Renovators’ notes

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure! You can save a lot of money by salvaging discarded items.

Old weathered slate tiles and a sauna covered with corrugated iron on her beloved stoep were a real thorn in Marieta’s side. “They were an eyesore and I so badly wanted a lovely patio where I could enjoy my morning coffee, spend some quiet time and, later in the day, soak up the afternoon sun,” she says.

There was no money for contractors, so with true Fix it with Flair chutzpah Marieta got stuck in herself, ably assisted by her long-time gardener and housekeeper.

The slate tiles were removed, the floor was given a smooth cement mix surface, then painted – first with a bonding primer, then with Dulux Acrylic PVA Exterior and finally with a stone sealant. “Yes, I know PVA is not really suitable, but I fell in love with the colour Maison Blanche and it’s not available in stoep paint,” she explains. “There is a small section that’s peeling because it gets wet but I’ll simply repaint and reseal it.”

The roof didn’t need to be altered and only an electrician was called in to re-install the lights which Marieta had renewed with spray paint.

“I also added canvas sides to keep out the wind and rain,” she says. “They protect my furniture and when they’re not needed, we roll them up out of sight. The canvas is a huge asset – it really adds the finishing touch to my stoep.”