News24

Photos: Karl Rogers

WHO LIVES HERE? Karin Cronje

WHERE Franschhoek

SIZE About 48 m²

When Karin Cronje, the owner of Hands On Creative Building and Management, bought a house in Franschhoek two years ago, the backyard was an eyesore of overgrown watsonias and cement blocks. "There wasn't a blade of grass in sight!" says Karin. Fortunately, she's a seasoned builder and renovator...

"The property forms a triangle at the back, which complicates matters. Before I could start, I had to remove loads of soil to get the base on one level.

"Karin's goal was to create a seamless flow between the interior and outside, as well as an entertaining area around the pool - with enough space to make food, too. "I'm a real boeremeisie, so the braai area was my main priority, followed by a wood-fired pizza oven," she says.

Although the swimming pool was a bonus when she bought the house, it was also a major frustration due to its odd angular shape and location: squashed in against the boundary walls.

"There was an annoying little space between the wall and the pool, but due to the enormous cost of moving a pool, I decided to just soften that shape with plants," explains Karin. A planter box with agapanthus which has lovely foliage that hangs over the edge works well, while various built-in levels that serve as benches draw the eye away from the pool's shape.

"These built-in benches work particularly well because the two sides of the boundary wall form natural backrests," says Karin. "The sun bakes the cement benches, making them lovely and warm, which is a bonus when you get out of the pool!" Karin says that due to the limited space, she would never be able to create the same amount of seating with chairs.

"Now, the outdoor area really feels like an extension of my home, where I can entertain friends and family in different areas. There's plenty of seating, or guests can relax on the lawn or wooden deck without the space feeling cramped. You can sit at the kitchen island, at the pizza oven or at the braai. It's so relaxing to sit in the glass room with the doors open, gazing at the flames."

As a builder, Karin cautions that structures like this glass room can pose a challenge. "Use a reliable, recommended manufacturer and installer, even if it costs you more," she advises. "It's the only way to prevent endless leaks from making your sunroom unusable in the rainy season." Today, this extension is her favourite room. "The sun is fantastic in winter. The glass lets warmth into the entire house."

LEVELS AND FLOOR SURFACE

Five different levels were created in the backyard: a braai area, adjacent work surfaces, benches on two different levels and an outdoor shower. Around the braai, 6mm brown gravel was put down as a floor covering.

Thanks to the TV on a pull-out stand, you can watch sport from anywhere, even the pool! Glass room built and installed by Glass Aluminium Products. Paint colour: Plascon Addo Skin

SUNROOM

After Karin installed a large kitchen island in the open-plan space indoors, there was no room for a dining table. The solution? A striking glass room 3 x 2.8m in size. "To make the most of the incredible vista of the mountain pass above Franschhoek, I decided on a glass roof - I didn't want to lose a single inch of the view," says Karin. "It's also amazing to see the stars at night, especially when the fireplace is lit."

Karin decided on a closed combustion stove to keep the room cosy and warm in winter. In summer, all the doors and windows slide open for cross ventilation, while two transparent UV blinds keep out direct sun.

OUTDOOR SHOWER

Karin has always wanted an outdoor shower with hot water in her garden. "When I enclosed the pool pump with a wooden box, I realised that the ideal place for an outdoor shower was against the same wall," she says.

The shower has seating on either side and feels like it's in a niche due to a small built-in bench. The black-and-white tiles repeat the colour scheme on the opposite side of the garden. A wooden deck has been installed here, providing a comfortable walking surface between the outdoor shower and pool.