The P's and Q's of PATIO DESIGN by Pamela     3rd Qtr. Blog 2012

Outdoor Spaces are the hottest design on demand right now.  As designers, we guide our clients as well to perfect these exterior spaces.  There isn't one company in the retail box store chains that hasn't jumped on the patio bandwagon with new products to turn our exteriors into staycation home resorts and ultimate personal playgrounds.  It seems everyone wants to experience that vacation ambiance in their backyards and patio areas.  We are going to focus first on the most important "P" - the PLAY part of outdoor living and then cross all our "P's" (I know it's supposed to be T's) of Patio Living to create a fresh-air dreamscape.  Let's look at some Q's (questions).  After all, it is summertime, "and the living is easy".  Want to play along here?   

ARE YOU PREVIEWING THE POSSIBILITIES WITH A PROFESSIONAL? 

More choices exist now for patio furniture and accessories from our mail order catalogues and online websites to our larger patio retailers; and please do not forget your faithful and seasoned professional Interior Designer (like me!) for consultation, shopping guidance and the outdoor furniture products we carry as well that will be different than your local Patio Stores.  A quick meeting at your home with a designer can get you on the right track to find treasured resources for just about every outdoor improvement project. 
                                         

PLANNING WITH PASSION

Come on in; the water's fine!  Jump in with some passion in your planning.  This is going to be a major purchase from furniture to BBQ's,  islands, wall art and patio accessories and plants.   An Interior Designer will assist with dramatic and practical space planning, color concepts and updated products and materials for remodeling needs and ideas for canopies, privacy draperies and/or trellis covers to complete the ambiance.  Planning ahead will give you the focus you need to buy smarter and avoid costly mistakes.  If you have a clean slate in your backyard, have your designer plan in your entertainment center, BBQ and island cabinetry, designate more than one dining area for your parties, create conversation groups and lounging areas, and coordinate all outdoor elements.


                                                                                         
                                                                          

PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, HOW WILL YOUR FAMILY USE THE OUTDOOR AREAS?

Keep it practical while beautiful.  Realize what works best for your family needs in cushion styles, colors, textures, sizes, arm shapes and firmness of seat and back cushions.  Be realistic about how your family will live with the fabrics and styles you choose in furniture items.  For instance, if your husband would be more comfortable having his own lounge chair, then give it to him and don't insist on that cute set of petite loveseats just because they look good.  And why not give yourself that fully upholstered outdoor chaise lounge you're been dreaming about for so long.  If not now, then when? I offer several spectacular lines of practical, weather proof outdoor furniture; some that even resemble the finest indoor upholstery.  Practical Note:  Remember that you know best how you will live outdoors, so communicate that to your Designer so she may program properly for your needs.

There are also pets' patio lounging cushions available as your dogs need a comfortable place of their own. Your cats will probably find their way, as one of my clients said recently, to one of your favorite chairs, so keep extra pads or towels handy to accomodate them and protect your fabrics.

  
                                                                            
                                                                            


PALETTES OF PATTERN AND COLOR

Wonderful sunbrella fabrics abound in several colors and patterns.  I always transition the colors of the interior furniture items into the outdoor pieces, so that color and patterns flow seamlessly from one living area to the other.  In most cases, it is always easier to select solid colors for major cushions and add pillows in the pattern prints and bold solid colors.  Sometimes my clients' interior rooms are all tone on tone solids in earth colors, which allows me to reverse the design outdoors to solid bolder color cushions and neutral toned pillows.   It's all about balancing and enhancing your view.


                                                                                  

 

ARE YOU PERSONALIZING YOUR PATIO?

One of my friends happens to love the tropical influence.  She had a Palapas built by her poolside with seating underneath.  A few stunning palm trees stratigically positioned around the pool area and you feel as if you are at an island resort. Personalizing your patio can also be as simple as adding a theme in handpainted pillows, ironwork wall art, outdoor canvas artwork, or designer outdoor area rugs.  Remember that "less is more" when it comes to adding these touches.  Larger scale items look best and one signature dramatic "focal point" piece makes a memorable statement.  Large candles (citronella if possible) in iron holders, wall sconces or backyard torch style or lantern post lights and garden lights illuminate for added personality. 



PLACES FOR HOW MANY?

Identify how many people will be using your patio areas on a daily basis and also the size of your average family get-togethers or social parties.  Provide seating for your immediate family all in one location of the backyard so you may sit together in shared conversation. Plan for visitors' seating nearby and better yet, have stacking chairs handy to welcome spur of the moment guests.   We all know round tables are great for conversation, but did you know that a center lazy susan is excellent for serving meals right off the grill on large hot platters.  Not to mention a lot fun spinning the susan!  Small bunching tables are excellent to pull up to a sofa or lounge chair. If you're lacking space or money to spring for additional tables, find some handsome molded plastic trays (match your colors!) with good handle areas, so folks can set their plate into tray on their laps and pick up easily when moving to another location in the yard.


PREPARATION FOR A PICNIC

Backyard entertainment centers and barbeque islands, some with bartop counters, L-shaped or circular bring so much luxury and function to outdoor preparation and dining outdoors.  Your designer will locate these areas for you in their space plans and better yet, they will guide with the items that fill those islands.  Most of my clients (the men are the most vocal on this) know what kind of BBQ grill, refrigerator, food prep area, etc. they want and have researched their options.  What a designer can help further with is coordination of those appliances, proper spacing on either side for food preparation and serving, and providing ample space for visitors to sit nearby with their drinks at bartops or tables to watch the chef in action.    If your budget only allows for a simple stand alone BBQ grill, no worries.  There are movable serving carts available that will also hold a substantial size picnic basket full of utensils, plastic dinnerware, etc., ready for use when you need them.  If your BBQ is not under cover,  introduce a umbrella for the chef's area to minimize the heat of the sun and the hot grill.  Make sure there is a comfortable chair for him/her, an end table and a very cold drink.


PRIVACY AND PORTABLE SHADE

The ultimate resort style finishing touches to exterior spaces are the umbrellas and the outdoor canvas draperies and canopies.  You could furnish the entire space beautifully and actually think you are done.  However, when the umbrellas arrive and they are raised to shade you from the sun, they do way more than just that.  They are the trees, the canopies of privacy and tall grandeur that change the entire landscape of the patio.  They create the cover, albeit the roof to protect and shelter you and make you feel cozy and safe.   Ahhhh!  Now imagine adding side canvas fabric draperies to the sides of your columns on your verandas tied back by day, hanging straight down at night for even more privacy.  Feeling like a pampered princess or sultan yet?  Add an outdoor TV screen and you've got yourself a whole other living room outside your home. 


WHAT ARE YOUR PRICE POINTS?

There are so many sources for patio furniture.  It only takes imagination and creativity to find the right pieces for your budget and style needs.   Well made furniture that is both very durable and beautiful will be more costly than other choices, so set your budget for your space and then do your homework.  Decide what is most important to you at this time, in this particular house.  If you are thinking you will just add pieces over the years, make sure you select well established manufacturers who have ongoing groupings that don't change every year.  Consult with a local Patio Furniture Store Sales Consultant; and better yet, your Interior Designer for their knowledge, direction, and the patio lines they represent.  Remember a designer's goal is to recommend the best looks in fabrics, frames, and finishes for your style home, and they are happy to render color/style opinions on any internet or mail order catalogue options you run across yourself. 


PRESERVE YOUR PURCHASES

A wise outdoor owl tip:  Preserve your purchases by adding furniture covers into your spending plan.  Nature's elements of sun and rain, heat and cold will all damage your furniture frames, cushions and umbrellas over time.  There are varying sizes of canvas furniture covers which will fit almost every piece of furniture out there, including even your BBQ grills.  The larger cantilever umbrellas have umbrella covers for protection.  Important Tips:  Keep the covers handy, folded in an outdoor weather proof bin when not using.  Do remember to use the covers when you're going away for a couple of days, or expecting rain, wind or intense hot sun for prolonged periods of time.  Do check behind and in these bins carefully when you use them for unexpected wildlife visitors like snakes and mice. Other critters like bees and wasps like to make their homes in umbrellas that have been closed up for a good while.  So open your umbrellas on regular basis to keep that from happening. 

PLANTINGS AND FLOWERS (PETUNIAS!)

Add plants and flowers of your choosing to your patio spaces.  No need to write a paragraph about this.  You all know how much I love flowers; in fact, I just replaced some hanging flowers and floor pots this past week as I lost a few through the winter.  Fresh greenery and bright colors are cheerful companions to the soul.  


YOUR OUTDOOR ROOM IS COMPLETE NOW;  TAKE A BOW,  DANCE AND PLAY LIKE A PEACOCK! 

OMGosh, I almost forgot that while addressing all the "P's" here so diligently, that we almost forgot to PLAY!  If you've ever had a peacock dance in front of you, you know what I mean when I say, "Dance and Play like a Peacock".  A peacock gracefully spreads it's spectacular tail feathers into a full fan of technicolor hues.  Unique and proud, the peacock puts on his colorful show; he turns in a circle in slow motion as if he is dancing. It's the most relaxing dance I have seen a creature perform in living, breathing color.  If we could all feel as good as that peacock every day, where might we be?  Well, we're probably on vacation at some exotic vacation resort or on the beach without a worldly care, breathing in deeply, spreading our wings, seeing life in sharp color and contrast, and feeling so good we could just dance.  Welcome to your private backyard resort 24/7 where you can play and dance to your heart's content. 


ENJOY AND CELEBRATE DESIGN ALWAYS.
 

PAM'S SIDENOTE ABOUT THIS POSTING AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS!

I never know what I am going to write about until I sit down at this computer and start blogging.  Well you have just read my mind's wanderings above here and it occurs to me that we interior designers are actually a proud and passionate lot of design peacocks.  If you have ever attended a "designer group luncheon, evening cocktail party, or an educational business event", you will find that we love to dress up, have fun, and share design with each other.  We are chock full of ideas and cafe lattes at lunch (or whine and cheese at event events - spelling error intended), and are always trying to solve each other's design dilemmas with yet another and better solution.  Designers will also balance the serious business of staying on design task details while keeping the whole process moving merrily along the design highway to successful completion.  Designers need each other's viewpoints periodically; we need ongoing education, and we need our great vendors, artists, and crafts people for superior products and workmanship.

But most of all, we need our Clients who create jobs for us which allows us to PLAY while we work. Play balanced with work is healthy, reduces stress levels, clears the mind,  lightens the load, and creates better decision making.  So, like the peacock that does his slow circular dance while gently bowing as he moves, we extend gratitude to you for the opportunity to make your design spaces stunning and perhaps even life changing as one of my favorite clients tells me everytime we reunite for a lunch again! 

Pamela

Pamela Farnsworth Smith IIDA
AVALLON DESIGN
P. O. Box 1623
Lincoln, CA  95648
PH  (916) 677-6792
pam@avallondesign.com
www.avallondesign.com
www.enhanceyourdesignviews.com (you're here)
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Please let us know if we can assist with your Interior Design or your Outdoor Patio Living Designs.  We thank all our Clients and Vendors whose photos appear in our Blog. 

Special Thanks to Chuck Smith at CALIFORNIA BACKYARD, 1529 Eureka Blvd, Roseville, CA  95661   Chuck's cell:  916.677-6791 ~  Outdoor Patio Sales Specialist since 2004.