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Decorex 2016
In keeping with its 2016 theme, 'Take it Home, Make it Home', the Cape Town Decorex exhibition this year showcased infinite ideas and inspirations for interior and exterior spaces.
Interiors no longer rely solely upon each element within, and the space and architecture around them, but also upon the manner and spirit in which they were created. With this in mind the exhibitions promised (and delivered) visitors - from consumers to industry professionals - not just infinite take-home products, but also trend-led inspiration and ideas.
Covering every aspect of the home and offering the ultimate shopping experience, this year's theme tapped into the very latest global design and decor trends. Providing everything the homeowner needs to renovate, restore, build or decorate a home, Decorex was a one-stop shop for every room in the house and every space around the home. From DIY to decorating, state of the art kitchens to bathroom sanctuaries, building materials to furnishing fabrics, furniture to Crockery, it encouraged and inspired visitors to take it home and make it home.
This year a new addition was added - the Decor & DIY Theatre - which offered a series of talks and interactive advice-sharing platforms that armed visitors with a complete arsenal of fresh decorating know-how.
The perennially popular 100% Design South Africa presented 100% Textile, an exclusive exhibition showcasing commissioned fabric designs, an interactive maker's hub and 100% Talent. Those with a passion for all things artisanal loved the Craft & Create market featuring live bands and craft beers in addition to offering a colourful collection of unique handmade lifestyle products.
For more information visit Decorex SA facebook page.
Deadly diseases identified in a flick of a strip
Imagine being able to quickly identify deadly, highly contagious haemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola, dengue and yellow fever in hospitals in
remote or underdeveloped areas, so that precious time is not lost in starting treatment or implementing quarantine.
Searching for a new way to attack Ebola, companies and academic researchers have been racing to develop faster and easier tests for determining whether someone has the disease.
Such a test, in the form of a set of colour-changing strips, has been developed by researchers at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, working with the US Food and Drug Administration. The strips work similarly to pregnancy strip tests and can alert healthcare workers to the possible presence of a specific deadly viral infection, turning orange for yellow fever, red for Ebola and green for dengue.
The new strips will not replace more accurate testing procedures that are conducted in laboratories, but rather be a complementary technique for places with no running water or electricity.
Such tests might require only a few drops of blood rather than a test tube of it, and provide the answer on the spot, without having to send the sample to a laboratory.
The tests could be essential in West Africa, where it can take days for a sample to travel to one of the relatively few testing laboratories, leaving those suspected of having the disease in dangerous limbo.
Rapid tests might also be used to screen travelers at airports, providing a more definitive answer than taking their temperatures.
Source: Rapid Micro Methods Blog
3 steps to marinating your own olives
- PREPARING THE OLIVES
- ADDING THE OLIVES TO BRINE
- MARINATING THE OLIVES
- Make a simple, straight cut into each one or poke each with a fork. This will allow them to release some of the
bitterness and soak flavour faster.
- Place all olives in a big pot, cover them with water and place a big, heavy plate in the pot to keep the olives at the bottom,
fully submerged.
- Leave olives in water for 2 weeks, changing the water every day.
- Sterilise your glass jars and lids first by washing them with warm soapy water and then popping them in the oven at low temp (120C)
until completely dry. Allow to cool before handling.
- When taking them out of the oven, do not touch them on the inside.
- Add olives to jars, making sure they are packed as tight as possible. Stuff as many as you can.
- To make brine, for every 500ml water, add about 100ml vinegar and 2 Tablespoons coarse salt. First add salt to a bowl with 3-4 Tablespoons
warm water and stir to dissolve salt. Then add salty water to 500 ml water and 100 ml vinegar and stir to combine.
- Pour brine in the jars filled with olives, to the top of the rim, until it begins to overflow - it is key that no air remains in the
jar.
- Screw the lids on the jars, label them and leave them in a dark cupboard for about 2 months
- Rinse olives to remove excess salt and vinegar.
- Mix marinade ingredients in a bowl.
- Select enough olives for 2 weeks eating habits, add olives to marinade and stir to coat them well.
- Place the olives in a closed jar and add more olive oil if needed to coat them.
- Place olives in the fridge for 1-2 days. Flavours develop as they sit.
- Keeps well for few weeks in the fridge.
Read more on the brine solution on Milkwood Permacultures blog or view the marinade recipe on Tales of a kitchen blog
Fresh produce local market
The newly established Farmers Market in the Company Gardens by the name of the Good Company Farmers Market was inaugurated late last year
towards the end of November.
The idea is to have a weekly Saturday Farmers Market where you can collect your fresh produce like your organic veggies, breads and cheeses, and then sit down afterwards and have your breakfast or lunch.
There are several lifestyle products on offer too which are all locally produced in South Africa and are of exceptionally high quality.
The Market is magnificently situated under the ancient old oaks in the Paddocks area which is at the top end of the Company's Gardens, alongside the Iziko National Gallery. There are rolling lawns that are adjacent to the Market Area which are ideal for a picnic with the whole family.
Luncheon under the trees offers a large variety of meals ranging from burgers, pizzas, veggie meals to pulled pork panini's. All this may be enjoyed with either a fresh smoothie or something a little more delectable like a glass of wine, sparkling wine or ice cold beer on tap.
For more information view Good Company Farmers Market Facebook page.
Nursery continues growing
Block B of our nursery is currently being populated with the next batch of plants.
Rhus Crenata
(Dune Crow-berry)
Family :
Anacardiaceae
Description :
Small compact shrub / tree to 3m.
Flowering time :
Aumtumn - Spring
Conditions :
- Full sun
- Average water
- Evergreen
- Some frost tender
- Wind resistant
- Well drained soil
View more detailed information on this plant in our plant directory.
To brighten up a blank or plain wall, add a bit of texture to it.
A selection of different sized diameter stems of branches placed in a geometric shape, or otherwise filling up an entire wall, not only provides a point of interest, but adds warmth with circular feminine lines, and adds masculine structure too with its geometrical pattern.
Visit our Pinterest profile for more ideas.
Yellow carrots
Seeds can be sown or plants can be planted for the following herbs and veggies this month:
Vegetables
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Herbs |
View our full planting plan in our resources section of our website.
We all love a chance to test our own brain capacity with brain teasers. Try see if you can figure out this one...
April's Teaser Answer :
"Middle Aged"
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Contact Cheral:
Cell: 082 82 509 82
Email: info@livingmatter.co.za
Website: www.livingmatter.co.za