ARTICLE / DÉCOR
the use of your space. For instance,
built in benches on the patio with
storage space underneath for
swimming towels, patio cushions
and even cooler boxes and beach
umbrellas, or custom made beds with
“The kitchen
layout
should be
simple and
storage
carefully
considered,
to make
shared
cooking a
hassle free”
built-in storage underneath.
Furniture on wheels is also great
for rearranging indoor and outdoor
space according to your needs and
those of your visitors. A kitchen
or dining room table that can be
wheeled onto the patio for outdoor
meals, saves space and the need for
storage of an extra table, when you
leave. A simple trestle table that can
be stored in the garage when not in
use, is a great way to accommodate
overflow guests on high days and
holidays.
Bunk beds are not always practical
and can make a room seem very
cramped. Custom made beds
with a second pull out bed built in
underneath is a great way to deal
with extra sleeping space. Good
quality self-inflating blow up beds are
very comfortable and can be packed
away in a cupboard or in the roof
space of the garage when not in
use. Daybeds used as seating on the
patio or on an enclosed stoep can
double up as extra beds, especially
for that all important afternoon
nap. Priority should be given to
bookshelves for all those books that
we never find time to read during the
year!
A tiled garage floor means that you
can use the space for an alternative
entertainment area for kids or
teenagers or even the adults. Think
table tennis, a dart board, board
and card games played on a trestle
IMAGE: SUPPLIED
little towns and coastal villages are
disfigured with badly designed face
brick houses. It is a misconception
that face brick doesn’t need
maintenance. Many of the paint
products on the market have evolved
into highly technical, breathable and
environmentally responsible external
“skins” for buildings. Depending
on the style of your home, other
options include fibre-cement shiplap
cladding, locally sourced dressed
stone and even high quality, colour
coated roof sheeting used as wall
cladding.
Floor finishes need to be easily
maintained and practical. You don’t
want to spend your entire holiday
cleaning floors. Stone, quarry or
porcelain tiles, high quality polished
and tinted cement screed, ventilated
T&G pine floors that are painted or
stained and vinyl floors are all good
options. Loose rugs can provide
warmth and comfort.
Storage is an important element
that should be well thought out and
discussed at the outset with your
designe