Interior designer Bea Pila created two outdoor living areas in her home, and you can too. She has loads of advice on how to transform an outdoor space, from putting together a dining area that looks anything but typical to creating a living room that's a great place to unwind and enjoy nice weather. In addition, she has advice about which materials do just as well outside the home as inside.
Outdoor spaces can be living spaces, and they should be inspired by the interior of your home. This is an opportunity to search for bargains at yard sales and auctions, for floor samples, etc. Just keep in mind that it's important to choose proper materials because of the potential for weather damage.Dining Area - Table In the dining area, you should think beyond a matching iron table and patio chairs. Instead, look for a table made of distressed wood, which creates a comfortable feel. Teak is a great option, as it wears well outside. This may be your most expensive purchase in the grouping, so be on the lookout for used teak tables.
- Chairs It isn't important that all your outdoor furnishings should match -- and don't limit yourself to chairs. A large bench can also serve as seating. PVC "wicker" armchairs, which are woven
from plastic, will wear longer than natural wicker; they have frames of aluminum, which is
a durable material to use outdoors. Add pillows and cushions covered in all-weather fabrics and should wear well in most climates.
- Bar/Buffet It’s important to have additional furniture, and moveable pieces are great for entertaining. A mahogany bar on wheels, for instance, is perfect for serving food and drink, and it closes up when not in use.
- Birdcages This is one of my favorite accessories! I find them in antiques shops, secondhand stores and flea markets and place them in the corners of my outdoor rooms.
- Ceiling Fans Outdoor ceiling fans are a great touch from a design standpoint -- and they also help cool and keep bugs away.
Living Area - Seating I found a wonderful teak bench settee to use in the living area. (You can make slipcovers for your outdoor furniture from "umbrella fabric," which is inexpensive, very durable and easy to find. You can also use this fabric to change the look of upholstered pieces you already may have.) Two teak chairs complete the look.
- Tables There are some great bargains in tables out there, if you know where and when to look. For instance, I found a large iron base and had an inexpensive glass top made to go on it. I also had marble tops made for my aluminum side tables. Go to a marble or granite supplier and ask about small "end runs" left over from bigger jobs -- you can get these pieces cheap. Also check out estate sales for treasures like the small, hand-painted Moroccan table I found.
- Wall/Floor Accessories Following my theme of treating outdoor spaces like the inside, I added some Chinese lanterns to the walls and a three-tiered bamboo candlestick on the floor.
- Vases Vases are an absolute must! They enable you to bring the garden beauty right up to your guests by keeping arrangements of fresh seasonal flowers where they can be seen and appreciated by all.
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