Going to Sandton, Hyde Park or Melrose Arch for business or pleasure? MAX apartments combine comfort, convenience and luxury, making it just the spot to base yourself. 

Centrally located in Sandton, Johannesburg’s commercial hub, the new MAX Executive Apartments are set to become a popular choice for travellers, business or leisure, who like the privacy and space of a self-catering serviced apartment but also the convenience of four-star customised service.

The 28 apartments all offer a fully equipped kitchen, high-speed internet access and chic contemporary furniture with a subtle African theme. There’s a well-stocked library that can be booked for a private meeting, a rooftop deck that offers spectacular views of the Jozi skyline, a pool, a restaurant and a bar in the building.

What’s more, the staff would be happy to shop for you, before you arrive, at Thrupps across the road, order meals from restaurants and organise to drive you in their luxury courtesy car within Sandton, as they’re enthusiastic about supporting local neighbourhood businesses.

Rates vary depending on the length of your stay, but start at R1 390 for a studio apartment for one to seven nights.

To book at MAX apartments, email info@maxapartments.co.za or call 011 058 3100. For more information, visit maxapartments.co.za.

The post MAX Apartments In Joburg appeared first on Visi.

In Kitchen Confidential on page 18, you’ll get a sneak peek into the kitchens of six of the country’s top chefs, including David Higgs of Joburg’s Saxon Hotel and Emma Chen of Red Chamber Mandarin Restaurant.

As seen on our bright and beautiful cover, you’re invited to take an inside look into KLûK CGDT’s brand new (and super stylish) flagship store on Bree Street in Cape Town on page 54.

The homes in VISI 75 range from a tiny farm cottage in Paternoster (page 72) to the incredible &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge (page 116). Our deputy editor Annemarie Meintjies reports back from Maison&Objet in Paris on page 146 (you’ll want to take note of her findings) and we share 28 reasons why we all love holidays.

If you’re in the Joburg area, you can also book your spot at VISI’s first-ever Great Spaces Tour, in association with Saint-Gobain. The inaugural tour will take place on Saturday 31 January from 10am until 12pm at the remarkable Stand 47 house on Monaghan Farm. Space is limited, so make sure to buy your ticket ASAP.

From exclusive Italian-designed furniture from SW Contracts worth R30 000 to marvelous book hampers and decor accessories, there are loads of amazing giveaways to enter over the holidays too. Remember – you can enter as many times as you like. Good luck!

Now, it’s time to travel safe and have a relaxing break. You deserve it.

P.S. If you don’t want your copy of VISI to get damaged while you’re out and about these holidays, you can always download the digital edition right here.

The post VISI 75 IS HERE appeared first on Visi.

DIFFICULTY Intermediate | TIME 6 hrs

This is the perfect weekend makeover. Sneak peek number three from Misi Overturf’s self-published Real Easy Decor & DIY book is all about the power of transformation. With a few licks of paint and some fairy lights, what was destined for the rubbish dump, has become a beautiful centerpiece!

What you’ll need
An old cupboard
Sand paper 160 – 180 grit and sanding block
Wood filler and spatula
High gloss white paint
Foam roller, tray and paintbrush
Peg board (cut to size to fit the back of the cupboard)
Panel pins
Hammer
Light grey paint
Small brush
Letters printed on A4 paper spelling out CREATE BEAUTY
Clear acetate
Cutting knife
Cutting board
Nails
Fairy lights
Cordless drill
5 mm drill bit
Ribbon (to improvise as a drawer handle)

1. PREPARING THE CUPBOARD
The old cupboard was cleaned up; old varnish was removed by giving it a good sanding with 160 grit sand paper. All previous holes were filled with wood filler, and once dry, given a light sand with 180 grit sand paper for a smooth finish. The old pieces of backing were removed and two new backing boards were cut out of pegboard and slotted in. These were fastened into place with panel pins. The whole cupboard was painted with a glossy white paint.

2. USING THE TEMPLATE
Templates of letters spelling CREATE BEAUTY were cut out of acetate and painted in a very pale colour.

How to do this
1. Print the letters in the desired font and size on normal A4 paper.
2. Lay the acetate over the paper and cut out the letter templates.
3. Place the acetate where the wording will be positioned and paint the letters with a small paint brush on the backing board.

3. ADDING THE LIGHTS
Use nails as indicators to show positioning and push fairy lights through so that they sit snugly in the pegboard. Switch on the lights to bring the words to life.

TIPS
1. If one of the drawer handles is missing, tie a pretty ribbon to the hooks and add a personalised handle.
2. If you struggle to get the fairy lights through the pegboard holes, take a drill bit a size bigger than the hole and enlarge it slightly.

GOOD TO KNOW
Panel pins are designed to fix sheeting material (like pegboard) to furniture. The heads of the pins are easily disguised by pushing them below the surface so they can’t be seen.

FOR A CELEBRATION
The outline of a tree or star can be drawn on the back of the board and the lights can be replaced into the pattern to create a novel theme with seasonal appeal.

 You can purchase the book directly from Misi on her website.

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DIFFICULTY Easy peazy | TIME 1 hr

Sneak peek number two, from Misi Overturf’s self-published Real Easy Decor & DIY book, is a simple solution of blending your flat screen television with your décor. “Don’t get me wrong, she says, “I like tech, but when you dress it up a little, like most things, it looks a lot better. Easy and cost effective, it also won’t damage your television and you can remove it any time you want!”

What you’ll need
Embossed polyurethane cornices
A mitre kit with a saw for light materials
A glue gun with glue sticks
Black high gloss spray paint
A roll of double-sided tape
Scissors

Instructions 
1. Measure the television’s width and height. 
2. Subtract 2cm from each measurement. 
3. Apply these measurements to the inside frame of the cornice. 
4. Cut the lengths of the cornice according to the inside measurements at a 45 degree angle with the small saw. 
5. Saw one corner at a time, then, using the hot glue gun, glue them together and leave to set. 
6. Once the glue has set, give the frame a few even coats of spray paint and leave to dry in a well-ventilated area. Spray the front and the back of the frame for an all-round neat appearance.
7. Attach the frame with strips of double-sided tape to the television.

TIPS 
1. Ensure the remote censor is visible before sticking the frame to the television. 
2. The frame is very light and only a few strips of double-sided tape are needed. 
3. Do not use any other type of glue to attach the frame, as this might damage the television. 
4. Double-sided tape is easy to remove. 
5. Use a soft cloth to remove excess tape when you want to remove the frame. 
6. And finally a tip from the STYLIST’S KIT: a small dab of lighter fluid on a piece of cotton wool will remove stickers and tape from surfaces without scratching them.

You can purchase the book directly from Misi on her website.

The post Stylish flat screen decor appeared first on Visi.

We promised you exclusive sneak peeks from Misi Overturf’s self-published Real Easy Decor & DIY book and here is the first of four. Such fab projects to keep you busy through the holidays!” our editor-in-chief Sumien Brink comments.

DIFFICULTY Easy peazy | TIME 3 hrs

What you’ll need
Glass test tubes (check the size of the tubes and how many you will need)
Old bicycle rims
Cable ties
Strong rope
Scissors

Instructions
1. Without pulling them completely tight, fasten two cable ties around the neck of one of the test tubes.
2. Take a third cable tie, thread it between those ties and the tube, around the bicycle rim, and fasten.
3. Position the two ties around the tube so that they are inside the bicycle rim, against the edges.
4. Push the tails of these two ties flat into the rim and assemble the next tube.
5. Cut the tails of the single ties holding the tubes to the rim.
6. Use three lengths of rope and attach them to the rim, making sure they are evenly spread so as to balance the wheel; tie them together at the top and make a secure knot to hang the chandelier.

TIPS
1. This is a heavy chandelier and needs to hang securely from a proper hook that is securely fastened.
2. The glass test tubes give this chandelier a magical appearance – which cannot be achieved with plastic tubes.
3. There is some manoeuverability in the tubes and this can be used to tilt them and wash them on occasion. If cleaning proves to be a problem, disassemble, cut the ties, clean the tubes and reassemble.
4. A single bulb or fairy lights can be added to light up the chandelier.
5. Fill the tubes with water and flowers to create a breathtaking hanging vase.
6. Do the math For this chandelier I used 60 glass test tubes for the top tier and 50 for the bottom tier. 

OPTIONAL A smaller wheel can be assembled and suspended from the top wheel with three pieces rope.

You can purchase the book directly from Misi on her website.

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