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The Biggest Interior Design Trends For 2018

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After all of the different trends we have seen throughout the years, from Scandinavian design to industrial or Boho, at Mzuri we think 2018 will be the year in which sustainable and minimal design will be at the forefront of interior design. Sustainable design means continuity in space and time. Sustainability is also a synonym for security, safety, and comfort. In architecture, as in interior design and furnishing, elegance and robustness will be at the forefront. Bronze, concrete, marble and massive wood will be unavoidable.  This may seem a bit austere, but interior design trends for furnishing and chromatic palettes are also going to be ultra-punchy and audacious. Here are some of our favourite design trends, we hope that you enjoy planning for your new Mzuri home!   Material Matters Mixed materials continue their domination in 2018. Floors, ceilings, and surface areas adorned with interesting materials, tiles, and patterns will create an eye-catching focal point. De

10 Ways Technology Is Changing The Future Of Water

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About 780 million people live without access to clean drinking water, and a growing global population coupled with climate change is threatening to grow that. Here's how technology can help. Water security isn't limited to access to drinking water. It's about sanitation — more people worldwide have mobile phones than toilets, but Americans waste more water by flushing toilets than any other use, according to the EPA(United States Environmental Protection Agency). And it's about climate change — melting glaciers, rising seas, flooded coasts, and longer droughts. According to the United Nations, by 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in water scarcity, and the demand for irrigation will jump by 15%. Though it's not a silver bullet, technology can help to change this course, and it's already starting to. Here's how. MANY MORE STARTUPS ARE TACKLING WATER PROBLEMS The interest in water technology is now growing amidst the growing concern over droughts

5 Simple Small Garden Ideas

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A small garden space doesn't mean you can't have the garden you want. Here are our favourite ideas for small garden ideas, including small patio garden ideas, to help you maximize your space! CREATE AN OUTDOOR ROOM Turn a tiny patio into a gorgeous outdoor room by adding a freestanding pergola. Here, a small wooden pergola was constructed over a gravel patio and enhanced with a teak seating arrangement. The pergola creates a sense of enclosure and makes the patio seem a lot larger than it actually is. GO GRAVEL Crushed brick or gravel is a beautiful and low-maintenance paving option for small gardens. It's also easier to use and less expensive than brick or flagstone. Just be sure to spread a layer of landscape fabric underneath the gravel to keep weeds from popping through. On this Hout Bay hillside, the gravel also allows rainfall to percolate through to the soil instead of running off down the hillside. VERTICAL GARDENS If floor space is tight, blan

Top Four Tips For Purchasing Property In An Estate

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The South African estate community has historically been a relatively small and exclusive component of the residential property sector. This, however, is in the process of changing as property data shows that roughly R15 billion worth of estate properties are traded each quarter. The recent surge of activity in the market, especially in the Western Cape, has highlighted the need for more knowledge and awareness amongst prospective buyers of what to look out for when making such a purchase. At Mzuri we believe that it is essential for prospective buyers to do thorough research on aspects such as the surrounding areas, security and lifestyle amenities, and the property’s potential investment return. These are our top four tips on what to consider when purchasing property in an estate: Is the estate situated in a desirable area? Location remains one of the most crucial considerations when buying a property. However, what is important regarding location will often vary from buyer

Homes of the Future

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Leading South African developers are future-proofing their residential projects with high-tech wizardry to meet the growing market demand for apartments and homes equipped with the latest technological advances. Home technology experts warn about apartments that do not have the cabling and infrastructure to enable current and future digital services to be installed.  They face being left behind in the race towards “Smart living”. South Africa residential projects, such as Mzuri Estate, already incorporate futuristic technology to enable energy saving, internal communications, promote a sense of community, enhance security and allow residents to control the various functions of their apartment’s functions from any location.   Buying a home means investing in the future. But the house you're in today won't be entirely compatible with your needs tomorrow. Rising costs—and, in some cases, dwindling availability—of energy and water are changing how our homes function. Meanwhile

Creating a House Plant Heaven

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Nothing transforms a room like a living plant. A vibrant shock of green adds life and vitality to your home. Plants filter the air and promote health and well-being.  Whether you are green-fingered or not, it's impossible to ignore the growing trend for plants in interiors. House plants should be the first decisions you make when decorating. Determine your lighting conditions, the type of plants you desire (that are compatible to your lighting conditions), and how large you want them to grow. Once this is established, you know exactly how much room needs to be allowed and where to allow it. Furniture can then be planned accordingly. For most, this may seem odd. But if you are certain you want plants as a focus in your environment, the space for these plants must be thought of without the bias or influence of existing furniture. Here are Mzuri’s ideas for gorgeous displays—that show you how to keep them growing strong: Dress Up Supermarket Flowers Combine three shades of Afri

Smart Designs for Apartment Living

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If you are downsizing or looking for a lock-up and go it will important to furnish your apartment efficiently.  Purchasing a Mzuri Apartment not only provides you with a smart living experience but the apartments are designed to maxamise on the space and combined with these creative décor ideas you can ensure your apartment incorporates all the décor needs you would find in a larger home. In a compact living space, each piece of furniture should earn its keep. These 12 ideas — including adjustable tables, sliding bookcases and nesting and expanding furniture — make the most of small-space living. 1.    Adjustable-height table A sleek glass-top table with an adjustable base allows you to quickly change a lounge area with a coffee table to a workstation or dining table. With a cushy corner banquette, the zone will be just as comfortable whether you’re grabbing a bite or settling in to watch a movie. 2.    Sliding bookcase Take advantage of potential floor-to-ceiling stora