Outdoor Rooms
It is that time of year, when we can sit outside and enjoy a beverage, listen to the song birds, and experience the fleeting sun. For me, it is time to create outdoor rooms, I love this task; creating outdoor living spaces. Even in a cookie cutter suburban back yard, I have managed to create 4 outdoor rooms.
Why, so many individual rooms? Simply because, I can! Planning outdoor rooms in early spring, allows enough time to comb through store flyers, garden and decor magazines looking for ideas and seasonal trends. Cutting out pages of inspiring ideas and putting them in a handy 3 ring binder; keeps a tidy visual reminder to help create your personalized outdoor room.
Decide first, what you want your outdoor room to accomplish, choosing a purpose for each space will help focus your design. Once I had my rooms planned, I started scouring Craigslist daily… I finally found the perfect outdoor furniture. A conversation set including 6 cast aluminum chairs, cushions and table for $260.00. The brown cushions were sun faded, but lets be honest, new cushions are going to fade the first season; so why not buy a gently used set.
I used the set in 3 different places, keeping in mind that if I had a large crowd the chairs could be moved easily.
My first outdoor room centered around a large brick faced outdoor fireplace. I flanked two box woods planted in large planters on either side of the fireplace creating a focus point. I then laid a patterned, outdoor vinyl rug to establish the outdoor room and give it definition. Two chairs with cushions faced the fireplace, adding a small wrought iron bistro table between the chairs for evening meals or beverages. Placing a cozy grey throw, over one chair to ward off evening chills and colorful occasional pillows added another decorative layer.
At the end of last season, I found a broken, barn wood and wrought iron folding screen at a garden center. I asked the manager if he would sell it to me; I scored a $179.00 screen for $20.00. Using a few screws, I repaired the screen, then added landscape cloth to the back for added privacy, by simply cutting and stapling the fabric to fit the openings; not painting the screen gave it a shabby chic style. Accompanying the fireplace, a reclaimed fireplace set from a neighbor sits on a piece of slate. For a pop of color, I painted an old square vinyl stool, purchased at a thrift store for $3.99 in chartreuse green, ideal for relaxing putting up your feet, extra seating or to rest a drink.
To complete the first outdoor living space, I added a hanging basket of bright multi colored flowers and a patio umbrella for shade. I now have a room that serves as an outdoor living room, to put your feet up, read a newsmagazine, enjoy a fire, beverage and a light snack.
decor time to comb through store magazines looking for ideas
“Planning outdoor rooms in early spring, allows enough flyers, garden and and seasonal trends.”
Stay tuned… continuing to love your space.
Roxanne Griese is an Artist
Decorating and organizing are her passions, to see more articles and artwork visit www.artbyroxanne.ca
Creative Living Tips & Tricks
By Roxanne Griese
Add one “to do” to a weekly cleaning routine. The basics always seem to be achieved, it the small things that are often overlooked. It can be as simple as going through the junk drawer, wiping one shelve of the pantry then placing the items back neatly, or wiping out the utensil drawer. Pick one thing a week that time allows. Adding this one small step to a weekly or monthly routine eliminates the ever growing “to do list”.