Interior Design Outdoors
Although it sounds like a somewhat confusing contradiction in terms, the concept of having a professional interior design team visit a home and work their magic on outside areas of a particular property are now becoming more and more widespread. If you think about it, it's as though the aesthetic designs that are found inside the home are now "continuing" outside, leading from the interior to the exterior areas of the property itself.
This type of design concept is typically popular with residences that feature large backyards with a patio, deck, swimming pool, pet run and/or barbecue island. As the summer temperatures continue to scorch the nation, you may be wondering about whether your property would be appropriate for this type of interior design "merging," where there is a smooth transition as a member of the family walks from one part of the house to another. If the decorative elements are done well enough, this individual might not notice when they are inside and when they are out in the fresh air! Deluxe properties with sumptuous gardens like this one situated in Englewood, Colorado are the stuff dreams are made of. (http://www.designrulz.com/architecture/2013/01/amazing-garden-for-arapahoe-acres-residence-by-blu-design-group/)
You may have noticed over the past few years that many outdoor areas are characteristically set up in a way so that they mirror certain rooms inside the home, so that your garden becomes a seamless amalgamation of the living room and the kitchen. Just imagine how great it would be to find yourself busy grilling some fresh steaks on the outside barbecue for the family's evening meal, all while the big game or your favorite music is playing in the background and the sun slowly sets around you. In essence, your outdoor space will feature aspects from the kitchen (a dedicated area to cook, with a fridge, prep sink and mini-bar), as well as elements normally found in the living room, e.g. the TV and/or stereo system with speakers.
The area of a home that transitions from the inside to the outside may make this kind of change via the use of high ceilings or glass wall partitions, the aim of which is to distort the distinct borders between the interior and exterior. The location of different sizes and types of plants as well as the addition of an indoor water fountain or some stair railings made from wooden logs and twigs can also help to ease this shift. This amazing split-level home located in southwest Germany is a great example of a property that feels at one with the nature that surrounds it. (http://www.dwell.com/finishing-touch/article/steel-framed-split-level-home-germany)
An additional technique utilized to blur the indoor/outdoor boundary is through the use of a solitary wall that travels through the household into the garden, and a full-scale mural painted on this wall will assist in the transitionary nature of the house. Whether it's an uninterrupted wall space used for one long mural, or perhaps a wall that has been divided into several sections to facilitate multiple paintings, you'd be surprised at how much the area will sparkle and shine through the presence of a beautifully decorated wall. This striking example highlights different elements that have combined together, resulting in a jaw-dropping interior-exterior property. (http://www.home-designing.com/2011/06/a-stunning-house-that-blurs-the-interior-exterior-divide)
Regardless of if you want your outdoor living space to appear spacious and sprawling or petite and intimate, you will need to decide whether you want to create a single area that is suitable for each activity (relaxing by yourself, eating together as a family, entertaining a party of houseguests, and so on), or separate zones that are designated for each different task. With either design choice, it is crucial to bear in mind the presence of the natural elements, and therefore plan the layout of your outdoor area so that the location of the sun during the day as well as the weather conditions won't end up spoiling the fun and literally raining on your parade!
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