Helpful Ideas: Designing an Outdoor Living Space

By: Marcia Blake

Approach the design of your outdoor space as you would an indoor space, applying the fundamental principles of interior design on the exterior. One technique is to pinpoint a focal point, which is the spot to which your eyes are drawn. It could be a sweeping vista or a majestic fireplace. Whichever point of interest you choose as the focal point you will create a unique canvas that your family and friends will delight in.

An additional design practice is to construct an “anchor” which acts as a catalyst of what the outdoor space provides. By way of illustration, this entertainment unit set in the middle of a Ramada is one way to utilize objects as an architectural feature.

Many times on covered patios in the Scottsdale & Phoenix metropolitan area, the fireplace is the focal point, however, the view of the desert landscape will catch the eye on either side of a fireplace. Add recessed lighting over the fireplace to make the hearth stand out subtlety against the dusky sky.

Fireplaces and fire pits have distinct characters; a fireplace has a meditative feature, as everybody sits in front of it spellbound by the flames. A fire pit, on the other hand, is extremely conversational, the people surrounding the flames and across from one another.  Both can have significant roles even when not lit.  A fireplace frequently requires you pay attention to its majestic structure, whether made of stone, brick, stucco or concrete. A fire pit is usually less dramatic, but commonly has a ledge or other attributes that permit you to make use of it as a seat or as a spot to prop a book or a drink.

When seating is arranged around a fireplace, consider adding decorative drapes to enclose the outdoor living area and keep the warmth in. The furniture should create an environment conducive to conversing: your guests will fall into dialog comfortably, which produces delightful social gatherings.  Place chairs in a symmetrical arrangement to establish a more formal mood, or consider purposefully positioning the chairs in a random presentation, clustered into sets of two or situated in sizable collections. Think about keeping movable seating on hand, such as fabric ottomans to create a conversation space on the spot.

The choices for patio materials are practically bondless in terms of color and shape. If you like a traditional style a brick patio might look best, while a freeform flagstone patio looks great with the Arizona landscape. An ordinary concrete patio can be embellished with a brick or flagstone border, it can be stained a color to coordinate with your décor. Another style that you may like is a decorated tile in different sections of the patio, set apart by swaths of a more neutral medium; it continues to be a highlight without becoming overpowering. If your home is a Mediterranean style a patterned terra-cotta tile will match subtlety with the outdoor furniture’s fabric not to mention with the house itself, while smaller tiles around the outer edge can intensify visual appeal.

Once your space starts to take shape, add accessories to emulate interior living spaces and you will be on your way to creating the perfect outdoor room.

Summertime Outdoor Entertaining

By Marcia Blake

For most everyone Fourth of July weekend is the mid-summer celebration, it usually involves an outdoor barbeque, a great looking table, fabulous summer dishes, cool drinks and your favorite guests to revitalize the warmer time of the year. Whether you wish to transform a backyard barbeque into a stylish, yet relaxed event, or a conventional picnic into an elegant dinner, all you require are some fresh and fabulous eye-catching and entertaining ideas to have a good time.

       

When entertaining outdoors, be sure to choose a theme, color scheme, food, seating and décor that fit the setting. One theme that I like is a classy Garden Party, which can be, achieved alfresco style. Use colors and textures to create interest on the table. A tablecloth and coordinating napkins made with Sunbrellaâ fabric will complement the style that you are trying to achieve. The choices are endless, from textures, prints, solids and jacquards, you can select the perfect fabric.

Use a piece of slate or a terra cotta tile as a trivet or tray.  I recommend utilizing plants from the garden to add decorative accents to the tabletop. Choose some of your favorite flowers and join them in a bird nest, which come in a variety of different sizes in your local craft store to add a unique touch to your summer table.  Or take small containers such as mason jars, fill the bottom with sliced lemons or limes add Daffodils, Gerber Daisies or Tulips, then wrap the center of the jar with a piece of burlap for that natural feel and tie a ribbon around the middle. For a more formal setting use different size glass hurricanes fill them with sand and place a candle in the center.

Have fun with the dishes and glassware either select colors originating from nature and the environment like bamboo plates or punch the tabletop up with a variety of vivid colors and shapes to create an eclectic setting.  To put an elegant twist on this garden party, fill the table with your best china and stemware, then scatter votives around the table to create ambient lighting when the sun sets.

Consider serving marinated London Broil served with horseradish cream sauce, au jus, Island Chicken with Fruit Salsa, Fresh Corn Grilled in the Husk with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Butter for a perfect Garden Party.

                            

Another theme for the ideal summers get together is a chic, yet casual Backyard Barbeque.  Grilling is a quintessential element of summer; add a new spin on the backyard barbeque adventure to make a casual gathering an event to remember.  One of my favorite things to prepare is pizza al fresco.  You can collect all of the ingredients ahead of time, and then your guests can join in the fun assembling the pizza. Encourage them to sprinkle fresh cut herbs as pizza toppings.

                                        

Some terrific centerpieces for this creative gill fare are small terra cotta pots with fresh herbs lined up down the center of your table. Set the table Tuscan Style for an authentic Italian evening, with small bottles of olive oil at each place setting. Start the Backyard Barbeque off with a grilled Bruschetta appetizer, cool down the party with traditional Limóncello cocktail and serve a healthy Italian salad with fresh ingredients to accompany the pizza.

Monterey and Terrace Collection - Exclusively at Paddy O' Furniture

The grill will be the focal point of this gathering, yet its important not to forget comfortable and inviting seating in addition to your dining table.  Large curved and modular luxuriously cushioned sofas are wonderful for large parties, club chairs around a fire pit create a casual cozy space, and double chaise lounges are unrivaled for a romantic interlude away from the crowd.

One more theme for summertime outdoor entertaining is easy going Beach Picnic in your backyard. To create a beachside bash at your home select beach artifacts such as shells, starfish, white coral and sand for serving and decoration. Adopt a nautical color scheme of navy blue, white, sea blue, crimson and yellow, choose Sunbrellaâ fabric Parade Nautical to make a tablecloth add napkins in solid coordinates.

    

Use clear glass plates and glassware on the tabletop along with flickering candles. The menu could contain grilled shrimp or clam appetizer, blackened salmon and a nice summer salad with market fresh produce. Hang lanterns from trees with battery operated votives to illuminate the party as the sun goes down.  Play some Beach Boys music on your outdoor speakers as your friends mix and mingle with tropical drinks in hand. Sprinkle sand on the patio, and light up a few Tiki torches and you are all set to entertain this summer in style.

          

The key to summertime outdoor entertaining is to plan in advance so that you can enjoy your Garden Party, Backyard Barbeque or Beach Picnic along with your guests. Take time to relax, unwind, in your outdoor furniture before, during and after the party to feel renewed, refreshed and entertained! Enjoy….

Embrace Outdoor Living

By: Marcia Blake

One of the most essential activities we can do is to connect with nature by being outdoors. Studies show that fresh air, trees, plants and natural outdoor elements have a profound influence on our health and well being.  When we devote more time outdoors, we can boost our state of mind, think more positively, and experience a greater inner calm and greater harmony with everyone around us.  So let’s leave the stresses of everyday life inside, as we embrace our outdoor living room.

To be able to spend more time outdoors, ask yourself, “Will I be relaxing and entertaining or dining outside alfresco style with family and friends?”  Once you determine the answers to these questions you can begin to design your outdoor living space, or freshen up and re-energize an existing space with new furniture and accessories.  If the answer to both questions is “yes” than you can design an outdoor living room, in addition to an alfresco dining area.

The line between the indoors and outdoors is blurring as we and our guests spill outside from our interior great room. Utilizing the very same design principles that you use inside your home is the key to discovering the beauty of outdoor living. Layering appealing textural solids with captivating patterned textiles will enable you to create an outdoor seating and dining area that is just as inviting as your indoor counterparts. Accent pillows, artistic area rugs, graceful drapes, and stylized furniture are the components that will make your space comfortable and inspired.

Some of the latest trends in furniture and accessories add vibrancy, style and comfort to the outdoor living room. Brown Jordan’s Flight Collection offers elegance with casual sophistication. Its clean lines and modern flares are constructed in cast and extruded aluminum. This Flight collection is the perfect synthesis of classic style with a modern twist.

Brown Jordan Flight Dining

Brown Jordan Flight Chaise Lounges

Just like in home design, it is important to create a focal point such as a fountain, fireplace, fire pit, gazebo or pavilion that will encourage your friends and family to spend quality time together. Or you can choose an existing focal point to strategically place some very comfortable deep seating arrangements or a spectacular dining area. Sometimes colorful outdoor art or an outdoor rug that defines this space is your focal point. If this is the case, utilize the colors found in the artwork or rug to embellish your outdoor room.

Outdoor furniture and accessories get their design and color signals from the traditional and fashionable interior décor. This Monterey Collection from Patio Renaissance is rich in color and design. By selecting your own fabric for the cushions and pillows you can personalize your outdoor living room.

Patio Renaissance Monterey Deep Seating

Nature inspires the addition of colors in the outdoor room such as tranquil blue, herbal green and cheerful yellow. This season shades of pink are being tossed into the outdoor room. Different hues of orange are spicing up the outdoor spaces while brightening up our mood.   In addition to adding color in the outdoor furnishings and accessories, choose colorful flowering plants to accent containers scattered throughout the outdoor living space. Place these on the dining table, coffee table, next to a club or lounge chair. Accent the outdoors with all different shapes and sizes of colorful outdoor throw pillows and a plush outdoor rug that will finish off the outdoor setting. Umbrellas also come in many sizes, shapes and colors that can coordinate or contrast the outdoor living space.

Next you want to consider adding Outdoor Drapes to add a touch of style and color. These drapes can be functional or simply decorative. There are many options to choose from with Outdoor Drapes, you can hang sheer drapes, or a patterned drape with decorative accent fringe. Now more than anytime before you have choices in outdoor hardware to hang the drapes, adjustable aluminum rods and decorative finials.

Mix and match materials in these outdoor settings, juxtapose wrought iron with glass, steel with terra cotta, wood against woven components, soft chenille textures and linear lines to get a new twist on an old world style.

Adding the finishing touches with accessories like candles, stone figurines, colorful potted plants, table trays, coffee table books and colorful vases will complete the creation of your lavish outdoor living space.

Now that spring is here, the importance of outdoor living becomes more and more apparent as we appreciate the natural beauty surrounding our homes, the clean crisp air of spring, birds singing, flowers blooming and trees budding. Time spent outside as we socialize in comfort and style will help us to leave the stress of the day behind and create a balance to our lives. Outdoor Living stimulates conversation, an unhurried pace and transports us closer to nature.

Alfresco dining and lounging on a sofa as the afternoon fades into evening, will replenish your spirit.

Outdoor living is at its best when nature dazzles the eye and nurtures the soul. Create your perfect casual environment outside and enjoy. Breathe in, breathe out. Find your center. Relax.  With so many demands on our daily lives, it’s no wonder that we are all so stressed! So leave the stress inside, as you embrace outdoor living.