevaune Allers is a talented interior designer, who has done work for Couch + Interiors, a specialized design company providing a full design and decorating service. She studied at Style Design College and says, "In the near future my goal is to become a successful, well known name in the interior design industry. I would love to travel the world learning from other designers and becoming familiar with new and different trends. When I’m not at college or studying, you would generally find me having a good time with my girlfriends or in the gym working out. I also enjoy walking around exhibitions and becoming familiar with the latest designs and colours." A gallery of her work is available here.She was mentioned in the June 2011 issue of Garden and Home for her work in conjunction with Couch + Interiors.

Kid's Holiday Activities at Makaranga

Grahamstown National Arts Festival

It's time once more for the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, and this year's offerings look as good as ever, if not better!

Running from 28 June til 8 July, with music, dance, performance art, theatre, exhibitions and much more, there is something for everyone on the menu. This year's line up has sparked much interest both locally and nationally and ticket sales have shown a healthy rise over last year's.

You can contact the organisers for more information, of have a look at the website for a complete programme and ticket sales.

Wild about PHOTOS

Home-made photo collages are so 1999. Your pictures deserve better than that. That’s where PrintWild comes in, poised to save the day and give your photo products personality and style.

PrintWild takes your favourite image and turns it into a wide format canvas, acrylic or glossy print. We use only the highest quality machine, ink and paper to produce exceptional canvas prints, acrylic prints and glossy prints in full colour, sepia or black and white.

Whether you have a wedding photo you want to put up in your lounge or want to redo the kids' room with snaps from the family holiday, we will transform your favourite images into features in your home. A work of art, if you will.

We take pride in capturing your precious images and ensuring that they are delivered to you door, ready to hang.  Some of the PrintWild products on offer include the highest quality

• stretched canvas prints,
•  mounted prints, 
• glacier hanging prints 

and many more.


The entire ordering process is done online and your print will be delivered to your door within two weeks.

Delivery is free anywhere in SA for all orders over R300.

So, go WILD today:

http://www.printwild.co.za/ 
032 946 1933
prc@printwild.co.za

Foodie Happenings Coming Up

Glenwood Market in Bulwer Park on Sunday 24 June: Darryl Hofmann and by the Glenwood Community Forum, have put together a morning market involving good food and family activities in Bulwer Park on Sunday 24 June from 10am until 2pm.
The focus will be on fresh and fabulous food. Hofmann has carefully chosen stall holders to create a deli-vibe – allowing visitors to purchase produce from the stalls, and assemble a meal picnic style. Included in the stallholders mix is organic meats; artisan breads; fresh olives; marinated feta cheese, honey, fresh herbs; and fresh fruit and veg.
There will be fun activities for the kids, and the children’s play area is operational. There will also be gift ideas, décor items, arts and crafts on sale.

Whole Food Night Market in a new location off Stamford Hill Rd on Thursday evening 5 July: The fabulous Night Market is on the move again! This time it will take the form of a street market situated in Oldham Road, by the Lizzard Factory, off Stamford Hill Road alongside 190 Stamford Hill, on Thursday 5 July from 6pm until 10pm.
This proactive initiative continues the vision of Hofmann to offer a series of inspired gourmet-events in interesting places. Part of the mission of the Whole Food Night Market is to invite the people of Durban to explore and rediscover the unusual and unfamiliar places in their city. To this end, the market has been at Colombo Tea and Coffee, Umgeni Rd, the green hub and more recently at the Quays Development at the Point.
With the beautiful crisp winter’s evenings, the decision was to take the market outdoors for a while, to the quaint and retro cul-de-sac off Stamford Hill. The idea is to contain the market in Lizzard’s through-fare, and add atmosphere by decorating the area with fairy lights, lanterns and bunting. Fire jugglers will light the way….
Hofmann has carefully chosen stall holders which will create a deli-vibe – allowing visitors to purchase produce from the stalls, and assemble a meal, alfresco picnic style.
Again, there will be plenty to taste and drink. To add ambiance to the evening will be live festive music.
There will also be art, craft, jewellery, gift ideas and decor items – all sourced and produced locally.
There is ample parking in Stamford Hill Rd – with additional security personnel on duty employed by the Market.

Other events coming up:

Litchi Orchard Nite Market 29 June, Umhlali
The Food Market, 30 June, Durban North
Wonder Market, 1 July, Chris Saunders Park,
The Good Food and Wine Show 23 Aug - 26 Aug

SPCA sets up emergency rabies clinic

(By Rianette Jansen van Vuren)

Dog owners are urged to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies following a rise in the number of rabies incidents reported in recent weeks.

KLOOF and Highway SPCA is urging all dog owners to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies following the rising number of reported rabies cases that have occurred in recent weeks.

According to the SPCA, everyone is at risk and  it is extremely important that every dog is vaccinated against rabies and receives annual boosters to keep its immunity levels up.

The Kloof and Highway SPCA in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Rabies Project will set up a Rabies Clinic from Monday 18 June to Friday 22 June.

There will be two two hour sessions per day from 9am to 11am and 1pm to 3pm.
The clinic will take place in a marquee in the Village Green at the Kloof and Highway SPCA (below the tea garden area and Marilyn’s Tea House) at 29 Village Road, Kloof.

"We encourage our community to take advantage of this opportunity to have their dogs vaccinated, thereby not only protecting their precious companions, but also their immediate family and surrounding community members. We ask those who make use of this clinic to please support the Kloof and Highway SPCA by making a donation," said Kloof and Highway SPCA’s Barbara Laubscher.

Contact Lisa Gadd on 031 764 1212/3 or e-mail marketing1@kloofspca.co.za.

East Coast Radio House & Garden Show

Find your inspiration for living at the biggest lifestyle Show in KZN. Loads of ideas, advice, top brands and suppliers all jammed-packed under one roof.

Design living is not the domain of the exclusive few. Anything around you, with a twist of imagination, can become an inspired centrepiece that reflects your unique character (without breaking the bank!) Come to the Show and shop for practical and affordable ideas for your home that will help bring your own style to life.

You would literally have to travel hundreds of km’s and spend weeks and days to visit the top quality trusted exhibitors on display. Anything and everything to do with enjoying your uniquely funsunzi lifestyle can be found in one place. What’s more the amazing Show Specials and unbelievable offers, available only at the ECR House & Garden Show which is held at the Durban Exhibition Centre, make this an annual date you really don’t want to miss.

This year's show runs from 29 June - 8 July 2012. Contact the organisers for more info on 031 303 5941

Cook Franschhoek - 15-17 June

Following in the success of last year’s event, visitors to Franschhoek can once again look forward to another interactive Cook Franschhoek, which takes place over the weekend of 15, 16 and 17 June.

Known as SA’s leading wine destination and gourmet capital, food and wine enthusiasts will have the opportunity to join some of the Valley’s highly acclaimed chefs and winemakers as they present hands on demonstration kitchens. Master the art of pizza making, risotto, how to prepare a traditional Japanese meal , or simply appreciate the art of pairing food and wine. Participating restaurants include, amongst others, Cotage Fromage, Liam Tomlin Food at Leopard’s Leap Vineyards, Le Quartier Françias, Bread and Wine at Môreson and Ryan’s Kitchen.

With the focus on exclusivity, each demonstration will range from 8 to 30 people, and costs will differ by establishment. Tickets can be purchased directly from www.webtickets.co.za.

Make a weekend of your experience and book into one of Franschhoek’s fabulous accommodation establishments, ranging from the finest bed and breakfasts, to luxurious boutique hotels, all nestled in a picturesque and safe environment. This should also allow you ample time for a leisurely stroll down the main road, uncovering world-class shops and boutiques, allowing for an intimate and relaxed shopping expedition.

Be sure to include the Franschhoek Wine Valley Food & Wine Route as part of your weekend of discovery. This exciting initiative allows visitors to tailor make their trips, taking the concept of a food and wine to an entirely new level.

For more information on Cook Franschhoek visit www.cookfranschhoek.co.za or contact the Franschhoek Wine Valley offices on 021 876 2861. Follow them on Twitter at #fhkcook or on Facebook.

Download the detailed Cook Franschhoek programme here: Cook Franschhoek Programme 2012 (PDF)

Have a look at the gallery from last year for a tidbit of what you can look forward to.

House & Leisure brings you the House of the Year 2012

Vote now for your favourite house in the 2012 House of the Year competition, brought to you by House and Leisure and SA Home Loans. This year there are 11 fabulous finalists, and it’s up to you to choose who the winner will be.

SA Home Loans CEO Kevin Penwarden is proud to be sponsoring this year’s House of the Year competition. ‘We believe a home is a lot more than bricks and mortar. It’s the embodiment of the homeowner’s dreams – and an expression of their unique personality and style.’

The diverse style and feel of our 11 finalists is testament to this. ‘From an imperious sea-facing home in Knysna and a green-tech homestead in Gauteng’s Cradle of Humankind to a glamorously renovated hacienda high above Cape Town’s City Bowl, the definition of what constitutes a beautiful abode is wide,’ says House and Leisure Editor Naomi Larkin. ‘But what’s common to all 11 homes featured in this House of the Year 2012 supplement is their combination of liveability and aesthetic appeal – with a dollop of loving attention to detail.’

Not only will your vote help determine the House of the Year 2012, but you’ll also stand a chance to win home appliances from Siemens to the value of R30 000!

VOTE for your favourite house online as many times as you wish by clicking on the following links. Closing date for entries is 31 August 2012.

Click to view a description and more images of all the nominees.

1. house #1 – modern majesty

2. house #2 – lovely bones

3. house #3 – art and life

4. house #4 – natural selection

5. house #5 – haute house

6. house #6 – designer deco

7. house #7 – new vernacular

8. house #8 – open home

9. house #9 – roof with a view

10. house #10 – out in the open

11. house #11 – grand scale

Win R5 000 to indulge in a world where décor is designed to order!

To enter the competition, simply visit the brand new Wetherlys Store at Umgeni Business Park, 146 Intersite Road, Springfield, Durban which opens on the 7 June 2012. Take a photograph of yourself in-store posing with or on your favourite piece of furniture and post this picture on the Wetherlys Facebook page.

Make sure to get all your family and friends to like it as the post with the most Facebook Likes will win a R5 000 Wetherlys gift card.

Competition closes on Sunday 17 June at 24h00.

Last weekend of the Royal Show!

Throughout its history, ‘The Royal’ has had the privilege of hosting merchants and businessmen who recognise the benefits and harmony of interacting with one another, the agricultural sector and the general public.

Today the Show is the largest mixed exhibition incorporating a fully-fledged agricultural component on the continent of Africa. Not only does this include the exposition of some of the country’s finest livestock and agricultural equipment but also a range of ancillary activities and displays covering the entire industrial, commercial and service sectors within the province.

The show is running until Sunday, 3 June - be sure to catch it before it's too late!

The Royal Agricultural Society of Natal
Commercial Road (Chief Albert Luthuli Street), Pietermaritzburg
Tel: 033 345 6274      Fax 033 394 3540
Email: info@royalshow.co.za
Websites: www.royalshow.co.za and www.gardenshow.co.za

An exhibit from last year's show