Growing up on Halfaampieskraal, a farm in South Africa's Cape Overberg region, Jan-Georg Solms recalls spending more hours outside on the veranda than inside his family home. Such blissful recollections of rural life made it integral for him to recreate this leisurely porch for sheltered outdoor living in his own dwelling, a mere 300 metres away from the home in which he was raised.
"There's very little to do here, other than watch the sun rising, and then setting 12 hours later,' Jan-Georg says, smiling about the simple life he shares with his partner Cobus Geldenhuys, their seven dogs, 150 geese and flock of sheep. 'Once in a while we'll hear a neighbour drive past and we get to see the blue cranes fly by twice a day; he adds, speaking of the undisturbed setting.
The veranda that runs the length of the home, was one of the only changes made to the original structure when the couple decided to move out of the main dwelling, which they run as a guest house. By doubling the depth of the veranda to five metres, they brought it flush with the guest room and bathroom walls, linking the two opposite areas by creating an outdoor lounge and dining area that looks out onto crops of canola, wheat, barley, and the Riviersonderend Mountains in the far distance.
This story is from the Garden&Home; July 2023 edition of South African Garden and Home.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Garden&Home; July 2023 edition of South African Garden and Home.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BRING THE HEAT
Upgrade your outdoor living space this autumn with the essential element of fire
Art In The Karoo
Artist Yvette Hess sometimes finds herself on the wrong planet
FALL FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Autumn is the season of sustainability in the garden, providing plenty of opportunities to recycle your waste and consider the environment
Start the Fire
Dust off your fireplace to get it ready for the cooler months
Lazy Lunches
Easy lunchtime recipes that will go down a treat, whether you're looking for something light, hearty or sweet
The Year in HOUSEPLANTS
The houseplant trends of 2024 show a significant shift in the urban gardens of previous years
Nature & Nurture
A botanist-turned-artist in South Africa's Cape Winelands creates lifelike insects using decayed and preserved natural materials he forages
Positive Influence
An interior stylist has transformed a formerly dull house into one that is rich with decorative detail, from eclectic artworks to vintage pieces
BEAUTY SPOT
This bold Victorian home in Cape Town is a triumph of confidence in colour, peppered with nostalgic references
WEAVING NATURE INTO - MASTERPIECES
South African artists are known worldwide for their creativity and contributions to the art community on a global scale. With sustainability at the forefront of many industries, it has become a buzzword that has been trending across the board, and for good reason