The perfect spot to enjoy sunny alfresco lunches and balmy soirees, one city patio is given four unique makeovers courtesy of a refreshing selection of complementary hues from Plascon.

MELON PUNCH
Cheery, multi-coloured DIY planters against an intense, hot-pink backdrop transform an ordinary patio into a happy-go-lucky haven.

GET THIS LOOK: 

• Paint the walls with Plascon Wall & All Fuchsia Fizz (R2-A1-1), the table with Plascon Velvaglo Fuchsia Fizz (R2-A1-1) and the chair with Plascon Velvaglo Orange Juice (O3-A1-2). Leave the ceiling and moulding white. 
• Use pops of bright colour to create a colour-blocked effect. The white wall moulding provides a bit of a breather. 
• Repurpose plastic cleaning containers into flowerpots. Remove the labels, punch holes in the sides and hang them against the wall with a colourful selection of string. Remember to make drainage holes in the bottoms. 
• Choose plants such as Sweet William that provide an abundance of colourful flowers and thrive in small containers. 
• The plastic woven carpet adds texture.

Accessories:

Plants, Stodels. Recycled bottles from local recycling depot. String used to hang recycled planters, Southern Ropes. Painted chair, The Treasury. Table, Mr Price. Chair, Chair Crazy. Plastic glasses, bowl, side plates, all Woolworths. Green stool, Mr Price. Orange yoga pouffe, Ashanti. Orange and pink sarongs on chair, Woolworths. Lilo, The Crazy Store. Butterfly net, Khoki, 021 981 5100. Carpet, Moroccan Warehouse, 021 461 8318. Towel (on ledge), @home. Tropical bikini (on ledge), Chica Loca. Orange espadrilles, Ginger Mary at Truworths. 

LEMON AID
Soft and sherbety pastels, geometric prints and touches of purple come together to create a country-chic retreat in the heart of the city.

GET THIS LOOK:

• Paint the wall with Plascon Wall & All Lemon Rind (Y4-A1-3) and the table in a lighter tone, such as Plascon Velvaglo Lemony Mist (Y4-A2-3), as a highlight. Paint the pots the same colour as the wall to give the impression that they are receding into the backdrop. 
• Fasten pot plants to the wall with cable ties by attaching them end-to-end until they fit around the pot. String another cable tie through this hoop to act as a loop for hanging, then suspend from the wall with a nail.
• Bigger pots allow for a bigger choice of plants. Try statice, petunias or pansies.
• Finish off the look by incorporating a mix of bold, large-scale graphic prints as seen on the cushions and rug.

Accessories:

Painted terracotta pots, Super Floral. Plants, Stodels. Mauve chair, The Modern Home Company. Yellow chair, Haldane Martin. Painted table, Mr Price. Scatter cushions and fabric pot cover, Skinny laMinx. Gardening tools and seed packets, Stodels. Yellow stool, ceramic cup on stool and purple Hunter boots, all Imagenius. Carpet, Gonsenhausers. Fabric on ledge, St Leger & Viney.

BERRY CRUSH
A bold, dramatic backdrop embellished with clean-lined, understated designer accessories make this patio one happening hipster heaven.

GET THIS LOOK:

• Paint the walls with Plascon Wall & All Hot-n-Spicy (R6-B1-1) and the table with Plascon Velvaglo Fresh Scent (Y6-B2-3). Keep the ceiling and moulding white. 
• Offset the red-and-white palette with a smattering of accessories in light blue or teal. 
• If you opt for a high-design look, choose one item as a showpiece – in this instance it’s the white Haldane Martin planters. Keep the rest of the accessories minimal. 
• Go for green accent plants such as cacti and other succulents. 
• Exposed light bulbs in different shapes strung up on red and blue cords add a trendy, yet minimalist touch.

Accessories:

Eco planter (on wall), Haldane Martin. Chair, The Modern Home Company. Table, Mr Price. Radio, I-fi. Coffee cups, bowls and jug, all Entrepo. White stool, Block and Chisel. Red backpack, Chapel. Trolley, Entrepo. White plant pots and plants, Stodels. Carpets, Fibre Designs. Cushion, Entrepo. Ceramic gemsbok head, Quirky Me. Exposed light bulbs and fittings, Hoi P’loy. Red geometric lampshade, Abode. White bulb and fitting, King Juliet Productions. 

SPICE INFUSION
A grounded, natural palette accessorised with a miscellany of hanging lanterns and layered textures transforms a sunny terrace into a Moroccan-inspired oasis.

GET THIS LOOK:

• Paint the wall with Plascon Wall & All You’re My Sweetie (O4-C2-2) and the table with Plascon Velvaglo Freckle (O3-C1-2). 
• Layer the space with a variety of different textured rugs – from smooth plastic to rough natural woven grass – to create a comfortable padded haven. 
• Use a staple gun to cover the ceiling with a pliable, natural woven fabric. 
• For an interesting alternative to the hanging plant trend, put your pot plants into hanging lanterns and stagger them at different heights. Choose plants that will enjoy a terrarium environment.

Accessories:
Lanterns (glass and round), reed lampshades, carpets (except left), chair, leather pouffe, ceramic vase, ceramic bowl, teapot, cushion (on chair), glasses, all Moroccan Warehouse, 021 461 8318. Terracotta pots, Super Floral. Plants, Stodels. Carpets used for ceiling, Ashanti. Carpet on floor (left), Ashanti. Cushion (on floor), Bbellamy & Bbellamy. Oversized basket, Baraka. Hex side table, Haldane Martin. Cactus and basket, both Woodstock Vintage.

For more handy tips, visit plasconspaces.co.za

The post One Room, Four Looks appeared first on Visi.

Rain, rain, go away, come back another day… Not many of us enjoy rain but at least your entrance hall doesn’t have to look as gray as the clouds out there. Chase the polar bears with cheerful primary colors, a fun doormat and chic umbrellas, says stylist Marian van Wyk.

• Green Natura glass container, R449, Country Road, 011 290 2500, 021 405 4300
• Red vases, R278 each, The Pause Room, thepauseroom.co.za
• Owl, R134, The Pause Room, thepauseroom.co.za
• Post clip, R35, Quirky Me, quirkyme.com
• Teal wool hat, R160, and scarf, R80, Woolworths, woolworths.co.za
• Eames-inspired wall hooks, R799, 5Rooms, 5rooms.com
• Red scarf and gloves, R299 each, Country Road, 011 290 2500, 021 405 4300
• Felt storage container, R200, Mr Price Home, mrpricehome.com
• Deli chair, R1 295, Weylandts, weylandts.co.za
• Chindi mat, R200, Mr Price Home, mrpricehome.com
• Bunny doormat by Droog, R3 841, Label Orange, labelorange.com
• 1950s display cabinet, price on request, Vamp, vampfurniture.blogspot.com
• Green gumboots, R140, Pick n Pay Clothing, picknpay.co.za
• Red Crocs boots, R499, and blue Crocs kids boots, R299, Crocs, 021 418 7066
• Red umbrella, R80, Baraka, barakashop.co.za
• Animal Alphabet umbrella, R350, Design Team, designteamfabrics.co.za

Is winter beating your entrance hall into a mess with everyone shedding their woolies? Here’s a plan:

• Hang your keys on the wall or put them in a beautiful ceramic bowl.
• Find a place for the mail a simple clip or container should do the trick.
• No umbrella stand? Stand them up in gumboots.
• A classic wall hook unit will keep hats and raincoats neat.
• Have a storage container available for scarves and gloves.
• Put your foot down firmly for the rest!

Originally published in Rapport Mytyd. Subscribe here.

Find more shopping advice here.

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Mad Men season 6 kicks off on the M-Net Series Showcase tomorrow, Thursday 11 July, and here’s a little teaser…

We’ll be wrapped up in the new intrigues within a few minutes, no doubt, but also always keeping a keen eye on the covetable retro decor. The furniture’s clean lines and elegant curves speak timeless style. Says Marian van Wyk: “In New York of the 60s, where Mad Men plays off, iconic architecture such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim Museum (1959)and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Seagram Building (1958) were instrumental in pushing decor in a fresh direction.”

For more contemporary workspace inspiration get VISI 66 The Office or browse some of the online extras here.

Originally published in Rapport Mytyd. Subscribe here.

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Deck your living space in layers of warm knits and crochets this winter. Wool, mohair and even recycled T-shirts are becoming desirable homeware, stitch by stitch, says Marian van Wyk.

If you put your own needles to work for a decor item or even a scarf, use pure wool or mohair. It’s much more than just soft, luxurious, warm and durable. If you spill on a wool carpet, for instance, you can wipe it up quickly thanks to wool’s natural stain-resistance. Mohair from the Angora goat is also particularly light and warm. Read more at www.mohair.co.za.

To get you in the mood for knitting, don’t forget the Knit-a-thon on Saturday 1 June and the yarnbombing on Saturday 8 June at KWV in Paarl. 

Originally published in Rapport Mytyd. Subscribe here.

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The post Close knit appeared first on Visi.

Shake your feathers and glam up, it’s time to get ready for the Oscars. Surround yourself with black and gold (two colours that are seriously in vogue) and recreate old world Hollywood. “For decor and fashion inspiration, watch old Hollywood movies – Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the early James Bonds. Pouring a martini into crystal, gold and oversized mirrors – we love it!” says stylist Marian Ward.

The post Hello Hollywood appeared first on Visi.