A Dreamy Lake Front Porch

designer Francie Hargrove

Well, that's what I imagine this to be, anyway.  As the summer winds down, I picture myself perched in front of that gorgeous fireplace, toasting my toes...good friends hanging out, kids running around, on a late summer evening.  Maybe drinking Irish coffee.  Maybe the kids sticking marshmallows in that fireplace.  What do you think?  Can you see yourself there?

Happy Weekend,
Carol

Outdoor Rugs Indoors

Outdoor rugs are coming inside more and more.  We have used them in several projects.  I've been a fan of faux sisal for a while, but when I saw a few very wool-loop-looking indoor/outdoor rugs by Jaipur, I must admit I was sold. 

Designers always hear "it needs to be family friendly," whatever it is.  Indoor/Outdoor rugs can be THE perfect solution when you have little ones, or dogs, or messy relatives, or people over who always drop stuff on your rugs (the ones you never really wanted to invite over anyway).  You can literally wash them off with a hose.  They fool you into thinking they might be wool. 

You know I don't endorse products, but I do like to share brands I use and love.  I thought you might benefit from seeing a few of their designs...

I could see any of these in a living room.

I'd be good with either of these as a twist in a more traditional room.  Could you?

I do see this orange one on a covered deck with white outdoor furniture, lots of greenery and bold flowers in great pots.  Near the pool.  My pool.  I digress. I have no pool.

I'm not much for cute, but this chocolate one would be killer in a playroom or a kids space, or even the back entry of a ski house.

So, have you ever thought of using an indoor/outdoor rug in your home?  You should really check them out.  You'd be surprised.  Jaipur is available online, or you could always email your favorite designer :) for help with one.  (Um. That would be me.)

Have a great end of the week!
Carol

Outdoor Living to Match or not to Match?

We hear about "bringing the outdoors in" all the time in decorating.  So I ask you, do you think your outdoor living spaces should coordinate with what goes on inside your home, or do you prefer a totally different look?

In my opinion, the most successful outdoor living spaces coordinate with and reflect the personality of their environment first, and the interior of the home second.  What's that I'm saying? Decorate to the colors and mood of the landscape, the garden, the ocean or lake view (lucky you), and then choose furnishings that speak to the style of the furnishings in the house.

BHG

Check out the example above.  The chairs and the tablecloth in this lovely little setting coordinate so effortlessly with the blue and purple in the garden that it just belongs there, doesn't it?  It beckons you to sit and stay a while. You picture the kitchen that leads to this slice of heaven to be a bit rustic, maybe it has an old farmhouse table as an island.  Wouldn't you be so disconnected if I said it was the yard of a very modern home?  Of course.

Now this outdoor shower area below is so fun, and it just screams happy summer color.  You can see the interior -- it just has to be full of white slipcovers and bold, beach ball colored art and stuff -- wouldn't you be surprised if it wasn't?  I'll bet there are oars hanging on the wall.

Coastal Living

Here's another one I picture having white slipcovers, but more sophistication inside, like sisal rugs, lots of glass, maybe some dark wood pieces, etc...

Coastal Living

In this next image, the color palette is all about coordinating with the garden and I love the connection.  And you can feel the vibe of the house it must belong to.  No formal Federal style home here...

BHG

Here a two images from the interior of a house in North Carolina.  Look at them for style.

Veranda

Veranda

Now, check out the next two images of the outdoor living area of this home.

Veranda

Veranda

You expect the outside rooms of this house to look like this, don't you?  What if they were decorated in the bold colors of the outdoor shower image -- wouldn't you just die and say 'what were they thinking?"  Instead, you want to go sit and look at that gorgeous view because it is all so harmonious.

So, what is your take?  Is your outdoor area a free-for-all departure from your home?  Or are you like me, and seek a bit of flow inside to out?

Talk to you soon,

Carol