But our favourite of the lot is this chic Patchwork Ottoman, designed by Klooftique’s Jarome Furman. They’re made with either Nguni hide, zebra hide or leather, and are handsewn with inverted stitching or concealed stitching. Even better, the ottomans are light and easy to move around so you can use them conveniently as seating when you have guests. Or if you’d prefer, they also double as a beautiful coffee table.

Jarome tells HL the inspiration for the item was to reduce, reuse and recycle. ‘We needed to make use of our off-cuts and what better way than to make these versatile ottomans? Great for placing in front of fireplaces, for kids rooms or to use as additional seating, the patchwork look is our take on the classic finish of patch working  and provides an element of luxury and African charm with a contemporary feel.’ He adds that, ‘Informal seating has definitely become more popular with people enjoying a more laid-back approach to seating’. We can’t think of a better way to embrace this trend than with one of these plush ottomans in our living spaces.

The Patchwork Ottoman is priced from R3 200 including VAT, depending on the size and finish.

Visit their shop if you’re in Cape Town at 87 Kloof Street, Gardens; alternatively visit klooftique.com or call 021-424-9458.

The Doors of Perception exhibition at The Woodstock Exchange in Cape Town, in association with Revolution and Psych Night, explores works reminiscent of the psychedelic art movement of the 1960s. There will be concert posters, album covers, light shows, murals, comic books and underground newspapers on show, all of which are inspired by a range of art forms, from surrealism and illustration to printmaking and photography. Artists showcasing their work will include Simon Berndt, Raoul Goetze, Mark Reitz, Dylan Culhane, Justin Poulter and Jade Klara, among many more.

The exhibition runs from 23 May until 3 June 2013 at Revolution at The Woodstock Exchange on 66 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town. For more information, visit the Facebook page.

Compiled by Lindi Brownell Meiring

for the haddock and glazed tomato:

• 10g butter
• 1 tomato, halved
• 2T balsamic vinegar
• 2 haddock fillets (or kippers)
• fresh coriander, to garnish

for the Virgin Mary:

• ice cubes
• 2×200g cans tomato juice
• ¼T Worcestershire sauce
• ¼T Tabasco sauce
• salt and milled black pepper
• fresh coriander
• 2 celery sticks

Directions:

In a frying pan, gently heat the butter until it begins to brown. Sear the tomato halves and add half of the balsamic vinegar. Turn the tomatoes over, continue to cook and add the remaining balsamic vinegar. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Cook the haddock (or kippers) according to the packet instructions. Serve the fish on top of the glazed tomato, garnished with fresh coriander.

For the Virgin Mary, fill each glass with ice. Mix the tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt and pepper, and pour over the ice. Sprinkle a few sprigs of fresh coriander on top and serve using the celery as a swizzle stick.

Serves 2

This recipe was originally published in the 2013 House and Leisure Food issue.

How did you get started?

I was studying fine art and needed a bag for all my books and supplies. I couldn’t find any decently priced simple leather bags, so I tried to make my own. I didn’t have a sewing machine though, so after a lot of research I created a folding technique, which I used to make the bag with. No sewing required! This is how my signature sling bag came into being. Afterwards friends and family commissioned me to make them bags too – and it grew from there.

Your favourite things:

• First parts of making a new product: dreaming, researching and sketching
• Grilled marinated artichokes and vanilla pod milkshakes
• Cats
• The way my daughter wakes us up in the morning with kisses. She’s 16 months old.
• The earthy smell of new rolls of leather in my studio

Where can we buy your bags?

Ilundi bags and belts can be bought from Nap, Purr, Afraid of Mice, Mememe, Margot Molyneux’s clothing stall at the Biscuit Mill in Cape Town and very soon an exclusive range can be bought online from Presents in the Post. I also sell through my Facebook page.

This blog post is courtesy of Hanneke Schutte, whose blog, Handsome Things, showcases the best of South African design. Read more at handsomethings.com.

A new trend is vanities made from bamboo – this material provides a beautiful natural look that is a durable and eco-friendly alternative to wooden vanities.

Some benefits of bamboo include:

• It’s the fastest growing plant on earth, reaching maturity within four years.
• It has a positive carbon footprint so it absorbs more carbon dioxide throughout growth than is released during the manufacturing process.
• It is a plentiful, renewable and natural product with many remarkable characteristics, including strength and durability.
• It also has its own antimicrobial agent called bamboo-kun, which makes the bamboo wood naturally resistant to various fungi and insects, including mildew and termites. This makes bamboo ideal for damp areas like bathrooms.

HL asked Liza Watermeyer, Retail Display Coordinator at Tile Africa, to share a few tips on how to select your next vanity.

• Vanities need to be in proportion to the available space. Select a slim vanity for a small bathroom and an oversized one for a spacious bathroom.
• Bathroom accessories need to complement each other. For example, if you decide on a sleek vanity with a square-shaped basin, opt for taps in sharp lines to match the look.
• Home owners should decide on the look that they are after, consider their needs and identify who will be using the bathroom. It is also important to

   allow for adequate storage space.

• To create a masculine look, opt for a mahogany or a pitch black vanity with a black basin.
• For a spa or nature-inspired bathroom, curved lines and flowing shapes will assist in creating an organic look and feel.
• Family bathrooms require more storage space so a practical double-vanity unit that can accommodate two basins will take care of the clutter and help alleviate the morning and evening bathroom rush.
• Keep the look simple and make sure that new fittings and fixtures match the rest of the bathroom decor, especially if you’re only upgrading one section of your bathroom.

Tile Africa has released a new bamboo vanity range, which is both on-trend and extremely versatile. For more information call 0800-002-783 or visit tileafrica.co.za.

TAKE IT OUTSIDE

Dedon’s City Camp collection from Cane Time takes alfresco living to a whole new level. The weatherproof ‘outdoor living room’ is a stylish retreat for eating, drinking and relaxing outdoors – whether on a rooftop terrace, in your garden or on a veranda. It’s available as a roofed, four-poster double day bed with table element (R150 000) or a four-poster garden swing (R250 000), each with wraparound curtains for shade and privacy. canetime.com

POT LUCK

These pot holders, crafted from kiln-dried invasive timber, make pretty porch adornments and can hold two, four or six terracotta pots of varying diameters (sold separately) – or hang them inside the kitchen for easy access to fresh herbs. Available at leading garden centres from about R135.

GREEN FINGERS

Landscaper brothers Chris and Luke Maddams head Red Daffodil (reddaffodil.co.za) in Cape Town and Joburg respectively, tackling everything from potted patios to kitchen gardens to estates. Here are some of Chris’ tips for garden makeovers:

•  Budget for your garden when renovating your home.

•   Have a master plan before calling for quotes on pools or paving. Contractors will sell you what is easiest and most profitable for them.

•  Bold plant groupings emphasise texture and colour while making the garden easier to maintain.

•  Vast lawns and skinny beds make a garden look anaemic. Lawns are cheap to lay but require upkeep.

•  If you’re aiming for low maintenance, avoid pots as they require daily watering and weekly feeding.

•  Symmetry can be pleasing to the eye but slavish devotion makes the garden overwrought and draws attention to any hiccups such as a missing plant. Aim for balance or proportion instead.

This article was originally featured in the April 2013 issue of House and Leisure.

TRUE NATURE

WHAT: Monate Conservation Lodge

WHERE: Boekenhout St (near Modimolle/Nylstroom), Limpopo, 014-718 7000, monatelodge.com

WHY WE LOVE IT: A two-hour drive from Joburg, Monate Conservation Lodge is an ideal weekend getaway. There is a large variety of game, including leopard, cheetah, rhino and buffalo, and the area boasts 46 per cent of South Africa’s bird species. And, in conjunction with the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Monate Lodge is part of a cheetah rewilding programme.

X-FACTOR: On the game drives, prepare to get out on foot and track wildlife a little further. Our tracking turned up four rhino standing just 15m away.

HIGHVELD HOSPITALITY

WHAT:  Hoëveld House

WHERE:  65 5th Ave, Inanda, Johannesburg, 011-447-0751, hoeveldhouse.co.za

WHY WE LOVE IT:  The glorious garden setting, with an ancient tree shading the double-storey mansion, makes visitors feel as if they are in the country while being just a quick drive from the buzzing Sandton shopping precinct. The swimming pool and tennis court are an added bonus.

X-FACTOR: The French-inspired decor, spacious living areas and bedrooms, along with the elegant fabrics and luxurious bedding, are fit for royalty.

SPA OF THE MONTH

Driving into the gates of Kievits Kroon, it’s hard to believe Johannesburg is only 45 minutes behind you. The tree-lined driveway leads up to a majestic Cape Dutch manor, whose rolling lawns and country atmosphere belie the estate’s proximity to the city. The Spa was designed according to the classic European spa experience, and boasts one of the most advanced thermae facilities in Gauteng. Treat yourself to the signature trio of massages, which includes a full-body massage, hot-stone reflexology and a hot-oil scalp massage. The comprehensive treatment menu also includes custom-designed half-day and full-day packages. Kievits Kroon Country Estate, Plot 41, Reier Rd, Kameeldrift East, 086-054-3848, kievitskroon.co.za

BULL’S EYE

WHAT:  Gorah Elephant Camp

WHERE:  Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, 044-501-1111, hunterhotels.com/gorahelephantcamp

WHY WE LOVE IT:  With its classical charm, the manor house captures the romantic mystique of colonial life of centuries past, while the 11 tented suites offer all the fine comforts expected of a Relais & Châteaux luxury camp. Every meal is an occasion, be it an alfresco spread under the stars or a candle-lit affair in the dining room.

X-FACTOR:  The thrill of watching an elephant bull pass 6m from your tent’s private deck. This heart-racing experience is a regular occurrence at Gorah.

A CLEAN BREAK

WHAT:  Hip House

WHERE:  186 Loop St, Cape Town, 021-447-1902, amazingspaces.co.za

WHY WE LOVE IT:  This fully equipped, open-plan penthouse with roof terrace and swimming pool is the latest go-to spot for the event industry. Suitable for anything from small, intimate dinners to cocktail parties for 150 guests, the all-white ‘blank canvas’ provides a perfect backdrop for your imagination.

X-FACTOR: Sip your sundowner in style while enjoying the 180-degree panoramic view of Table Mountain.

WARM WELCOME

WHAT:  Hawksmoor House

WHERE:  Matjieskuil Wine Farm, off Klipheuwel Rd, near Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 021-884-4815, perfecthideaways.co.za

WHY WE LOVE IT:  Watching the sun set over the sprawling farmland, taking tea on the stoep, wandering through the gardens, or cuddling up in front of a roaring fire all serve to make this one of the most relaxing spots in the Cape. With antique-decorated rooms in the Cape Dutch manor house or garden cottages, it’s a place you’ll return to when you need to simply unwind and relax.

X-FACTOR:  The perfect spot for a scenic, historic, romantic wedding with packages that include accommodation for guests

This article was originally featured in the May 2012 issue of House and Leisure.