didn’t foresee writing an editor’s letter
for an issue that showcased my own
home. However, I was persuaded
by my team to have it shot and so there
you have it (page 60). It’s a small house
but it has such great indoor/outdoor
flow that when all the doors are open
it suddenly becomes spacious; the gardenmorphs into a second dining area and the
back patio into another lounge. I’ve had
lots of fun times in this place and so often
been lucky enough to be able to enjoy
it with family and friends. What Luchelle
Nel says of her modern, streamlined
Pretoria home (page 70) sums up my
feelings: ‘This house lives so well.’
The fact is I could happily live in all
of this month’s houses. There’s the
sleek three storeyed Higgovale house,
nicknamed The Aviary because of its
ornithological theme throughout, with its
lush garden and forested surrounds (page
80) and, in sharp contrast, Luchelle and her
family’s Scandinavian-style, meticulously
curated abode. Our House of the Month in
Irene (page 52) so masterfully combines
various architectural features including
a glass box entrance, rim flow pool and
a mix of materials and textures, all within
the restrictions of a barn style, and it still
manages to be in tune with the landscape.
In preparation for all the outdoor
living you’ll be doing thanks to such an
accommodating climate, we’ve lined up
loads of shopping ideas. HL’s Joburg decorstylist Heather Boting has selected a range
of the latest sunglasses (see more online at
houseandleisure.co.za) and compiled an
exciting selection of all weather items you’ll
want to own (page 32). Likewise, if your
pool and patio need a revamp or just some
fresh inspiration, check out the trends and
new designs we’ve spotted (page 129).This month we also bring you our
bumper Green Living guide (page 149).
It’s fair to say that all of us want to shift
to a more ecofriendly, sustainable lifestyle
but sometimes lack the knowledge as to
just how and what to do to make
a difference. Writer Catriona Ross sorts
it out, leaving us all with no excuses.I
ALL OF US WANT TO SHIFT TO
A MORE ECOFRIENDLY LIFESTYLE
HOUSE OF THE MONTH
Not merely confined to interior walls, works of art can
be found all over and around this Joburg home, where
even the garden doubles up as an exhibition space.editor’s picks
RIGHT, FROM TOP A bedroom detail from
my house (page 60) with wooden canisters
below a working drawing, all created
by my brother Timothy Larkin, a New
Zealand designer; kelp and cocoa ice cream
from our Green Living Guide (page 149)- kelp is fast growing and sustainable;
the owners of this ‘green’ house in Durban
hope to inspire others.
PHOTOGRAPHS: MARK CAMERON (NAOMI), ELSA YOUNG, SALLY CHANCE, SITAARA STODEL; NAOMI’S HAIR AND MAKE-UP: GAYLE SHELLY/SIXLOVE ARTIST MANAGEMENT, SIXLOVE.CO.ZA; NAOMI’S STYLING: RAAZIQA MAJIET; NAOMI’S DRESS: VICTORIA BECKHAM FROM STUDIO 8, CAPE TOWN, 021-683-1666, STUDIOSHOP.COM; NAOMI’S NECKLACE: KIRSTEN GOSS, KIRSTENGOSS.COM.Follow Naomi a Naomi_Larkin
and x naomi_larkinHOUSE OF THE MONTH
The owners of this house maintained an airy and spacious feel using
plenty of glass while staying within the building rules of the estate.RIGHT, FROM TOP A bedroom detail from10 HL OCTOBER 2015 HOUSEANDLEISURE.CO.ZAEDITOR’S LETTER
1015_HL_010_Ed's letter_OCT.indd 10 2015/09/07 9:55 AM