Exposed posts, beams and trusses have been used for centuries to provide aesthetically pleasing and functional features to architecture – particularly for vaulted ceilings. Though the traditional materials used for such architectural framing included hardwoods, their weight, susceptibility to decay and environmental impact have encouraged architects to look for sustainable alternatives.

The innovation behind Eva-Last’s Lifespan range of forest-friendly trussing materials has combined market-leading composite materials with lightweight aluminium components to create incredibly versatile profiles to complement any space.

Lifespan brings together a surface with a natural timber appearance and the concealed high-performance longevity of aluminium with none of the drawbacks of wood; warping, cracking, fading, splitting and susceptibility to environmental conditions.

By installing Lifespan in either vertical or horizontal applications, a commercial or residential space can benefit from the character, visual warmth and aesthetic features, to exude rustic elegance.

Lifespan’s endless versatility also provides design opportunities to create eco-friendly pergolas, cladding, screening, railing and other decorative architectural showpieces that benefit from longevity and performance far superior to natural timber. Lifespan’s span capabilities significantly exceed those of other composite products. With its aluminium hollow core and Eva-Tech composite external layer providing long-lasting protection and a range of attractive finishes, Lifespan comes with a 10-year warranty.

“Through a tri-extrusion process to bond the elements of Lifespan together, this range of products is highly resistant to severe climatic and biodeterioration conditions. Lifespan has been engineered to meet industrial norms and architects have benefited from its light weight, while requiring no reinforcement and less time to install thanks to easier handling. It also requires no maintenance and upkeep, unlike real timber,” says Eva-Last CEO Marc Minne.

A major benefit for all end users is Lifespan’s environmental credentials, making use of recycled materials and solar energy in manufacturing. “Lifespan helps to preserve valuable natural resources while providing finishes and aesthetics that are indistinguishable from the timber appearance we all know and love. This – along with UV resistance for both indoor and outdoor applications – makes Lifespan the ideal choice for any exposed beams and trusses, such as in the post-and-beam loft style,” says Minne.

Underneath its beautiful exterior, Lifespan offers market-leading technical specifications in flexural stability, weather resistance, application opportunities and biodegradation through attack by organisms like termites, fungi and bacteria.

The building materials industry globally has been booming since lockdown restrictions took effect. The main reason is that working from home became normalised and homeowners from all walks of life decided to take the time to improve their living spaces.

With the effects of Covid-19 on our lives and working arrangements seemingly going nowhere any time soon, here are some décor tips and tricks for those who either did not have the funds or the time to make some much-needed home improvements last year.

If a change is as good as a holiday, a home refresh can make working time between holidays that much more enjoyable in 2021. The onset of winter is the perfect time to reassess the comfort and liveability of your home so that you can effortlessly spend time in either a designated workspace or relaxation zone.

“Not every change has to introduce new building materials, furniture or finishes. There are many ways to both rearrange and rejuvenate the components of our living spaces that can change their atmosphere or appeal. Blending in some new items, if they’re within budget, can bring life to rooms our outdoor spaces,” says Eva-Last’s director of marketing, Shelley Galliver.

“Upholstering old couches, chairs or even headboards can usher in a breath of fresh air into stale rooms and provide the perfect way to achieve the greatest decorating bang for your buck alongside a new coat of paint,” she adds.

According to Galliver, one of the key drivers of the building materials market in 2020 was DIY, and that trend seems set to continue. “DIY is the best way to ensure that living spaces are transformed exactly how you’d like them and we’ve noticed a significant rise in DIY customers buying both our Tier Flooring range and our decking products to create statement pieces that reflect their personality and style. Alternatively our contractors have been on hand to assist where the homeowner is not as DIY proficient.”

Murals are another way to stamp your personality on a space and they can serve a variety of purposes, from livening up a child’s bedroom to creating the illusion of space and texture in a room that needs to ‘open up’. While white brightens and refreshes any space, using colour to play off furnishings, floors and décor can radically change the ‘temperature’ of a room – from cool blue hues to warm and cosy oranges and reds.

Light is an important part of indoor appeal, with modern track lighting or freestanding lamp options providing many ways of visually opening up previously darkened areas of a living space. It’s easy to create different moods throughout a home through tasteful lighting selection.

Mirrors are an excellent way to create the illusion of depth and space. Used tastefully, they can be an extremely stylish substitute for art or windows in situations where neither are available.

“Looking at the latest trends, two old friends have become new acquaintances in this year’s uses of wicker and metal. Mixing and matching metal finishes is a popular and quick way to make a space look curated and bespoke, according to Shelley Johnston from Northshore Luxury Interior Design.

“Pillows and scatter cushions can provide the highly personalised finishing touches to any seating area and provide a handy contrast with smoother, harder furniture materials. It’s also another quick and cost effective way to refresh a room, with a new colour palette.” says Galliver.

If your budget extends to antique furniture, there’s nothing like antiques to add instant charm and lived-in character to a living space. The benefit of antiques is that they are much like great paintings – they serve as investments which can be sold on for a profit at a later stage, while you get to enjoy them in your living space for as long as you have them.

The ultimate change to a home is the installation of an entertainment area, providing a place to step away from work. This doesn’t necessarily mean building the usual bar – it could be any dedicated area for entertainment and unwinding, either for family time or functions. The simple incorporation of a drinks or statement coffee table with some picture-biased books can turn a room into a social area with a focal feature.

Figuring out a floor plan is vital: good furniture positioning creates good visual flow and energy in a room. For outdoor areas like patios, an outdoor rug can lift the living space and extend the comfort of indoors to the outdoors. Just like indoors, rugs can be anchored under furniture feet to prevent them turning into tripping hazards.

“Finally, simplicity is key: keeping any living space uncluttered and clear in the ethos of its décor is the right way to make a space look curated for enjoyment and inviting for both guests and residents alike. Using this time to rationalise and spruce up our living spaces is the ideal time to both deal with the potential monotony of spending our work and living hours at home, while also being ready for the coming summer and, hopefully, the gradual resumption of our social lives,” Galliver says.

Nando’s joins the Loeries to celebrate design Design from Africa and the Middle East finally gets the recognition it deserves with the expanded Nando’s Design category at the Loeries in 2019. This year’s category has been extended to recognise design from a much broader range of creative professionals. “We’ve expanded the design category beyond only brand communication to include areas of design such as retail furniture and product design, fabric, wallpaper, lighting, architecture and interior design, and even the design of signage programmes,” says Loeries CEO Andrew Human. He adds that the Loeries has long been recognised as the highest accolade in advertising and brand communication.

“A strong design award has been lacking for our region and this is a great opportunity for all designers to showcase their work and achieve recognition.” Design is woven into the Nando’s DNA, making Nando’s a natural partner for the Design category. “Design and creativity have been an intrinsic part of the Nando’s way of doing business.

Nando’s is the first local brand to collaborate with local designers at the scale it does,” says Deirdre King, Nando’s Brand Experience GM. She adds: “Putting our support behind the design community is important to doing business well. Our PERi-PERi power has charted new paths and careers for many local artists and their art. Putting that same fire behind the extended Design category for the 2019 Loeries gives us a chance to spice things up for the wonderful designers who will imprint their names onto this exciting category. According to Gaby de Abreu, Loeries board member and creative head of Switch Design, the awards are invaluable because they offer a chance for designers to showcase their work to a far greater audience.

“The Nando’s Design category at the Loeries is an opportunity to showcase excellence across disciplines in countries throughout Africa and the Middle East. For independent designers, it’s a unique chance to achieve recognition across the industry, reaching creatives internationally,” says de Abreu. “For a furniture designer working in an independent workshop or a graphic designer outside of the agency network, this year’s Loeries offers a chance to show the world what you’ve achieved,” he adds. The Nando’s Design category at the Loeries is open to designers across all the main disciplines. The entry deadline is 15 May and more information can be found on loeries.com.

About Nando's: While proudly South African, Nando’s is an international flame-grilling, PERi-PERi chicken restaurant group. We offer a twist of Afro-Portuguese with an upmarket and comfortable dining experience. Two friends, Robert Brozin and Fernando Duarte, opened the first Nando’s in 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa. All Nando's PERi-PERi chicken is marinated for 24 hours, locally sourced and never frozen, ensuring our customers only get the finest flavours.

Our unique PERi-PERi recipe includes herbs, spices, garlic, lemon juice and bird’s eye chilli. Nando's authentic PERi -PERi has captivated its customers all over the world, making it the largest South African restaurant group to expand internationally. DEADLINE FOR 2019 LOERIES ENTRIES EXTENDED TO MAY 31 About Loeries Africa Middle East: The Loeries, a non-profit company, is Africa and the Middle East’s premiere initiative that recognises, rewards, inspires and fosters creative excellence in the brand communication industry.

As the highest accolade for creativity and innovation across our region, the Loeries promotes and supports creativity by helping marketers, agencies and consumers appreciate the value of ideas and fresh thinking.

Culminating in the biggest creative gathering in Africa and the Middle East, Loeries Creative Week Durban brings together the best innovative minds from our industry for a festival of networking, inspiring minds and recognising great work. Our region's creative economy is world-class and has great potential to grow and to offer employment both to our talented youth. The growth occurring throughout Africa and the Middle East is very exciting, and a major focus of the Loeries is to increase the standard of brand communication in the region.

Major Partners of the Loeries: DStv Media Sales, Gearhouse Category Partners: AB InBev, Barron, Brand South Africa, Facebook, Gagasi FM, Google, JCDecaux, Nando’s, Tsogo Sun, Woolworths Additional Partners and Official Suppliers: AAA School of Advertising, Antalis South Africa, Aon South Africa, Backsberg, BEE Online, First Source, Fresh RSVP Guest Logistics, Funk Productions, Gallo Images, Grid Worldwide, Hetzner, Mama Creative, Newsclip, Paygate, Rocketseed, Shared Value Initiative, Shift Social Development, Vega School, VQI Communications Nigeria Endorsed by: Association of Communication and Design, Brand Council South Africa, Commercial Producers Association, Creative Circle, EXCA, IAB, South African Institute of Architects, IID Official Media Partners Between 10and5, Bizcommunity.com, Book of Swag, Brand Communicator Nigeria, Business Insider by Pulse, Campaign Middle East, Film & Event Media, Modern Marketing The Redzone. Twitter: @loeries Instagram: Loerieawards Facebook: The Loeries

Distributed on behalf of the Loeries by: Riana Greenblo Communications: 011 3256006

For more information, interview requests or high-res images please contact: Gina McLoughlin: 0113256006 (mornings only)or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Riana Greenblo: +27 82 5675159 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CANVEX customised wall canvas transforms interior walls into branding statements, billboards, huge artworks or creative backdrops. Already a firm favourite for designers, CANVEX is ideal for your office, hotels, retail stores, restaurants and homes.

Transform any design or image into wall fabric that won’t shrink or move with weather change. Quick and easy to install, CANVEX by Expand a Sign is robust, long-lasting, and made from non-toxic ink and recyclable materials and locally produced.

No weathering, no waste, just intensive colour and detail wherever you want it, whenever you need it. It is available in a width of 1.8m and can be as long as your space requires. It can also be relocated if you move.

Bridget Ward of Accelerated Education Enterprises says, “The Canvex murals have added an innovative solution to our in office branding. We really like the fact that the product can be custom sized, enabling us to brand wall to floor in any area.”

If you’re ready create your own canvas wallpaper for corporate or residential use, visit www.canvex.co.za or call 0860 744 688. Ends

The announcement of Ravine (62) as Plascon’s Neutral of the Year tells us that, even though it has evolved over more than ten years as one of the top decorative neutrals, grey is here to stay. Ravine (62) is a timeless blend of grey and beige which invites a minimalistic yet luxurious look to a space and, according to the Plascon Colour Connoisseurs, is the perfect hue for the classic home in the 21st century.  Part of the Plascon Colour Forecast’s 2019 Luxury colour story, Ravine (62) has a soothing taupe undertone, perfect for classically decorated homes.

On grey’s enduring popularity, Colour Expert, Claire Bond says, “Ravine continues to be our warm go-to natural as it provides a neutral canvas making it a safe option when detail needs to be added, be it a coloured painted feature wall, curtaining, flooring or upholstery.” For a luxurious classic look, Claire recommends pairing it with optimistic blush pinks such as Nutmeg Dust (O3-C2-2) or gentle salmons such as Orange Delight (O5-A1-4).Partnered with bright whites and blonde wood tones, versatile Ravine (62) also invites a clean, clear and calm Scandinavian aesthetic to a home. Claire comments, “In contrast to other cooler shades that have been popular in the past, this neutral shade of grey adds warmth to a space.  

The recently launched Plascon 2019 Colour Forecast identified cocooning, mindfulness and individualisation as some of the trend drivers compelling people to transform their homes into personal sanctuaries away from a busy, technologically-driven world. Ravine (62), moving away from the ‘more is more’ concept, is about creating spaces where life’s simple pleasures take centre stage. Says Claire, “The concept of luxury has taken a new direction with the new interpretation extending to simple joys like reading a book, taking a bath or enjoying a long lazy Sunday lunch with family and friends.” Ravine (62) can be used in any space depending on the mood you want to create. A soothing relaxing bathroom would do well with a coat of this grey as would a reading nook or dining area.

To get that luxurious minimalistic look, Plascon suggests using Ravine (62) as the core colour and teaming it up with accent colours such as dramatic Dark Antelope (P7-E1-1) or Bovine (47) for a monochromatic look.Ravine (62) also works well with Golf Greens (G4-A1-1) from the colour forecast’s Urban story while rich feature colours such as Winter Storm (B3-B1-2) or Atlantic Ocean (B2-C1-1) on a feature wall or painted furniture brings the palette into the millennial age. Golden Lake (Y5-C1-3) from the forecast’s Luxury palette also combines beautifully with Ravine (62). Claire recommends introducing woods and shiny copper fittings for a modern touch to a traditional décor scheme or textural elements like a rich floor rug that inspires luxury.

The beauty of Ravine (62) is that it’s the ultimate grey that can be used for building a signature palette. Paired with colours such as calming Berry Good (P1-A2-3) and beautiful pastels, it also offers a French Provence edge which Claire sees in the classical home. “Because Ravine (62) is a blend of grey and beige, it effortlessly brings opulence into a home without having to fill the space with too much stuff. With this wonderfully adaptable grey you won’t go wrong when transforming your home into a refuge where simple luxuries are the order of the day,” Claire concludes.

Black creates an air of sophistication in the home and these elegant and timeless pieces will complement any décor style, allowing you creative freedom, available exclusively from Handles Inc.

Excellence is in the attention to detail, and choosing the perfect cupboard and door handles for your home or office will be the final touch that brings your space together. Let your living reflect your purpose, your style, your essence. Visit a Handles Inc store, where their seasoned team will help you choose the items that best suit your needs.

Their stores are renowned for being eye-candy for architects, interior designers and decorators, as they know that the smallest detail will complete the look – whether it is a corporate office, modular home or rambling mansion.

Handles Inc boasts a collection of over 9000 items to inspire you. Specialists in handles and bathroom accessories, for all applications, personally selected from top global brands and available exclusively from Handles Inc.

Watch how the smallest change can create the greatest transformation.   For your closest branch, visit www.handlesinc.co.za or call 021-422 2322.

Add a touch of elegance to your space by visiting Handles Inc, the exclusive supplier of the designer Italian brand, Oro & Oro. With this door handle, watch how your lighting subtly glimmers off this polished chrome handle, embellished with Swarovski crystals.

Priced from R 700 per set.  NEW Store Opening In Kramerville, Johannesburg, JANUARY 2018...  For your closest branch, visit www.handlesinc.co.za or call 021-422 2322.

Excellence is in the attention to detail, and choosing the perfect cupboard and door handles for your home or office will be the final touch that brings your space together. Let your living reflect your purpose, your style, your essence. Visit a Handles Inc store, where their seasoned team will help you choose the items that best suit your needs.

Their stores are renowned for being eye-candy for architects, interior designers and decorators, as they know that the smallest detail will complete the look – whether it is a corporate office, modular home or rambling mansion. Handles Inc boasts a collection of over 9000 items to inspire you. Specialists in handles and bathroom accessories, for all applications, personally selected from top global brands and available exclusively from Handles Inc.

Watch how the smallest change can create the greatest transformation.

For your closest branch, visit www.handlesinc.co.za or call 021-422 2322.

Take control of every detail in your home, with these fully customisable, gorgeous Mandelli leather handles, available exclusively from Handles Inc. Attention to detail transforms your home from a designer’s dream, into YOUR design dream.

The handles are crafted from leather and hand-stitched – personalise them by choosing your colour preference to make it your own creation. Take control of your space. Excellence is in the attention to detail, and choosing the perfect cupboard and door handles for your home or office will be the final touch that brings your space together. Let your living reflect your purpose, your style, your essence.

Visit a Handles Inc store, where their seasoned team will help you choose the items that best suit your needs.

Their stores are renowned for being eye-candy for architects, interior designers and decorators, as they know that the smallest detail will complete the look – whether it is a corporate office, modular home or rambling mansion. Handles Inc boasts a collection of over 9000 items to inspire you.

Specialists in handles and bathroom accessories, for all applications, personally selected from top global brands and available exclusively from Handles Inc.

Watch how the smallest change can create the greatest transformation.

For your local stockist visit www.handlesinc.co.za or call 021-422 2322.

KOHLER®, one of the world’s largest bathroom specialists, seamlessly fuses innovation and technology with their latest Mica Vessel range which is slim, sleek, and ultra-contemporary. Deemed as an absolute showstopper, the Kohler Mica Round or Square Vessel has the thinnest edge Kohler has ever produced in a basin. The elegant Mica Vessels emphasise Kohler’s refined sense of innovation and embodies true minimalism, becoming a quintessential centrepiece of modern and contemporary style.

This piece draws its popularity thanks to its durability, made of Supramic® material for a longer lifespan and which is 1.5 times harder than standard basins, plus the DFI stain-resistant surface coating makes it easier to clean.The Kohler Mica Vessel Features:

Kohler’s thinnest edge in design, at only 6mm, demonstrating true innovation in bathroom product development.

Crafted with Supramic® material for durability and extended lifespan.

Sealed with an invisible patented DFI coating for stain resistance, and effortless cleaning.

Available in two shapes: Round with a diameter of 410 mmSquare with a diameter of 393 mm

Designs specifically created for leading edge contemporary bathrooms.

"Mica embodies minimalism in design - obsessive reduction and refinement, absolute attention to detail to achieve a delicate precision with the fine edge and feel of bone china. This demanded innovation in materials, manufacturing and design. The result: a ceramic that is not just thin but also 1.5 times harder than normal.  Mica is beautifully simple - which like all great minimalist design makes it timeless and universal" shares Mark Bickerstaffe, Director New Product Development – Kohler EMEA and Asia-Pacific.Since 1873,

Kohler has been leading the way in style, innovation and providing exceptional products and services. Kohler has firmly established itself as a global leader in bathroom and kitchen products – providing total design solutions that strike a perfect balance between form and function.

For more information visit www.africa.kohler.com/highlights or email us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call on 011-050 9000

Re-Freshed and Re-Inspired

Home innovation is key at this year’s ECR House & Garden Show 

This year’s ECR House and Garden Show has undergone a design and décor overhaul, featuring a radical new line-up alongside established house and home legends.   MSQ Interior Design have taken command of the entrance way. Hanging gardens and a bespoke tree sculpture welcome to enter a world filled with ideas to refresh your space, inside and out.

Small space living is a movement sweeping the globe. ‘The Apartment’ by Joao Cabral of Route 3 Design Studio showcases its finest innovations. Set inside a 12m shipping container and featuring startling small space functional design blended with the newest in smart technology; its aim is to inspire a new approach to space, and to comfortable living.  At the KAPOW Designer Café presented by Dulux, KZN’s top interior decorators and designers will present their personal visions for home creation. Seven cameo stands, built on a pairing between designers and local fabric houses, form blank canvases on which new home design dreams are built.  Sustainability is key and the African Green Revolution pierces this theme precisely. The home is made exclusively from recycled products. Here inspiration is spun into walls built with two litre plastic bottles, floors sculpted from plastic bottle lids, and a rooftop garden growing from wooden palette beds.

The installation will include information on how to build using home waste.  Cutting edge technology is on the other side of the same sustainability coin. Brett and Scott from Uber Haus have created a fully automated home ready to fire up curious minds, blending the latest from home system solution specialists Legrand and the elegant Springlights into a home straight from the future. “Our aim is to refresh and inspire, inside and out,” said new Show Director Cairey Baxter-Bruce. “Judging by the buzz in our own office I know we’re succeeding! We cannot wait to welcome our first visitors to a brand new House and Garden experience.” 

Notes to Editor 

For further info please contact Michelle Lewis, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 072 566 2551 About the ECR House & Garden Show KZN’s largest lifestyle show is on from June 30 to July 9 at the Durban Exhibition Centre.

Explore the contemporary small space living display nestled in an up-cycled 12metre shipping container. Discover the new For the Love of Food pavilion to find scrumptious local delights, wine tasting stations, craft beer, foodie products and a reimagined chef’s demo theatre. KZN’s top interior designers and decorators collaborate for the first time to create a mix of trend-focused room settings, alongside a relaxed Café where daily talks will nudge your design dreams into action.The much-loved Homegrown Design Fair returns, bigger and better, to showcase the very best products by talented local crafters and design studios. Back by popular demand is the KZN Travel & Adventure Show, the Builders DIY Pavilion, Tanya Visser’s The Gardener feature, activities to keep the kids entertained, and a whole lot of great show specials. With over 450 exhibitors on display visitors will leave thoroughly inspired and ready to do, and design, their homes. Tickets R85 per person, buy at the door or via iTickets.

The much-loved Homegrown Design Fair returns, bigger and better, to showcase the very best products by talented local crafters and design studios. Back by popular demand is the KZN Travel & Adventure Show, the Builders DIY Pavilion, Tanya Visser’s The Gardener feature, activities to keep the kids entertained, and a whole lot of great show specials. With over 450 exhibitors on display visitors will leave thoroughly inspired and ready to do, and design, their homes. Tickets R85 per person, buy at the door or via iTickets.

For more info, housegardenshow.co.za

Date/s: 30 June to 9 July 2017
Show Times: Mon – Thurs 10am – 9pm | Fri – Sat 10am – 10pm | Sun 10am – 8pm
Entrance Fees: R85 adults | R60 seniors (over 60) and students (bring student ID) | Under 12 FREE (with adult)Mid-Week Senior
Special: Mon – Thurs 10am – 11:30am one cup coffee / tea and one muffin or danish FREE
Venue: Durban Exhibition Centre, 11 Walnut Road
Find & Follow: www.housegardenshow.co.za | facebook.com/housegardenshow | twitter.com/HouseGardenShow | instagram.com/housegardenshow