Ask the experts
New life for dull floors
Linda Kinnear of Johannesburg writes
We installed a new vinyl floor with a herringbone pattern in our living room about a year ago. Now the floor looks dull and lifeless. Is there a specific product on the market that I should use to treat it?
Eva Kaiser, founder of Evalution Flooring,
replies Vinyl floors are durable and versatile, easy-to-clean, waterproof and scratch-resistant, making them ideal for families with pets or small children, damp environments in the home such as bathrooms or areas that contend with heavy foot traffic.
There are various reasons why your vinyl flooring might be looking dull; however, it’s likely that the product you’re using to clean them is leaving either a soapy or waxy residue.
One of the best ways to clean vinyl flooring is with vinegar and water. The acidity in the vinegar helps remove dirt and grime without leaving a build-up of soap or wax. Simply mix a ½ cup of vinegar with about 3.5L hot water and use a damp mop to clean. Don’t soak your vinyl floors with water and rinse your mop regularly with warm water to ensure that dirt isn’t pushed from one side of the floor to the other. You may need to do this more than once.
Thereafter, I recommend Evalution Flooring’s biodegradable Floor Finisher for everyday use; it’s suitable for all types of hard flooring.
CONTACT 021 557 0599, evalution.co.za
A touch of gold
Maureen de Villiers of Cape Town writes
I want to decorate the drawers of my black-painted sideboard with gold leaf. How do I apply the blonde shellac for the gum base? Is there perhaps another product that is easier to use?
Home contributor Shelly Bergh replies
Shellac, a resin secreted by the lac bug, is used according to an old Japanese method to make ‘glue’ by dissolving it in methylated spirits. I suggest you rather buy gilders paste at a craft store; it’s much easier than making your own shellac.
You can also use regular cold glue or PVA glue (which contains polyvinyl acetate). Dilute it with a little water then paint it onto the surface you want to gild. Give it a moment to get tacky, then place the gold leaf on top very carefully. Use a very soft, dry, clean brush to tamp it down and to brush it smooth on the prepared surface.
CONTACT shellybergh.com
Repair and restore
Ailsa Hughes of Johannesburg writes
The surface of my teak dining room table was damaged when we emigrated from England a couple of years ago. We had the table professionally polished to repair the scratches, but now it has suffered some damage due to damp. I purchased it in 1963 and it’s one of the last designs by British manufacturer Waring & Gillow; the table is made from solid wood that has been French polished. How can I repair the damage?
Frikkie Greeff of Woodoc replies Unfortunately, the milky appearance of the French polish cannot be rectified without refinishing the surface, as the spirit-shellac coating has been irreparably damaged by water/damp. The best course of action would be to return the table to the craftsman who did the original repair (if possible) so he can strip and reapply the French polish. If kept as close to its original form as possible, the piece will maintain its value.
CONTACT woodoc.com
Q: Where did the Parkhursts buy their gorgeous Persian rug, as featured on the cover of your August 2020 issue?
– Martie du Toit via Facebook
A: The rug was a hand-me-down gift from a friend, who also bought it second-hand. The homeowner found many other treasures at Odds & Ends (facebook.com/ oddsandendsantiquefurniture), or you can try Rugs Original (rugsoriginal.co.za) for a similar design.
Q: What type of floor covering was used in the dining room on page 40 of your October 2018 issue? It’s stunning!
– Cherie van Dyk, East London
A: These are screed floors done by Screedworx (screedworx.co.za). They have a wide range of colours available; homeowner Trish Wiese says the shade she used is something between grey and brown.
Q: Who created the artwork on page 18 in your May 2020 edition? – Sandy Linley, East London
A: The artist is Alex Vosloo; he is represented by Jandre Pieters of Art It Is gallery (artitis.co.za).
Q: Where did Antoinette Stockley find the beautiful armchairs featured on page 35 of your June 2020 edition?
– Karlien van Staden, Johannesburg A: The chairs are from Incanda Furniture (incanda.co.za). >>
Q: How did they lay the floor featured on page 83 of your August 2019 issue? – Danie Kriel, Pretoria
A: The existing tiles were removed in the kitchen and open-plan living area, and a new screed was applied. Screed, a simple cement mixture that’s laid on top of concrete, is typically what you’ll find under floor coverings such as tiles, carpets or vinyl and laminate. After the screed had cured, it was sealed with Woodoc 45 Cement and Tile Sealer (woodoc.com).
Q: What is the name of the Ikat fabric used for the scatter cushions in James Diack and Diane Lecluse’s living room on page 31 of your August 2020 issue? – Claudia Williams, Plumstead
A: James bought the fabric on sale at Sullies (sulliesfabrics.co.za) a few years ago. We’ve seen similar designs at Home Fabrics (homefabrics.co.za).