roomplanners magazine - may 2011

27
www.roomplanners.com roomplanners coastal take it outside with the perfect back yard! ooh la la! backyard bistro nicoise salad pommes frites furniture for small spaces May 2011 bring resort-style living home living

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Resort-inspired interiors inspired by sophisticated coastal living. Plus... planning an outdoor room, French bistro-style furniture for small decks, patios and balconies...and perfect bistro recipes for summer.

TRANSCRIPT

www.roomplanners.com

roomplanners

coastal

take it outside with the perfect back yard!

ooh la la!

backyard bistro

nicoise salad pommes frites

furniture for small spaces

May 2011

bring resort-style living home

living

on the cover

The perfect deck or patio tops the wish list for most of us. With record gas prices, this may be the summer to make it happen!

(On a side note... if you’ve never tried out an Adirondack chair, make this the summer you do that too! They’re seriously comfortable.)

All written information herein is copyright ©2011 Room Planners Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without written permission from Room Planners Incorporated.

Find us online at:

WEB SITE www.roomplanners.com

TWITTER www.twitter.com/roomplanners

FACEBOOK www.facebook/roomplanners

BLOG http://blog.roomplanners.com

Editor-in-Chief Loreen Epp

Food writer Wendi Hiebert

Contributing writer Dominique Waters

5

10 RECIPES

23

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free issues?

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BACKYARD BISTRO

Is there a more charming style for

outdoor furniture?

And it‟s perfect for small

patios and balconies.

12

2 MAY 2011 www.roomplanners.com

Bistro fare!

Pommes Frites

Nicoise Salad

Laid-back and luxurious, natural materials inspire

resort-style elegance.

this month...

GOING COASTAL

TAKE IT OUTSIDE! Making the most of your

back yard.

sleep well tonight

what we do in bed Once the domain of the elderly and the

back-problem-prone, adjustable mattresses

have gone from not-so-cool to red hot.

According to recent research, 38% of us

want to incline or recline our head or feet at the touch of a button. It's no wonder, based on how

we live.

Nearly half of us (45%) use a computer while

we're on our bed; the same number of us who watch TV in bed, often as a family. Nearly two-

thirds (60%) of us read books in our bed and one third of us (33%) read to our children. All of that

makes an adjustable mattress a serious contender for next mattress purchase.

PHOTO COURTESY: Tempur-Pedic, TEMPUR

Advanced Ergo System™

Not receiving our

free issues?

SUBSCRIBE NOW! from our blog

celebrity homes

Mariah’s nurseries While Mariah Carey‟s bedroom was dubbed the most glamorous

room in her New York penthouse by Architectural Digest a decade

ago, the new nurseries for her twins, one each in Bel Air and

New York, have been dubbed tranquil and cozy.

But nursery photos featured in last month‟s Life & Style magazine,

show the singer's strikingly similar approach to room design for herself

and for her newborns. READ MORE.

Amid a battered remodeling market, bathroom makeovers are a bit of a bright spot.

Bathrooms, in

fact, are rivaling kitchens as one of the best places to invest

money in your home that you can't take

with you when you leave.

Bathroom budgets vary, but the average

spend is $10,000 - $15,000.

READ MORE.

room design layout

bathroom remodels on the rise

www.roomplanners.com MAY 2011 3

4 MAY 2011 www.roomplanners.com

room design layout

pets get the luxury treatment Fido and Garfield will be well taken care of in new

homes. Demand is growing for dog showers (tiled or

painted to suit the pet‟s personality), built-in feeding

stations windows located lower to the floor (so pets will

have better outdoor views) and hideaways and sleep

areas built into laundry or foyers. READ MORE.

But if remodeling your home to make four-legged creatures happy isn't in your future, consider this low-

budget project idea from a recent Arm & Hammer

advertisement. Simply line the outside of your cat's litter box (or dog's food bowl) with bumper-style stickers

befitting their prevailing attitude or personality.

room design layout

one house, two homes There may be a silver lining to the housing crisis. Today‟s tough times are spawning a major shift in

thinking about home… namely, the trend to turn one house into two homes.

Adding a second, independent living area, whether a converted garage or basement, new wing or separate

structure, makes a lot of sense at a time when aging parents need to be cared for, retiring baby boomers

want to age at home, healthcare costs are soaring, single-parents wouldn‟t mind a second adult on the

premise and children are moving home after college in droves.

In a new book, In-Laws, Outlaws, and Granny

Flats, author Michel

Litchfield explores the benefits, uses and

designs of this time-honored living arrange-

ment. Founding editor of Fine Homebuilding

magazine, Litchfield explores all aspects of multi-generational living

and dual living quarters on one property.

READ MORE.

kitchen design

kitchen priorities revealed Today's dream kitchen is remarkably

practical, according to a recent GenShift

2011 survey by Masco Cabinetry.

Among their findings? We‟ll be staying

our homes longer, but many of us are

concerned that our existing homes aren't

equipped for our future needs. We want

more dedicated storage for bulk food,

small appliances and waste/recycling… and dog food storage has overtaken wine food storage as a top „extra‟ in our

kitchen. Many adults and younger

children also expect that they‟ll live

together under one roof in the future...

and an open floor plan is vastly

preferred to a kitchen behind walls.

READ MORE.

Sponsored Feature

back yard

www.roomplanners.com MAY 2011 5

bistro It’s the perfect furniture style for patios, decks and balconies, especially small ones. (It’ll also transport you to Paris without booking a flight!)

Ahead, we partnered with American Country Home Store, our favorite source for original French-made bistro furniture, to inspire your very own, very charming, outdoor living space.

1 2 3

and our thoughts turn to our own artistic side, our romance life, accordion

tunes and La Vie en Rose.

Obsessed with beauty, famous for

comfort and the ultimate arbiters of good taste, the French have always

insisted that outdoor furniture look as good as anything inside.

With an impeccable tradition of quality, French furniture makers are

famous for the graceful shapes, intimate

scale, exquisite designs and quality of

their pieces... whether using wood, cast iron, colorful metals or exotic rattan.

Bistro furniture has inspired our own ideas about eating on patios and decks

in North America. Many of our most romantic notions about eating en plain air, in fact, have a French vibe... from

elegant Louvre chairs in Napa wineries

to folding bistro chairs in New York‟s Bryant Park.

With its light-weight design, bistro-style furniture lifts our mood, beckons us

outdoors and makes the perfect choice for small spaces.

Given that all outdoor furniture isn‟t created equal, when in doubt, we say

go French. Such elegance is actually

incapable of looking trendy, tacky or tattered over time.

Check out the backyard bistro ideas on the next page… and original, French-

made bistro furniture at

American Country Home Store.

3 big reasons to love small furniture

b BY NOW, CAFES IN PARIS HAVE

THROWN OPEN THEIR DOORS, pushed chairs and tables onto the sidewalk and are serving their

delicious bistro fare outdoors, or, en plein air.

Café, or bistro furniture is the hallmark of Paris sidewalk cafés, brasseries and the city itself. For more

than a century, Parisians (and want-to-be-Parisians!) have huddled around

charming bistro tables to eat, drink and discuss the events of the day. It

was also on bistro chairs that the likes of Picasso, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Sartre and other famous artists and

writers once perched to wax poetic.

Just one look at bistro furniture today

Small-scaled furniture

makes it easy to be bold

with color or to mix and

match table and chair

styles or colors. The look

is warm, intersting and very personal.

Lightweight, compact, folding or stackable,

bistro furniture is easy to

move around and store

when not in use. Move it

in or out of the sun, or to your own perfect spot.

Bistro chairs Perhaps the most famous chairs in the world!

Bistro tables At just 28-38” wide, they’re smart for small spaces.

Flower boxes and pots and hanging baskets. SO charming. Awnings + umbrellas Trust the French to make even shelter fashionable!

Gingham A much-loved checkered pattern that adds

provincial-style warmth to table linens.

The color red True; any color will work. But red is Paris. Hearty dinnerware As simple, but substantial, as the food it holds.

Designed for crowded sidewalk cafes, bistro

furniture is perfect for

balconies and small

patios or decks. Its

open, airy designs make the space look bigger.

Bistro folding chairs in

the famous Bryant Park.

6 MAY 2011 www.roomplanners.com

Sponsored Feature

BISTRO BASICS Bistro chairs Perhaps the most famous chairs in the world!

Bistro tables At just 28-38” wide, they’re smart for small spaces.

Flower boxes and pots and hanging baskets. SO charming. Awnings + umbrellas Trust the French to make even shelter fashionable!

Gingham A much-loved checkered pattern that adds

provincial-style warmth to table linens.

The color red True; any color will work. But red is Paris. Hearty dinnerware As simple, but substantial, as the food it holds.

www.roomplanners.com MAY 2011 7

Bistro Metal High Table & Chairs

Bistro Folding Table & Chairs

Campaign Folding Table & Chairs

Castille Plus Table & Chairs Louvre Garden Terrace Chairs at Peju Province Winery in Napa Valley

FOLDING

This practical invention at the end of the 19th cen-tury and was an instant hit at French cafes. Simple folding chairs were easy to pack away (and still are!), allowing cafes to avoid fees for a permanent terrace! The light-weight design looks good anywhere (also indoors!) and in custom colors. Check it out in fjord blue, right.

8 MAY 2011 www.roomplanners.com

FOLDING

The perfect companion to folding bistro chairs, folding tables are space– savvy and ideal for small areas (or for a private dinner for two)! They‟re easy to collapse, store in tight spaces or move where needed.

METAL

Inspired by garden chairs found in Paris squares during the late 1800s, Louvre chairs aren‟t as delicate as they looks! Sturdy enough for public places, their simple, airy design celebrates life in the garden or on a flower-filled patio or balcony. Color it cedar green for classic elegance, or carrot for fun.

METAL

They‟re known as opera tables and it‟s easy to see why. The elegant, light-weight lines of this elegant table makes it perfect for Parisian gardens, terraces and balconies… or in an elegant garden in your back yard!

chairs tables

planning your own back yard bistro

Sponsored Feature

RATTAN

Michael Thonet designed the first bent wood chair in 1859. French artists Renoir and Lautrec showed it in their paintings, and Picasso kept one in his studio. Paris cafes made them famous, especially rattan bistro chairs for outside, with a checkered weaved seat and back. Few are handmade in France today, but fine versions are made in the Philippines.

BRASSERIE

They‟re everywhere

in Paris! Small

café tables with heavy iron base and

marble top with brass edge (or laminate top with steel edge) are as sturdy as a

French lamp post! With a center pedestal base, it‟s easy to fit

plenty of chairs around it.

www.roomplanners.com MAY 2011 9

Dinnerware in French bistros is surprisingly simple and sturdy, suiting the food served in them!

That makes authentic French dishes, tableware and linens hearty enough to use outdoors

For fun, choose dinnerware with a French restaurant logo, like the very charming tableware shown here from la Brasserie du Square in France.

dinnerware

umbrellas cushions

NEW CATALOG ! Click here to receive the American Country Home Store 2011 catalog, shipping in June. planning your own back yard bistro

color Custom coloring outdoor furniture with a favorite hue (or hues!) makes it personal and interesting. Even in bold colors, the light, airy scale of bistro furniture is never overpowering. Avoid fading or rust with a top-grade steel and a rust–resistant powder coating.

No awning? No problem. Smaller bistro umbrellas are ideal for bistro tables. At 5- or 6-feet in diameter, they offer just the right scale and sun protection. Fabrics from the south of France add extra charm!

Sure, they add comfort outdoors, but bistro chair cushions are most loved for their color and character. Gingham and stripes are favorites… so are the famous French reds, provencal blues and tea stained hues.

10 MAY 2011 www.roomplanners.com

nicoise salad

BISTRO BASICS

Pain perdu French Onion Soup Potato & Leek Soup Croque Madame Quiche Lorraine Nicoise Salad

Coq au Vin Beef Bourguignon Roast Chicken Provencal

Steak au Poivre and Pommes Frites

Apple Galette Tarte Tatin

Makes 2 servings

2 large potatoes (ex. Yukon Gold or russet)

1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil

Salt

Preheat oven to 450ºF.

Cut each potato lengthwise into four slices. Cut each slice into 3 or 4 fingers. Place in a large bowl. Cover with cold water. Let stand 10 minutes.

Drain potatoes; pat dry with paper towels. Return potatoes to the bowl. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt. Using your hands, mix to evenly coat potatoes.

Spread potatoes on a baking sheet. Roast, uncovered, on the bottom rack for 15

minutes. Turn potatoes over. Continue roasting until golden brown, about 15 more minutes.

TIP: Paprika, chili powder, onion powder and/or

dried herbs can be sprinkled over potatoes

before roasting.

Makes 4 servings

4 to 6 cups mixed salad greens

1 lb mini potatoes, cooked

½ lb green beans, trimmed and

steamed

1 - 2 cans (5 - 6 oz/170 g each)

solid white tuna, drained and

separated into chunks

2 cups cherry or grape

tomatoes, halved

4 hard-cooked eggs, cut into

wedges

1/3 cup pitted black olives,

1 tin (approx 2 oz/50 g)

anchovy fillets, drained,

rinsed, patted dry and

halved lengthwise

1 tbsp capers (optional)

½ cup olive oil

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tbsp chopped fresh basil

1 clove garlic, minced

Cover a large plate or platter

with salad greens. On top of greens, arrange potatoes, beans, tuna, tomatoes, and eggs. Sprinkle olives, anchovies, and capers (if using) over top.

Whisk together oil, vinegar, basil & garlic. Serve with salad.

TIPS: Instead of serving as an arranged

salad, gently combine potatoes,

beans, tuna, tomatoes and eggs

with some of the dressing, then

spoon over the salad greens.

Three medium potatoes, cooked

and diced, can be substituted for

the mini potatoes.

Tomatoes, cut into wedges,

can be substituted for the cherry

tomatoes.

Substitute Italian dressing or your

favorite vinaigrette for the dressing.

pommes frites

home-style french bistro cooking

Create a French eatery ambiance at home by serving friends and family a

bistro-style Nicoise Salad or oven-baked Pommes Frites (French fries).

Add a great bottle of wine and you‟ll have your guests saying “ooh la la”!

BISTRO BASICS

Pain perdu French Onion Soup Potato & Leek Soup Croque Madame Quiche Lorraine Nicoise Salad

Coq au Vin Beef Bourguignon Roast Chicken Provencal

Steak au Poivre and Pommes Frites

Apple Galette Tarte Tatin

www.roomplanners.com MAY 2011 11

home-style

www.roomplanners.com MAY 2011 13

going coastal What if escaping to a seaside resort were as easy as walking through your front door?

TOP. A hearty, weathered table with metal base contrasts a

delicate elegant chandelier, drapes and étagère. BOTTOM. What‟s more natural than sleeping next to a woven water

hyacinth bed with gently weathered frame? RIGHT. Washed-

looking shelves and antiqued pewter finish frame invite an open display of beautiful things. The simplicity of white kitchen cupboards and stainless steel show off the textured chairs.

14 MAY 2011 www.roomplanners.com

SEASIDE SIMPLICITY AND STYLE.

Airy, open shelves are a lesson in

i If the next pages resemble the pages of Coastal Living magazine, it‟s no

coincidence. The popular periodical that celebrates life along the coast has

brought its pages to life with a line of seaside-inspired furniture.

Joining forces with Stanley Furniture,

the new Coastal Living Resort furniture

collection follows on the heels of this power duo‟s launch of a cottage-

inspired furniture collection in 2009.

“Like our magazine, our furniture is ideal for people who live, or dream of

living a coastal lifestyle,” says Heather Chadduck, Style Director for

Coastal Living Magazine.

“We want our Resort collection to

recall places our readers have been or

dreamed of being,” Chadduck says, noting that, based on the success of the initial cottage collection, the

company saw the potential for a more transitional look that mixed a casual

coastal lifestyle with more sophistication.

“Resort effortlessly marries the breezy

simplicity of shore life and the under-stated elegance of a five-star hotel,”

says Adam Tilley, Vice President of Product Development for Stanley

Furniture.

Tilley acknowledges that some of America‟s top resort interiors inspired

the simple elegance of the products, along with select international influences. The breezy, openness of

the design is often associated with Asian and Scandinavian design, he

explains, where clean lines and organic materials coexist, and modern

is soft and slightly modified.“The look is sophisticated and laid back, elegant and casual, old and new, all at

the same time.”

Tilley also cites the resort lifestyle

www.roomplanners.com MAY 2011 15

SEASIDE SIMPLICITY AND STYLE.

Airy, open shelves are a lesson in

itself, where destroyed jeans, designer shoes, black ties, bare feet, suntan

lotion and Channel No. 5 coexist... as providing additional inspiration.

The unique mix of worn-down,

seaworthy textures alongside elegant, clean-lined furniture does seem to be

a hallmark of the look. It‟s intended, no doubt, to induce downtime and

relaxation of the most understated, but luxurious kind.

Weathered driftwood, burnished boat

fittings, louvered shutters, coral and seagrass are all represented, along with subtle, but identifiable nautical

details that include a maritime-inspired X-motif and tarnished steel

accents. Woven water hyacinth and a coral matelasse fabric keep the look

rooted in nature, as do a choice of eight tactile, grain-baring painted finishes that channel nature‟s effects

on wood.

But there‟s no denying the presence of modern in the mix. Boxy cases on

antique pewter stands, contemporary stretchers, floating tops and Parson-

like bases add an industrial vibe that feels fresh and updated. A nearly-

white and nearly black wood stain are pure chic; countering the range of muted cottage-like tones that, though

weathered and grainy, look fresh on

such clean shapes.

Perhaps it‟s this perfect storm of clean

shapes with seafaring textures that make it so easy to mix the collection‟s

pieces and finishes in a single room.

The look is also easily dressed up or down. Chrome or glass accents suit

the simple shapes. Elegant chandeliers, simple drum shades or a maritime

lantern all seem at home here. Even the polished and antiqued hardware hint at the eclectic possibilities,

inspiring that look of sophisticated and laid-back, elegant and casual, old

and new… all at the same time.

16 MAY 2011 www.roomplanners.com

TOP. A bottle shelf in an antiqued pewter finish gives this

serving table industrial functionality. A contrasting mirror

finish adds dimension. BOTTOM. A simple drum-shaped

pendant contrasts a casual, weathered table design and mix

of chairs. RIGHT. The cocktail table‟s weathered, grainy

texture stands out against a quiet, neutral background.

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN. Natural textures

ABOVE. Modern shaping on the dresser is

warmed up with cottage-pull hardware. RIGHT. A leather collar holds the lamp table‟s legs to-gether; a coral-patterned bench hints at life by

the sea. RIGHT, BOTTOM. A flip-top table con-

verts from sofa table to writing desk to dinner

table. BELOW Concealing a pull-out-writing

shelf and drop-down top drawers, this media

chest goes anywhere. OPPOSITE PAGE. A wave-

front chest conjures up driftwood at the beach.

18 MAY 2011 www.roomplanners.com

“Like our magazine, our furniture is ideal for people who live, or dream of living a coastal lifestyle.”

Heather Chadduck, Style Director, Coastal Living Magazine.

www.roomplanners.com MAY 2011 19

DRIFTWOOD. A fresh take on

cup pull cottage pull knob

fabrics & covers

paint colors materials

driftwood

sail cloth dune

sea oat

channel marker

morning fog

urchin

dolphin

sandy linen

hardware

Benjamin Moore

#OC-56 moonshine

Benjamin Moore

#OC-9

ballet white

Behr

#1850

white

Benjamin Moore

#OC-59 vanilla milkshake

wood finishes

stormy night

compliments of Stanley Furniture

woven hyacinth

matelasse chenille

styl

e g

uide

Benjamin Moore

#1597

pebble beach

coastal liv

ing res

ort

20 MAY 2011 www.roomplanners.com

Benjamin Moore

#1576

ice cap

black & white prints

striped rugs glass vessels

pillar candles

ceramics

white flowers

silver lamp bases

picture books broad-leaf plants

Ceramics plates, vases and pots in solid colors, mat textures and simple shapes maintain the simplicity of the collection. Choose a mix of light and dark hues for a modern elegance.

From the sea itself, glass jars, tumblers and platters keep stones, seashells and everyday items in open view. Glass maximizes daylight; semi-sheer or simple drapes on windows let more of it in!

A shiny silver or chrome surface on a retro lamp (or an antiqued mirror surface on a contemporary lamp) add an updated elegance to Resort‟s distressed wood and metals.

Candles define the romance of resort life. Choose wide pillar candles in a variety of heights; with colors inspired by white and any variety of off-whites, from vanilla to cream to driftwood.

Born for wedding vows by the sea, white flowers add five-star elegance and luxury to an interior. Seen against green leaves, white flowers are also thoroughly modern and fresh.

What says vacation like picture books stacked on a nearby shelf or table! They reflect our interests (especially with bold titles on the spine!) and encourage us to lose ourselves in a favorite subject.

Reminiscent of awnings, beach towels and umbrellas, stripes are the ideal inspiration for rugs or linens; their simple lines look casual and modern, adding texture without taking over!

Simple black frames with a white mat board create a modern, unexpected elegance against weathered textures. Black-and white photos or scenes of nature are ideal.

They recall coconut and banana trees and warm-weather plantations in exotic locations. Simple green ferns or large palm fronds inside a pot or vase feel relaxed and nature-inspired.

accents

www.roomplanners.com MAY 2011 21

compliments of Stanley Furniture

Don‟t let its name

fool you: the Cape Comber console

table packs in 12

drawers for storage.

At just 14” deep, it‟s

ideal for a foyer,

hallway or smaller

guest room.

22 MAY 2011 www.roomplanners.com

Hung or leaned,

this casually

elegant mirror

works anywhere.

Its simple design

works perfectly

in a contrasting

color to the

chest, table or

vanity below.

etagere 5 6

Woven hyacinth

adds tropical

ambiance to the

Water Meadow

bed. There‟s no

need to cover

up, or clutter up,

the woven side

rails with a bed

skirt.

Weathered shelves

and an antiqued

pewter frame are

simultaneously

warm and modern.

The Lake Shore etagere‟s open

design is ideal for

highlighting stylish

contents.

woven bed

Laid-back, but sophisticated, Coastal Living Resort uniquely marries wood stains with painted finishes, weathered textures with contemporary shapes and maritime with industrial influences. But there’s more than a pretty face on this collection. Casual, comfortable and elegant elements come together, along with some modern features.

… 9 things to like about this collection

1

Eight sea-faring,

weathered finishes

on solid wood and

white oak veneer

crate a relaxed,

natural warmth…

inviting a confident

mix of wood

finishes in a room.

This narrow

sofa table fits

behind a sofa,

in a hall or

bedroom. With

one or two flip-

open sides, it

transforms to

desk or table!

What‟s not to

love about a TV

chest with a flip-

open shelf for

DVD player, pull

-out writing desk

and extra storage

drawers that keep

clutter at bay?

8 finishes

about Stanley Furniture Founded in 1924, the Stanley Furniture Company is a leader in the design of residential wood furniture for every room in the home. Located in Stanleytown, Virginia, the Stanley Furniture brand targets the premium price segment of the residential market, delivering sophisticated design, hand-applied finishes, intricate construction details and the tasteful use of fine materials from around the world.

There‟s plenty of

worthy dining chairs

in this collection,

but the Heritage

Coast chair is

uniquely casual and

elegant, mixing

shapely lines with

weathered textures.

The louvered

design of the

Cape Comber panel bed is

inspired by

white-painted,

shutters; the

hallmark of

coastal decor. 8 9 7

3

4

side chair panel bed

picture mirror

flip-top table 2 media chest

console table

CLICK HERE to find the Stanley furniture store nearest you.

compliments of Stanley Furniture

F www.roomplanners.com MAY 2011 23

For most of us, an outdoor

room is just a dream. Maybe

that‟s because the ones we‟ve

seen look like a major project …

complete with overhead ceiling, four walls and a full-fledged

kitchen.

True, an outdoor room does need some privacy. It also needs good sight lines, traffic paths and comfort,

just like an indoor room. But none of that requires building a separate structure.

Ahead...be inspired.

Get the look and feel of an outdoor room by planning your backyard with two priorities: a little shelter

and a great focal point!

making the most of your back yard

take it outside!

An outdoor room doesn‟t

need four walls. But it does

need enclosure. A private,

or sheltered area is key to

achieving the look and feel

of an indoor space.

IF YOUR HOME ISN’T BLESSED WITH EXTERIOR WALLS that

naturally create an enclosed courtyard, not to worry. There are other

ways to create a little shelter.

Erecting a structure across from, or adjacent to the exterior wall of

your house (such as a railing, trellis screen, tall fireplace or cluster of

tall plants) will create the look of a wall, adding privacy and defining

a floor plan for placing furniture and cooking. Carefully positioned, it

will also create the appearance of a second room from inside your

house... and block your view of neighbors (or their view of you!), a

busy street or other unwanted sightlines.

Check out these clever options!

shelter

ARCHITECTURE can enhance outdoor

living. An L-shaped patio with fireplace integrated into one of the home‟s exterior walls, creates a feeling of privacy and

shelter.

TIP!

The larger your yard,

the more comfortable

at smaller, sheltered

area will feel.

24 MAY 2011 www.roomplanners.com

how to

enclose your yard... Privacy and shelter in the

great outdoors is unexpected, bringing the protective warmth

of indoor living outside.

PLANTS & UMBRELLAS are the most popular way to create enclosure. Clustering trees and shrubs creates an organic wall of privacy. An over-sized umbrella feels like a ceiling.

A TRELLIS is inexpensive and

creates a wall with benefits! It works overhead too and

can be attached to the

house for stability. Add climbing plants for

shade.

LANDSCAPING with shrubs or trees will shelter

a quiet eating or sitting area. A tall swing also creates the look

of an exterior wall.

www.roomplanners.com MAY 2011 25

A FIREPLACE WALL can be stand-alone, increasing privacy and providing a place to gather chairs around. a stone

HALF WALLS made of stone pavers define a living area

and create a feeling of permanence. Add a stone top to create a bar overlooking the yard

or create an L-shape and integrate a grill!

PHOTO COURTESY: Belgard Hardscapes

FLOWER BOXES build up the height of a simple railing, adding privacy.

Just like indoor rooms,

an outdoor room needs

something great to look at

and a reason to exist,

even if it‟s just to

gather „round.

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ROOMS look most inviting when objects

are anchored around a focal point (or made into one)… avoiding a

random scattering of furniture around a big spaces.

Focal points don‟t have to be big, costly or impressive; they just need

to guide our eyes (and us) to where we want to be and what we want

to see. A large tree, fire pit, fireplace, fountain, dining table or cozy

seating area are all possibilities. Anchoring, or reinforcing your focal

point with a change of flooring material, plants or bold color will

enhance it.

Check out these clever options!

focus

RUGS made for outdoors, or interesting floor tile

patterns are more than great to look at; they

anchor a seating group or table and chairs.

TIP!

A focal point doesn‟t

have to be a single

thing; it can be a group

of things, or an area.

26 MAY 2011 www.roomplanners.com

A STONE PATIO contrasts the lawn around it, anchoring the table and chairs, and providing the groundwork for a surrounding wall.

FIREPLACE

WALLS aren't just a source of

shelter; they‟re the perfect focal point, day and night. Surround with comfortable chairs!

PHOTO COURTESY:

Eldorado Stone

how to

create a focal point Focusing attention on a very

specific place creates a feeling of security, permanence and

connection to nature.

POOLS & TREES are natural focal points, especially when framed with brick, paving

stones or flowers, and lit from below!

POTS & PLANTERS clustered together create a focal point. They also help anchor larger items, in this case, a pair of Adirondack chairs.

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SEATING

AREAS in a structured living

room or dining room arrangement draw us to them, creating a natural

focal point.

COLOR CONTRASTS define a key area. Dark deck boards

contrast the ground around it, draw-ing us to the seating area.