SPONSOR CONTENT
Contributed by Penn Stone Outdoor Living
This long, cold winter has given us great opportunity to plan for (and look forward to) spring! Winter also gives homeowners and landscape professionals a chance to catch their breath and catch up on trends and plan for spring and summer projects. As professionals, we continue to see all outdoor living move towards the idea of “permeable boundaries,” away from the traditional strict lines between indoor rooms and outdoor spaces. Here are five tips to blur these lines and make your space your very own.
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Photographer: David Macias
1. Take the inside out and the outside in. Just because cushioned sofas are a living room staple doesn’t mean they can’t work outside. Outdoor fabrics and fast draining cushions bring the support, comfort ,and durability you expect indoors to the outside. Also consider the high-quality unbreakable acrylic glassware and tabletop items available for your patio. And we love ceramic tile tabletops that mimic wood. Inside your home, consider fabric patterns of flora and fauna paired with lots of unique plants and containers that can be taken outside for the summer months. Did you know that outdoor fabrics are perfect inside as well (especially in high traffic areas with kids—think kitchen and family room areas). Finally, everyone loves fire—table top fire features that burn clean eco-fuel move easily between indoors and out for year-round enjoyment.
2. Don’t be afraid of color! In the outdoor-casual market we continue to see grey as the neutral of choice, but now it’s warm and paired with lots of pops of color. Pink is huge! Don’t be afraid to use it in pillows and accents—from pale to a warm coral, there is a pink for everyone. Green is back, from forest to olive, green is a great way to bring nature’s essence inside, and a fun color outside as well.
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3. Every item should have multiple uses. Whether we are using our outdoor spaces for one or 10, they need to be able to support that. Set up a cozy “solitude” area with a deep seating lounge chair and ottoman. Have guests? Have a loveseat and other complementary deep seating available to pull up your favorite chair and use your ottoman as an extra seat. Accent pieces are so important! Consoles and side tables allow space for a cup of tea or a planter and transition to a place to set up hors d'oeuvres for your guests. We’re seeing people moving away from the traditional height dining table. Why not consider a conversation height table paired with comfy deep seating for your guests to enjoy a meal that continues long after the main course? A brightly colored bistro set tucked in a corner is the perfect spot for solo dining, a table for two, or a fun accent. Eclectic pairing is the name of the game—just make sure to connect items with a theme of silhouette or colors.
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Steven Paul Whitsitt Photography
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4. Hardscaping is more than what’s underfoot. Did you know that many companies have materials to create unique seating areas of any shape and size beyond the traditional retaining wall? They can be dressed up and softened with fun pillows and throws—and these areas can be available for use year-round. Built-in fire features can also add value and versatility to your space and pair perfectly with the season’s best deep seating or more traditional adirondack chairs. Outdoor kitchens range from a simple double cabinet layout with a small fridge to all of the bells and whistles of your indoor space. The mix of materials is endless and can be finished with almost any masonry material. And if a simple patio is your first order of business, take a look beyond the traditional PA bluestone. We are seeing more and more of beautiful porcelain tile—yes, the same ceramics as indoor tile but engineered and designed for outdoor use. We really love it in a wood grained plank style–a completely new look for today’s patio or rooftop.
5. A qualified Landscape professional can be your best friend. Never underestimate the importance of using professionals; consider partnering with an outside designer or landscape architect for your project. No matter what stage you are at in your planning process, a professional can give you ideas, suggest solutions, and even design a staged plan over the course of several years for your outdoor space. Talking to several qualified designers and installers will help you find the right fit for you.
Outdoor projects can be as simple as upgrading your cushions and adding planters or as detailed as using a recommended designer and installer to create the space of your dreams! Remember, your outside room can be as integral to your home as all of the rooms inside.
Contributed by Penn Stone Outdoor Living
