Bringing
the indoors to your outdoor world.
Summertime
is in full effect. This is
the time of year when minds turn to thoughts of outdoor sports,
gardening, and of course, decorating.
And as you begin to think of what you can do to the exterior of
your home, new possibilities in technology and style may just give you
that refreshing edge you've
been looking for.
Experts
say that adding to the exterior of your home may increase the value of
your home as much as 30%. Therefore,
if being just as comfortable inside is possible to attain outside, and
you can increase the value of your property at the same time, then
bringing decorating sense to the outdoors may just be the decorator's
wildest fantasy come true.
Because
many of us have already remodeled the bathroom, refinished the kitchen
cabinets, and redecorated every bedroom and every living room five or
six times, it's time to bring the artful touch to our front and back
yards.
Experience the outdoors.
People these days
are more interested in experiencing the outdoors and all that it has
to offer, with desires of not only entertaining outside, but just
enjoying the atmosphere and the fresh air.
Because of this increased desire for people to spend time
outside, investments are being made on such lush landscapes as
waterfall features, pavilions, fireplaces, and even full kitchens with
grills, refrigerators, and the kitchen sink.
Combine those more classic additions to the outside world with
stylish furniture and inventive accessories, and you will have
virtually created another home within your home (or should I say,
with-out your home!).
To get a
little bit of history, spacing of the outdoors around living quarters
dates back to the Victorian's who lived luxurious lives enjoying
summer rooms and screened porches.
Bringing the indoors out, however, was not as effortless as it
may seem.
Style and
technological advancement had to join together to create materials,
fabrics, and all the trimmings that can be protected from such outdoor
hardships as mildew, chipping, scratching, corrosion, and of course
fading.
Bringing technology and style together.
Designers have
become so good at combining technology with style, that these days it
may be difficult to choose whether you want the decorations to go
inside or outside. If
decorating is to be an extension of how we live and what we like, then
it is natural that we should desire to extend our decorating and
self-expression not only inside but out as well.
If
ambience is what you're after, then a built in fireplace or a
freestanding one may just be the thing for you.
Keeping in line with the outdoor patio heaters, outdoor
fireplaces are beautiful and more elaborate extension of this form of
generating heat.
Try
grouping a sofa and chairs around the hearth.
A beautiful area rug adorned with a stylish coffee table will
also add life to this special place, and is a great way to set a mood.
Also try candles and outdoor table lamps, and floor lamps, for
extra mood in the evening.
Keeping things intimate.
To
create a more intimate space, try using sheer or opaque curtains hung
around your space, or use them to create an imaginary room, as if to
extend the architecture of your home out to your front or back yard.
Also, in going along with extending the architecture of your
home, designers of outdoor furniture and accessories have taken to
making their pieces heftier, in order to better accentuate the larger
scale architecture. Cushions
are generally fuller, and seats have been deepened and widened.
Also try
a tented daybed and double chaises for that extra cozy summer nap.
Inside rules apply outside too.
Switching
to the subject of color schemes, fabrics for the exterior are
displaying bold stripes, paisleys, polka dots, and a wide array of those playful and tantalizing color combinations such as chocolate and
baby blue, pink, and sea green.
Don't
forget, the same principles used to accentuate your fabrics and
patterns inside your home, apply to the outside of your home as well.
Finishing touches with simple stripes, eye-catching patterns,
and fringe act as the ultimate grand finale to any outdoor decoration.
Also try certain items such as beads, piping, tassels and the
ever flirty table umbrella.
Got an
old couch or a dining room table set?
Don't forget the ever convenient slipcovers made in a broad
assortment of colors patterns and textures that can spice up an old
furnishing and be placed outside.
And if
you're planning to entertain outside, then comfort and convenience
should be a priority for you. Mobil
serving carts are now available that have stationery counterparts to
store all of your glasses, dishes and assorted evening wear, and can
also make an elegant way to serve your guests.
Keep your options open.
While
glass top tables are still an option, remember to think about painted
ceramic, mosaic tile and stone tables as well.
So
whether you are just relaxing after a day's work in a comfy lounge
chair by the fireplace, or enjoying a romantic dinner by candlelight,
you just might find that your outdoor home is more comfortable than
your indoor one.
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