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Inside Out
Whether you’re going Zen garden, Mediterranean or rustic country, translating interior design principles to the patio and yard takes outdoor living spaces to a whole new level of comfort and style
By Lynda Sea
Photography By Jared Sych
Forget the days of plain wicker and tacky plastic patio chairs. Outdoor furniture is now taking cues from the indoors. While eco-friendly and organic finishes and colours are still big trends, everything is essentially getting soft, cozy and comfortable, much like your indoor living room.
From deep-seat sofas to fireplaces and even daybeds, cushions and throws in weather-resistant fabrics, choices abound for transforming your patio into another relaxing “room” of the house.
Here are some tips from our design experts on how to bring the indoors out, how to style for entertaining and how to to have fun with accessories so you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the sun.
Paul Lavoie, interior designer, Paul Lavoie Interior Design
“I’m definitely noticing an inside-looking-outside trend. There are things you wouldn’t have seen five years ago like sofas for the exteriors, club chairs and standing lamps made for the outdoors. It’s the whole feeling of the Miami club leaking into Calgary backyards. Start where you would as if decorating inside and bring that feel outside. Most patios are viewed from inside 95 per cent the time, so pick your furniture with that in mind. There has to be a connection to your interior.”
Julia Shantz, owner, Uniquities Architectural Antiques
“Our seasons are so short here, so we’re seeing people trying to enjoy the outdoors longer. Stone fireplaces are a hot trend right now, and people are even building exterior rooms. But don’t clutter your garden. If you’re putting up a simple wood deck, maybe put up decorative iron panels for privacy. Look for things you’ll enjoy year round.”
Chris Parker, merchandising and marketing manager, Kitchen and Patio
“The biggest mistake people make is not investing in the right outdoor furniture. If you give yourself the right bones to work with, it doesn’t matter how the fashions and trends change. Another mistake is buying too big or too small for your space. And colours are wide open — go with as little or as much as you want. The rules are that there are no rules.”
Paul Jaras, stylist, Jaras Design International
“Outdoor decorating just isn’t as serious as indoor. You don’t have to live with it forever and because it’s only for a season, it’s okay to experiment. Try different colour palates with annuals you plant in the container boxes, and experiment that way through similar coloured accessories. The placement of things is less formal. If you have different styles of votives and glass bowls, it’s okay to mix them up. Bring candles outside — the big pillar ones and lots of them — it creates a beautiful mood and atmosphere.”
Allan Sweetser, sales associate, Rubaiyat
“Teak garden furniture is environmentally friendly — it’s all plantation wood and very high quality and lasts a long time because it’s very well constructed. It goes grey over time, but good teak wood should check and never crack. And you can totally leave it. You don’t even oil it, because this ends up creating a vapour barrier that creates more problems later.”
Theresa Pound, owner, McArthur’s Fine Furniture
“Everyone uses their outdoor space differently. In order to fully utilize your backyard, determine how you want to use the space. Do you mostly eat, drink, chat or entertain? You can make different areas suitable for different purposes like a dining area and reading nook. The biggest factor we have in Calgary is the wind, so always look for something solid, heavy and low-maintenance.”
Kelly Deck, host of HGTV’s Take it Outside
“Outdoor kitchens are increasingly trendy now and people are incorporating them into their homes. You see a lot of new outdoor appliances, like 72-inch outdoor wine cellars, big refrigeration systems and even beer dispensers. If you want to go the eco-friendly route, consider things like FSC-certified cedar for lumber, organic soil and low-voltage LED lighting. For natural materials, go with rock that’s been quarried locally and not imported.”
Thinking "outside” the box Multi-tasking is the key to items outdoors, so consider things like wooden benches that double as storage for your cushions. Chat tables with centre firepits give you two options: keep it as a firepit or fill it with ice and use as a wine and drink cooler. Not only are they great at giving plants more light, they also visually extend the space. |
DON'T Go too small on accessories. Decorations generally need to be bigger to make an impact outside. Clutter your patio with accessories and furnishings. It’s easy to get carried away outside without the constraints of walls, so know when to stop. | DO Make sure there is enough storage space for the winter season or ensure that furnishings are covered and packed away when not in use. Invest in good patio furniture, even though the initial costs may be higher. Good ones last a lifetime and won’t be chucked out come next year. |
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