Get Out
Need more room in your home for that burgeoning family? Look out the back door—there is a big wide open space just begging to be treated like the rest of the house.
We asked a few designers we know around town (all moms of young kids) what they did in their backyards this year (because it’s one thing to tell us what’s hot and another thing to find out what they did for their own families). We think they had some inspiring ideas, even if they might not fit the budget.
The recurring theme we heard was bringing the indoors out to create a relaxing and versatile outdoor room for the entire family.
Laurie Foote, SavvyMom of two young children and owner of Pied À Terre Staging literally created a new living room on her back deck. She chose a dark resin-coated sofa (long enough for taking a snooze on) that she found at On the Out, with two comfy chairs and a coffee table. It’s relaxing and welcoming, but best of all it has added a new room to their home. Her favourite change this season? Believe it or not, it’s the new black window screens she put up to replace the old scratched grey ones. Changing the screens (black is more invisible, we learned from her) makes such a difference because now she can see the beautiful room she has created from inside when looking out. She is also proud of her seagrass hurricane lamps she found at Loblaws for less than $15.
The flow from inside to outside is something that Margie White Doyle (SavvyMom to two young girls) of Dixon Doyle Design and co-host of Take This House and Sell It considered when planning her outdoor space. COnsider the “outdoor room” as an extension of the house and should be treated the same as any other room (choose a colour scheme, plan out your sitting areas). Which of the many new outdoor products did Margie choose? Outdoor rugs (made from natural fabrics so you can leave them outside) really make the space feel like a room. For fabrics, Sunbrella outdoor fabrics are worth the investment because they endure the elements (for years) but we learned that the options are limited. Solution? Margie found an awning store in Barrie with a wide range of fabric options and cheaper prices called Gotz Awnings (the awnings are cheaper there, too). Her favourite new outdoor trend? Cabanas and gazebos, because the whole family can enjoy them. Kids can make a fort, moms can store stuff in them or they can serve as a bar when entertaining. There are lots of styles to choose from, big or small. We found some at Home Depot, and Pottery Barn.
Sloan Mauran, SavvyMom to a five year old little girl, has been an interior designer for over ten years and runs Sloan Mauran Interior Design. She is loving her backyard this summer, ever since she had an L-shaped banquette made for the back deck. It provides the versatility she needs in a small space. You can nap on it, have a chat on it or sit at the table which Sloan slides over at meal time. Her fave? The flip-open top which is great for toy storage of course. Consider one like this from Home Depot which looks great with
cushions on top as well.
Dee Dee Hannah, owner of Taylor Hannah Architects and SavvyMom of two, has a movie-star backyard but she says you don’t have to go broke creating a welcoming outdoor space. Good seating with lots of flowers and lighting are what is essential. Her favourite flowers are lavender and ferns. The lavender smells beautiful and the ferns are easy to maintain. They look good anywhere, potted in a simple urn. Her fave? The square (not round) umbrellas on either side of her seating area.
So be kind to your outdoor space. It has a lot to give—even if your wallet doesn’t.
On the Out
(416) 544-9992
927 Mount Pleasant
Fix ‘n Go Glass and Screen Repairs
(416) 444-1756
Gotz Awnings
www.gotzawnings.com
(705) 733-2128