Renovation Move in and improve
A family of keen DIYers made the most of the Covid-19 lockdown to create a sociable entertainment area in their back garden.
About four years ago, Carroll Smith and her husband Philip drove around an old suburb in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng in search of a run-down house. “We’re avid renovators,” says Carroll. “We’d just put the finishing touches on our previous home, where we replaced everything but the roof over a period of 13 years. It was time for a new project. “We’d also bought a few dilapidated houses on auction and renovated them to rent out,” she adds. “Philip, an electrical technician, isn’t afraid to tackle anything and I’ve always got plenty of renovation ideas. We make a great team – we usually build something that not only looks good but is also practical.”
While on their recce trip back then, a house with an interesting gate and front wall caught their eye. They couldn’t see much from the yard but after checking out Google Earth they were impressed with its privacy and orientation. One day, when passing by again, the gate was standing open slightly and Carroll took the opportunity to find out more.
“The open gate was a sign because the house was soon to be put on auction. We made an offer and the sale went through just a week before the auction was to be held.” Carroll recalls how dumbfounded their friends were: “We were exchanging our neat home for a neglected house that needed loads of work!”
A beautiful braai area
Their first task was to make the house liveable. Then they gave the swimming pool modern, straight lines and at the same time cordoned off a smaller section to create a heated plunge pool. Adjacent to the pool, down two steps, was where the new braai area would be located.
“It had to be properly equipped because Philip loves to braai,” explains Carroll. “We also wanted to create different nooks linked to each other.” After removing the khakibos, shrubs and trees, they created a solid base by stamping down the ground. Numerous options for the layout were explored using the Visio design program.
“At the end of 2018, we demarcated the area with bricks and held a mock braai to make sure our design would work well,” says Carroll. Construction began in early 2019 but then they had to put the project on hold for a year while they took care of other priorities.
Little did they know what 2020 would bring when they began renovations again in March. “When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out and we realised we might be facing a lockdown, we had to scramble to get our plans finalised and buy all the materials.”
In April they got stuck in, taking care of most of the work themselves with the exception of the construction, which was undertaken by Abraham Tshabalala. “Philip did all the steelwork and welding, Ruben helped with the woodwork and I painted.”
By early May, their project was complete. “It took Philip a few days before he had the heart to light a fire in his new braai!”