The problem
Marc and Natalie’s first impression of their new home was that it lacked an entertainment area and had a sorely neglected garden.
“We love to entertain, so a sociable space was top of our list,” they say. A beautiful large tree was a drawcard, even though there was only a sparse lawn beneath it and the garden was little more than sand with a few tufts of struggling grass.
“There was also an old concrete storm water pipe buried vertically into the ground in the middle of the garden that functioned as a makeshift braai. It was so unattractive, but we could see that it would make a very practical fire pit with a clever makeover.”
A veranda was also lacking, but there was enough space to build one, which would be north-facing. “We could see that the potential was there to create our ideal entertaining area, so we went ahead and bought the house with our plans in mind.”
They both knew the value of living in a space for a while before embarking on any renovations, so the couple took several months to settle in – and when all was clear, they could start work.
The solution
1 A FIRE PIT
This story is from the 2020 edition of Home Yard.
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This story is from the 2020 edition of Home Yard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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A Perfect Contrast
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‘This Is My Happy Place'
Helen Muir designed her own beautiful outdoor entertainment nook – and also assisted with the construction.
More Structure, Less Hassle
A formal design and waterwise solutions have resulted in a beautiful garden that requires little upkeep.
The Birds & The Bees (And Other Creatures)
When it comes to biodiversity in your garden – the more wildlife, the merrier!
A Crowd-Pleaser
Thanks to the vision of its new owners, a neglected garden was turned into an outdoor oasis ideal for entertaining.
The Sweet And The Sour
Sometimes, when hard work fails to bear fruit, you just have to look at things differently, says Wicus Pretorius.
Something From Nothing
What do a bare backyard, a dusty sidewalk and leftover building material have in common? Hidden potential, according to these homeowners!
The lay of the lawn
Whether you use artificial grass to create a low maintenance chill spot or the real deal to soften some steps, go green and elevate your space!
In the shade
Does the summer sun create too much heat in your home office? Provide shelter with a neat awing above the door.
Dive in!
A cool plunge pool for a hot day or a natural pool that attracts an abundance of birds to your garden – here’s how Home readers have reimagined the traditional water feature.
