Our favourite trend in contemporary houses? Interior living spaces that open fully to the outdoors, creating a sense of connection that adds extra heart to any home.
COMPILED BY Robyn Alexander PHOTOS Greg Cox / Bureaux (Cape Town, Dook (Monaghan Farm), César Béjar (Tulum Villa), Supplied, Elsa Young / Bureaux (Witklipfontein), Greg Cox / Frank Features (Scarborough), Niel Vosloo (Higgovale), Jan Ras (Klein Karoo), Supplied, Greg Cox / Bureaux (Cape Town), Warren Heath / Bureaux (Johannesburg), Supplied
Think of this trend as taking open-plan living to the next level – and what better place to explore it than in South Africa, where our mild climate enables us to spend many months of the year enjoying the outdoors. From lounging around to dining alfresco and the growing trend for outdoor cooking spaces, this design direction is enabled by technically advanced fittings such as fully retractable glass doors that disappear from view when open, and sleek flooring finishes that can survive the inevitable battering they get from the elements. Also coming to the party is the selection of brilliant exterior lighting options, which range from weatherproof string lights to portable rechargeable lanterns.
Room to move
One of the best ways to create a sense of effortless flow between indoors and out is to use the same flooring across both areas – as seen in this space featuring Italtile’s subtly textured Bergstone tiles in Grey, which can be used on floors and walls, inside and outside. | italtile.co.za
According to Kirstyn Verbaan of MØN Exteriors, the most important thing to keep in mind when planning an outdoor space is “the unique way in which you utilise it. Beyond considerations such as quality and aesthetics, consider how you’ll make use of the area on a regular basis so that everything in the space ticks all the right boxes in a cost-effective, practical and beautiful way.”
Various covered outdoor areas, decks and raised walkways wrap around this Monaghan Farm house, designed by Johannesburg-based architect Enrico Daffonchio. The result is a series of subtle, almost invisible transitions between inside and outside that root the house in the landscape. Adding an eye-catching artwork, such as this sculpture by Samuel Allerton, is a good idea too. monexteriors.com | daffonchio.co.za | samuelallerton.com
This holiday villa in Tulum, Mexico was carefully planned around several existing tree clusters on the site, which the architects from CO-LAB Design Office worked diligently to protect. They also paid particular attention to maximising the amount of natural light that enters the house – not least in this beautiful living zone, which opens onto the pool courtyard via sculpturally arched windows and doors to create a fully indoor-outdoor space. | co-labdesignoffice.com
In this spectacular weekend getaway on a farm south of Joburg, designed by architect Xavier Huyberechts, the living, dining and kitchen areas flow into each other – and seamlessly outwards into the pristine surrounds. The natural materials used throughout the house complement its setting too, and the volumes invite the outside in without themselves imposing on the landscape. witklipfontein.co.za | glh.co.za
“I think the most important factor is comfort,” says interior designer Sumari Krige of La Grange Interiors, “and this spans shelter from the elements as well as comfortable furniture. Convenience is also key – considering access to electricity and water supplies, for example – as is the durability of your furniture and fabrics, because the outdoors takes a heavy toll.”
Rustic fabric blinds made from old sail material sourced at a junk shop in Kalk Bay by the owners of this Scarborough home provide shelter from sun and rain when required on the inviting, easygoing veranda. Classic striped deck chairs from Pezula Interiors, a rattan sofa from Block & Chisel and an inherited bench provide plenty of relaxed seating options. lagrangeinteriors.co.za | pezulainteriors.co.za | blockandchisel.co.za
Designed by Kritzinger Architects, with interiors by Adam Court of OKHA, this home in Higgovale, Cape Town features resolutely bold modernist lines – and maximises its spectacular views by fully blurring the line between indoors and out. There’s simply no need for an additional dining area or lounge seating on the deck when fully retractable glass doors open the entire facade to the world beyond… kritzingerarchitects.com | okha.com
“Define the primary purpose of the space – whether it’s for entertaining, relaxing, dining, gardening or a combination thereof,” says Cheryl du Preez, visual merchandising coordinator at Cielo. “This will help with knowing what furniture to choose, whether it be a dining set, lounge set or even an outdoor cocktail set such as the Gabriello. By focusing on functionality first, you can create an outdoor area that’s beautiful, practical and suited to your lifestyle.” | cielo.co.za
Built in the mountains of the Klein Karoo to a design by Miguel Ferreira-da-Silva and Andrew Payne of Migs + Drew, this off-the-grid eco-cabin opens up fully to the deck area, where a firepit designed by The Fire Pit Company becomes a natural place to gather and socialise. As Michael Wagner, senior furniture buyer at Coricraft says, “I’ve found that gathering around an open flame really brings everyone to life. For me, a firepit draws guests in, bringing the familiar scent and crackle of burning wood we’ve grown up with, and creating a cosy spot for people to congregate.” migsdrew.com | customfirepits.co.za | coricraft.co.za
The outdoor spaces for playing, cooking and eating at this recently renovated family home in Cape Town have been as carefully considered as the house itself, designed by Werner Lotz of Hours Clear Architects. The outdoor area is aesthetically pleasing, multifunctional and brilliantly family-friendly, and includes a plunge pool and koi pond, as well as a kitchen with a large prep area, a wood-burning pizza oven and braai. The table and benches are from Pedersen + Lennard’s KPA outdoor range. hoursclear.com | pedersenlennard.co.za
Designed by architect Gregory Katz around homeowner Toni Twidale’s beloved Senegalia trees, this Johannesburg house maximises indoor-outdoor flow via a central courtyard – and a smart update on the sunken lounge. The use of colour is inspiring here too: burgundy frames on the glass sliding doors and orange accents inside complement the natural brick, the courtyard greenery and the emerald shade used on the upholstery of the built-in couches brilliantly. | gregorykatz.co.za
Possibly the hottest (yes, pun intended) trend in outdoor spaces at the moment is the rise and rise of the outdoor kitchen. Buite, a new locally made range of kitchens by Sprung Outdoor Living, is manufactured in modular or fully bespoke units, so you can select whatever best suits your space and cooking needs. Built to resist harsh conditions, the units are rust-proof and UV-stable; the practical, minimalist design is another of Buite’s many attractions. | sprung.co.za
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