September 18, 2013
Are you ready to celebrate fall? Why not plan a cozy, stylish fire pit party. Today a fire pit is a key decor element related to creating a luxury outdoor environment and creating a cozy, seductive atmosphere for a party. A fire pit is an immensely desirable alternative to a traditional outdoor fireplace. Fire pits extend the enjoyment of your outdoor space and are seen as more casual for gathering friends and family.
Have a
…June 5, 2013
Custom mural with Moroccan theme
Yes, the weather in Seattle and on the West Coast has been teasing us the past couple of weeks. As a result, I hear lots of stories of gardening, planting, and getting the patio or deck ready for outdoor living. Recently, I received the project photos of the featured outdoor space in this blog post. …
Read MoreAugust 14, 2012
Back to my comments as a Seattle interior designer and judge of this year’s Portland Street of Dreams and this time focus is on the outdoors. There’s lots of excellent ideas to make use of in this years homes. The Oregon Dream executed their outdoor areas with inspiring creativity.
The arbor and fence add texture and movement to the outdoor space at Oregon Dream. (photo Kym Pokorny)
At the Da Vinci house, more outstanding outdoor …
Read MoreJune 7, 2012
Small indulgences in your Seattle outdoor space turns your patio into a retreat you just won’t want to leave. Yes, these investments also add value to your home but more importantly they add enjoyment to your outdoor area immediately. Leading the way, outdoor furniture defines the way your spaces flow. You can easily transition your traditional entertaining outside. Unlike never before, you can blur the two spaces and make them one.
April 26, 2012
If you need color on your patio to complement your plants, choose a colorful pot for a quick ‘color-pop’. In my Seattle outdoor space designs, I found colorful fiberglass containers from Old Town Fiberglass as a perfect solution. The pots are part of the overall color scheme for my outdoor furnishings. Here are some great examples:
Old World Fiberglass containers
On the Seattle Madison Park penthouse roof deck, we featured colorful lime green containers which …
Read MoreMarch 29, 2012
The gray days make this Seattle interior designer imagine a colorful patio with inviting colors and fabrics beckoning me outside. Over time the fabrics and cushions break down with exposure to rain and sun. But easy, well priced options are so available today. I’ve gathered some photos to inspire you and help you get a start for warmer days. And don’t forget to add accessories for color punches!
Perfect for extra seats-beanbag ottomans
Photos from …
Read MoreMarch 20, 2012
Yes, Seattle is gray and wet but this March is cold with gray and wet. I’m so tired of it (believe me, I have lots of company). So this Seattle interior designer sees daffodils, pink buds and dreams of color on my patio this summer. My teak furniture is now grayed.. and I love it that way. Two persimmon-colored fiberglass plant containers mark the boundaries of my unit. I created an Olioboard to get started …
Read MoreFebruary 21, 2012
It’s a perfect time to begin to plan your outdoor space in Bellevue or Seattle for summer relaxing. To tease you, I have a before and after created for a Bellevue interior design client. Here’s their description, “In the Somerset neighborhood of south Bellevue, we wanted to maximize the spa feeling our home afforded. Built in 1964, the home has an indoor sauna installed by the original owners. When we bought it in 2003, we …
Read MoreNovember 11, 2011
Dramatic advancements in outdoor furniture offer comfortable, stylish furnishings with extra benefits for busy families says this Seattle interior designer. The quality design and practical fabrics from outdoor furniture manufacturers create the opportunity to move outdoor furniture into home designs. Consumers love the practical benefits that accompany outdoor fabrics. In the picture below (Brian Harken, photographer) from an article in the WSJ, the active toddler epitomizes the attraction and reason for the popularity for active …
Read MoreSeptember 11, 2011
Alas, Labor Day weekend is past history which portends the end of summer and begins the school year and football season. Summer was late arriving for this Seattle interior designer and I’m clinging to outdoor living opportunities by adapting my outdoor space. Below find some tips for enjoying outdoor patios with shorter days, cooler evenings and pumpkin-inspired colors.
Six Tips to Extend Your Outdoor Spaces in Autumn
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