Tenille Theron, Author at Homeology

How to Make a Luxury Tent for the Best Camping Magic

August 1, 2023September 4, 2023Tenille TheronDIY, FEATURED, INTERIOR DESIGNLeave a comment

Do you like camping? I never did, until I realised dirt and dust don’t have to form an integral part of the experience. Camping can be relaxing, peaceful and even luxurious. If you want to up your camping game, then all you need to do is learn how to make a luxury tent, and that’s easy. Read on for the how-to!

A luxury tent, like a good potjie, can do wonders for your mind, just so you know. But first, let’s find out what a luxury tent is.

What is a luxury tent?

A luxury tent is a tent that has the comforts a bedroom is likely to have. Plush bedding, electricity and bedside tables are among the items you can find in a luxury tent. These tents are often made from canvas material and have a bell or a-frame shape. Luxury tents form part of the glamping (glamorous camping) experience.

Scroll down to find out which spots made it to the top 6 luxury camping destinations in South Africa!

how to make a luxury tent the different luxury tent shapes

Hey Pioneer

Here are the essentials of a luxury tent

Rugs & Tarp for Happy Feet

Hey Pioneer

Second only to the tent structure is a sturdy and clean underfoot base. Comfortable area rugs line luxury tent floors. The contrast in texture underfoot adds a touch of hotel luxury to camping. Jute rugs are perfect for a natural approach to glamping, while Persian runners or even faux fur throws add a surprisingly welcome contrast to the immediate outdoors.

Many luxury tents are constructed onto existing platforms, like a wooden deck. But, whether set on a deck or the ground, all luxury tents need quality tarps. The tarp acts as a protective waterproof layer between the tent and the earth, this way the luxury tent won’t get damaged or wet.

Super Bed

how to make a luxury tent for glamping with bedding

Culture Trip

A soft bed is a must. White linen is a frequent feature in luxury tents, and they channel a boutique hotel atmosphere. A soft duvet, plenty of pillows and texture-rich throws make outdoor dreaming easy. Contrast is everywhere when it comes to glamping. So, get inspiration from your favourite luxury tents. Stick to white bedding and add colour through accessories.

Space to Move in

Tanda Tula

Large luxury tents resemble the luxurious one-room living of chic studio apartments. More space also means more creature comforts like a small but stylish dresser or even a tub. Finally, cramped camping is a thing of the past. Standing up straight certainly has never felt as fabulous as it does in a luxury tent.

Lovely Lounging Area

The House that Lars Built

What makes a luxury tent luxurious is not just what’s inside. Therefore an outdoor sitting or lounging nook is essential to the ultimate camping experience. Patterned picnic blankets with colourful poofs can create a magical and relaxing area, perfect after a long day of outdoor adventures.

Ambient Lights

Cherry Glamping

Not liking camping due to darkness at night is not a valid excuse anymore. Many campsites do have electricity, with lamps inside the luxury tent and outer pathways are often lit too. All the light can make it feel as safe as indoor camping. Lighting can vary from designer pendant lamps to modest bedside lights. Choose lantern lights for an authentic feel or contemporary pendant lights to up the contrast factor.

Luxury Tent Dining

The Lion and the Lady

The details that are in and around a tent matter when you’re luxury camping. A pretty tablescape complete with tablecloth, chic camping crockery and cutlery refines camping even more. Dining on a picnic blanket is an excellent alternative if you don’t have a table. For instance, trays make awesome table-islands and add freedom to al fresco dining.

Whatever you choose to eat, be sure to pack a few goodies into your cycling backpacks to keep your tummy happy on the next hike or mountain track!

How to create your luxury tent in 5 steps

You can glam up your camping in a budget-friendly manner. So, whether you’re sprucing up your two-person tent or setting up a luxury tent in your backyard here’s what you’ll need:

Yurie

1. Lay down a tarp and rug

A tarpaulin is essential for your tent’s well-being in the unpredictable wild. Once set up you can place a rug inside your tent and a mat just outside the tent’s entrance.

2. Set up your tent

You need a tent, any tent you own, as a basis. Clean off any dirt at least a day before camping, to ensure it dries properly. Planning camping in your garden? If it’s all clear skies for the foreseeable future (check your weather app), use a mosquito net as your luxury tent’s shell.

3. Make a bed

Soft bedding, a mattress (or camping equivalent), pillows and scatter cushions make a luxury tent luxurious.

4. Create a seating area

Make sure to get comfy seats. Spruce up camping chairs with beautiful throws and small scatter cushions. And don’t forget a table: fold-ups, make-shift surfaces and trays all count. Just be sure to add a pretty touch like flowers and colourful snack bowls.

5. Add ambient light

Invest in camping lamps, battery operated or solar powered lanterns are ideal. You can string one up inside the tent, or place one atop box on each side of your bed. Battery-operated fairy lights are even better. And don’t forget to add lights outside the tent.

If you want to camp in a luxury tent, check out our top 10 Luxury Tents in South Africa!

Top Luxury Tents in South Africa for Camping

Hey Pioneer 2. Hillsnek Safaris 3. Sanbona 4. Kwafubesi 5. Tanda Tula 6. Cherry Glamping

Now you’re ready, relax and light a fire for a lekker braai!

Happy Camping!

Our Favourite Spring Fabrics to Brighten Up Your Home

July 5, 2023September 4, 2023Tenille TheronFEATURED, INTERIOR DESIGN1 Comment

We absolutely adore spring in South Africa! Sunny days, weekends outdoors and tapas are a few of top reasons why. The beautiful weather also means we can indulge in fabrics light-as-air and pattern-crazy! Here are our favourite fabrics from local businesses making waves in the interior world.

India Ink

Latest Collection from India Ink

Travel to India with exotic textiles from India Ink. Owner Jane Middleton personally travels to India and hand picks her textiles after long scouting sessions. Expect to find colourful kanthas, intricately patterned rugs, and light cotton throws to complement your interior. Pattern and bold colours dominate the boutique catalogue, and their summer range is no exception. Paisley, indigo batik and teal accent stripes are trending under their hottest new items.

Hertex

Scatter Cushions from Hertex

Aimed to help you “find beauty in the everyday”, family-owned Hertex is one of the most covetable textile brands in the country. Whether you’re looking for bold and bright or subdued elegance, these textiles are sure to please. Their newest additions include Cyclades, an island-inspired range with distressed blues and sandy tones, and Colourwheel dedicated to the colours of the rainbow – 40 to be exact! But we just can’t get enough of their colourful range Awakening. The bright and cheerful prints are perfectly equipped for summer as the range consists of light linen and viscose blends. Hertex also offers exclusive fabrics in their couture section which features textiles that reflect international trends and are available for a limited time only.

A bonus is their new home décor brand, Haus that has all you need for the rest of the home.

Home Fabrics

Scatter Cushions from Home Fabrics

Home Fabrics is another powerhouse in the South African fabric world. Their extensive fabric library will have something for even the most fastidious of homemakers. A commitment to a greener planet gives customers an extensive collection of Oeke-Tex® certified fabrics that do not contain harmful substances and are environmentally safe and sustainable.

The latest collection is focussed on geometric and botanical motifs. Designers Guild Casablanca is just that; bold geometric patterns with an intrinsic floral aesthetic. The softness of Lauziere is perfect for flowy, romantic curtains. But best of all is the FibreGuard collection: this fabric enables easy living with its stain-free technology. Ronaldo and Nolita are both excellent options with vast colour ranges from bright to neutral that can update an entire home. For those interested in a velvet spring, Touch Stone has a velvety goodness without the stress of ruining the fabric.

La Perle

Printed Runners by La Perle

Perfect for when you want a specific print or pattern but can’t find it anywhere. La Perle has extensive experience in large format printing and now specialise in textile printing as well. Print anything from aprons and wallpaper to your preferred fabric. We love that you can personalise fabric on basically anything, which means gift ideas can come easily this year!

The Mill Fabric

Fabric by The Mill Fabrics

Once you enter The Mill Fabrics website you’re welcomed with “striving to create new trends”, and that is what they do. Their most recent collection, Lagos is a vibrant homage to the African city; filled with bold colours and pattern native to Africa with a touch of a colonial aesthetic. These eclectic pieces are a must in any traveller’s or otherwise cheerful home. The Lagos range is an absolute delight with names like “Cinnamon”, “Ditzy” and “Just Enjoy” beckoning you to create a fun and lively space. The Mill Fabrics specialises in custom designed and branded fabrics, woven or embroidered to the customer’s requirements. Mass produced products are avoided to give a fresh face to design.

Halogen International

Outdoor Collection from Halogen International

Springtime would be at a loss were it not for sprightly outdoor textiles. Halogen’s outdoor collection is made up of natural motifs with blues, greys and green as primary colours. These patterns are in complete harmony with the outdoors as they do not compete with nature. The designs complement the outdoors in their simplicity. Simply Linen is perfect for spring and summer because of its airy feel and lovely texture.

Black Fabrics

Textiles from Black Fabrics

One of the most exotic collections, Black Fabrics, prides themselves in finding beautiful textiles around the globe as well as creating their own. The Lotus from the Asian Batik range is delicate and floral without being overpowering. Spice Route alludes to another world with Persian and Moroccan inspired motifs. The Tropics is reminiscent of structured botany, with geometric patterns in earthy hues.

South Africa has more than enough beautiful textiles to go around; you only need to know where to look! These fabric houses are great places to start any interior journey. Let us know if you have a favourite that we have overlooked; we’d love to hear more about them!

If you need a little help putting your home together, contact us for online design help today!

Happy Homemaking!

Keep the Heat High and the Electricity Bill Low!

June 27, 2023September 4, 2023Tenille TheronFEATURED, INTERIOR DESIGNLeave a comment

Did you know that you lose an awful lot of heat through your windows? Especially here in South Africa, where double glazing is not very common. Luckily, you don’t have to go through the trouble of replacing your window – you can keep the chill outside of your home this winter by covering the windows with energy-efficient window treatments!

Curtains are a great way of keeping the heat inside while leaving your windows looking elegant and stylish. Stick to thick, heavyweight, tightly-woven textiles to provide a dense barrier against the cold outdoor air. Velvet, denim, suede and tapestry are great examples of thick, insulating fabrics. Hanging curtains in layers is an energy-efficient way of keeping the heat in, while still leaving your windows looking stylish.

PRO TIP: Hanging your curtains wider than the window frame and having them cascade to the floor will seal up small spaces around the edges where heat could escape.

Honeycomb blinds, also known as Cellular Shades are the best and most energy-efficient window coverings you can buy. They use a series of cell pockets to trap air around your windows, keeping your rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The cells use a unique design shape similar to a honeycomb. Also, the more layers of honeycomb material you have, the more insulation the shades will provide.

Roman blinds can make for inexpensive insulating covering for windows. They are simply cloth window coverings consisting of several sandwiched layers of fabric. They cover your windows when extended and can be pulled up and out of the way using a system of string and loops.

Whatever your window treatment preference, Finishing Touches will help you save on energy consumption by supplying the best quality made-to-measure blinds and curtains.

Happy Snuggles!

5 South African Online Furniture Stores for local Home Shopping

April 16, 2023September 4, 2023Tenille TheronFEATURED, INTERIOR DESIGNLeave a comment

We live in an age where a great many weird and wonderful things are bought online every day. Why anyone would want to buy dehydrated water or cobra whiskey is beyond us, but we do understand the need to get your virtual hands on furniture that you can bring back to the real world. Luckily for interior lovers, buying all things home is getting easier and comes with an agreeable price tag (insert squeal of excitement).

You do not have to roam the urban plains of South Africa in search of that perfect couch ever again! Now you can find a unique piece perfect for your home today and sit on it tomorrow. Amazing! And (big plus!) you’ll be supporting South African entrepreneurs, helping the local economy and minimizing the environmental impact of shipping. If you need more reasons why buying local is lekker, find them here… Intrigued? Then read on!

HERE ARE 5 LOCAL ONLINE STORES TO HELP YOU DECORATE YOUR HOME FROM HOME!

#Basis Furniture

Batman & Robin Occasional from Basis Furniture

Once you enter the online store of Basis Furniture the theme rings clear; back to basics. The focus of Basis Furniture is refined furniture that forms the backbone of a home. Thanks to strong trading ties and ditching the classic retail space, brothers Ross and Kyle Wilson are able to import beautiful and often unique pieces to their online store without inflating the price tag. Fortunately for those in Cape Town, Basis Furniture showroom is based in Diep River and the public is welcome to pop in for a peep at their elegant assembly. Expect to find modern and sophisticated chairs, sofas, benches and coffee tables. For those of you a bit further away head to their online store for the full collection.

If you love interiors from East Asia and you’re looking for great Indonesian design there isn’t much in South Africa, but don’t despair! Kohe Design is a Bali furniture supplier that ships directly to wherever you are, which means you can have your own piece of Indonesia in precious SA too!

#2 Knus

Versameling van Laaie from Knus

Knus, the Godfather of locally handcrafted products, is an expansive online store showcasing the best of South African design. Careful thought and consideration go into every piece that Knus chooses to showcase. Here intimate detail and creative expression come together to form quality furniture demanding attention. We love the playful product names like Harmony Bench and Dikbuikige Kas, literally meaning “paunchy cupboard”. If you’re starting from scratch, Knus has everything you need; from furniture to towels to wallpaper!

#3 Elsje Designs

Himmeli 2 by Elsje Designs

This boutique interior design studio, snuggled in the heart of the Cape Winelands, furnish their clients with delicate limited edition designs. Elsje Designs has its origin in the event industry, specifically the wedding industry, which is evident in the fairy-like quality of their designs. Their pieces are beautifully feminine and will be a lovely addition to any home. They still provide on-trend décor to events, so if you’re planning an event be sure to contact them for a quote. Elsje Designs is firmly rooted in graphic design and offer art prints, distinct home décor as well as corporate branding and stationary. Designs can be personalised to client-specific requirements. Here you’ll find the finishing touches that will add a touch of awesome your home.

#4 Popstrukt

Creme Bedsite Table by Popstrukt

Popstrukt came about when founders, Michelle and Adriaan Louw, were on the hunt for affordable furniture for their new home. They realised there was a big problem when it came to quality and accessibility of interior design. Lucky for us this realisation culminated in an inviting online platform that caters to all homeowners. The sleek and chic furniture come flatpacked, which means these pieces are easy to pack up and go wherever you are going. This is just one of the innovative ways Popstrukt is making “good design affordable”. Head over to their online store; they even have a bundle section where you can buy more for less!

#5 Fun my world

Mini Giraffe Lamp by Fun My World

Reviving the playful side of life! Fun My World, run by creator Nicole Lindsey, aims to deflate serious interiors by reintroducing fun to homes. The collection consists predominantly of quirky lighting and gift products. All products are made from solid wood and treated with raw linseed oil, and are fully sustainable. If you want a customized product or alternative design contact them directly, and the industrious forces behind Fun My World will have it done in no time. Like what you hear? Head over to their online store at Hello Pretty for more. If you’re a lover of weekend market finds, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Fun My World at craft markets in and around Cape Town.

We hope you love these useful local online products as much as we do. Remember that if you want a magnificently designed home there is always a way to make it happen, no matter the budget.

Happy shopping!

Make Gigantic Garden Dominoes in 7 Simple Steps

May 10, 2019May 10, 2019Tenille TheronDIY, FEATUREDLeave a comment

This latest project for Ideas Magazine is a treat for mom or dad! Capitalise on game-time with garden dominoes! Make more memories with family and friends with a game for all ages. Get the kids to help make the colourful dots of these fun-size dominoes. So, whether it’s for Mother’s day or Father’s day have fun!

The May/June 2019 issue of Ideas Magazine

Here’s how to make garden dominoes

Difficulty: easy

Time: 2 hours

You will need:

For the Dominoes

2x 69x22x2.4m Pine PAR (cut into 28x 140mm sections)
Kid-safe Paint (3-6 different colours) *
Clear sealer (we used Armour from Granny B’s) *

For the box

1x 90x22x1.8m Pine PAR
12x 40mm Wood Screws

You will also need:

Jigsaw
Drill with 3mm wood drill bit
Measuring Tape
Pencil
Sandpaper
Ruler
Small Paint Roller
Small Circular Sponge (10mm in diameter)

* Granny B supplied the Old Fashioned Chalk paint and Armour Sealer for this project.

STEP 1:

Measure and mark 28 sections of 140mm and one 580mm section on the 69x22x2.4m pine battens. Then measure two 580mm and two 110mm lengths on the 90x22x1.8m pine battens. Cut the wood into these sections then lightly sand the edge s.

STEP 2:

Finish the garden dominoes first. Measure 70mm and make a pencil line across each 140mm piece. Paint a thin stripe on top of the pencil line. To ensure a straight line, dip a ruler’s edge into the paint and lightly press it onto the measured mark.

STEP 3:

Mark the domino’s dots with a pencil then make dots with the small circular sponge. Dip the sponge into paint and test your dots on paper before dotting the wood pieces.

STEP 4:

Use a small roller and paint the sides or reverse of a few dominoes in different colours. Set aside to dry and move on to the domino box.

STEP 5:

Measure 10mm from each corner of the 110mm pieces and mark the spot with a pencil dot. Then measure and dot 10mm high and 50mm deep from the left and right edges of the two wider 580mm pieces. Drill pilot holes halfway into the wood where you’ve made dots.

STEP 6:

Let the narrow 580mm plank lay flat on your workbench. Then place the two wider 580mm planks (on their sides) on either side of the narrow plank to form a u-shape. Put a line of wood glue on the u-shape edge then cover with a 110mm piece and clamp them together.

Screw in four screws, one for each corner, into small sides of the box first. Then screw in two screws into either side of the box’s length.

STEP 7:

Use a paint roller to paint the outer edge of the domino box. Once dry, apply a clear sealant to the box and the dominoes. 2-3 coats are ideal for outdoor use.

TIPS for making garden dominoes

Save time and have your wood cut at the hardware store.
Use scrap wood between the clamp’s feet and the pine to avoid damaging the wood.
Use clear water- and heat resistant sealer that is non-yellowing like Armour from Granny B’s Old Fashioned Paint.

Don’t forget to treat your mum with Mother’s day cake!

Happy Making!

Feast On Bunny Buns & Nutriseed NuMe Bread: The Guilt-Free Way

April 19, 2019April 19, 2019Tenille TheronFEATURED, FOODLeave a comment

Easter has become synonymous with bountiful family feasts, which makes it super tricky to keep track of healthy eating. But, no more! Thanks to Nutriseed we can have decadent chocolate brownies, cake muffins and bread (all low-carb, gluten- and sugar-free)! Recently, I had a chance to try the Nutriseed NuMe bread and bread roll premixes, and I’ll definitely make them again!

I do have a personal interest here, as bread is something I’d like to live and breathe every day, and now, it seems like I can.

I’ve adjusted the Nutriseed premixes slightly, to fit into Easter. The bunny-shaped buns are cinnamon-y, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and have a honey-glaze for sweetness – perfect as it is. My version of Nutriseed NuMe bread has a bit festive spice, seeds and hot-cross bun inspired piping on top, to remember what it’s all about.

Here’s how to use Nutriseed NuMe Bread Premixes!

Easter Cross Bread

healthy-hot-cross-bun-bread-nutriseed-nume

INGREDIENTS

Nutriseed NuMe Bread premix
150g mixed seeds
5 Eggs
100ml water
2 tbsp lemon juice
20ml oil
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Flour paste*

* Make a paste by mixing 2 tablespoons flour with water. The consistency should be like runny icing. You’ll also use this paste for the bunny buns.

METHOD

Heat the oven to 220˚C and grease a bread tin.
Mix together liquid ingredients.
Fold in the bread premix, cinnamon, nutmeg and seeds.
Place the mixture into the bread tin then pipe the flour paste in a cross pattern.
Bake for 30-40 minutes.

Bunny-shaped Buns

INGREDIENTS

Bread roll premix
2 eggs
2 tbsp oil
1/2 cup double thick yogurt or cream cheese
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon
5 raisins, cut in half
Honey glaze (1 tbsp honey mixed with 2 tbsp hot water)

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180˚C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Beat liquids together.
Add dry ingredients and mix well.
Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes.
Section the dough into five equal parts. Then divide each section into three (a large, medium and small section).
Roll the large and medium pieces into balls for the head and body of the bunny, and the smallest piece into a sausage shape.
Use a knife to cut the smallest shape three-quarters in half -length-wise.
Assemble the bunny on the baking tray. Place the raisins where the eyes should be and use the flour paste to pipe the nose and bunny ears.
Glaze the bunny rolls with the honey mixture then bake for 15-20 minutes, and serve warm for the Easter feast.

I was astonished that something so healthy could taste so good. So you know, a little goes a long way. A bite of Nutriseed bread is very filling.

If you’re wondering where to get a Nutriseed premix, here are their stockists: Dischem, Spar, Pick ‘n Pay, Food Lover’s Market, Jackson’s Real Food Market, The Health Food Emporium, Faithful to Nature.

Happy Easter!

How to Make a Faux Kokedama: The Indoor Garden Delight

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019Tenille TheronDIY, FEATUREDLeave a comment

Kokedama hanging plants are all the rage now, but they can be quite pricey. Luckily, the LivingSpace Mag asked us to create a project for their summer addition. So, we created a hanging kokedama for an indoor or outdoor garden. We’ll show you how you can easily make your own faux kokedama with some plants from your garden!

Grow your indoor garden with this faux kokedama DIY

How-to-make-a-faux-kokedama-with-balloons

Difficulty: easy

Time: 30 minutes