Present2Sell - By The Dart June 2010
Seamless Living
Transparent transitions
Contemporary home design pursues a seamless blending of all the spaces in the home, and none more so than between interior and exterior space. This has been much enabled by advances in glass technology. Its ability to achieve this seamless transition is amplified if the same flooring material is used inside and out. Underfloor heating makes ceramic, terrazzo and porcelein tiles all good options for interiors - you can even have wood effect porcelein tiles if the mediterranean aesthetic is not for you!
Cleverness costs
The porosity of a building's edges are defined by the amount of visible structure around the glass and, like sandals and bikinis, less visible structure equals more expense. Retro-fitting such a scheme would be more costly than new built, so for those of us who like the idea of seamless living, but without necessarily the means or inclination to build from scratch, some visual trickery must be resorted to.
Inside out
Starting on the inside, reduce the visible barriers between inside and out. If your social space does not have access directly to an outside deck or patio, it's worth getting a few quotes from builders to instal either French windows or patio doors, depending on the style of your property. The main focus of this look is the access point into the garden. To enhance this diminishing of the masonry barrier, take down your winter curtains and instal voiles on slender poles on all the nearby windows.
Outside In
To minimise the visual differences between inside and out, position similar plants close to each other either side of the window. The idea is to extend the view into the outside, so avoid placing pictures and decorative objects near the windows.
The reverse is also true: increase the size and number of your houseplants somewhat and have garden and room planters in the same colour pallette.
Thrifty Thresholds
Assuming you have access to the outside from your social area, look at ways of minimising the threshold, for example, if flooring materials are very different, lay a floor cover as disguise. Choose a lightweight fabric for ease of removal when rain threatens, and choose a colour that relates well to both the interior decor and your outdoor furniture and objects, such as planters, plants and cushions.
To cater for both hot days and cool, create covering right outside the transition area. This applies equally to conservatory/garden and house/garden thresholds.
Pied a terre
Even in our variable temperate climate, a veranda-like arrangement can be made from a pergola densely covered with plants and vines; a temporary structure of poles (eg. windsurfer masts) can support a screen material such as camouflage netting or other fabrics to provide shade from the heat and reasonable shelter from drizzle to sharp shower (but not downpour!). For a sturdier solution, construct a demountable timber frame to which you can attach lightweight panels of bamboo, reed or hazel. The panels are light and easy to handle allowing a number of variations to be set up to match the weather.
Colour collusion
You can create impact and continuity from the interior to the farthest spot in the garden by choosing objects of opposite hues, or you can create calm coherence by choosing colours from the same area in the colour wheel. Whichever your pallette, use these in your parasols, table and glassware, seat cushions, lanterns, rugs and painted furniture, constantly echoing the colours of the interior.
Add to the drama by arranging planters and other objects in vertical triangles; it's best to avoid placing same-height objects together. For larger items, think lightweight, waterproof and readily de-mountable. Store cushions, throws and rugs in cushion-topped trunks which can double up as seating.
Burning bright
Think about how you'll use the space at night time too, in terms of lighting and warmth. Real fire creates a great focal point as well as providing heat but before buying, imagine how you and your guests will be arranged. A chimenea prevents smoke but its tall spout can make it tricky to talk across it - firebowls are lower and so more sociable but if the wind picks up, the smoke will drive eveyone indoors.
As for lighting, there's a vast range of outdoor products at the touch of a Google search button - embedded LED, fairy lights, rope lights etc. To avoid being overwhelmed by choice, have a hard think about what you want the light to do, and allocate your budget accordingly. If all you need is something ambient, magical effects can be created with the humble tea light.
