#6 A stoep for all seasons
The option to braai and socialise outdoors all year round is what made this stoep so attractive to Adriaan and JC when they moved into their home in Menlo Park, Pretoria two years ago. “We wanted an outdoor space that felt like an extension of the house,” explains Adriaan.
He carefully planned the different zones and layout of the furniture on the stoep and then set it up in phases. There had to be space for a sofa and two dining room tables – one for intimate meals and another for large parties. Adriaan began by moving the existing furniture around until he was satisfied with the layout. Then he enlisted the help of stylist and interior decorator
Dina Venter of My.Decorlist to “colour-in” the picture with lighting, scatter cushions and rugs. Dina also advised him on the artworks. After Adriaan had chosen the corner sofa and dining room table and chairs, he painted the wall behind the braai and laid the tiles.
The stoep runs in an L-shape around the front and side of the house and connects to the open-plan living room and kitchen. In addition to the covered veranda, there is a 15m2 deck that connects to the back of the house. Here, a long table is perfect for when Adriaan and JC entertain large groups. “The deck is a bonus if you want to entertain without a roof over your head,” says Adriaan. “Even when it rains, we have a lovely place to hang out at by the braai.”