Visi

Visi is a celebration of living well. It is committed to bringing readers the best of South African design, decor and architecture, together with the latest international trends. The innovative magazine prides itself on quality and integrity in design and editorial content. Readers enjoy news about today’s decor and design trends, new products and ideas, as well as features on South Africa’s most beautiful homes and spaces.

Ed’s LETTER

VISI KITCHENS

Contributors • WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SHADE OF GREEN?

Visi English

visi.co.za • Can’t wait for the next issue of VISI? Get your daily dose at VISI.co.za.

GREEN DREAMS • Third-generation farmer and inner-city horticulturist ASHLEIGH MACHETE – aka Joburg Ash – explains how his fascination with plants developed, and how it has brought him to where he is today.

THE STORY OF VANILLA • Writer and editor DIANNE STEWART explores the almost supernatural ability that smell has to trigger memories, in the context of her personal history with the rich and evocative scent of vanilla.

FINDING OUR ROOTS • For novelist and short-story writer CHINENYE EMEZIE, the practice of growing food is a long-standing family tradition – and a strong statement of support for the natural environment.

THE FULL SUITE • Cape Town firm FABIAN ARCHITECTS + MAKE STUDIO has built its reputation on trust and collaboration, creating timeless designs for clients over the past five decades. We spoke to partner Lauren Bolus about the firm’s approach to architectural design.

Vision • INTERNATIONAL DIRECTIONS AND LOCAL INSPIRATIONS

THE RED RISING SUN • Japan has long been a source of inspiration for designers worldwide. The serene and uncluttered lifestyle known to the rest of the world as Japanese minimalism goes against modern consumerism, keeping life simple and adhering to the bare essentials.

A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES • As customisable as a piece of furniture, the new Samsung BESPOKE 4-Door Flex™ refrigerator is a unique appliance with an interchangeable front panel design and functional modularity.

FOREVER GREEN • Because there are some things that will always be there. They may be reinterpreted, repurposed, reimagined and reinvented, but the shapes, forms and tactility mean they are integral to the lives we live.

The Influencers’ Influences GREGORY KATZ • Ever wondered who inspires our current generation of architects? A stint abroad afforded Johannesburg’s Gregory Katz the chance to experience the works of architectural heroes such as CHARLES and RAY EAMES, LOUIS KAHN and HANS SCHAROUN in the flesh.

Travel Diary BIG SKY THINKING • The best antidote to lockdown blues? A stargazing escape. Here’s our pick of the best dark sky locations where you can connect with the cosmos, plus a couple of tips for ensuring you get to see the heavens at their finest.

EARTH 2 EARTH • AN ARCHITECT’S WEEKEND GETAWAY ON AN ANCIENT METEORITE CRATER SOUTH OF JOHANNESBURG REPRISES TRADITIONAL BUILDING TECHNIQUES TO CREATE A SLEEK, SUSTAINABLE HOUSE THAT PROVIDES A GLIMPSE OF A POSSIBLE FUTURE.

LET THERE BE LIGHT • AS PART OF THE FAZENDA FARM, THIS CONSERVATORY IN THE OVERBERG NESTLES GENTLY IN A FAMOUSLY BEAUTIFUL BERRY-PRODUCING VALLEY.

GREY GREEN BLUE • PERCHED ON A ROCKY PROMONTORY IN THE SOUGHT-AFTER SEASIDE TOWN OF PLETTENBERG BAY, A CURVACEOUS CONCRETE RESIDENCE ECHOES THE HARD AND SOFT LINES OF ITS EVER-CHANGING VISTA.

BACK TO THE FUTURE • SYDNEY INTERIOR DESIGNER NANCY RENZI SNAPPED UP THIS UNIQUE SYDNEY HOME, GIVING IT A BEAUTIFUL RESTORATION SYMPATHETIC TO ITS 1960s ROOTS.

NATURAL LAMOUR • A JUXTAPOSITION OF TEXTURES, SPACE AND COLOUR MAKES THIS STEYN CITY PENTHOUSE APARTMENT A HAVEN FROM BUSY CITY LIFE WHILE PROVIDING SWEEPING VIEWS OF THE JOHANNESBURG...