room with naught responsibility.
An entertainment area in many
cases can also be the “stoep”, which
becomes the main living area in the
summer months; therefore it needs to
fulfil many functions in one big, usually
open-plan area. We relax in this space,
throw parties, have dinner, lunch and
breakfast, do work or homework and
most of all, just sit around, enjoying
the moment of peace and quiet after
work or on weekends, watching over our
garden or children running around.
A stoep is traditionally subdivided
into two areas. One side will have the
braai or fireplace and a large dining
table with chairs to sit and eat. The
opposite side will usually hold some
kind of outdoor furniture like occasional
chairs, couches and a coffee table.
A stoep is usually decorated by the
lady of the house and will traditionally
tie in with the décor of the rest of the
house. The different stoeps I have
visited over the years most of the time
take on a rustic but elegant farm-style
element, being toned up or down,
depending on the personal style of the
home-owner.
There are some families that
prefer to have the entertainment area
completely separate from the main
house. This is sometimes referred to as
a pool-house.
These entertainment units are
usually situated near to the pool, and
can commonly function as a little entity
on itself away from the main house.
These areas contain a braai, a bar, a
washing-up area and a separate toilet or
bathroom.
No matter what kind of
entertainment area you have or
want, one thing is clear: the urban
entertainment area has become a
necessity in our country, and it will just
keep evolving as we find new innovative
ways to use them and make them part
of our daily living environment.
desIgn Namibia October - December 2013
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