DIY dressing table - kitchen trends - Home-Dzine

Home-Dzine
online
IDEAS AND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR HOME
July 2012
DESIGN
DECORATING
DIY
RECLAIMED RECLAIMED STYLE
STYLE

a word or two 5 KITCHEN
TRENDS FROM
MILAN TRADE
FAIR
It’s so nice to be able to concentrate on the
magazine again, and I enjoyed doing quite
a few projects for this issue, which features
not only DIY projects but quite a bit on
design as well.
I know I have asked for your input before
but if you have any ideas or suggestions
for content for the Home-Dzine Online
magazine, or any specific features you
would like to see in the magazine - or on the
website - please drop us a line at homedzine@iburst.co.za.
Enjoy!
Janice
Home-Dzine Online is written and compiled by Janice Anderssen.
All projects in this issue, or any other issue, remain the property
of Home-Dzine and Janice Anderssen, or the respective
copyright holders, and may not be copied or reproduced in any
manner whatsoever without written permission.
13
DESIGN
SECRETS
19 DIY
DRESSING
TABLE
11
SHUTTERS &
BLINDS

29
35
DESIGN FOR
PROFIT
36
RECLAIMED
STYLE
DESIGN WITHOUT LIMITS
45
TAGINES
24
MAKE AN
ADJUSTABLE
MIRROR
36
DESIGNERS
WITH SAVVY
54
GLITTER
PLAY DOUGH
49
COURTYARD
GARDENS

4
Eurolux delivers ondemand
lighting
Cost and energy savings are major design
considerations for modern lighting systems. An
estimated 29% of a typical office’selectricityusage
is spent on lighting, but occupancy sensors can
reduce this usage by half. The recently released
Eurolux range of lighting motion detectors offers
an effective occupancy sensor solution for most
commercial, industrial and residential buildings.
“Occupancy sensors have become a standard
requirement in modern lighting design,” says Shaun
Bouchier, director at Eurolux. “Besides providing a
means of minimizing energy consumption, it enhances
safety and also reduces light pollution.”
“Wall sensors work well in small rooms, like individual
offices, bathrooms etc., while ceiling sensors are better
suited to large spaces or wherever the lighting load is
higher,” explains Bouchier.
The detection distance of the
Eurolux products range from 12
meters on the CO98 to 2-16 meters
on the CO95.
The new Eurolux range consists
of recessed and surface mounted
models with LUX levels ranging
from 3 – 2000 LUX (adjustable).
The Eurolux CO96
[shown bottom left] is
a surface mounted infrared
sensor most suited to use in
offices, boardrooms and residential
homes, with a 380 degree detection range. With such
sensors, motion is detected when an infrared source;
such as a human; passes in front of another infrared
source with a different temperature. The sensors react
to the changes in heat patterns created by the moving
person and turn lights on accordingly. This product is
also available as a recessed unit.
According to Bouchier, the advantages of passive
infrared are that they are highly resistant to false
triggering, relatively inexpensive, and do not radiate
any energy. However, because they operate on a lineof-sight
mechanism, they don’t work well over long
distances (+ 12 meters) or in rooms with obstructions.
Proper placement and orientation of occupancy
sensors is crucial, says Bouchier. “They must be able
to sense all occupants to avoid inadvertently turning
off lights while the space is occupied.” In addition, the
sensor must not be too sensitive as to cause “false
positive” triggering such as the detection of passerby’s
in adjoining hallways.
Lighting motion sensors are most effective in
spaces that are intermittently occupied, meaning it
is unoccupied for two or more hours per day, and
where the lights are typically left on when the space
is unoccupied.
For more information on this range
and the effective use of lighting motion
sensors contact Eurolux on 021 528 8400
or admin@eurolux.co.za

The annual Milan
Trade Fair places
emphasis on HOME.
As the largest furniture show in the
world, the Milan Trade Fair - iSaloni
- draws in excess of 2,000 exhibitors
to show case future design trends for
all areas of a home.
It may be the 21st century, but
designers are reinterpreting the
past in design that is modern and
more personal.
decor and design
5

When Marchi designed this kitchen, the
picture in my mind was to create the ideal
interior for a young couple who wanted
an interior with good taste, but practical
at the same time. A versatile kitchen to
form a comfortable background for a range
of activities and a changing life-style: an
environment that would give a warm and
welcoming feel to the whole apartment
which had recently been restored.
They wanted a style that was congenial but
still original, with plenty of room to invite
friends for entertaining, and therefore it had
to be functional, but also stylish enough to
be incorporated into the living room area.
A combination of comfort and elegance,
providing upscale contemporary elements
for a very
practical
modern
kitchen,
ideal for
everyday
living and
conceived as the
focal point of the
home.
The attention given to
details such as the old
silver handles and the
total modular flexibility
highlighted by top-quality
electrical appliances
embellish and enhance
the vintage style of this
artisanal kitchen.
This is a DIY dream kitchen, with simple
cabinet design, with painted finish in your
personal choice of colours, precut stone
tops, silver handles and the total modular
flexibility highlighted by top-quality
electrical appliances to embellish and
enhance the vintage style of this artisanal
kitchen.
7

8
If the iSaloni Milan Trade Fair is anything to go
by, and it usually is, kitchen design is about to
change. Gone are the wrapped and foil doors
and cabinets, the high lacquer glossy finish is
tossed aside and kitchens are morphing into
how the heart of a home should look... warm,
comfortable and more natural.
What I love about this new trend is the fact
that it is totally DIY-able. Painted finishes are
combined with metallic elements to add a
touch of glam without the expensive price tag.
Your local Metals Centre offer a wide range of
stainless steel, aluminium and tin sheeting in
varying thicknesses that is easy to cut and use.
paint
perfect

warm
wood
If you prefer natural finishes for your kitchen
- a more rustic look - then you can easily
incorporate wood cabinets and fittings into
this causal and homey style. Using pine,
meranti or saligna is an affordable way to
design and assemble a new kitchen and be
sustainable too.
Sealed natural stone is a wonderful finish for
kitchen countertops, offering both practicality
and durability, plus it’s an easy DIY option.
You will find a wide selection of natural stone
tiles at your local Builders Warehouse.
9

10
A feature wall in energising
red brings some rouge to a
minimalist kitchen, and helps
to define the dining area of this
open-plan space, too.
You will need:
Plascon Cashmere Rickshaw Red (R4-B1-1)
Plascon Cashmere Smoke Screen (B6-E2-1)
Plascon Velvaglo White (VLO 1)
Drop sheets
Masking tape
Paintbrush, 10 cm
Paint roller
Sandpaper, 180-grit
Here’s how:
1. Make sure the wall is clean and dry.
If you’re painting over a coloured
wall – especially one with a yellow or
yellow-toned base – first neutralise it
with two coats of a mid-tone grey, such
as Plascon Cashmere Smoke Screen.
This will help prevent show-through so
you will need fewer coats of your chosen
colour.
On the other hand, if your base wall
is white, apply two coats of Plascon
Cashmere White.
DIY TIP:
Work on a drop sheet and allow the
paint to dry between coats.
2. Mask off any skirtings, doorframes and
cornices. Using a 10cm paintbrush, paint
two coats of Plascon Cashmere Rickshaw
Red along the borders of the wall,
working in the direction of the line you’re
following. Next, use a roller to paint the
rest of the wall in vertical strokes.
Apply two coats, allowing the first coat to
dry before you apply the second.
DIY TIP:
If necessary, when the wall is dry, use
180-grit sandpaper to lightly sand any
wooden skirtings, doorframes and
cornices, mask off the adjacent wall
and paint with Plascon Velvaglo White
using a paintbrush. Allow to dry and
finish with a second coat.

There is nothing more pleasurable than basking in winter sunshine slivering
through a glass window or door on a cold day. These magic moments have
us following the lazy sun with lizard-like devotion and curling our toes in
woolly socks with delight. But as soon as the sun is cloaked, the cold grips
us and we look for ways to replicate that natural warmth.
It is the same windows and doors that invite the
winter sun into our homes that are responsible
for losing our homes’ warmth. Glass windows
and doors lose and gain heat in four ways:
Thermal radiation is the emission of electromagnetic
waves from all matter that has a
temperature greater than zero. It is due to this
process that a clear glass window or door absorbs
the warmth inside your home and then re-radiates
it to the exterior.
Heat conduction is the flow of thermal energy
from a higher temperature to a lower temperature.
A clear glass window or door allows the flow of
thermal energy through the glass to the exterior.
a comfortable home -
all year round
There are
many ways
to create a
comfortable
home, without
switching on.
This month we
take a look at
shutters and
blinds.
Heat convection is the natural process by which
cool air moves downwards and warm air takes
its place. Due to thermal radiation and heat
conduction the air near a clear glass window or
door is cooled and due to convection is moves
towards the floor hereby drawing more warm air
from the room to take its place.
Air leakage is relatively self explainable;
openings due to damaged or poor fitted windows
and doors allow warm air to be lost to the
exterior.
“South Africans love the outdoors and we are
spoilt with so much natural beauty, therefore
we design and build homes with fantastic glass
11

12
windows and doors, often stretching the expanse
of a wall, allowing for maximum views and
natural outdoor – indoor flow,’ says Stephen
Palmer, managing director of American shutters.
“However the same focus placed on the aesthetic
and lifestyle value of these openings should be
placed on the ways in which they are insulated to
ensure comfort and health.”
Once a home is built, we tend to prioritise
decorating styles and standards on how we treat
windows and doors. Traditional window dressings
such as fabric curtains and security measures
such as security gates do not always consider
the massive heat loss that is facilitated by glass
windows and doors.
Most thermal insulation materials are hidden and
not considered in the interior design process
such as ceiling insulation and under floor heating.
Others are not designed with decorating in mind
such as bulky gas heaters and awkward electric
heaters that require mobility to match the indoor
movement of the home’s occupants and they are
an ongoing cost.
It makes perfect design, cost, thermal insulation
and energy efficient sense to address the areas
of a home that are responsible for the most heat
loss, i.e. the windows and doors.
“Shutters and blinds are the design choices of
award winning architects and interior designers
because of a number of factors. They can be
customised to suit and enhance any opening
regardless of how unusual it may be: arched,
triangular or domed. They translate well in all
decorating styles, from classic to contemporary.
They facilitate outdoor-indoor living, allowing for
uninterrupted views, maximum ventilation and
light,” says Karina Palmer of American shutters.
Shutters and blinds add to a home, they also add
value to a property. Due to the very décor specific
nature and transience of fabric window dressings
they are not considered fixtures, as are shutters
and blinds. The investment made in opting for
shutters and blinds is one that is rewarded when
a property is valued and or sold.
In the cooler months, perhaps the most
appreciated value of shutters and blinds is their
thermal insulation and energy efficiency. When
opened shutters and blinds allow us to capture
as much of the winter sunshine during the day
and when closed they work to keep that warmth
locked inside.
So savour and save the winter sunshine with
shutters and blinds – the most stylish prevention
of heat loss due to thermal radiation, heat
conduction and convection.

design
secrets
13

14
I love to browse furniture
catalogues, especially those
of international furniture
manufactures. It gives me ideas
and inspiration for the many
furniture projects that I undertake
and also keeps me on track as to
the latest trends.
It’s nice to know that I can purchase
timber and board, take out my power
tools and make my own
unique pieces of furniture.
I am sure many of you reading would
love to be able to make some
of the furniture we see on
the Internet, and you probably
could. Let’s take a look at a few tricks
1. See beyond the design
When viewing a piece of
furniture, most people only see
the outside design, but sometimes it
helps to go behind the facade - to see
what’s underneath and behind, and how
the piece is assembled.
More often than not
these days, furniture
is either painted or
veneer. By looking
under you will be
able to tell what
a piece is made
of and how it has
been put together.
The two most
common board
products used
for furniture
manufacture are
MDF and chipboard. Of the two, MDF
(or PG Bison SupaWood) is the stronger
and more durable and
you can buy this board
product and have it
cut to size at your local
Builders Warehouse.
Prices vary, but the
average price for a
sheet of 2700 x 1800mm
of 16mm SupaWood is
around R600, and that’s
affordable when you
think how big the sheet
is and how much cutting
you can get out of it.

2. Scrutinise the detail
Many pieces of furniture are beautiful to
look at and yet quite simple to replicate.
A good example is the cabinet on the
right.
What makes this cabinet unique is the
feet and door detail, both of which are
fairly easy to duplicate if you have the
right tools. Strip away the detail and you
are left with a basic painted cabinet.
The detail you apply to the pieces
you make are what make the
difference.
I am going to share a few of my own
trade secrets with you on how I would
manufacture this particular piece of
furniture.
2. Feet
The feet on the above cabinet have
a wonderful angled square design.
They are also the easiest feet to make
if you have the right power tools. Just
to show you how easy, I made a leg to
show you.
1. Cabinet
This is a fairly a basic design consisting of two
sides, a bottom and top as the frame. There are
three doors, which means you need to have
upright supports on which to mount hinges.
There is also a larger panel that tops off the
basic frame.
15

16
1. By far the simplest and quickest way to
angle the shape of the feet is to use a
mitre saw. The angle is set at around
7-degrees and all four sides are cut at
this same angle.
3. Finish off the foot with 120-grit sanding
to even out any uneven areas and
then 240-grit for a nice smooth finish.
Use sanding paper to sand the curved
area.
2. Using a Dremel MultiTool and large
sanding disc allows you to create the
curved indent at the top of each foot.
Do the side edges first and then the
inside area.
Here is the finished foot and it looks just
as good as the original. It took me about
half an hour to make, which is not bad at
all.

Creating a detailed design
I used my Dremel Trio and one of the new range of router bits to cut out the design. I
didn’t do the full design - just an example to show you how you can do it yourself.
The new router bits are much better than the older bits, it cuts like a hot knife through
butter and glides across the surface as it cuts. This design was actually very easy to
do. If you don’t own a Dremel Trio, you could also do this with a Dremel MultiTool
and engraving bit, but it would take a lot longer.
17

18
Finishing and painting
After assembling your new piece of furniture you
are going to want to take the time to finish properly.
I know that most people hate sanding, but it’s
important to spend time on this step, especially
if you want your project to look good. It’s also
essential to use quality products for staining, sealing
or painting a project. The last thing you want is
chipped paint, warped wood or a finish that it’s
easy to keep clean.
Home-Dzine trusts the Rust-Oleum range of spray
products and have used these time and time again
on various indoor and outdoor projects.
Home-Dzine also endorses Woodoc. While it might be slightly more expensive than
other products the proof, as they say, is in the pudding!
At the end of the day it’s not about paying a little more, it’s about using a quality
product that does what it’s supposed to do.
PAINTING TIPS
If, after painting, you find a few problem
spots that need attention, use 1000grit
wet/dry sandpaper. Have a small
container of water handy; dip the
sandpaper into the water and use a soft,
circular motion to rub away defects.
All SupaWood is absorbent on the cut
ends. If you don’t want to waste time
and spray paint, apply a thin layer
of wood filler to the ends to prevent
absorption. Use 240-grit sandpaper to
smooth once the wood filler is dry.
After spraying on first coat.
Thin layer of wood filler
After spraying on second coat.

To tie in with our latest Home-Dzine
newsletter, we decided to show you
how easy it is to make a dressing table.
This simple designs has a few elegant
curves and can easily be glammed up
with mirrored mosaic tiles.
DRESSED
TO IMPRESS
quick and easy
19

20
9
1 - 5
7
Use a jigsaw and fretsaw (thin)
blade to cut curves in the front and
back aprons.
Cut small blocks to
use for attaching
the legs to the
front/back
and side
aprons.
6
8

It will only take you 2 hours tops to
assemble our dressing table, and
then all that’s left to do is to paint
in your choice of finish and colour.
You will need:
1 of 400 x 1200mm - top
2 of 170 x 1080mm - front/back aprons
2 of 170 x 360mm - side aprons
4 of 60 x 800mm - front legs
4 of 40 x 800mm - side legs
10 Plastic corner brackets
Wood glue
Drill/Driver + assorted bits
Jigsaw and fretsaw (thin) blade
25mm cut screws
Wood filler
*For all sections use PG Bison 16mm SupaWood
Here’s how:
Making the legs
1. The legs are slightly angled on one side.
To create the angled edge, measure
down 150mm from the top on all 8 leg
sections and draw a line across.
2. On the bottom end of the 4 front
sections (60mm wide) make a pencil
mark at 40mm. Draw a line from the
150mm mark to the 40mm mark.
3. On the bottom end of the 4 side
sections (40mm wide) make a pencil
mark at 20mm. Draw a line from the
150mm mark to the 40mm mark.
4. Place the front sections on a flat
surface, arranging them as they will be
assembled. EG. The straight edge of
each leg must be on the outside.
5. Run a bead of glue along the top
of the outside edge and place the
straight side section on top. 20mm from
the top and 10mm from the bottom
screw a corner bracket in place.
Making the frame
6. Measure up 20mm from the bottom
edge on both front and back aprons
and draw a line across. Use a template
the draw a curve at both sides - as
shown on the image left. Cut along this
line with a jigsaw.
7. On the front/back aprons measure in
360mm from sides and draw a line. On
the middle section, measure up 20mm
from the bottom edge and draw a line.
Use this line to cut the middle design.
8. On the side aprons measure up 20mm
from the bottom edge and draw a line
across. Use a template the draw a curve
at both sides - as shown on the image
left. Cut along this line with a jigsaw.
21

22
DIY Tip:
Use a circular object to help you
to draw the curved shape at either
side of the indent.
9. Attach the legs to the front and side
aprons with wood glue and small
blocks screwed into place with 25mm
wood screws.
10. Attach the top to the frame by
placing corner brackets on the
underside of the top and front/back
and sides. Use 2 brackets on the
front/back apron and a centrally
placed bracket on the sides.
Finishing
Pay particular attention to polishing all
cut edges so that paint is not absorbed
too quickly.
Apply wood filler to gaps for a smooth,
seamless finish. Once dry, sand with 240grit
sandpaper.

Painting
Here’s a good tip for any painting
project. If you paint with a base coat
prior to spraying you use far less paint.
I use leftover paint in white or cream
and apply with a foam roller. Once dry,
the finish is sanded with 360/400-grit
sandpaper.
Do all your spray painting outdoors to
avoid being overwhelmed by fumes.
Don’t spray paint on a windy day or
you will be spraying forever!
For the dressing table I would
recommend that you use Rust-Oleum
gloss enamel, only because it provides a
tough, durable finish, which is what you
need on a dressing table where you use
a hair dryer, curling tongues, etc.
Find the complete
Rust-Oleum range
at your local Builders
Warehouse.
23

24
Dress it up
FRAMED MIRROR
Now that you have a dressing
table, you may also need a
framed mirror. For this project I
used tongue and groove (again),
because it fits nicely around the
mirror and I don’t have to fiddle
around the cut the groove.
Most tongue and groove planks
have a 5mm deep groove, but
it’s always better to double check
before cutting the frame.
You will need:
2 of 1200mm lengths of tongue & groove
Mirror cut to 600 x 800mm
Corner braces* and 12mm screws
2 of 8mm dowels
2 of 8mm cable clips
Wood glue
Wood filler
TOOLS
Drill/Driver plus assorted bits
Jigsaw and clean cut blade for wood
Hammer
Wood or rubber mallet
Mitre box and saw or mitre saw
*Builders Warehouse didn’t have stock so
I substituted with T-braces.

Here’s how:
1. When cutting the frame, measure the
width and height of the mirror and then
deduct the groove width from either side.
EG. 600mm - 10mm (5mm groove on both
sides). Do the same for the width and
height.
DIY Tip:
Do a test fitting to make sure all the corners fit
nicely together or make any adjustments.
GOOD TO KNOW
Use a wood or rubber mallet to tap the
tongue & groove panel onto the glass.
Starting at one end, a few light taps will do.
2. Once the frame fits nicely around, turn
over and mount the corner or T-braces
onto the back with 12mm screws.
3. Use a mixture and wood glue and wood
filler to fill in any gaps. I prefer to mix the
two together to prevent cracking later on.
25

26
4. Using the framed mirror as a guide, cut
two side sections. These sections should
be as high as the mirror. To secure the
sides you will also need two sections to
attach to the front of the side panels, and
a long section for the back. This will ensure
that your framed mirror stands secure.
DIY Tip:
The long back section must be as wide
as the mirror, plus a 5mm allowance on
both sides, plus the width of the base of
each side section.
5. Glue all the frame sections together and
allow the glue to dry before sanding the
edges with 360/400-grit sandpaper to
polish. I also like to apply a very thin layer
of wood filler to all the cut edges. It works
as a block and prevents these edges from
absorbing too much paint.
6. Apply 2 coats of Rust-Oleum Gloss Enamel
in your choice of colour, allowing drying
time between coats.
7. Before attaching mirror,
drill one side of frame for
adjustment holes. Use a
wood drill bit that matches
diameter of your shelf pin.
8. Measure and mark at
both centre of mirror and
side section. At this point,
hammer a cable grip
on both sides of mirror
frame and drill holes on
mirror frame to half the
depth of the dowel. Have
someone help you to hold
frame secure while you
mount mirror in position.
To do this push a dowel
through cable grip and
into drilled hole on both
sides.

ack
To set the right adjustment, insert a shelf pin in the correct hole on the frame.
I made the adjustable mirror this way because it’s a battle to try and find adjustable
fittings, and this way is cheap and easy!
front
27

28
Easy DIY magazine
subscribers will see this
project in a future issue,
with additional features.
The centre section will
have a drawer and
the dresser will be
embellished in an easy
way. Keep an eye out for
this issue.

design
without limits
29

30
The Internet offers
unlimited opportunity
for anyone with a small
dose of creativity.
Only last week I was on the radio
chatting about the importance
of recycling, and how you can
so easily repurpose items rather
than toss them out. From this we
got around to talking about the
endless opportunities opening
up for anyone with crafty or DIY
talents. You only have to take a
look at some of the online craft
sites to see how many are making
a profit, and a huge profit in some
cases, simply by repurposing waste.
While this project doesn’t use waste, it is
a good example of how you can use off
cuts to design and create saleable items.
These bamboo veneer clocks are
designed by DecoyLabs on Etsy and
are for sale at R600 upwards. Definitely
unique but not sure I would pay that
much for a clock.
Additionally, these clocks are made
using a laser cutter, or CNC machine,
and I want to try and make using my
jigsaw. If you have a scroll saw - even
better.
The point behind all this? To show you
that all it takes it creativity to design and
manufacture items that could establish a
home-based business.
The Suitcase
Chair is a
prime
example of how a little
imagination can reap rewarding
benefits.
Local designer, Katie Thompson, has
taken old suitcases and transformed them
into beautiful collector pieces. Selling
from around R4000.00 upwards, these
little travel cases are certainly seeing the
world in style! www.recreate.za.net

Here’s how:
As a first attempt I am not going to add
as much detail as the original design by
DecoyLab.
1. The first step is to draw out my design
and transfer this onto 6mm PG Bison
SupaWood. One of these days I will get
my hands on some carbon paper, but
in the meantime the easiest way is to
rub the back of your printed copy with
pencil and then turn over and press
hard as you draw over the design to
print onto the board.
2. The transferred design will probably be
feint, but you can easily go over again
with a pencil so it’s easier to see.
3. After clamping the board to my
workbench I used a fretsaw blade to
cut out. I call it a fretsaw blade but it’s
actually a thinner blade for a jigsaw.
This blade is ideal for detailed cutting.
Working from the outside in, I rough
cut away sections to make it easier
to make the detailed cuts around the
drawn design.
31

32
As you can see from the cut out on
the left, the jigsaw did a very nice job
indeed. It was tricky, but only took about
15 minutes to do. You have to be very
careful when moving and cutting the
design, as some areas are very thin.
5. I sanded the rough edges with 120-grit
sandpaper and then smoothed with
240-grit sandpaper.
6. There is a front and back design for the
clock, and after cutting and sanding
these need to be painted. I used Rust-
Oleum 2X in blossom white to spray
the front, edges and back of both
sections.
DIY TIPS:
• Place the sections on a block of wood
to lift them off the surface, as this allows
you to spray the edges at the same
time.
• Wait for each coat to dry completely
before spraying on the next coat.
• Don’t hold the can closer than 30 cm
from the surface, as any closer and you
will end up with excess paint and runs.
• The edges need quite a few coats
due to the fact that supawood is very
absorbent, hold the can at an angle
when spraying the edges to prevent
spraying too much paint on the top
surface.

7. To mount the clock mechanism,
drill a hole through the front of the
front section. Place a block of wood
behind to prevent the wood chipping
as you drill through. The hole you drill
should be the same diameter as your
clock shaft.
8. Place the shaft through the drilled
hole and use the fastenings that
come with the clock movement to
attach.
9. Since this is a battery-operated clock,
you are going to need to allow for
the back section to be remove for
replacing the battery. Attach velcro
to the back of the battery and front
of the back section, so that this holds
them together firmly but still allows for
pulling apart easily.
On the next page you will see how my
final clock looks.
Although I’m happy with the final result,
I did make a second clock, and this
one came out far better. Obviously the
more you make the better you become!
So many families are struggling
to make ends meet each month
and projects like this are just one
of the ways that you can put
your creative talents to good use.
Who knows... you may design
something that becomes a
collector’s piece or that everyone
loves, but you won’t know until
you try.
33

Uttermost Harrington
Price: $261.80 | R2000.00
Features an antiqued ivory
face with gentle distressing
around the outer rim.
Missing Time Clock by
Cyber Moon
Price: $17.00 | R140.00
I love it when designers
play with our assumed
knowledge and imagination.
This twist on convention
modernizes the classic
clock face design.
design
for profit
I come across hundreds
of designs for home decor
accessories when researching
for projects. Some of these
items cost so little to make and
yet are being sold at exorbitant
prices. Here are just a few
clock designs...
Diamantini & Domeniconi Half Time Clock
Price: $376.00 | R3000.00
An unexpected evolution of the traditional cuckoo
clock. The classic shape is cut in half, and the bird
comes out of the side. Wood frame is lacquered in the
following finishes: black, white, green and red.
35

36
designers
with savvy
Practical. Durable. And the picture of authentic African style. The PPC Cement Laptop
Bag puts a brand that is uniquely South African over your shoulder every time you walk
out the door.
So how do we make them?
An unused Pretoria Portland Cement paper bag is the beginning of each piece.
Production takes a while, but it’s worth it. We separate the layers, remove the top and third
layer of the bag and fuse them together. Bonding them with black cotton means that
durability is never compromised. From there, you can treat it like any other fabric. We draw
the pattern, cut it and stitch the bag together. The strap of the bag is cotton webbing
and is completely adjustable.
The PPC Cement Laptop Bag is as practical as you can get, too. There are two sections
and two pockets: carry your laptop cables in one pocket and an iPhone or mouse in the
other. A padded divider separates your laptop from any other papers or notes, and the
entire inside of the bag is also padded to protect everything that you carry inside it. The
bag closes with two magnets discreetly hidden on the flap.
We treat the bag with Scotch Guard so you don’t have to worry about exposing it to the
elements.

The story about how the PPC Cement Laptop
Bag came to be is rather straight forward...
Wendren Setzer was at a shoe factory
ordering shoes (pumps to be specific)
one random day and they were
showing how they made them. Part
of the procedure is to fuse the desired
outer fabric to a cotton to make the
fabric stronger and more suitable for
the purpose. Curious as to what else this
technical fabric would be used for she
asked for a sample
Wendren fused it to all sorts of materials,
paper being one of them. Then some
time later was driving along the highway
behind a cement truck and noticed
the packaging, more specifically, the
very graphic elephant logo of Pretoria
Portland Cement. She thought this
would be fantastic to make a bag out
of so got hold of some PPC packaging
and experimented. It really was an
opportunity, experiment and idea that all
came together.
Once she had a prototype she
contacted PPC for their permission to use
their packaging and the rest is history.
“Inspiration is all around
you, you’ve just keep your
eyes and mind open to
possibilities”
http://thewrendesign.com
Reuse - Recycle - Repurpose
37

38
Repurpose empty coffee tins into welcoming candleholders for an entrance or
mantel. All you need is a can of spray adhesive, printed out stencil, a drill/driver
and 3mm HSS bit.

You have to like
furniture
that can be made
from scraps of
wood and still sell
out.
It’s not quite my
style but there is
definitely a place
in the home for
furniture made
from reclaimed
timber, whether
it’s in the den, or
outside on a patio.
We are a generation of waste. We
continuously empty our dustbins and fill
them up again, just to pile more trash on
our dumps.
So much is going to waste and timber is
a valuable commodity, especially if it’s a
hardwood such as saligna, oak, oregon
pine, teak, etc. If you think how many
years it takes a tree to reach maturity,
before we come along and chop it
down to make a piece of furniture, only
to tire of it and throw it out - that’s waste.
Furniture that is made from reclaimed
timber doesn’t have to be rustic in style.
This console table [right] features legs
made from reclaimed oak barrel staves
[ via www.vinwood.co.za ]
RECLAIMED TIMBER
rustic furniture
39

40
When you make or
purchase furniture
using reclaimed timber
you not only enjoy its
beauty and uniqueness,
but you also help the
environment.
Sustainable furniture
is not a new idea.
Many countries have
refinished, re-used, and
created furniture from
weathered wood for
centuries.
Reclaimed timber has a
unique coloration and
a natural patina. The
timber usually has widely varying knot
patterns, grain designs, and beautiful
colours, ranging from rich greys to hints of
orange and deep rust depending upon
the timber species used.
Not too long ago I featured a couple of
projects on Home-Dzine using reclaimed
silver birch branches that had been
trimmed. My projects pale in comparison
to this gorgeous range of rustic furniture
that uses the same materials.
Birch bark furniture traces its roots
to the Adirondack mountains in the
US. Many wealthy early Americans
had “great camps” located in the
pristine Adirondacks.
Local artisans built rustic furniture
with birch bark panels with twigs
and other natural materials.
Example of birch bark furniture can
be found in both museums and
antique shops throughout the US.
ABOVE and BELOW: Silver Birch
furniture from Woodland Creek (USA)

While you can’t walk into a timber
merchant and ask for relcaimed
timber, you can keep an eye on the
classifieds, visit salvage yards and be
on the lookout for pieces that are being
thrown out, perhaps by family or friends.
Even a visit to secondhand shops
might surprise you and you could walk
out with a bargain piece made from
exotic hardwoods that can be reused
and repurposed in a more practical
way, such as making reclaimed timber
furniture for your home - indoor or
outdoor.
41

42
FINISHING RECLAIMED
TIMBER FURNITURE
Finishing and maintaining your new piece
of reclaimed furniture is as easy as ‘5’, or
Woodoc 5.
You want to keep the unique look of
reclaimed timber but enhance the beauty,
and Woodoc 5 is an absolute matt sealer that
will do just that.
How to apply:
1. After you have finished sanding your
piece, be sure to wipe it down with a cloth
lightly dampened with mineral turpentine
to remove all traces of dust, especially in
cupboards, drawers and corners.
2. As this is reclaimed timber, the first coat
will be absorbed very quickly into the
moisture-starved timber. Re-apply the first
coat until the wood no longer absorbs the
sealer and the surface remains wet for 10
minutes.
Woodoc 5 in an interior wood sealer
that is lead- and formaldehyde-free.
3. Once the first coat has dried, wipe down
the surface with Woodoc Steelwool. This is
necessary to ensure maximum penetration
for the second coat of sealer.
4. Allow the second coat to dry completely
before applying a third and final coat.
Note: Woodoc 5 should be stirred until
it becomes milky in appearance. Do not
shake the can, as this causes bubbles
that affect penetration.

44
INAUGURAL ‘TASTE OF DURBAN’ FOOD FEST COMES TO TOWN
Pick n Pay Taste of Durban in association with Orbit sugar-free chewing gum, taking place at Suncoast from
Friday 27 – Sunday 29 July 2012, is destined to be the culinary event of the year.
Over three days, this unique international restaurant festival will bring together the city’s most acclaimed
restaurants, prestigious chefs and carefully selected premium exhibitors to attract Durban’s most dedicated
and sophisticated foodies in an outdoor fine dining celebration. Taking part in the inaugural show are Café
1999, Hartford House, 9th Avenue Bistro, Havana Grill, Little Havana, Jewel of India, Simply Asia, Versailles
and Max’s Lifestyle Tavern. Added to the extraordinary line up of chefs you’ll also have the opportunity to sip
and sample an array of the very best of wine, beer, cocktails and delicious foodie produce Durban has to offer
whilst you shop your way around the festival. If you love eating out this is an opportunity too good to miss.
Sit back and relax at the Pick n Pay Fresh Living Chef’s Theatre where top chefs will showcase their culinary
skills in fun and informative cooking demonstrations, culinary challenges, entertaining tutorials. Or try your
hand at making canapés at the hands on Pick n Pay Wine and Canapé Experience.
www.tasteofdurban.co.za or www.itickets.co.za

food fun
45

46
LAMB TAGINE AND COUSCOUS
Ingredients – serves 6
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp ground black pepper
2 Tbsp paprika
2 Tbsp ground ginger
2 Tbsp turmeric
2 tsp ground cinnamon
Shoulder of lamb, trimmed and cut into 5cm
chunks (approximately 1.1kg meat)
5 Tbsp olive oil
2 large onions, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
2 sticks celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 x 400g tinned chopped tomatoes
200g dried apricots, cut in half
55g dates, cut in half
55g sultanas or raisins
500ml lamb or beef stock
2 Tbsp clear honey
85g flaked almonds, toasted
Coriander and couscous, to serve
Keen to make lamb so tender it melts
off the bone and into your heart? The
tagine is the matriarch of the slowcooker
family and with its distinct
shape, ensures that your meat is
packed with flavour and mouthwateringly
tender.
The sloped, cool walls
of a tagine create
the perfect surface
for converting rising
steam into condensation
which returns to the bottom
of the dish keeping meat moist.
1. Preheat oven to 180 °C.
2. Place flour, seasoning and spices into a
small bowl and mix. Place lamb in a large
bowl and toss together with the spice mix.
3. Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in tagine base on
stove top. Add carrots, onions and celery
and cook over a gentle heat for 10 minutes
until onions are soft but not coloured. Add
crushed garlic for the final 3 minutes.
4. In a separate frying pan, heat remaining
oil and brown cubes of lamb on all sides,
then add browned meat to tagine. De-glaze
frying pan with tomatoes and add these
juices to the tagine too.
5. Add apricots, dates, sultanas, lamb stock
and honey to tagine.
6. Bring to boil, cover with lid and place in
oven to cook for 2-2.5 hours or until meat
is meltingly tender.
7. Sprinkle on coriander and flaked almonds
and serve with couscous.

A tajine, or tagine is a Berber dish from North Africa, that is named after the
special earthenware pot in which it is cooked. The traditional tagine pot is
formed entirely of a heavy clay, which is sometimes painted or glazed. It
consists of two parts: a base unit that is flat and circular with low sides, and
a large cone or dome-shaped cover that sits on the base during cooking.
The cover is so designed to promote the return of all condensation to
the bottom. With the cover removed, the base can be taken to
the table for serving.
Tagines in Moroccan cuisine are slow-cooked stews
braised at low temperatures, resulting in tender meat with
aromatic vegetables and sauce. They are traditionally
cooked in the tagine pot, the conical cover which has
a knob-like handle at its top to facilitate removal. While
simmering, the cover can be lifted off without the
aid of a mitten, enabling the cook to inspect the
main ingredients, add vegetables, mix the contents,
or add additional braising liquid.
Most tagines involve slow simmering of lessexpensive
meats. For example, the ideal cuts of lamb are
the neck, shoulder or shank cooked until it is falling off the bone.
wikipedia
Make Simmering traditional North African dishes
with meat, poultry, vegetables and fish
The combination of meats (lamb, beef,
chicken), sweet vegetables (carrots,
tomatoes, aubergines) and fruits (lemon,
dates, oranges) is very typical of North African cookery
and provides a natural sweetness to many dishes. The
sweetness is offset by the use of plenty of spices and
cayenne pepper.
47

48
New Vitrex Tiling Tool range
Completing tiling installations has just become a whole lot
easier with the new Vitrex Tiling Tool range, exclusively
available from Builders Warehouse and Builders Express.
The Vitrex range has everything you need to get that tiling
job done. It has tools for cutting, shaping, fixing and finishing
and ensures a hassle-free tiling installation and professional
workmanship. Plus, Vitrex Tiling Tools are easy to use and
with ergonomically designed grips, you’ll have a comfortable
hold when using these nifty tools.
For the first time in South Africa, Vitrex is introducing the
Lash Spacer, an easy to use self-levelling spacer that always
stays level so that you can lay tiles evenly.
The high-absorbing grouting sponge with rounded edges
cleans grout perfectly without leaving streaks and uneven
lines. It also assists with not wetting the grout excessively
when cleaning off the surplus grout.
The range also features a handy profile gauge to help you to
cut a tile in a shape that is not easy to measure, such as the
semicircle at the foot of the toilet. The profile gauge assists
you to cut the tile in the exact size you need it to ensure your
tiling job looks perfect.
Vitrex Tiling Tools are distributed by TAL, the tiling
professionals.
vitrex giveaway
We’ve got 5 Vitrex Tiling Starter Kits up
for grabs!
Send us an email and tell us where
you can buy the new Vitrex Tiling Tool
range.
Mail to: home-dzine@iburst.co.za and
remember to include your full name,
daytime contact number and address.

We have passed the
half-way mark for
winter, which means
that spring is only
a couple of months
away. South Africans
are a lucky lot indeed
when it comes to
beautiful weather
and spending time
outdoors.
But spending time
outdoors is sometimes
limited to a small, pocketsized
courtyard that
lacks appeal and is the
last place you feel like
spending time.
In this feature we’re going
to show you a few ways
to transform that small,
unattractive space into
a wonderful oasis where
you want to spend a few
hours soaking up the
fresh air and sunshine.
image: pininterest
gardening delights
49

50
image: pininterest
image: www.home-landscape-plan.com
What’s underfoot
in your courtyard
makes a big
difference.
If the area hasn’t already
been paved or concrete
poured, it’s easy to install
your own informal paving,
and it can make a big
difference to the overall
appearance of the space.
Stone, cement or bricks
cobbles are laid on a level
surface and can also be
laid over concrete that is
still in good condition.
If you can to put down paving bricks or cobbles, remove any grasses and rake until level.
Raking also brings stones to the surface and these need to be removed as well. Put down a 2 to
3mm thick layer of sharp river sand and level this with a straightedge, or long, straight plank of
wood. Now you are ready to start laying the pavers. You will find plenty of instructions on the
website for similar projects.

Add an interesting
feature
When you start designing
your new courtyard,
be sure to include an
interesting feature. It might
be nice to incorporate a
small water feature that not
only looks good, but also
helps to mask any traffic
noise if the courtyard is
close to a road.
If space allows, lush
planting also blocks out
surrounding sound to
create a tranquil haven for
relaxation.
image: www.herbgardendesign.co.uk
image: www.herbgardendesign.co.uk
Plants and hardscape combined
provide interest and texture.
In a small courtyard you can
incorporate a few small beds
and plant these with contrasting
colours and foliage.
Creating privacy is important if you reside in a townhouse complex where units overlook your
garden. A screen of small trees will not only block off nosey neighbours, they will also create a
more lush environment and serve to block off sound.
51

52
image: www.mylandscapes.co.uk

Bright garden designer, Amir Schlezinger, designs and build gardens throughout
London. His main plan is to create beautiful yet highly liveable, social spaces,
which isn’t easy when living in the centre of a large, metropolitan city. We could
take more than a few tips from some of his projects.
Designing or landscaping a courtyard garden
will basically follow the same design rules as
a small garden, with more emphasis placed on
vertical space.
Most courtyards are small and feel cramped
and by adding height around the perimeter, it
creates the illusion of a lofty space that feels
larger than it actually is., making the eye go
upwards.
Keep it green. If your courtyard needs a touch
of green, think about adding artificial turf.
Believe it or not this product is considered
reasonably green; no watering, no fertilising,
no cutting - all of which make artificial turf an
eco choice for small gardens.
53

54
1. Add food colouring to water for
easiest, even distribution. This is
especially helpful if you’re using a
gel or paste food colouring.
2. Place flour, salt, coloured water,
oil, and cream of tartar in a large
saucepan. Cook over medium
high heat, stirring constantly, until it
turns into play dough.
Be creative,
use your
imagination,
have fun!
Homemade Sparkling
Play Dough Recipe
Summer is still a couple of
months away and when the
days are too cold the play
outside, here’s a fun project
from Celebrations.com to
keep the kids occupied inside!
You will need:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup salt
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
food colouring
glitter
3. Turn dough out onto the counter
to let sit until it’s cool enough
to knead. Flatten a bit on the
counter, and sprinkle generously
with glitter. Knead the glitter into
the play dough. If you want more
sparkle, repeat this step.
4. Store in an airtight container. One
batch of this recipe filled four jamjars
perfectly.

If you are planning a
child’s birthday party,
this is a fun way to keep
guests occupied, and
you can make up small
jars of sparkling play
dough to give everyone
as party favours.
Tradewind Tiaras made
up a batch of glittery play
dough for a Star Warsthemed
party.
55

56
IF YOU ARE TACKLING ANY TYPE OF
DECORATING, HOME IMPROVEMENT
OR DIY PROJECT - WE WANT TO
KNOW! IN FACT, WE WANT TO
SHARE YOUR PROJECT AND ENTER
YOU INTO THE QUARTERLY DRAW
FOR BOSCH, SKILL AND DREMEL
TOOL HAMPERS.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS USE YOUR BOSCH, SKIL OR DREMEL TOOLS TO MAKE, REPAIR
OR INSTALL AND SEND US A FEW ‘BEFORE’ AND ‘AFTER’ PICS. THEN TELL US HOW YOU
TACKLED THE PROJECT.
SEND IMAGES AND DETAILS TO: home-dzine@iburst.co.za
IMAGE SOURCE: INMAGINE.COM

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR SCHEDULE FOR 2012
More great projects for you to make and take home
Beginners & Advanced Workshops
Basic Electrical and Plumbing Workshops
Soul Sisters for our Cape Town DIY Divas
Basic Welding
Career Workshops
Every Saturday morning from 09:00 to 12:00
at a venue near you.
www.DIY-DIVAS.co.za
57