From eco-conscious dining staples to table toppers with class, add these to your summer shopping list – stat.

It’s summertime, and the living is easy – especially when you’re entertaining alfresco. Whether you’re planning a cosy backyard picnic, a beachside gathering, or a camping adventure, these durable yet stylish buys from Boardmans will make holiday entertaining a breeze.

Best part? Boardmans’ range of outdoor serveware is environmentally friendly, too. From stylish salad bowls to sturdy cups and jugs, these essentials crafted from sustainable materials enhance your holiday experience while treading lightly on the planet.

Ceramic & Steel Pizza Oven

R1 999

Buy Now

Boardmans Mandala Jute Floor Cushion

R399

Buy Now

Natural Elements Set Of 4 Recycled Plastic 20cm Side Plates

R399

Buy Now

Natural Elements Recycled Plastic 1.6l Jug

R499

Buy Now

Natural Elements Recycled Plastic 25cm Salad Bowl

R299

Buy Now

Natural Elements Recycled Plastic 450ml Tumblers

R399

Buy Now

Thandana Double Wine Cooler Carry Bag – Hazelnut Leather

R999

Buy Now

Shop Boardmans conveniently online via boardmans.co.za

The post 7 Stylish Buys for Alfresco Dining appeared first on Visi.

Make the most of your patio, garden and outdoor entertaining space this year by creating the perfect braai area.

South Africa has the perfect climate for outdoor entertaining. The ability to entertain friends and family on a patio, or in the garden, whilst cooking is something we all enjoy.

The last three years has seen a dramatic increase in people’s requirements to be able to entertain at home in better style and with more cooking options. Cooking techniques such as, roasting meat on a spit shaft or a in rotating basket, the ability to do stir fries, bacon and egg or seafood on a braai plate, slow cooking joints of meat and even smoking food have all become more popular with at-home cooks.

The experts from Firefox break down what you need to consider when upgrading your outdoor cooking area:

Consider what size braai you need

Start with how many people you typically have at a braai and size for that number +2.

Consider whether you buy a charcoal/wood or gas braai

Both options will give great tasting food.

• A gas braai heats up hot enough to start cooking 10 minutes after lighting the braai. Great if you have a busy lifestyle. If you have lots of guests you can keep cooking for a long period to feed them, too.
• A charcoal braai typically takes 30-40 minutes after lighting, before it is hot enough to cook on. If buying a charcoal/wood braai go for a model with a ember maker. This will decrease the time it takes to get wood/charcoal hot enough to cook on and it can keep feeding hot embers to the cooking area for as long as you need to cook.
• A dual braai (gas and charcoal/wood) gives you the best of both worlds.

Decide what steel your braai should be made from for good looks and a long lifespan

If exposed to rain or is close to the sea, you should upgrade to a steel better suited for that environment. There has been increased demand for better braai finishes, with Firefox’s 3Cr12, 304 and 316 St Steel growing in popularity, to solve corrosion issues near the coast or to enhance the look of your patio.

Decide on the door type you would like to have

Typically a fold down and slide in door gives a very stable work platform in front of the braai. Ideal to put your meat platter, spices, marinades and braai tongs onto. Fold down and hang on chain doors typically give a bigger work platform, but are not as stable and can make you lean quite a lot to reach into the cooking area of the braai.

Consider the options the braai gives for different types of cooking that you will enjoy

Typical options available include:

• Spit cooking either on a spit or in a braai basket.
• Braai plates to enable stir fries, bacon and egg or sea food to be cooked.
• Warming racks to warm bread or keep food warm.
• Warming drawers to keep cooked food warm and carry to the table when required. 

Two final things to keep in mind when designing your braai area

Be prepared. Remember a braai requires a chimney to operate well, and a cowl to stop rain going down the chimney.

Extra storage is a good idea. Add a cupboard space/door below the braai to house your charcoal or gas bottle in.

Contact Firefox on 012 666 9379 or visit braais-sa.co.za for more information on Firefox’s range of products.

The post Sizzle On: Elevating your Outdoor Braai Area appeared first on Visi.

VISI’s latest special issue offer alfresco inspiration from relaxed lounging and tableware to cool pools and planters.

This photo is about as relaxed as it is possible for me to get, and there are two reasons for this.

One, I’m on holiday. Two, I’m sitting on a roof patio, about to have a glass of wine and an informal supper made with ingredients sourced from the village market. Of course, the Provençal backdrop plays a part, but much of it has to do with that particularly relaxed state you get from enjoying the outdoor space of your home.

The home in this instance is a tall and thin 19th-century house in Venasque that belongs to my sister-in-law. It’s not very big and has no garden – but it does have a small roof terrace with a dining space sheltered in an alcove, where we would have supper every evening.

Even at this modest scale, the outside space offers that particular sense of ease that only alfresco meals bring to the table.

In this special issue of VISI, we bring you the latest international and local outdoor living trends, plus expert advice to inspire your own outside spaces. From furniture and tableware to pools and even some delicious recipes for your outdoor cooker, VISI Outdoor Living is an ode to alfresco entertaining and enjoying life.

– Steve Smith, Editor | info@visi.co.za

Subscriptions

Want the print magazine?

Subscribe to VISI now and receive a 40% discount off your one-year print subscription. You’ll pay just R396 for six issues delivered directly to your post box. Use any of these methods to subscribe or renew your existing subscription:

• Call Media24 Subscriptions on 087 353 1300
• WhatsApp “VISI” to 087 353 1333
• Email subs@media24.com

Want the digital magazine?

If you prefer to read your favourite magazine in digital form, on your iPad, tablet or desktop computer, you can subscribe to the digital edition of VISI via the below websites. It will cost from as little as R225 for a one-year subscription – that’s a 50% discount on six issues.

• zinio.com
• magzter.com
• pressreader.com

Not sure where to find the magazine? Here is a list of stockists. You can also buy previous issues via shop.visi.co.za.

The post VISI Outdoor Living appeared first on Visi.

Officine Gullo‘s customisable outdoor cooking solutions take your kitchen outside for the perfect open-air dining experience.

With the approach of summer and the holiday season, we’re all keen to spend more time outdoors, connecting with nature and enjoying leisure time with family and friends. Which is why we’re coveting Officine Gullo’s state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen solutions, which allows cooks to socialise away from the confines of four walls while whipping up a delectable open-air feast.

The Italian brand’s Outdoor Kitchen offers infinite customisable design solutions – which means you can position and create different cooking spaces: from a grilling station and pizza oven to outdoor refrigeration and washing up area.

The star of the Outdoor Kitchen is the professional grill cooking suite – it is an extension of the top-quality appliance brand’s household line into barbecue cookery, and enables you to add a piece of restaurant-quality equipment to your garden or outside space. The Italian brand is well known for its high-end selection of cooking ranges, and has used its years of practised craftsmanship and design experience to plan these statement units.

Extending your outdoor culinary capabilities far beyond the average kettle braai, the grill cooking suite provides a functioning kitchen in a single appliance. The accessories allow chefs up to 15 cooking methods, which range from smoking and grilling to steaming and frying. Leaving your outside entertainment area for the indoor kitchen has become unnecessary – after all, the suite also includes a pasta cooker, fry top, and wok, which can be inserted after removing the grill.

Available in a variety of standard colours, and completely customisable with RAL paint to fit specific decor needs, the stainless-steel grill area houses infrared burners that cook meat 50% faster than regular grills and barbecues, as well as a V-shaped trap to collect fat and juices for a full flavour experience.

For more information, visit officinegullo.com.

The post Outdoor Cooking with Officine Gullo appeared first on Visi.

Local outdoor design studio SPRUNG has designed two new colourways of the Deck Mate table, exclusively for VISI.

The Deck Mate side tables have been designed to sit alongside your lounger to provide the perfect platform for your drink, snack and book. You can also position two back-to-back to make a fun low side table for both indoor and outdoor spaces. The Deck Mat can also be mounted on a wall and turned into a shelf.

These low tables are made from 2mm galvanised steel, measures at 350mm wide X 200mm deep, and have been powder coated.

The Deck Mate is available exclusively via the VISI Shop in two colourways:

• Dark Blue
• Pink

VISI Collab: SPRUNG Deck Mate Side Table

*This collab is no longer available.

Don’t forget to sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest architecture and design news.

The post VISI Collab: SPRUNG Deck Mate Side Table appeared first on Visi.

Spring is in the air and as you prepare for longer evenings and more outdoor entertaining we’re planning on stargazing around one of these fire pits. 

While there’s nothing quite like the sound and smell of burning wood, there’s the smoke and cleanup to consider. If you’re looking for alternatives, there are different fuels available for outdoor fires namely, gas, propane and bio-ethanol.

Propane, like natural gas, is a fossil fuel. It’s low maintenance and available through tank purchases. It’s more expensive than other fuels, but gives off a lot of heat. Bio-ethanol is a renewable energy and also offers the no cleanup option.

From sleek to traditional, here are our pick of fire pits to suit every budget.

Fire Pits for Outdoor Spaces

Veld Outdoor Fire Pit

Inspired by the natural wonders of the Cape Floral Kingdom, Pedersen + Lennard have drawn on the geometry of proteas and the relationship between fynbos and fire in the panelled design of this fire pit. The range is available in 15 different colours.

R 12 650 | pedersenlennard.co.za

Cederberg Firepit

With four colour options to choose from, the Cederberg Fire Pite adds a modern dimension any outdoor space.

R10 500 | concretestudio.co.za

Round Fire Pit

High performing ceramic insulation in the base makes Sprung’s fire pit suitable for usage on wooden decking and ceramic tiles.

R10 980 | sprung.co.za

Weylandts Indian Fire Pit

Traditionally used to cook in Rajasthan, this fire pit comes with a grill and is a functioning fire pit ideal for cosy gatherings.

R29 995 | weylandts.co.za

Coricraft Fir Pit

Crafted from high-quality metal, it features a durable design that ensures long-lasting use.

R1 499 | coricraft.co.za

Fire Pit on Stand

This powder-coated iron fire bowl from mr price home is a great addition to your outdoor or open patio spaces.

R799.99 | mrphome.com

Storm Heavy Duty Fire Pit

This steel, wood-burning fire pit comes in a ‘pre-rusted’ finish.

R1 799 | builders.co.za

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The post Fire Pits: 7 Stylish Picks to Elevate Your Outdoor Spaces appeared first on Visi.

Now that we’re all spending more time at home and enjoying the outdoors more, Officine Gullo felt it was time to fully embrace outdoor living (and cooking). Following on from the success of the brands household barbecue line, Officine Gullo has just launched a new Grill Cooking Suite: a sophisticated cooking range that guarantees the same unparalleled performance as a top restaurant kitchen.

Renowned for professional cooking ranges crafted to enable people to cook at home in the same way as chefs in their restaurants, the Italian company is now extending the same possibility to the gardens, patios and the rooftops of its clientele.

Blending a legacy of innovation and craftsmanship, Officine Gullo barbecues offer a new world of culinary possibilities, providing an actual outdoor kitchen in a single suite. Thanks to an array of sophisticated accessories, the barbecues enable home cooks to experiment up to 15 different cooking methods, from the usual grilling to smoking, steaming and frying. The barbecues also come with accessories that comprise specialist cooking zones – a fry top, pasta cooker or wok ring can be inserted after removing the grills.

Officine Gullo Professional Grills are equipped with powerful and highly specialised burners capable of reaching high temperatures and restaurant-level performance. Reaching 800° in just 4 minutes, the infrared burners cook meat 50% quicker than the usual barbecue, therefore avoiding flames that risk burning the food. The “V”-shaped grill also collects the natural juices, fats and aromas, giving the food a unique flavour and maintaining all its qualities.

They are also manufactured in the highest quality 316 stainless steel and are corrosion resistant so that they can withstand the elements.

The barbecues stand out as much for the professional quality of the cooking system as for their exclusive design. The stainless steel of the structure can be painted in any colour in the RAL range as well as custom colours on request, in addition to finishing touches through iconic brass details. Every BBQ can be fully customised.

The barbecues are available in three models: Grill Cooking Suite 100, Grill Cooking Suite 140 and Grill Cooking Suite Plus. The same models are available in freestanding and built-in versions.

The post Officine Gullo Professional Grills appeared first on Visi.

This season, @home Homeware Guide: Al Fresco Style wants you to find your perfect entertaining style and decor scheme, make it yours and celebrate time with family and friends.

This season’s homeware guide is divided into four styles, namely Traditional, Al Fresco, Contemporary and Luxe.

For Al Fresco, fresh fruit infusions and glasses of bubbles taste so much better when enjoyed outside. Using @home’s glass & metal ball candle holders, make the occasion more special with tea lights as day turns to night.

Celebrate the fine holiday weather with meals and drinks under the stars. Pick natural materials, crockery in organic shapes and clear glass. Nordic dinner plates, Moroccan-style cheese boards, drinks dispensers and a Gatsby-inspired drinks trolley will make great additions to your outdoor events.

For more information and to browse the collections online, visit bash.com.

The post @home Homeware Guide: Al Fresco Style appeared first on Visi.

Planning on entertaining all summer long? This outdoor entertaining starter pack will help you make the most of the sunny season.

1. Byron Picnic Basket R1 399, Country Road (in-store only)

2. Stemmed Wine Glass R79.99, H&M

3. Multi-check Tablecloth R1 199, Zara Home

4. Malawian Chair R1 599, @home

5. Govino Plastic Red Wine Picnic Glasses (set of 4) R349, Yuppiechef

6. Tangier Mattress Cushion R129.99, MRP Home

7. Eva Solo Table Grill in Porcelain R2 499, Yuppiechef

8. Clinton Friedman Natural Curiosities Serving Tray R398, Knus

9. Marli Beach Umbrella R1 799, Country Road (in-store only)

10. Fry-day 3-Division Caddy R79.99, MRP Home

11. Luigi Bormioli Sublime Carafe R249, Yuppiechef

12. JBL Go 2 Portable Speaker R599, Superbalist

13. Printed Geometric Scatter Cushion R139.99, MRP Home

14. U3 Griffin Chair R1 299, Superbalist

The post 14 Must-haves For The Perfect Summer Soirée appeared first on Visi.

COMPILED BY VISI

Sur La Table Wooden Salad Bowl 30cm

Add a touch of sophistication to your table setting with this contemporary blend of natural wood and white enamel salad bowl from @home.

R849 | bash.com

African Jacquard Penta Tablecloth

Jacquard woven with 100% African Cotton, this uniquely patterned fabric is woven with symbols and patterns from all over Africa, such as Kuba textile patterns from Congo, Ndebele house patterns from South Africa, Butterfly mask patterns from Burkina Faso, and and the beautiful African Hibiscus flower. Available in 8 colours.

From R1 347 | africanjacquard.com

Pedersen + Lennard Halo Candle Holder Set

Found through play, the design of the Halo Candle Holder shows the value of simplicity. A single bend providing both utility and beauty creates a form that reflects the halo of candlelight.

R590 | pedersenlennard.co.za

Skinny laMinx Napkins

Liven up your dinner party with Skinny laMinx’s 100% cotton napkins in Sunshine Gold.

R315 (set of 2) | skinnylaminx.com

Hay Tint Glass

Tint is a collection of tumblers made in softly tinted borosilicate glass.

R599.90 (set of 2) | shelflife.co.za

Hammered Edge Dinner Plate

Crafted from durable melamine, this dinner plate is lightweight, shatter-resistant, and perfect for everyday use. Its sturdy design makes it ideal for both indoor meals and outdoor gatherings.

R79.95 | woolworths.co.za

Cuisine Cutlery Set of 20 Pcs

Table forks, knives, tablespoons and teaspoons make up this dishwasher-safe set that is ideal for both everyday meals and special gatherings.

R990 (20 pieces) | hertexhaus.co.za

H&M Outdoor Cushion Cover

This red and while striped summery cushion is ideal for a patio setting and dining area. Also available in lemon yellow.

R179 | superbalist.com

Squiggle Handle Jug

The Squiggle Handle Jug lends charm and style to your table. With the fun handle and classic silhouette, this piece is perfect for serving up infused water, freshly squeezed juice and more.

R399 | poetrystores.co.za

Fish Plate

This decorative perch fish plate is designed to add a cheerful touch to your table.

R980 each | pezulainteriors.co.za

Don’t forget to sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest architecture and design news.

The post 10 Outdoor Entertaining Essentials appeared first on Visi.