Pinch of spice

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Tropical colours, textures and patterns are used sparingly, to bring a taste of Asia to this outdoor living space

A view of the dining area, tiled floor, dining room, interior design, room, black — A view of the dining area, tiled floor, lights, wooden dining suite.

A view of the pool from the indoor architecture, estate, home, house, interior design, lighting, property, real estate, resort, swimming pool, window, black, gray

A view of the pool and patio areas, architecture, estate, home, house, interior design, patio, property, real estate, resort, swimming pool, villa, brown, blue

An exterior view of the pool and patio estate, interior design, property, real estate, villa, window, black

Open plan interior of apartment with light coloured ceiling, interior design, real estate, room, window, orange, brown

If you're selecting a themed look for outdoor spaces, less is often better than more.

This outdoor eating and pool area has tropical Asian influences, incorporated as small touches rather than a fully authentic rendition, says developer and homeowner Joycelyne Ghee.

"Little touches here and there can work better than taking on the whole themed look, as it can start to look overdone," she says.

Ghee has introduced elements of Asian architecture into this long, narrow outdoor area, such as a timber pergola and a terracotta tiled cabana. The cabana provides poolside cover, as well as structural support for the pergola.

An outdoor dining area forms an extension to the indoor living area, and together with the deck increases the 300m² footprint of the home by another 150m². At one end of the 20m-long pool, water trickles over a stone wall before reaching a trough and re-entering the pool.

Ghee has selected chocolate and bronze colours, softening them with the paler hues of the tiled floor areas and soft furnishings for a relaxed, tropical feel. Tropical palm trees, banana trees and grasses are punctuated by the oranges and reds of bird of paradise, or Strelitzia regina, flowers.