Ask The Experts: Outdoor Living Issue 2009

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Ask The Experts: Outdoor Living Issue 2009

Submitted by Editor, The Decorating Diva.com on Saturday, 30 May 2009

Outdoor living design experts Marcia Blake (President & Creative Director of Outdoor Interiors, Inc) and Vic Walker (Senior Industrial Designer at Dimension One Spas) share their design advice, insight on outdoor living trends and what inspires them to create beautiful, functional and innovative designs.

Interview with Design Expert: Marcia Blake, Outdoor Interiors, Inc.
Interview with Design Expert: Vic  Walker, Dimension One Spas

What do you see as the top three  Outdoor Living design trends  for 2009?

The trend for the past few years has been and continues to be a move from the inside out. People are integrating outdoor living into their daily lives and are creating finished outdoor living rooms.

This time spent outdoors has contributed to the increase in outdoor grilling and cooking, thus the creation of an outdoor kitchen with all of the bells and whistles found in interior gourmet kitchens are now present outside. Pizza ovens, ice makers, grilling stations, Viking appliances and wine refrigerators are part of this new trend.

Another design trend for 2009 is the mixing of materials, patterns and colors; wood & iron; copper & stainless steel; burnt orange & gray; blue & green; Ikat & stripes; plaids & solids; are just a few of examples of mixing various design elements.

My top outdoor living design trends for 2009 are:

* Increased sophistication in outdoor area design
* New and improved designs and materials for outdoor products
* Focus on eco-friendly designs and solutions

In our current economic climate, most homeowners are looking to stretch their dollar and still have things they value, and if possible, use all the time.

Taking social areas outdoors is a rapidly-growing trend. Outdoor living areas often contain water features, fire pits, cooking areas and conversation clusters, and the universal product trend now is a more sophisticated use of materials and design.

Outdoor products are looking more and more like indoor products. “Form factor” and colors are playing increasingly more important roles. Comfort (cushions are making a big comeback) and good ergonomic design are also taking precedence. Furniture designs have become more “indoors influenced” and many companies offer sofa and table solutions that mimic indoor configurations. Consumers are often expanding outdoors knowing that the new space will add value to their home if done correctly. These new spaces also provide an excellent venue for families to reconnect in a different environment than the normal “TV” room or kitchen. There is something about being outside that is comforting and yet refreshing.

There have been many innovative, technology based outdoor living products introduced over the last few years.  How do you see the increase in smart outdoor living  appliances/products making life easier for homeowners?

As homeowners spend more and more time living in their very own backyard oasis we will see new products that previously were only obtainable for the interior home will now be available for the outside living space. Heated towel racks for pool and hot tubs, radiant heated pools, flat screen television sets, design inspired chandeliers and much more are just the tip of the iceberg.

Innovation has long driven the indoor home décor market, so it was only a matter of time before consumers and trends allowed the same sort of thinking to occur in outdoor living spaces. Why shouldn’t a homeowner’s outdoor lighting and fountain systems become part of their SmartHome?As the outdoors has become a more mature space, products are also starting to become more integrated with existing systems and or adaptable to current platforms. Ease of use and functionality drive these innovations. Current systems can give consumers complete control of the features in the backyard –lights, water features, swimming pool, cooking areas, TV sitting areas, etc.

Innovation has done more than just create smart products. High performance cooking areas also make outdoor dining just as easy as in the kitchen and the added ambiance of nature cannot be matched. From fuel-efficient / alternative fuel fire pits to hi performance LED low volt lighting; technology is helping the outdoors become a place where design can be beautiful and durable.

Advanced smart electronic systems in items like outdoor hot tubs make cost of ownership lower than ever and allows consumers to expand their backyard value and experience at minimal cost. For example, the Bay Collection hot tubs I design for Dimension One Spas can cost as little as $15 a month to stay hot and clean. Also, advanced water management systems take all of the worry out of owning these hot tubs, allowing the user to focus on the benefits of hydrotherapy and relaxation.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

I love being outdoors, under the clear blue sky or twinkling stars, at the beach or in the mountains, this is where I find my inspiration from nature, colorful blooming flowers and plants as well as the wildlife that inhabit these outdoor spaces. As the sun is setting in the west the colors that spring to life fill my senses, these are some of the very same colors that I incorporate into an outdoor living space.

I am influenced by a variety of things.Inspiration from observation is a primary source of motivation for my design solutions. My Grandma, who was a big influence on my design career, always told me, “When you slow to smell the roses, take also the time to smell the life around the garden.” Life, like design, is about composition — not just about one thing.

Other design inspirations include nature, nature, nature, and watching how it solves problems and surrounds us with beauty. I love machines, especially exotic sports cars and high performance jets — there is something sultry about them. I also thrive on the interaction between humans and products. Whether a sports car, jet fighter, or an outdoor grill, the common component is the human using the product. Watching humans interact with the products that industrial designers create reminds me of the importance of my job. And having the opportunity to enhance the lives of others through good product design, that is very inspiring unto itself.

What advice would you give to homeowners considering an outdoor room/outdoor living area?

Dressing an outdoor room is not very different from getting dressed for a special occasion. The first ingredient that is essential is a focal point, the center of interest that you notice either about a person or when you enter an environment. As in wearing formal clothes while dressing for an event, one usually dons an accessory that produces an expression of style. Men wear ties that are colorful, trendy, sophisticated or whimsical and women wear jewelry that is glamorous, ostentatious or demure. In each instance, the accessory is the focal point of the ensemble, the feature that attracts attention and conveys a distinct message. The heart of an outdoor haven can be many things, such as a beautiful fireplace or fire pit, a soothing water feature, garden sculpture, or a work of art.Transforming an ordinary backyard into an outdoor oasis can be accomplished with the addition of five essential elements. During these difficult economic times individuals tend to spend more time staying, vacationing, and entertaining at home. The five components needed to design an outdoor living area consist of the focal point, the furnishings, the lighting, the living elements and finally the finishing touches.

To create the perfect outdoor retreat the addition of the finishing touches is crucial to this project. As the sun rises, get cozy with a Sunbrella® Outdoor Couture® outdoor throw blanket and nestle yourself between custom designed throw pillows that accent, embellish and redefine your deep seated chairs, love seats and sofas.

From dawn to dusk, together you and your family can share, reflect, connect and celebrate all that is within your reach in the newest focal area of your home environment, the outdoor living room. Reflect on the coming day, how will you grow together to reach new goals, how will you revive your spirits to restore yourself and nurture your family. Take the time to hear the sounds of daybreak as nature begins to wake, smell the morning scents while sipping robust coffee blend in a substantial handcrafted mug, linger a while to explore all the things in your life that give you great joy.

As you consider these ideas, think about the outdoor living room in your home, does it impart inspiration and confidence? If the answer is no, then think about what you can do to create the type of setting to motivate inspiration. Do you have a comfortable deep seating piece of furniture to settle into? Do you have soft, inviting pillows to snuggle between, do you have a comfortable throw blanket to keep you warm during those early morning hours, do you have an ottoman to rest your feet?

A homeowner must decide the different uses for this outdoor living space. Will it be a place for dining, relaxing, entertaining or all of these? Once these questions are answered you can design a plan to complete your outdoor oasis.

I would tell homeowners to ask each other and expert sources lots of questions up-front so they can best determine what experience they want to create. Instead of zooming in on the products, think about how you want to feel in your outdoor space –- the products will follow. Some helpful starting questions include:

* What is the theme or goal we want our outdoor project to accomplish? Is it entertaining, private space, health benefits?
* What design would work best with our current environment that includes geography and home design?
* What activities will likely occur here and what would we like the main focus to be?

From outdoor social rooms to soothing Zen gardens, backyard experiences can be as personal and varied as a homeowner’s imagination allows. Though popular outdoor room elements include seating arrangements, patios, accent and task lighting, and flowerbeds, components such as outdoor kitchens and home spas are becoming much more popular. At D1 Spas, I’m working hard to design eye-pleasing hot tubs that are not only functional social centers for the backyard, but also offer real healing solutions.

Tell us about your favorite  outdoor living design project.

The project that I enjoyed was creating a haven for a family of five, who love to spend time together, to entertain family and friends, and to have a sanctuary to unwind at the end of a long day or at the end of the week. The interior and exterior of the home combines the Santa Barbara style with Tuscan interior decor. The red brick roof on top of white stucco is an example of traditional downtown Santa Barbara. I incorporated the rust, gold, and brown tones that flowed from the inside of the home to the outside patio. I chose soft flowing drapes in sepia trimmed with the Tuscan orange and a yellow paisley print, which warms up the space while adding a useful design feature, privacy and protection from the sun. I created a living room for entertainment, relaxation and dining by adding a deep seated sofa, love seat, rocking club chairs and an ottoman. The central focus of the room is the large round copper top fire pit that has enough room for dinner place settings or simply a glass of wine. To define the space I placed a Tuscan orange & jute scroll patterned rectangular area rug. The lush chenille mink brown colored cushions have supple texture. The furniture is made from wrought aluminum and iron in a beautiful mahogany finish that brings out the warm red tones of the fabrics. The sofa, love seat and chairs are embellished with luxurious fringed and trimmed pillows, and a warm cozy machine washable Outdoor Couture® chenille throw blanket. Wrought iron sconces with candles are hanging from the pavilion.

A high top Tuscan stone table with swivel bar stools is strategically placed for dining and entertaining. Plush cushions adorn the cast aluminum stools and decorative Outdoor Couture® lumbar pillows add the finishing touch.

For relaxation a therapeutic spa sits just under the pavilion surrounded by potted plants and flowers. A long soak in the hot tub soothes a lot more than just sore muscles, it helps relieve tension and provides sanctuary.

Finally several oil lanterns add a touch of ambiance when the sun is setting.

I am working on one of my favorite projects right now, which has a rustic Tuscan design theme. My goal is to create a social area for adults and children that allows for interaction, conversation, and ease of maintenance. Having a private area for reflection is also a must for the final solution.This project, which features mostly natural materials and textures, will include an outdoor cooking area, fire pit and fire elements, multiple water features including streams, large flowerbeds, an herb and vegetable garden, extensive use of both natural and LED lighting, a large swimming pool and of course an Amoré Bay hot tub by Dimension One Spas.

Our Amoré Bay hot tub is a luxury hydrotherapy appliance that will be one of the focal points of the project. Other smart products will allow homeowners to control all the lighting and water features from inside their home, while the programming can be adjusted from a phone or web browser. Automated systems will help maintain water systems and allow for different custom settings depending on the client’s needs.

In your personal outdoor room/outdoor living area – what is the product or products that you can’t imagine living without?

The products that I simply cannot live without are the lush, plush decorative soft accessories such as drapes, throw pillows and throw blankets. These items complete the setting, add color, texture, warmth and design.

My favorite backyard feature is my hot tub by Dimension One Spas –- the Amoré Bay. This hot tub is my family’s favorite conversation tool –- we use it several times a week to have family discussions and reconnect with each other. When I use my hot tub alone, it becomes the most relaxing hydrotherapy experience that allows me to unwind, heal and sleep better. My family, and outdoor living space, would not be the same without this home spa that is an outdoor sofa of sorts that also offers warm water therapies.

Imagine designing your dream outdoor living area.  What style would it be? What products would you use?

My dream outdoor living area would consist of a covered outdoor living room with a Tuscan inspired stone fireplace focal point. Old World scrolled wrought aluminum deep seating sofas, love seats and spring based extra wide club chairs with plush textured cushions would be positioned to enjoy the ambiance of the fireplace. Decorative Outdoor Couture® throw pillows and throw blankets would embellish the furniture. Music would stream through the latest technology and a plasma flat screen television would be hidden just behind a piece of artwork above the stone fireplace mantel. Outdoor drapes would soften the room and provide protection from natural elements while an iron chandelier hangs from the wood beamed ceiling. A hand painted square Italian stone table top with a scrolled iron base as the cocktail table would provide a space for outdoor accessories, as well as a place for intimate dining.

I really like the European rustic look and the timeless design style of the Mediterranean countryside. I am Italian and my trips to Europe always left a big impression on me. I love the use of natural materials, but I also like modern conveniences.My dream outdoor area would include a large salt pool with a natural pebble bottom. Multiple water features would add ambiance and movement. Large elevated planted areas with colorful flowers and shrubs would help create interest and texture. Open sitting areas shaded by natural trees would provide areas where friends and family can gather, while furnishings by Lloyd/Flanders or Brown Jordan would add excellent design and functionality.

Cooking areas that are both efficient and stylish like the Kalamazoo Outdoor Kitchen always enhance any outdoor composition. Gas fire pits can be designed to fit almost any setting and really add a primal element to any backyard. And last, but not least, I would have a wellness center focused around a Dimension One Spas hot tub. The Amoré Bay is a beautiful example of a full-featured hydrotherapy product whose beautiful fountains and LED lights can enhance any outdoor setting. The whole family can enjoy the hot tub’s barrier-free seating for up to 7, and smart features and a patented water management system make owning this hot tub easy and rewarding.

Green design is an important consideration for many homeowners.  Do you have advice for homeowners who want to “green” their outdoor living area?

There are many outdoor manufacturers who are doing their part to reduce our carbon footprint. I would research each company that you plan to purchase products from to see what efforts are being made to improve our environment. I would also research companies that are creating products that do not harm our environment.

Greening your backyard can be as easy as integrating the products you have decided you need with the harmony of your outdoor room’s natural surroundings. Use trees to create shade areas and vines can soften trellises.“Green” doesn’t have to mean that every product is made from recycled materials. It can just as easily mean that your backyard is healthy enough to attract birds and butterflies, to be a haven for plants and flowers of all colors and sizes. Going green also means embracing natural settings and solutions –- integrating an outdoor space with your lifestyle means you will use it more frequently and enjoy rewarding experiences. A great outdoor space should do more than just look good, it should enhance the moments and days of those who experience it.

Interview with Design Expert: Marcia Blake, Outdoor Interiors, Inc.
Interview with Design Expert: Vic  Walker, Dimension One Spas

Read more: “Ask The Experts: Outdoor Living Issue 2009 | The Decorating Diva”

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