The Art of Alfresco Living

Capture the pleasure of living outdoors in harmony with nature— with an outdoor kitchens for alfresco feasts and outdoor happiness, blurring indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas.

Create inviting spaces to envelop a dimension of happiness and fill the senses with well-being, allowing nature to be the backdrop and enjoy endless alfresco days of fun and get-togethers with friends and families that leads to — outdoor happiness. Having a garden or any outdoor space is a real privilege – and one we should ensure we maximise and not take for granted. They make the day- and your home a better place to be.

Outdoor kitchens make your outdoor space even better than ever while they extend the time you can enjoy being outdoors. Imagine your dream kitchen, then incorporate an outdoor bar and add a pizza oven, dreamy lighting and fire for the cooler evenings —what joy! You can never have enough room to enjoy outdoor living, chilling, entertaining, having a siesta, just kicking back and taking it easy.

The positives of an outdoor kitchen can be achieved by simply adding bifold doors that connect your indoor kitchen to the outdoors, so it feels seamlessly connected to the outdoors. It's a very stylish design feature that can make even everyday meal times feel special. Just push them back to bring the outside in and enjoy a natural connection to your garden with all the comfort your indoor kitchen provides—and without the cost of two kitchens.

Bi-folding windows that are top hung have no track to interrupt the flow from indoors to outdoors. Streamline this even more so by having the same flooring inside and outside to increase the feeling of spaciousness.

Benn + Penna Architecture shows how a kitchen can extend into the garden by creating a long counter into a planted courtyard. At the same time, it improves the natural lighting of the existing darkroom while forming a better connection to the garden—transforming the previously introverted and dilapidated terrace house into one that is spacious and full of light. Indeed, the idea of opening up your indoor space is becoming more and more popular. John Pawson wanted to redraw the relationship between inside and outside space, reinterpreting the concept of boundary, in his own home, Pawson House, in London. The kitchen passes through the glass of the door window to finish in the patio, elegantly and unexpectedly. The material is the same, but the experience changes once it overpasses the threshold. This project, incredibly, is from 1992-1994 and is still so current. It illustrates how even the smallest spaces can take on a whole new dimension.

Connecting your indoor kitchen to your outdoor area with a pass-through or bifold window means you can entertain more easily while offering plenty of conveniences, fresh air, and natural light. It also allows for a great bar area while providing a convenient way to bring food and drinks outside.

DIY OPTIONS

A well-designed outdoor kitchen can be just as functional as an indoor kitchen. That, with the addition of a heater, will be useable throughout the year.

A simple barbecue, braai or fire pit will do the trick; they add warmth, ambience, and a place to gather as well as to cook. A simple DIY kitchen made with stone, brick or concrete looks very Mediterranean. Concrete and raw timber, especially reclaimed timber, make for a great looking and functional outdoor kitchen. It is cost-effective, easily maintained and looks superb accessorised with pots of herbs at hand for cooking. Add simple storage for your pots and pans, crockery, seating and a cover, and you are all set. Making sure you choose the best location for your braai or grill will be one of the major criteria to consider to make the most of your outdoor area. Out of the wind, and with the best view possible. You may need to elevate the area to secure a better view. Choose whatever design aesthetic pleases you most, slick, traditional, rustic; there's an option for all tastes and lifestyles. You may want it set away from the property, and undercover.

DESIGNER OPTIONS

RODA OUTDOOR KITCHEN

Norma from The Outdoor Kitchen, designed by Rodolfo Dordoni in a collaboration with the Italian kitchen-technology company, ILVE, is a collection of three elegantly profiled pieces made from durable materials; powder-coated stainless steel with sintered stone, polished stainless-steel surfaces, and larch-wood shelving, that guarantee a lasting lifetime.

"Outdoor kitchens

make your outdoor space even better than ever while they extend the time you can enjoy

being outdoors."

The range includes three modules, the NORMA 001 cooking module, NORMA 002 sink module and the NORMA 003 extension module. The cooking module includes five gas burners and an optional fry-top plate, sink and peninsula units.

In the distinctive RODA Smoke tone, the freestanding island has the option of doors in Rust or Milk colours and an AISI 304 stainless steel sink unit that fits into the durable Lapitec® top. You can attach the 003 extension module for additional preparation space and a suspended counter for dining with the simple addition of bar stools. The space below can, on request, include a fridge. The options include larch-wood cutting boards that fit perfectly on the worktop.

AMAI OUTDOOR WORK BENCH

Amai is an indoor-outdoor workbench that will soon have an optional cooktop for exterior use. Framed by two A-shaped structures, the versatile two-height (standing and sitting) piece by Extremis can also be equipped with dimmable LEDs, power and USB outlets, a retractable awning and multiple surface materials, including steel and hardwoods.

K2 BOFFI

Designer Norbert Wangen's K2 stainless steel outdoor kitchen focuses on function with a contemporary, minimalist style. You simply slide the stainless steel top to one side and reveal the food prep and cooking areas when you want to cook. The sliding counter becomes a worktop, table, or bar area. There is space for sinks, a refrigerator, a dishwasher, and storage.

K-IN/K-OUT BY MASSIMO CASTAGNA

Minimalist and cool, the K-In/K-Out is one of the most stylish outdoor kitchen designs you can find; the Italian K-Out looks like a monolith of stone when not in use. Like the K2, the large top slides on either side to reveal the working areas underneath and provide a serving or table surface. Using an electronic opening system, the user can slide the tops to uncover the barbecue, sink, and food prep areas.

RÖSHULTS KITCHEN ISLAND 4 MODULES

Designed by Broberg & Ridderstråle, with a steel base and grey stainless steel or black lacquered steel doors. Stylish and functional, the island blends into any outdoor space. Four modules cover all the bases: a gas barbecue grill, a sink, and two cutting/food prep boards. An optional fridge, drawers, and trolley are also available for easy transportation of food from the kitchen to the outdoor dining table.

ULAELU

This is the ultimate kitchen for lovers of minimalist design in a powder-coated aluminium frame in white or black. Conveniently modular, the design features include granite or weather resistant wood for the tops, with industrial-style sinks, a steel charcoal grill, optional skewers, firewood rack, as well as discs that protect the grass in your garden.

THE NORTHERN FLAME

The Stainless Steel Wood & Gas Combo Braai from GC Fires is super smart and comes with all the 'basic must-haves', cleverly designed for maximum ease of use. Its design makes it suitable for a wide range of interiors. It's a durable, good quality braai unit that comes at a great price and looks fab! Anji Connell

Landscape and Interior Designer

www.anjiconnellinteriordesign.com

@anjiconnell_acidplus

The Outdoor Kitchen by RODA.

THERMO FIRES is a privately owned Proudly South African, Cape Town-based family business. We are manufacturers of Quality and Bespoke Braais & Fireplaces. With over 18 years’ experience in manufacturing and design, THERMO has become synonymous with quality and custom products. As proof of our commitment to our products, THERMO is the only company that gives a 20-year warranty against faulty workmanship.

Thermo Fires

021 200 7660 info@thermo res.co.za 18 Viben Avenue Brackenfell Infustria www.thermo res.co.za