Property 24 speaks to quirky local writing celebrity, Nikki Temkin, author of Chic Jozi, about her hometown and her home, and what makes them so special.
Nikki says she adores living in Johannesburg: "I love this city first and foremost because it is and always has been my home and it contains most of the people that I love in the world. Most of my memories have been made here; there is nostalgia at every turn. Second, it has its own vibe, its own feeling, it's completely African, it's a hub of activity and the people are the friendliest in the country. Need I also mention all the trees and parks?"
She said that the city inspired her to write her second book on Johannesburg, as she was, and remains determined to get the most out of her city and wants others to as well: "Jozi has often garnered a bad rap for crime and has been accused of having nothing to do or see. I aim to refute that – Chic Jozi demonstrates the myriad of things we have to offer."
Nikki and her husband, Alex, bought their first home together, six years ago, in the trendy area of Parkhurst. Asked why they opted to invest in the area, Nikki answers: "We both liked the quaintness of the neighborhood and the fact that you can walk up the road and you have a butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker – okay, not quite. But, it has all our locals and people have gotten to know us. Parkhurst is diverse and home to a motley crew of characters – from young yuppies to pensioners. Despite the popularity of the area, our street is also very quiet."
She says that in retrospect, it was an incredibly good investment: "When we bought our home, we could see that the Parkhurst area would increase in value as it was already becoming a very desirable area in which to live. At the time, we had no idea that property would increase to the degree that it has however, even with the downturn in the market. Looking back – we really bought it for a great deal."
Their home boasts a relatively modern architectural style, but it is not your average contemporary home – quite the opposite really. Full of personality, it is decadently packed with various intriguing and eye-catching items, giving it a quaint and welcoming feel. Nikki believes that her home's layout is one of its best design features: "The open energy as you walk through the door gives a great flow to the space." This warm and comfortable aesthetic is carried through in the décor as well: "The décor in my home is a totally eclectic mix – without a theme of any kind, just packed with all the things I like."
The décor speak volumes about the couple's lives, passions and interests. For example, both Nikki and Alex love to travel, and their home is a testament to all the exotic places they have visited together: "I have collected, magpie-like, little things from everywhere – from wood carvings from Thailand, antique candlesticks from India, tablecloths from the Seychelles, paintings from Japan, to ceramics and paintings from Israel, and bowls from Paris."
Travel is, however, not their only interest: "Alex and I have lots of interests and our home demonstrates this; showcasing tons of books on everything from travel to music, and loads of different CDs, because Alex owns an independent record label. Both of us appreciate art, so our walls are adorned with art that we love. Our art collection is not necessarily from well-known artists, but rather people that we like. I'm a collector of Art Deco mirrors, coloured glass, antique crockery and snow globes, amongst other things. I love colour, plants and old things, so our home is very bright and filled with things everywhere, busy walls and items hanging from above." A very creative individual, Nikki loves making things and her handmade pottery is exhibited throughout the house.
Of all the loved items in her home however, Nikki says her favourite is without doubt her French antique mirrored dressing table: "I bought it from a shop called Memphis, which does not exist anymore. The owner, Colin David, now has a shop called Vintage Cowboy in the 44 Stanley Avenue precinct. I coveted it for months on end, and drove past it every day, until one day I bit the bullet and I am so glad that I did."
A published author and freelance writer, Nikki runs her business from home and says that her favourite space is her office: "I love my office because it is my private space to work, think and sometimes daydream. Plus, it holds all my books and all my various collections of things that don't fit into the house. When I am in my office, my head is in a different space."
There have been countless good times for Nikki and her family living in their deliciously interesting Parkhurst home. She recalls some of her favourite memories: "My twenty-ninth birthday party in the house the year we moved in was legendary. Planting my beloved cactus garden around the pool, where there was previously nothing, and watching it grow. And of course, bringing my daughter home from the hospital to her very first home, and decorating her room, both hold magical memories for me."
Nikki's book; Chic Jozi: The Savvy Style Companion, will be in shops from the beginning of December 2009, and will make a fabulous Christmas gift. From restaurants, bargain-hunting, landscape gardening and urban chilling, to clubhopping, museums, markets and vintage stores; from spas, bars, the best boutiques, and local designers, to going green with organic products, décor stores, secondhand bookshops, kids' courses, yoga and meditation: this is your one stop, utterly essential guide on how to have a good time in Jo'burg. - Antonella Dési
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