Garden designer Franchesca Watson, encourages us to reimagine our gardens as the ultimate open-air living room. Here, good design isn’t just about plants — it’s about people, food and how we gather.
We are incredibly fortunate to enjoy such a generous climate. Long, lingering summers and winters that rarely bite make outdoor living not just possible, but wonderfully effortless. It’s a lifestyle that invites you to slow down, step outside and spend more time in the garden — whether dining, relaxing or simply soaking up the sun.
Our climate practically insists we spend time outdoors, and the sky often feels like a permanent invitation to dine alfresco. It’s not only pleasant, it’s easy. And therein lies the joy: creating spaces that make outdoor living feel like second nature. The secret is staying power. It’s all too easy to drift outside only to find yourself constantly pulled back in — a forgotten knife, another plate, something you swore you’d just brought out. The aim is to build garden zones that hold you there, that let you settle. Kitchen. Lounge. Table. Done.
Positioning is everything. Ideally, you want your outdoor kitchen within a graceful dash of your indoor one, but not so close where it feels like you never really left the house. Add a dining zone with a sturdy, all-weather table and chairs, and a lounge area for comfort. A firepit or fireplace adds seasonal mileage. Consider how it all flows: You want to keep the cook in the conversation, not marooned behind the grill.
If you’re an outdoor-cooking enthusiast (frankly, why wouldn’t you be?), consider going beyond the usual braai. A pizza oven adds drama, and a solar oven, well, that’s the future. Layer in practicalities too, such as a prep space, a sink with running water, some sleek storage and, if you’re being truly decadent, an outdoor fridge.
Remember to keep it chic. This is a space for entertaining, it should look as good as it performs. Think minimal fuss, clean lines and no plastic tubs of marinade in sight. Trees, if you have them, are perfect for shade, especially if they come with lemons. Otherwise, a climber-covered pergola or arbour can filter the light while adding structure. These outdoor ‘rooms’ often work beautifully as extensions of existing verandas — blurring the lines between inside and out.
Materiality matters too. Underfoot, keep it practical but tactile — something that’s kind to bare feet, easy on the eye and won’t demand endless maintenance. Natural surfaces — clay tiles, gravel, brick, even grass — bring texture and a relaxed sensibility that suits a garden setting far better than anything too glossy.
Plant with purpose. Soften the edges of your garden with shrubs or hedging, and tuck in a few useful herbs, such as rosemary, thyme and mint — within arm’s reach of the cook. Maintain form and function, always. As night draws in, lighting becomes your best ally — but less is more. Warm, low lights are perfect for ambience, a focused beam or two for cooking and perhaps something twinkly in the trees for mood.
Complement it all with candles. And if you really want to gild the lily, install a small water feature somewhere close by — just enough to murmur in the background. After all, if you’re going to do outdoor living, why not do it properly?
For questions or to view Watson Pellacini’s work, visit [email protected]
Credits
Images: Elsa Young
This article was originally published in the House & Garden Sept.oct 2025 Issue
