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Our Current Issue's Feature Article:
"Fall in LOVE with
your backyard!"
Creating an outdoor living space is no longer
just about
increasing property values or impressing the occasional guest.
It is
about
creating a warm, welcoming, nurturing place
to come home to... a place
that
soothes the stress out of daily life, and brings us closer to nature and
spirit.
Remember that decorating your home should not
stop inside
your front door!
Here are some
great tips to live (outdoors!) by...
1. You
wouldn't just plop a sofa down in the center of your
living room and call it complete. Nor should you stop
decorating an
outdoor
room once you've found that perfect lounger or dining set and placed it
on the
patio. Just like a room indoors, outdoor rooms pay attention to creating
a mood
and an ambiance.
2. Don't
obsess
about size. Some of the loveliest outdoor spaces
are created on a small patio, porch or deck. In fact, small spaces have
an advantage, especially for the budget
decorator - they're easier to fill! A few
well-placed
furniture items and some significant accessories for focal points will
usually do the trick. Discovering
pieces that can serve multiple uses is a great way to
get the most out of your space - a small side table can hold a pile of
books by
your favorite chair, or a platter of drinks and snacks next to
the
dining table.
3. Get the most bang for your buck. Flea markets and yard sales can yield
great decorating treasures, but also "shop" your own
home, where the attic or garage may turn up furniture and
accessories that can be reinvented as outdoor
decor. A can of spray paint can work magic on an item that needs a quick
facelift.
4.
As
far as outdoor rooms' "ceilings" go, the sky works for me! But if
you
have an
overhead structure, consider growing a fast covering vine for shade and
ambience. You can also
hang light fixtures from beams or hooks...look for old chandeliers at
garage
sales you can strip and transform to hold candles instead of
electricity. And if you don't have overhead cover, you can
always add a
couple of oversized canvas
umbrellas to shield your guests from the afternoon sun's intense rays.
5. Plants are
a big part of the outdoor experience and add
shade, texture
and a sweet scent to your space. Besides your favorite
flowers,
try fragrant plants like dwarf citrus trees or herbs, which can double
as fresh
flavoring for outdoor meals! for
an asymmetrical arrangement.
Visually, it's important to consider the container
as well as the plant.
For a natural look, choose clay or stone (or
lighter
resin designed to look like stone) and
add splashes of color with
painted
pottery.
6.
Searching
for an elegant alternative to solar lights? Border
your outdoor room with oversized lanterns. To keep your
evening
parties pest
free, fill each lantern with a citronella pillar
candle. Or consider using the new battery-operated pillars that look
just like the real thing! And if you've got electricity nearby, there are great looking
lamps especially made for outdoor use.
7. So you've saved a few extra bucks by re-purposing attic
treasures for your outdoor room. Want a splurge or two? Try an
outdoor trend - this season, outdoor fireplaces and kitchens are in
demand. Trellises
or arbors are being used to extend the space or create a ceiling effect
in
an open space. Also popular are sofa-like overstuffed outdoor chairs and
coffee
tables with an indoor feel, made durable for outdoors.
8. The
best fun there is... accessorizing! There is no reason to treat
your outdoor room
much different from the indoor ones... except you have to make
allowances for
weather. Benches and seats cry out for fluffy pillows and cozy throws
for those
cool nights out star watching. Layering colors, textures and heights
with your
accessories will add a rich feeling.
Need a hand planning and furnishing your outdoor
room? Call Reinvented Rooms at 559.435.0850 and we'll work together
to create a space you'll love to live in!
Catch up on all of our previous design tips and tricks...
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