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From Cindy's Desk
Tips from professional Interior Designer Cynthia
Nickel Baker, Allied Member ASID
New Trends For a New Decade
 The
second decade of the 21st Century will bring more
emphasis on being and building "Green" and
"Sustainability." Energy efficient in appliances,
building products, and lighting will be the rage! New
homes will be somewhat smaller and designed with maximum
efficiency, such as orienting the home on the lot to
take better advantage of the southern exposure.
Landscaping will also help in energy efficiency.
“Green” doesn’t just mean the color green. Colors will be more cheerful and
optimistic, in nature. We are tired of the neutral doldrums! If you see neutrals,
they will be more saturated and metallics are still “HOT!” (More about this later.)
Technology will help manage people's lives and homes.
"Smart houses" will allow people to remotely turn off
and on the lights, alarms, appliances and adjust the
thermostat.
Customers will want special things they can't get
anywhere else and will want a good value. Luxury also
means something different - now, it's about how you live
your life.
People will be updating rooms and homes without changing
everything.
Come to CG Designs for the special attention and
beautiful home décor that you can't get anywhere else!
New "eco-friendly" products are arriving all the time!
We carry all price ranges and styles of fabrics,
furniture, and accessories.
Here's to a new Decade!
Creating Outdoor Rooms
Most people now consider the outdoor living space
"necessary" for integrating their whole environment -
it's not a luxury anymore. A terrace, patio, porch or
deck is your easiest way to expand your living space.
Also, providing a link between the inside and your
landscape.
The first tep in planning your yard is to "define your
space" or spaces.
What will they be used for?
- “Alfresco” Dining – which meals?
- Grilling and Cooking – which meals?
- Playspace – Adults or children?
- Reading
- Relaxation – Meditation – May need water feature
- Recreation – Pool/Hot tub
- Sleeping - Napping
- Work area – potting or service area
- Pet area
- Storage
Also consider:
- The seasons – will this area be used in the winter or when
it’s 100°?
- Think about the future – you may have a baby now – but he
will need a swingset!
- Many areas will be multi-purpose.
- Your budget – will this project have several phases?
- Maintenance – Don’t have so many plants and flowers that you
don’t have the
time to water and take care of them.
There are just the same elements of an outdoor room as an
indoor room.
- Floors – If they are created from a different material
than the surrounding area – brick, wood, gravel, flagstone,
tile, concrete, ground cover, or grass – it sets off your
space! You can then cover these with outdoor area rugs to
help define the area.
- Ceilings – Something over your head offers a bonus! They
include porch ceilings, arbor or gazebo ceilings, umbrellas
or awnings, the canopy of a tree or even just a ceiling of
sky!
- Walls – Fencing, railings, hedges, brick or stone walls,
all weather blinds and curtains. This creates the perimeter
and the privacy we all desire. An enclosed area seems cozier
and much more special.
- Entrance – Like a front door – make it welcoming by
adding potted plants and flowers.
- Furnishings – Refer to your original planning for each
space to define the appropriate furniture. Also consider,
comfort and maintenance. If you have one chair your outdoor
room is a solitary refuge. Two chairs or a bench – a cozy
spot for two. Four or more places to sit rolls out the
welcome mat.
- Accessories – These little touches are the icing on the
cake! They transform a grouping of furniture into a room.
Use things like you would inside – plants, candles, lamps,
pillows, tablecloths, and placemats. Have fun with these
items and give your area some character, softness and color.
- Focal Point – Something special that draws your eye –
such as, a conversation piece, or sculpture, a garden
ornament, a fountain, a pond, or even a special plant.
- Lighting – This is needed for safety, to illuminate
activities and also set the mood with candles and landscape
lighting to spotlight special plants and focal points, and
create shadows for interest.
When traveling from one area to the next, in your yard, use
pathways. Each path needs to lead to something special,
therefore, each area needs a focal point that draws you in
for a closer look. The path is also meant to be as enjoyable
as the destination. Things to look at along the way and
flowers to smell.
Family yards aren’t always picture perfect. There might be a
badminton set in the front yard or a basketball goal on the
drive. Pets can dig holes and kids may run through flower
beds. After all, backyards, like families, aren’t meant to
be perfect. They’re meant to be loved and enjoyed! A yard to
a child is a glorious place, full of creatures and dirt to
play in. Their imaginations can run wild while they play.
When selecting areas for rooms – think about being able to
view flower gardens and for safety’s sake, the children’s
play area from them. The best backyards have both sun and
shade. Sun for tanning, play and warming yourself. Most
flowers like sun best. Then there’s shade for relaxation and
respite from the heat.
Placement of an outdoor room is very important – it can hug
the house like a deck or patio, float in the middle of the
yard, or they can be tucked in a corner. Your yard can have
many rooms, each can have a special purpose or combination
of them. Some even changing with the seasons as the
landscape and weather changes. The leaves fall from the
trees and the flowers die back. That outdoor fire pit gets
the dust knocked off and your outdoor room has a new purpose
for the cooler months.
As we are coming into weather perfect for outdoor enjoyment
and entertaining, visit CJ Designs for tremendous choices in
almost everything for your outdoor needs – furniture, lamps,
and accessories.
Cindy
Tune in again soon for more Designer Tips From Cindy’s Desk
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