Do you hear that? The great outdoors are calling your name – even if it is a simple rooftop garden set above the concrete jungle of New York City. As the temperatures begin to rise, so too does the demand for private outdoor spaces where New Yorkers can breathe fresh air, soak up some vitamin D and even exercise their green thumbs. Indeed, outdoor spaces have never been more critical to our health and well-being.
In honor of the season, and building on last year’s hugely popular blog “How to Design a Balanced Outdoor Space”, we are sharing simple and effective design tips to make your outdoor space flourish this spring and summer:
When it comes to outdoor furniture, I always advise clients to go back to the basics. Remember the good-old-days when we turned to IKEA to furnish our dorms and first apartments? Fast forward to today, they now offer simple, inexpensive designs for outdoor furniture as well. Check out their BONDHOLMEN Collection – made from eucalyptus wood and incredibly well-priced.
Custom cushions are a great way to add comfort and express your individual style. Sunbrella’s maintenance-free fabrics are unfazed by nature and made to last. They offer complete outdoor performance as they are durable, comfortable, easy to clean and color stable. Work with your interior designer to find the best Sunbrella patterns and create great cushions for your outdoor furniture.
Outdoor lighting serves two important functions: it provides safety and security and it increases functionality and value. For quality and design excellence, you can’t beat Arteriors. Their Stetson Outdoor Lantern pairs the resilience of industrial style with a distinctly modern aesthetic. The steel frame is finished in an aged brass, so it exudes a debonair attitude, and the clean lines and simple construction allow it to blend with any surrounding.
Outdoor spaces are perfect for hosting COVID-safe brunches and dinners. I am often blown away by the gorgeous tabletop options at Crate and Barrel. This year’s collection is no different. Check out the Audley Teal Bamboo Range of melamine dinnerware – it looks so much like finely crafted ceramics that you’d never know it was constructed from partly plant-based materials.
An outdoor rug instantly transforms an outdoor space, making it cozier and more intimate. I have always loved Loloi Carpets – they make rugs for the thoughtfully layered home and for spaces designed with intention. Their Trellis Green polypropylene/polyester blend rug from the Amelie Collection is durable and available in a variety of sizes to suit your space.
Complete your outdoor design with your favorite perennials and fresh flowers. I love hyacinths – the first trumpets of spring!
Need a little help designing your outdoor space? We are here to help.
CONSULTATION PACKAGES
Julie and her team have a passion for creating beautiful, engaging and functional spaces, focusing on both the physical as well as the emotional well being of your environment. Click on the links below for package details:
FULL SERVICE E-DESIGN PACKAGE A design collaboration done between client and designer done entirely online. Purchase the package below, submit photos of the space and existing furnishings you like to see incorporated in the design and a sketch of the space with measurements.
COLOR CONSULTATION PACKAGE Need some assistance in selecting paint finishes for your home? A design collaboration done between client and designer done entirely online. Purchase the package below, submit photos of the space and and fabrics.
FENG SHUI RESIDENTIAL PACKAGE Whether it is directing the flow of chi through the arrangement of furnishings, design or colors; Julie and her team can help you to create the spaces that support your vision of a balanced life, rich in the areas that matter to you.
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