As Seen In LUXE Magazine: Melrose Pillow

Thursday, June 11th, 2009 at 2:52 pm

AS SEEN IN LUXE MAGAZINE
Summer 2009 Colorado Edition
Design Minded
Chic Retreat
Opulent Oasis

“With new trends in Outdoor Living cropping up each season, the possibilities for design are seemingly endless. Fabrics, furnishings and accessories once reserved for the indoors are now moving out and establishing their place among the landscape and scenery.”

CAREFREE COMFORT:
One of the biggest trends in outdoor decor is the use of interior-like fabrics, says Marcia Blake, who recently designed a line of outdoor fabrics and furnishings for furniture manufacturer O.W. Lee. “I’m seeing a lot of outdoor rugs, draperies, pillows and throws,” she says. “The materials are made of 100-percent solution dyed acrylic, so they’re soft, but are water-and-stain resistant.”

ROMANTIC AIR:
To dress up an outdoor dining area and make it more intimate, Marcia Blake suggests covering the space with an arbor or trellis and hanging sheer draperies from the top. “When the breeze flows, it creates a really romantic serene feel,” she says. Phil Steinhauer adds that these structures can also serve as a means of bringing the landscape into the architecture. “The roof of a trellis can be a great element from which to grow vines.”

NATURAL BEAUTY:
Despite the quantity for outdoor art and accessories that are available, designers still look to nature for inspiration. “The landscaping is always going to be the star,” says Sandy Koepke. Trees and shrubs can be used to frame a dining area, create shade, and are great for holding small lanterns used for soft lighting. For an artistic pop of color, Blake suggests small container gardens. “You can use different types of plants in a container garden that you wouldn’t normally use elsewhere,” she says.

Just as living rooms have moved outside, so have cooking, dining and entertaining areas. Perfect for the increasingly popular “Stay-cation,” these coveted outdoor additions can be just as comfortable as their indoor counterparts, yet still serve as the getaway you so often need.

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