The Rural Voice, 1995-06, Page 48Home Decorating
Living rooms move outdoors
BY PATTI ROBERTSON
It's time! ... to move from our
cocoon which protected us from yet
another harsh Canadian winter. (I
know this winter wasn't as bad as
most ... but it certainly was not
Florida!)
Outside we sally forth with
anticipation of a glorious and
prosperous summer season. Fun
times, trendy parties, wiener roasts or
just a quiet area to cuddle up with a
good book ... a well designed
outdoor living area is not unlike that
of its indoor counterpart.
Decks, patios or lawns create a
floor, while one side of our home or
garage in combination with fences
and hedges create the remaining
enclosure. The sky (literally) is the
limit in considering our ceiling height
or this can be minimized with the
benefit of a canopy of leaves from a
shade tree or perhaps we'd prefer an
arbor, or trellis enhanced with vines
or possibly a gay awning.
Our designated outdoor living
room should work for our enjoyment
providing privacy, shelter from cool
breezes, allowing some shade and sun
at desired times.
Also, depending
on our locale,
consideration
may be given to
screening in our
area to ward off
Ply
mosquitoes and
other winged
wonders.
Analyze
when we intend
to use our
exterior living
space and of
course, how. If
entertaining is on the agenda, we'll
require conversational groupings in
the placement of our furnishings
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ee planting.
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OPEN: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 •.m. MON. - SAT. 1:00 •.m. - 6:00 •.m. SUN.
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GREENBELT FARMPhone/Fax (519) 347-2725
R.R. 5, Mitchell, Ont. NOK 1NO
5 miles north of Mitchell: one half mile east of Bomholm
44 THE RURAL VOICE
along with a dining area, cooking and
storage of necessities close at hand.
Evaluate the times of day we plan
on relaxing in our "room". Many a
summer's eve is more pleasant and
romantic out of doors rather than
being cooped up inside. With this in
mind, plan for outdoor outlets and
fixtures to "light the night." Lighting
trees, shrubs and florals adds to the
colour, texture and form within our
space adding both excitement and
mystery.
The availability of outdoor outlets
offers an array of possibilities from
the convenience of using electrical
appliances to a favourite reading
lamp, or stereo equipment. Imagine
watching your favourite soap or Jays'
game at one with nature on a balmy
summer's eve! Of course we'll want
to be considerate to nearby
neighbours with the volume level.
Colour and texture of furnishings
and accessories is extremely
important in providing a stylish
outdoor room. It's good design to
select a colour scheme with flow to
that of our home's exterior colour
scheme. Colourations of furniture,
accessories, and plantings, even in
the least expensive purchases, look
more harmonious when blended with
taste.
Once we've met the basic colour
considerations, it's time to select a
theme and style for our summer
living area. There are three themes
we can choose to work with:
The Rustic Look — This theme is
easy care and most affordable
(although not always the most
comfortable for long sojourns). In
tones of grey, we gather together
weathered benches, chairs, wicker
pieces and those rough hewn log style
tables and chairs to create
conversational groupings. An old
picnic table with a gingham cloth
makes a fine dining table. Padded
cushions of Victorian style chintz
will add comfort and charm.
Old crocks, wooden planters,
driftwood sculpture, lobster traps,
birdhouses, barrels and wagon wheels
all add character to the rustic theme.