We believe that you should put as much love into your outdoor decor as you do the interior of your home. The line separating indoor and outdoor spaces has forever been blurred. Gone are the days when everyone merely dined in the backyard on a picnic table, poised next to a grill, and maybe roasted some marshmallows over remaining charcoal embers. Our outdoor dining and entertaining spaces have thankfully become much more exciting and we’re able to spend many more hours enjoying the outside of our homes as a result! As we head into Summer, we thought we would share our Top Five Tips for a Well Designed Outdoor Space. Enjoy!
Outdoor living has become seamless with indoor living. We want spaces that feel and function as if they are part of the square footage of the home. One way we help our clients create this is with nano walls and garage doors that open and make the transition from indoor to outdoor seamless. Furniture manufacturers such as Summer Classics, Lee Industries, Brown Jordan, and Castelle have created gorgeous lines of outdoor furniture that not only look beautiful enough to use inside, but have developed technologies for their fabrics, frames and cushions that are guaranteed to truly stand up to the elements. Imagine being able to hose down your upholstered furniture to erase muddy paw prints, sand from the beach, or ketchup and mustard from the neighborhood cookout you host!
Mixing this modern fire pit with stylish floor lanterns creates dimensional atmosphere! Design by: John Ishamel, Nandina – Atlanta
We love this shot of Susan Victor’s porch set up for a beautiful dinner at home!
The lounge chairs surrounding the Victor’s beautiful home give a nod to their last name with the V monogram! Deisgn by Susan Victor, Nandina Home – Aiken
Accessorize! Add in fun personal touches to your outdoor space to make it yours. Pillows, blankets, and rugs are great for creating a warm, inviting space. Leave out a tray for putting glasses and snacks on, and if you have an open-air space add an umbrella into the mix for additional coverage.
There is no better accessory than your dogs and loved ones! We love this shot of John Ishmael enjoying his porch swing with his nieces and dogs.
Arguably the most important aspect of outdoor entertaining is the furniture that you and your guests will enjoy. It’s all about scale. If you have a small porch or backyard make sure you get furniture that fits the surroundings. Metal frames and less-bulky wicker will work well in smaller spaces. If you have a large garden or with ample room, think about adding a sectional and a few chairs, or a large dining table to use for dinner parties.
Furniture manufacturers such as Summer Classics, Lee Industries, Brown Jordan, and Castelle have created gorgeous lines of outdoor furniture that not only look beautiful enough to use inside, but have developed technologies for their fabrics, frames and cushions that are guaranteed to truly stand up to the elements. Imagine being able to hose down your upholstered furniture to erase muddy paw prints, sand from the beach, or ketchup and mustard from the neighborhood cookout you host.
We love Sue Shannon’s cozy porch and cant wait to sit in those comfortable chairs and enjoy a moscow mule! Deisgn by Sue Shannon , Nandina Home -Aiken
We love the new Summer Classics collections! Make an appointment to come see it in person at the Nandina – Aiken showroom!
Outdoor rooms are already surrounded by plants and nature on most sides, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add more! Hanging plants, potted trees, or a decorative herb garden bring even more life into your outdoor space.
Adding some fresh floral arrangements (picked from your garden perhaps?) creates the perfect finishing touch. Design by Susan Victor of Nandina -Aiken
We love bringing in potted plants and herbs and strategically placing them near furniture and in empty corners. Sunroom designed by Jessie LaFalce of Nandina Home – Atlanta
Make a list of all the activities you can think of happening in your desired space. These questions and answers will begin to tell you how much space you need and how to plan your furniture layout.
Whether you have a small patio or deck, or a large outdoor garden area, it’s all about how you make use of the space you’ve got. Design by Sue Shannon and Susan Victor of Nandina Home – Aiken
Summer is almost here! The days are getting a bit longer and nothing says summertime in the South quite like enjoying time spent with family and friend outside. Think about the ways you want to enjoy your space. Will you host dinner parties? Have friends over for cocktails around a fire pit? Watch your grandchildren swimming in your pool? The sky is the limit!
This serene outdoor living space is dog tested and approved! Design by John Ishamel of Nandina Home – Atlanta
Do you entertain often? We love this shot of a glamorous outdoor living space, complete with chandeliers!
