Just Barely Out the Door

When you are creating and designing your home and the experience of accessing the home, it is important to pay special attention to the transition between inside and outside; that space just outside the doors. What is the feel you want to achieve for visitors and what is the experience you wish to have looking out into the garden?

The home above uses large windows soaring to 30 feet to make you feel like you are sitting in the garden from the comfort of your sofa. The architect made it a priority to merge the indoor and outdoor spaces.  The bluestone runs from the terrace into the interior space above, viewed under the piano. It is a literal connecting element. This is no accidental view or connection to the garden and mountains beyond.

There is no doubt what this designer had in mind for this terrace space above. Sitting and relaxing in the countryside. The repeating seating and french doors in black is masterful.

An antiques dealer combines eclectic  pieces on her veranda with varying patinas and finishes. The blue chair is a wonderful addition to this vignette below. Notice the old cart, such unexpected interest.

Veranda, March 2010, five images above

A tiny well decorated space right outside the apartment. Barely a balcony at the width of the boxwood’s pot, but imagine if it was not there. Sometimes if you think about what a space would be like if an element was missing, it can either make you say ‘wow that’s great’ or ‘oh, it is better with less’. Above… wow, that’s great.

This is a great example of connecting inside to outside. You see right through the house from front to back. And what an entry! As gorgeous as the rear garden appears, I would not hesitate to explore this home.

Veranda, October 2009

A beautiful and graciously charming entry courtyard with a mirrored niche and octagonal windows in the Mediterranean Revival home. The symmetrical boxwood parterres and containers work perfectly with the herringbone brick walk. Such elegance.

Veranda, September 2009 above and below

This terrace, above and below, is landscaped with containers filled with Arborvitae, boxwood and lantana. White birch give the space presence and height. The basil, spearmint and parsely give the dining experience fragrance, and the cook a little fresh herbs.

A narrow terrace, but beautifully appointed.

What’s up with Orange?

Give Me Orange or Give me Death

Hey it’s a dramatic color, what can I say.

Traditional Home – November 2008

Can you think of a harder color to work with, even in the garden? I do like orange but it sure can stump a designer. It does not always play well with others.

You really need the right shade to create the right mood. From a good design use, it is a color often associated with the Southwest and Spanish architecture.

And maybe the opposite, in my humble opinion,  HGTV design. It translate well on TV so you see so much of it popping right off the screen.

Tastefully, it is a color often used as an accent rather than as a full monochromatic color scheme. The shades range from very warm yellows and peachy colors to darker burnt oranges. They can be combined with varying shades of the opposite in blue for drama. Many times the color works well with warm wood tones like oak or dark wood like mahogany or walnut. Just watch the reds.

Just an accent. Veranda September 2009

Just a faint touch with pale gray-blue. Veranda October 2009

What I want you to see above is the connection to the landscape outside. Look at the design on the fountain and see if you can get the same feel with the papered wall. The round form and intricate florals. Feeling transported abroad? Notice the color of the woodwork with the yellows and orange. Catching a theme here. Always work with your wood tones. It will give a more professional look to your design.

Elegant Homes Fall/ Winter 2009

The kitchen above just uses a bit of orange in the tile to warm up the hard surfaces in the kitchen. The cabinetry also has a very warm tone accomplishing the same thing. Blues, yellows and orange have a lot of impact in a subtle way in the tile. Check out the barrel-vaulted ceiling.  Orange subway type tile. Now that is daring and a great touch.

Veranda May/June 2010

This selection of roses and lilies make a pretty tablescape with the rustic handmade items on the antique linen tablecloth.

I saw so many designers telling you how to use it. I saw designs that really frighten me with the outrageous saturated oranges. My post today has put me on a quest. I am going to find a great use of this color if it kills me.

The way I like orange used personally speaking, is with restraint.  Mix it with white for freshness and a happy feel. Here above, if you accessorize with it, it can be swapped out when you tire of it, and you will over time. It is a difficult color that flows in and out with the temperamental trends.

And who can say it doesn’t go with an outdoor room. This fireplace is massive, but the strength of the orange fabric gives punch and holds its own against this fireplace.

House Beautiful 2010

You will be seeing more of the butterflies on Garden Walk Garden Talk. A recent trip to the Butterfly Conservatory is just the thing to brighten the winter doldrums. But it was the inspiration for this post today. Find your happy color.

Is Blue You?

Design cues can be taken from many places. First, from the imagination of the designer.

They can be inspired by nature.

They can originate with the intricacy of the architecture.

Design can flow from inside to outside.

Color and pattern can be used with other design tools like repetition.

Nuances of color can be affected by light.

Nature lends us a hand and forges ideas.

This wonderful design is in the new Veranda and is the home of a designer. No telling what was the inspiration. but like her, I too am “over the moon about blue.”

I hope you are seeing what I am seeing. I see inspiration and a flow from inside the home to the outside. The colors, feel and textures keep a continuity to the design. Granted it is a Beverly Hills location, and most of the continuity is through fabrics and furnishings, but you can see flowers adorning the interior and exterior of the home.

Taking cues from wildlife and flowers is a great way to start a design. Sometimes I use textiles, but often it may start with something as ordinary as these blue jays you keep seeing.

I look at their coloring and patterns and paint the outside with blues, blacks and whites.

The vibrancy sings in a garden.

The cool colors afford  a relaxing environment in which to have a seat at the end of a long day.

So are you blue too? Go to Roses and Stuff to the meme Feeling Blue to see more blue posts. Thank you to Roses and Stuff for having the theme today.

All images except the four Veranda shots are by GreenApples.