HOME - March 2021

Improver
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PICTURE CHRIS SNOOK/HOUZZ—THE WASHINGTON POST
Bathroom
splash issue
Also inside: A palatial home •
Gardens that will grow on you

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AGENCY
PUBLISHER: Vasantha Angamuthu
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EXECUTIVE EDITOR:
Vivian Warby
PICTURE MAX VAKHTBOVYCH
EDITOR HOME IMPROVER: Vivian Warby
vivian.warby@inl.co.za
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
MARCH is one of those special months –
the inbetween phase where summer
is reaching its end and winter is peeking
over our shoulders. It is a time when we
in the southern hemisphere begin to go
more inward.
Not that we needed any more inward
movement after a year that will for ever
be known as the pandemic year; the year
that saw our homes having to serve as the
venue for everything from work to school
to recreation.
This month our focus is on
bathrooms. Anyone who has been in
lockdown with extended family – or who
has children – will know how the space
can serve as a sanctuary.
With this in mind, we wanted to see
how we could recreate this functional
space as a wonderful getaway spot
providing you with both luxury and calm.
We have also taken a look at trends
in decor and gardening for this year. And if
you are looking for something to aspire to,
don’t miss our Home of the Month.
There are a host of nurturing and
absolutely beautiful trends emerging as we
– as a society – try to make sense of this
new world in which we find ourselves.
I hope this magazine adds to a sense
of calm and provides a space to dream
and inspire.
Please keep in contact
Vivian Warby
Vivian.Warby@inl.co.za
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contents
MARCH 2021
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28
Letter
Contents
2021 decor trends
Bath in luxury
Bold bathroom styles
Bathroom revamp
Q&A
Bathroom makeovers
DIY bathrooms
Before you renovate,
do this
Property trend alert
28
Home of the Month
Organic gardening
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T R e N D S
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Cape Town-based international interior designer Gina Munro
of StudioMunro gives us her five top trends for this year.
WORDS AND IMAGES GINA MUNRO
COLOUR AND PATTERN: Earthy, neutral tones will always make for a timeless palette, however colour is making a big comeback.
Bright statement colours are a sure way to keep our spirits up. Combining colour with bold patterns, whether on a feature wallpaper or an
upholstered occasional chair, is a wonderful way to highlight key areas in a living, working or leisure space. It isn’t about inserting colour everywhere
but rather about using it as an accent which brings an entire scheme together. If you’re afraid of colour and pattern, apply the notion to loose items
such as cushions, a statement vase or striking rug. Think blues, greens, reds, pinks.
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MORE THAN JUST GREENERY: People have become obsessed with greenery and this trend is definitely not going away anytime
soon. Bringing the outdoors in continues to be a growing trend, especially for those who don’t have large gardens or green fingers. But it doesn’t
need to stop there – now is the time to get creative with planters. From pedestal options to textured and over-sized ceramic planters, it’s all about
what your plant lives in. Table-top solutions are definitely on the up, especially when curated in large eclectic groups. Planters themselves can also
be beautiful stand-alone accessories, even without a plant – a great sculptural option in an entrance hallway or enclosed balcony.
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CUSTOM PIECES: Over the past year, we have become a lot more sentimental about our personal spaces, and with that we seem to be
paying more attention to how we use furniture at home. We have come to learn what does and doesn’t work, and there is a definite shift from simply
wanting off-the-shelf items to customising key pieces or even hunting for unique items. Not only do we want aesthetically pleasing furniture but
there is now a much bigger demand for items that are also practical.
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KITCHEN & DINING MUSTS: The kitchen is often the heart of the home but this isn’t the case for everyone. Over the past year,
many small food businesses have popped up, providing delectable home-cooked meals to those who don’t feel confident in the kitchen. If anything,
the past year has seemed all about food. Whether you’re cooking yourself or getting meals catered, how you present your food is important. Collect
key kitchen items such as crockery and focus on how you plate what you eat. Signature serving dishes, sculptural cutlery and handmade vessels
are talking points on their own. This gives us a chance, when entertaining, to express our personal style through simple day-to- day items.
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REVIVING FORGOTTEN ITEMS: Decluttering our lives seems to have become a trend in itself and, through this cathartic
experience, we are finding unused sentimental bits and bobs that have been hidden away and forgotten. It’s time to shift our mindsets – instead
of “out with the old and in with the new”, let’s think, “bring the old into the new”. It could be an artwork that’s been flat-packed in the back of a
spare-room cupboard and needs a more modern frame. Or perhaps it’s hand-me-down vintage dinner plates that could be mounted on a wall in the
dining room. Older, sentimental items can find their place in 2021 and tell their own story.
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PICTURE TARYN ELLIOTT
Bathroom
escape
Gone are the days when bathrooms were dull,
functional places to take a quick shower. The trend
now is towards a luxury space where you can spend
time washing away the stresses of everyday life
ATHROOMS are increasingly becoming places of
refuge and relaxation where we can release the tension of
the the day, say interior designers, adding that glamorous
is
the is the name of the game. For instance, don’t be afraid
to
add some velvet via a 1950s chair (if you have the space),
with mirrors with backlighting. Simple, basic bathroom design
has been replaced with new trends and accessories, such as heated
towel rails – perfect for drying damp towels in winter, luxury soap dispensers, vibrating
ceiling showers, Jacuzzi baths and even a place for a television set. However, people
are also wanting to bring elements of nature into their homes and in some instances
are creating living walls with greenery and blooms or adding nature-focused 3D floors.
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PICTURE ANTON DARIUS
B
R
A
V
E
Designer Will Engelbrecht, owner and creative head of
WillDesign Solutions gives us top bathroom trends for the year
B
A
T
H
R
O
O
M
S
PICTURE KAROLINA GRABOWSKA
THE KIT KAT TILES
Skinny vertical tiles are all the rage. You can
create the look with subway tiles – last year the
trend was to lay them horizontally but this year we
are going vertical and stacking them to create a “Kit
Kat” effect. This adds a hint of art deco glamour
and intrigue to a bathroom. Stephen Pellerade of
Pellerade Design House adds that full-wall cladding
in artificial stone or resin is also a trend.
EMBRACE BLOOMS
Having a big statement wall with wallpaper
printed with huge over-the-top blooms and foliage
in your smallest room will make a bold impact.
This is not the year to be scared to explore colour
and design and it’s certainly a good time to add a
touch of quirkiness to the bathroom.
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PICTURE MAX VAKHTBOVYCH
PICTURE COTTONBRO
THE GUEST BATHROOM
This is your splash-out room. Use your guest loo to
fulfil your biggest decor fantasies – do something
you may be too nervous to try elsewhere. Think
flowered tiles, all-black walls or walls that are all
mirrors. These powder rooms have become secret
pocket rooms that give your guests a thrill when
they discover them.
SEE THE LIGHT
Layered lighting is important. Think high-hats,
sconces and decorative fixtures all in the same
room. A chandelier in the bathroom might be an
oldie but it’s still a goldie. Think different textile
shades juxtaposed beside each other. Get
the lights on separate switches and always-on
dimmers to create an atmosphere of allure.
FLOOR FANTASY
Accent tiles with geometric patterns work well on
the floor. There is also a trend to replace traditional
rectangles with other geometric shapes, such as
hexagonal tiles. Ceramic tiles that are printed with
wooden grain can seem warm and natural without
the problems of water stains on a real wooden floor.
Another biggie for the adventurous is 3D flooring.
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B A T H R O O M
Confidential
International interior designer Daun Curry answers your design questions
WORDS JURA KONCIUS
PICTURE RYAN CHRISTODOULOUH
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Q: There is room on our vanity to add
something in addition to soap and a
tissue box but I’m unsure what else
to put there.
A: Think of accessories that are not
necessarily meant for a bathroom. Some of
my favourites for a bathroom are plants and
natural elements such as corals and shells,
candles and luxury linens.
Q: Your tips for designing tiny bathrooms?
A: The first factors to consider are an
absolute needs for function. Make a list as
you go through your daily routine. Consider if
you truly need a bathtub; this can be a huge
space saver. Medicine cabinets are great for
storage and options can be vertical storage
on walls. And remember that bright colours
will open up the room.

Q: How do you choose whether a
bathroom should have lighter surfaces or
a darker theme? Does either light or dark
make a space seem bigger than the other?
A: Lighter bathrooms tend to feel fresh and
clean, whereas darker ones have a moody,
sexy vibe; it just depends on what you’re
going for. Powder rooms are great candidates
for a dark, moody palette.
Q: I want to resell my home in a few years’
time but in the meantime want to redo my
bathrooms. Any advice?
A: Keep everything white and fresh and don’t
get too decorative. I do think that people look
for a double vanity in the master bathroom,
so that would be a great investment. I would
not suggest wall-mounted toilets, because
they are very specific and not for everyone.
PICTURE ANDREW NEEL
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Q: We need to replace
the floor tiles in our main
bathroom, and I have fallen
in love with a marble tile.
I’m worried the marble will
be hard to care for and
will look stained or worn
quickly. Do you have any
recommendations for caring
for marble or should I try to
find a porcelain that looks
like it?
A: Marble and natural stone
always top my list because of
their timeless beauty but there
always needs to be a balance
between beauty and durability.
You can seal marble, but over
time, it will show wear and
patina which, in my opinion, is
part of the beauty. Porcelain is a
great option and there are many
wonderful products out there.
Q: What design considerations
do you take into account when
weighing the use of large or
small format tiles?
A: The size of the bathroom is
definitely a consideration but you
can use large- and small-format
tiles in the same bathroom.
Shower floors need small tiles to
protect against slipping. I love
large-format tiles on walls and
the main floor areas.
PICTURE MAX VAKHTBOVYCH
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PICTURE TARYN ELLIOTT
Q: How do you choose
a bathtub? What are the
benefits of a free-standing
tub versus a built-in? I love
free-standing tubs but I
always worry about the
potential mess.
A: If you have the space for
a free-standing tub, I think
it’s a beautiful look, and the
benefits far outweigh a little
water on the floor.
– Washington Post
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BEFORE
Freshen up
When he made over the bathrooms in a Granger Bay
home, designer Will Engelbrecht used the
seaside location as inspiration for the main bathroom
but let his imaginative side come out when he redid
the guest bathroom in funky style
Main bathroom
When designer
Will Engelbrecht,
owner and creative
head of WillDesign,
was commissioned
to revamp this
seaside Granger
Bay home he let
the outdoors guide
his indoor palette.
The main
bathroom,
which had been
multiple rooms,
one of which had
plumbing, was
gutted.
“I used stone
and speckled grey
tiles to pick up
the feeling of the
boulders in front
of the home,” says
Engelbrecht.
“We went for
luxury finishes so
that the bathroom
became a feature
of the home. I
used darker tiles
on the floor to
try and deflect
the glare of the
ocean away from
the house. I also
removed old
porcelain tiles to
create a fresh,
more modern,
look.”
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BEFORE
Guest bathroom
“Here we went wild
and glamorous,”
says designer Will
Engelbrecht.
“A guest bathroom is
a wonderful place to
pull off some daring
decor moves. I used
a luxury and funky
wallpaper to create
some drama and then
filled it with mirrors to
create space.
“A guest bathroom
is a place you can let
your decor fantasies
run wild.”
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PICTURE DIANA GRYTSKU
Bathroom
can be tricky for
a DIYer to revamp but David
Jacobs, a regional manager for
the Rawson Property Group,
says even small updates
DIYBATHROOMS
Doing a revamp, even if
it’s as simple as giving the
space a fresh coat of paint,
is a good way to help your
house sell faster
can make a big difference in
getting a fast sale.
“Do try a fresh coat
of paint on your walls and
ceilings and replace old-school
towel rails and accessories
with more modern versions.
You can also refinish your
bathroom cabinets or replace
your vanity. Adding stylish
mirrors or display shelves can
be a great idea as well.
“Retiling makes a huge
difference but it’s a pretty big
DIY and it would be best to
get a valuation on your home
before you make any big
investments because you may
not get your money back.
“If you’re not up for a
project of that scale, you
could consider refinishing
your existing tiles using the
specially formulated tile paints
now available.”
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When making home improvements,
ensure intended savings don’t turn into
massive unforeseen expenses
EXPERT: HANDY MAC AKA DON Mc ALISTER
Invest some
time &
save heaps
BEFORE jumping into a home renovation project, Handy
Mac urges you to ask yourself these questions:
1 COSTS How much will this cost, and how much value
will this add to my home? For those answers, you will
need to talk to a contractor regarding expenses, and an
estate agent to find out if it is worthwhile forking out a
huge sum of money to upgrade your home if you won’t
get it back on resale.
2 DISCOMFORT During a renovation you will be
inconvenienced. There is no way around this. First, ensure
you are dealing with a reputable company that takes
Covid protocols seriously. Consider how you will manage
without the facilities in the room being renovated, the
time of year and how uncomfortable you might be during
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Never pay in full or
upfront. A contractor who
requires this is probably
scamming you
construction. Consider moving out for the duration of the
renovations, if you can. If not, plan ahead to ensure the
discomfort is minimal.
3 INVESTIGATE During the planning, interview
many contractors and ask for costs. Check out their
communication style. Does it work well with your
communication style, or will you find yourself getting
irritated by it? If so, maybe this contractor is not for
you. Also ask about insurance and get as many
references as you can. Most importantly, ensure all
contractors are accredited.
4 HISTORY If you have your home’s original plans, plus
plans that include home improvements and additions
over the years, offer them to the contractor. This can
really simplify the job.
5 THE LEGAL STUFF Before starting any work that will
affect your finances, ensure you have a contract in place.
6 BILLING Ask for itemised billing as opposed to a lumpsum
fee. This way you can keep a handle on how your
money is being spent.
7 WARNING Never pay in full or upfront. A contractor
who requires this is probably scamming you.
8 DIY Be realistic about how much you can do yourself
and when you need to call in professionals. Many a DIY
job has required extra money to sort out what you broke.
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The world’s wealthiest are favouring sumptuous ‘whole life’ homes where they can
seclude themselves from the Covid-19 pandemic and other disasters
WORDS VIVIAN WARBY
The ultimate
L U X U R Y
PICTURE TARYN ELLIOTT
THE ULTRA-RICH have turned to “whole-life” homes – places
in which they can live, work and play without having to set
foot in the “real” world.
Some of these homes even have nightclubs (yes, you read right)
and theatres in them and are certainly not the dark and heavy bunkerstyle
homes sometimes built in times of pandemic.
Experts say high net worth Individuals (HNWI) worldwide are
spending millions to acquire one or more of these “whole-life” homes.
Alternatively, says Rory O’Hagan, head of the Luxury Portfolio
division of marketing agency Chas Everitt International, they are
upgrading their existing properties, turning them into self-contained
safe havens where they and their families can ride out the current
pandemic or any future world disasters without loss of income or
major lifestyle adjustment.
Pellerade Design House chief executive Stephen Pellerade says
these whole-life homes are highly-customised, luxurious retreats
which often resemble seven-star boutique hotels.
Some of the “extravagant necessities” most favoured by the
owners and buyers of such properties, he says, are spas and gyms;
hairdressing salons; home cinemas; cigar and champagne bars;
bowling alleys; double kitchens; cold rooms; multi-layered security
systems; smart home-automation; clean-air systems and water and
power back-up systems.
One such local home, known as Gatsby, designed and furnished
by Pellerade Design House, fits the bill and is on the market for
R64.8 million, says O’Hagan.
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A private palace
Perched on a ridge above Joburg, with views over the city and beyond, is a luxurious
house which takes its inspiration from around the world
WORDS VIVIEN HORLER AND VIVIAN WARBY
Marble and bronze
statues from
Argentina and
France grace a
dozen fountains
in the formal,
terraced gardens.
Gatsby House,
set on Houghton
Ridge in Joburg, is
breathtaking.
PICTURE RYAN CHRISTODOULOUH
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Antique and modern pieces
blend seamlessly in the
glamorous bedroom suites.
OVER a century ago, Randlords
built impressive homes on
Houghton Ridge, using the
fortunes they made from gold.
Some have stood the test of
time, with beautiful teak window
frames and eye-stretching views.
Gatsby, set on the ridge, has all
the luxuries the Randlords would
have wanted, plus every mod-con
besides.
The house has taken its
inspiration from around the
world, with gardens reminiscent
of those in St Petersburg, Venetian
chandeliers, a Paris-styled
“night club”, modern American
sculptures and a white marble
angel sculpture found in an
antiques market in Brussels.
But the house is also firmly
based in Africa, with sculptures
from the royal Zulu household,
and, on a good day, views as
far as the Pilanesberg near Sun
The decor of the
nightclub in this superhome
is based on the
Buddha Bar in Paris,
with its rich colours and
dramatic fabrics.
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The grand bathrooms
feature marble floors
and vanities, spa baths
and steam showers.
ABOVE The main entrance stairway with its glorious marbletopped
balustrade is a fitting introduction to this grand house.
BELOW Built on four levels, Gatsby features a heated indoor pool
as well as this training pool-with-a-view on the terrace.
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City, as well as the Voortrekker
Monument in Pretoria.
The grand house belongs to
Pellerade Design House chief
executive Stephen Pellerade
whose vision is to be seen
everywhere in it.
The home offers 2 000m² of
lavish living space set over four
storeys, with eight elegant en
suite bedrooms, a magnificent art
collection and expansive outdoor
entertainment areas and gardens.
There are also business and
conference facilities.
We asked Pellerade what
influenced his design, both
indoors and outdoors.
“We decided that the
furnishings and the design palette
would be totally international;
not regional, local or specific to
one particular genre.”
“If there was one word to
define Gatsby, it would be
‘neo-classical’,” he says.
“This means Venetian crystal
chandeliers live together with
sculptures of the royal Zulu
household. Grand masters’
oil paintings are displayed
in the same room as modern
American bronzes; as are gigantic
contemporary black-mink wingback
chairs in the hall. And we
mingle Chinoiserie with midcentury
Barcelona chairs … and
so on.”
His favourite room is what he
calls the “niteclub” on the outside
pool terrace level.
“It’s inspired by an evening
spent at the Buddha Bar in Paris
with my daughter when she
was 20; she chose the chocolate,
pink and red colours for this
sophisticated entertainment area.
“The red billiard tablecloth
is striking and the room has two
pink chandeliers above.

Gatsby boasts an array of
sumptuous entertainment
spaces, such as this day-bar,
with bespoke furnishings, rare
art and design pieces from
around the world.
PICTURES SUPPLIED
BELOW Floor to ceiling expanses of glass optimise the
spectacular views from Gatsby’s reception rooms.
“Chocolate velvet curtaining
contrasts with oversized bright
pink velvet wing-back chairs.
“And a silver-leafed Buddha
statue presides over it all. This is
an incredibly eclectic space with a
real wow factor.”
The Randlords would have
yearned for the fabulous paintings
and antiques spread throughout
the house’s various levels. So,
which are Pellerade’s favourites?
“Well, I’m not sure if they
count as antiques, but since they
date from the 1920s, perhaps they
do. They are the 4m high solid
oak doors sourced from a palace
in Buenos Aires.
“The building was erected
in the 1920s and recently many
of the building’s fixtures and
finishes were being auctioned off.
The doors are the Buenos Aires
building’s original front doors.”
But in a Joburg home full of
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The formal dining
room is one of
several glamorous
indoor and outdoor
entertainment
spaces and the
bespoke table
seats 16 in luxury.
so many riches, Pellerade has
trouble deciding his favourites.
“There is also the white
marble angel statue just off the
grand room – that’s a favourite.
This was sourced from an
antiques market in Brussels.”
The house is magnificent
and it is set, like a precious
stone, in glorious grounds.
Pellerade says the gardens
were inspired by those at the
Peterhof palace in St Petersburg
in Russia. And creating them
was no easy task.
“The terraced levels
are specifically designed to
maximise the awesome views
and took five years to create.
“Massive rocks had to be
blasted with dynamite and
some 30 000 tons of soil had to
be brought on to the property.
It was a huge engineering feat
and incredibly costly.
“The landscaping with
tall, slim conifers, buxus
hedging and several fountains
and sculptures is Italianate in
design.”
And, of course, that’s not all.
The Gatsby house has its
own spa as well as a heated
indoor pool, salt-water outdoor
training pool, a library and
gymnasium. There is also
automated climate control,
music, lighting and security
systems that can be operated via
a cellphone from anywhere in
the world, says Rory O’Hagan,
head of the Luxury Portfolio
division of marketing agency
Chas Everitt International.
A place like this needs staff
and Gatsby has accommodation
and garaging for au pairs and
assistants.
The Randlords thought they
had it all – but Gatsby is enough
to make them weep into their
pink gins.
Rory O'Hagan +27 83 328 8888
Chas Everitt Hyde Park & Sandton

The world’s wealthiest are favouring sumptuous ‘whole life’ homes where they can
seclude themselves from the Covid-19 pandemic and other disasters
WORDS VIVIAN WARBY
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PICTURE PRESSFOTO
t &
WORDS VIVIAN WARBY
HE HOME garden – whether year – even if it is just
planted with veggies or flowers a container on a window sill.
– became many a family’s safe But the biggest trend by far
space when the pandemic – and one set to continue – is
hit. The garden served to
kitchen gardens, with many
supplement the menu, provide households planning and
an escape for children and those growing their own vegetables.
working from home after long www.lifeisagarden.co.za gives
hours on the screen and, as beginners this advice:
anyone who has got their hands
dirty in soil will know, function DON’T SHY AWAY FROM
as a way to help people mentally HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
exhale.
For your first growing quest,
Trend analysts foresee start small. Think about whether
gardening activities growing this you want to use containers,
GET DOWN
GET DIRTY
Planting your own organic vegetables not
only gives you food for your table, it is also a
rewarding and relaxing outdoor activity.
Here are some tips to get you growing
plant straight into the ground or
use raised beds.
Consider your space and
available time to guide your
growing style. Sowing a couple
of seeds in an empty space in
your flower beds is as good a
beginning as any.
Be careful not to
overpopulate your space. Your
veggies will increase in size and
need room to grow and climb.
Planting too close together
will also cause veggies to shade
one another. Refer to the seed
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PICTURE SIGMUND
Your veggies
will increase
in size and
need room
to grow and
climb
packet or the handy garden
centre guy for advice.
LOCATION, LOCATION
Veggies love the sun and will
flourish in open areas that
receive lot of sunlight. Avoid
areas with big trees throwing
shade.
Examine your space
through eco-eyes – take note
of the sun’s movement, the
surrounding foliage, and the
expansion space needed as your
greens grow.
Location is also important
in terms of watering. Make sure
your veggies are within reach
of the hose pipe or irrigation
system and can receive as much
rainfall as possible.
If you’re planning to grow
veggies on the stoep, make
sure your containers have good
drainage and expect to have
some water flowing from under
the pots, which is something to
consider when placing them.
CHOOSING THE BEST VEG
Seasonal veggies (meaning the
ones to plant for that season)
are your best bets for success
as these greens are naturally
adapted to the climate of the
given time.
Also, consider how the
particular plant grows – some
grow like ground covers
(pumpkin) and need plenty of
space, while others like to climb
(beans) requiring support, and
some veggies need deep soil
(potatoes) and appear bush-like
on the top.
M A R C H 2 0 2 1 HI | 2 9

PICTURE VALERIA AKSAKOVA
GROW YOUR PATIENCE
PORTIA MBAU (above), owner of The Africa Cafe, chef
and author of The Africa Cookbook, and her daughter
Lumai de Smidt, a visual storyteller, author and graphic
designer, gave our sister publication Simply Green these
useful tips for anyone starting their own kitchen garden:
1 Start by growing herbs
They are generally forgiving and can be grown in a pot
on your windowsill.
2 The garden is a process of constant learning
We’re always researching, googling and talking to
friends about how to help our garden grow.
3 It starts in the soil
Preparing your soil with compost and fertiliser is
essential to the quality of your produce.
4 Make your own compost
Compost can be expensive if you have a large garden.
Compost your organic kitchen waste.
5 Be patient
Things will die but that doesn’t mean you are a failure.
Only last year did we get an orchid to flower again –
our previous plants never bloomed twice.
For more please do read our garden issue of
Simply Green here: https://bit.ly/33Gusrd
MARCH SOWING SUGGESTIONS
Gauteng:
spinach, lettuce, beetroot and carrots.
Kwa-Zulu Natal:
cabbage, broad beans, turnips and radish.
Eastern Cape:
spinach, beans, beetroot and carrots.
Western Cape:
cauliflower, celery, peas and onions.
3 0 | HI M A R C H 2 0 2 1

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