The Apartment-Hunting Checklist Every Renter Needs To Know
Before you fall for the view or perfect kitchen, use this practical checklist to make sure the apartment works for you
Olivia Vergunst
Olivia Vergunst is a Cape Town-based Digital Content Creator at House and Garden South Africa, with two years of industry experience and a strong focus on design, food writing, and sustainability. She matriculated from Reddam House Constantia and graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2023 with a BA in Media and Writing and Environmental and Geographical Science. Olivia also holds a short course certification in Digital Marketing from Red & Yellow. Passionate about storytelling through food, she brings a creative and conscious approach to content—blending her love of cooking, culture, and the environment across all her work. Cape Town | [email protected]
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Whether you prefer classic rooibos or adventurous blends, these South African tea brands are worth adding to your cupboard
Farmhouse Style In Interiors: A Modern Take On Country Living
Natural materials, practical spaces and rustic details give farmhouse interiors their enduring warmth and easy appeal
The Colours Of The Karoo: Bringing Its Beauty Indoors
Inspired by wide skies, dry grasses and weathered earth, these Karoo colours bring warmth and stillness into modern interiors
Mission-Style Architecture: The Enduring Appeal Of Its Simplicity
Rooted in California's Spanish missions, Mission-style architecture pairs thick walls, arches and earthy materials with simple charm
House Tour: A Family Home that Marries Sophistication with Playfulness
A Vancouver home blends bold sophistication and playful design, reflecting its family’s lively yet refined style
Why Home Libraries Are Making A Comeback In Modern Homes
As our homes become increasingly digital, a dedicated space for books offers something wonderfully tactile, quiet and enduring
Jewel-Tone Interiors Are Bringing Rich Colour Back Home
Rich colour is back in focus, with jewel tones offering an elegant way to make rooms feel layered, atmospheric and inviting
Japandi Interior Design: The Art Of Quiet, Considered Living
Japandi interior design brings together Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian warmth for spaces that feel calm and beautifully lived in
How To Use Brown In The Bedroom For A Cosy Retreat
Forget beige: brown is the warmer neutral your bedroom needs, whether you use it through paint, furniture, textiles or wood
How AI Is Changing The Way We Design Our Homes
Artificial intelligence is becoming another tool in the designer’s kit, helping turn early concepts into more considered spaces
Regenerative Pocket Prairies: New Way To Garden In South Africa
Turn a patch of suburban lawn into a water-wise mini grassland supporting local birds, insects, bulbs and grasses today
The Reading Corner: How To Create A Winter Family Favourite
Create a cosy reading corner that brings the whole family together, with clever seating, warm lighting and plenty of books
A Vet’s Guide To Winter Enrichment For Happier Pets
Keep pets active and engaged through winter with these simple enrichment ideas designed to support their wellbeing indoors
Winter Warmers: Cosy Tables And Comfort Food In Cape Town
Make the most of winter with comforting menus, cosy tables and tempting restaurant specials across Cape Town and beyond
A Classic Kitchen in a Regency Home Gets a Modern Update
A handsome Regency home sets the scene for a calm, characterful kitchen that balances English tradition with modern ease
Small Bedroom Ideas That Prove Less Space Can Still Feel Special
A small bedroom doesn't have to feel cramped. These clever decorating ideas maximise space without compromising on character
Inside The 1818 Collective’s Creative World of Design and Art
More than a showroom, The 1818 Collective brings designers, artists and makers together through a shared love of craft
Inside a Bright Apartment Filled With Vintage Design
Designed around light, art and inherited ideas of beauty, this 140m² apartment balances precision with personality
The Macadamia Recipes to Make for Cosy Winter Cooking
Make winter cooking more comforting with these versatile macadamia recipes, from hearty mains to indulgent desserts
Art for Every Room: How to Curate a Gallery Wall That Tells Your Story
Forget perfectly matched frames: the most compelling gallery walls combine art, memories and objects that reveal something about you
Recipe: A Flavourful Tribute to Butter Chicken
Transform your kitchen into an Indian restaurant with this restaurant-quality butter chicken recipe
The Return of Rich Burgundy Interiors for a Warmer Home
Deep, dramatic and surprisingly versatile, burgundy is returning to our interiors in sophisticated new ways
Why Wellness Rooms Are Becoming the New Home Essential
As home becomes a place to recharge, dedicated wellness spaces are moving beyond luxury and into everyday interior design