The best way to take full advantage of the beautiful natural environment at the Sardinia Bay Golf & Wildlife Estate is to ensure your home includes a creatively decorated patio.
A patio is the perfect connection between the indoors and outdoors and, according to Adele Hunter-Smith of Trading Spaces, you cannot truly enjoy a beautiful environment such as this without one.
“Your house needs to open up to the outside,” explains Hunter-Smith, who lives on the sprawling Port Elizabeth estate.
“Because of the weather we have a very indoor-outdoor lifestyle. A patio makes the energy flow between the two areas, which I find very important.”
When it comes to designing patios at the estate – and in South Africa in general – she says a covered patio is the way to go.
“I highly recommend them. The sun here is too harsh. If it is not covered you will not be able to use it much when the sun is out and when it rains.”
As far as floors are concerned, there are a few factors to consider – the main being whether it is covered. The most common choices are cemcrete (a combination of cement and concrete) and tiles.
“Tiles are a popular choice, especially the larger and slightly rougher outdoor variety. Solid wood decking is also popular.
“If the patio is uncovered your flooring will simply be an extension of the pool area, if you have one, which is often wood.”
When choosing the ideal furniture, she says there are limited options for those with uncovered patios compared to those with covered ones.
“If uncovered, you would need to go with plastic, composite furniture or something made of hardwood that can handle the harsh South African sun.
“A covered patio gives you options like using cane or wicker furniture, which is very much on trend. You can also have furniture with a plastic-wicker look or something like that.”
It also allows you to use nice couches and rugs and even pretty pot plants, she says. “There’s just so much more you can do if it is covered.”
Before you start decorating, Hunter-Smith says you need to consider whether the patio will be used for entertainment purposes or as a place of relaxation.
“Are you going to be using the space for eating or will it just be for seating? Will it have a bar or a braai?”