JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER, GIVE YOUR PATIO AND OUTDOOR SPACES THE LOVE THEY NEED TO LOOK THE BEST WHEN ENTERTAINING FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Story Candice Botha | Styling Shaz Milstead and Josey Hayter | Pictures Mount Edgecombe Country Club
DOUBLE DUTY
Shaz Milstead of Vision by Milstead and Hayter designed her patio in Mount Edgecombe Country Club Estate with entertaining in mind, and instead of a large coffee table, she’s chosen a cluster of smaller tables and stools. “The idea is that they can be reconfigured to suit the occasion,” she says. “The stools can function as tables or be used as extra seating for a crowd, and the concrete coffee tables can be split up to create table space in different areas of the patio.”
TALL TALES
A tall table and bar stools make an interesting alternative to a conventional dining table. “It’s very social and people can walk up and help themselves to food or join in conversations without having to bend down to the level of a traditional table,” Shaz notes.
HARVEST TIME
Serving food on boards where guests can help themselves allows the host to be social, too. “A champagne tub filled with ice and drinks also allows guests to top up their drinks as they need to, ensuring that no one needs to be playing barman,” says Shaz. The neolith table top is not only a stylish choice but it is an extremely high quality, durable material that can withstand the elements making it the perfect option for outdoor surfaces.
WALL STORY
A wall can be an unsightly element of a small exterior space but Shaz has cleverly turned this one into an attractive focal point. “A jasmine creeper creates a sense of depth and a lush garden feel while the lattice adds interest,” notes Shaz.
FRIEND ZONE
Mount Edgecombe Country Club Estate homes are mostly geared towards outdoor living, whether it’s small courtyard spaces or generous verandas with sweeping golf course views. Here Shaz proves it’s entirely possible to create a versatile entertaining area even in a small space. She has positioned a round dining table alongside a small bar to create zones for both serving drinks and sitting down to an intimate meal with just the family or a small group of friends.
WATER WISE
Water features add a sense of tranquillity to an outdoor space as well as creating an eye-catching feature. Training the creeper to grow in a pattern is a clever way to add depth and interest to a small outdoor space.
WORKING UNDERCOVER
Mount Edgecombe Country Club Estate’s architectural code emphasises indoor-outdoor flow and spaces for outdoor living. “To ensure that you can use these spaces day and night, good lighting is essential,” says Shaz. “To add a contemporary touch to the classic design of this covered patio, I’ve clustered a group of metallic pendant lights together over the dining table. They create a soft glow while we are entertaining at night and make a striking feature even when they are off during the day.”
IT’S IN THE DETAIL
“Layering place settings is a simple way to make a table look opulent and inviting,” says Shaz. “Beautiful crockery and a splash of colour instantly makes a table look festive.”
*Remaining Neutral
Keeping to a mainly neutral palette for the furnishings in an outdoor space allows you to freshen up the area quickly and easily as the seasons change. “Add a couple of cushions to neutral chairs, a floral tablecloth on a wooden table and some coloured glassware dotted about and you can change the whole look of your patio,” notes Shaz.
*All Hands On Deck
Decking is both a stylish and practical choice for an outdoor area. “Good quality decking is soft underfoot, easy to maintain and weathers well,” says Shaz. “In an area that will have lots of foot traffic, grass is a challenge to maintain and decking is an excellent alternative.” To maintain the sense of being in the garden without grass, Shaz has created a border of shrubbery around the edge of the deck and planted a creeper to cover the wall.
FOR MORE INFO
Vision by Milstead and Hayter:
Shaz Milstead: 083 288 8944
Josey Hayter: 082 303 3366
Mount Edgecombe Country Club Estate: mountedgecombe.com