1
If you want to do your bit for Mother Nature
why not create a self-sustaining mini
ecosystem in your back garden? Natural
swimming pools are ecologically friendly
and require no chemicals to keep water
crystal clear and silky soft. Mimicking
nature’s own water-purifying cycle, the
swimming area is separated from a zone
planted with aquatic plants, which act as
a natural filtration system. ‘It’s essentially
at one with its environment,’ says Jerome
Davis of Cape Town firm aQua-Design.
If you are not keen to remodel completely
you can give your pool an eco update by
tethering floating ecosystems to the edges
of the existing structure. If the space of the
surrounding area is restricted then vertical
systems can be established against a wall
in a courtyard or indoors using intensive
filtration systems.FLOATING ECOSYSTEMS CAN BE TETHERED
TO THE EDGES OF A POOL TO CREATE AN
ECO POOL FOR A FRACTION OF THE PRICE.
ECO POOLS
TOP LEFT Eco pools can look natural when restios,
water lilies and arums and loosely stacked boulders
combine to create a rock-pool effect. ABOVE AND
BELOW The pools blend effortlessly into their
surroundings when fringed with sun-bleached decking.(^2) SMALL-SPACE
POOLS
Idea: Create a garden oasis
Compact pools have become design features
in their own right. ‘Organic shapes have
made way for skinnier, angular designs to
suit a clean-lined, modern aesthetic,’ says
Joburg landscape designer Deidre Causton.
‘Narrow pools are particularly popular
additions to small urban gardens.’
Where space is at a premium plunge pools
can be embedded into timber decking or you
can give your pool a tropical feel by adding a
pergola for visual interest and sticking to an
all white palette. ‘It’s about adding layers of
interest and functionality,’ she says.
130 HL OCTOBER 2015 HOUSEANDLEISURE.CO.ZA
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Chris Grylls from Woodoc shares
some pointers on patio furniture
and deck care:
- Apply a UV- and water-resistant protective
coating to all exterior wood. - Prolong the life of the protective coating by
applying a weatherproof penetrating wax. - Wipe water from flat surfaces before
they’re exposed to the sun for long periods. - Reduce wear and tear by keeping decks
clear of grit and dust.
at
be inspired by
clever patio- ideas •
(^3) DECKING
DECOR
Trend: Au naturel
Decking has adopted a more contemporary
look. ‘Designwise, architectural style
applications with multiple tiers, curved
features, built-in seating and walls to define
various areas are popular,’ says Joburg
landscape designer Craig de Necker.
Products with a weathered patina are
popping up everywhere. ‘Instead of varnish,
decks are being treated with a high-quality
wood sealant for a natural silver-grey finish,’
says Deidre Causton, also a landscape
designer. ‘For decking it’s important to
use high-quality timber such as garapa
or massaranduba. Both these Brazilian
timbers work well in our climate.’
Trend: Lookalike
Wood-replica porcelain tiles prove that
parquet floors and decking no longer
have to be made of timber. A palette of
silver greys and rich browns creates a
rustic, lived-in feel, while saw marks,
‘wooden’ knots and grain make the
products look authentic. They’re also
very easy to maintain.
SOLUTIONS IN THE MARKET FOR
Blendart Mixed
Glazed Porcelain
Tile (150×1 200mm)
R690/m^2 , Italtile.
INSET Soft Cream
tiles R512/m^2 ,
Womag. RIGHT
AND FAR RIGHT
If you go with
traditional decking,
choose durable
timber that is
suited to South
African conditions.
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