Design 101 - Balcony Design Challenges

Apartment Therapy

Most balconies come in one of two footprints - postage stamp or narrow rectangle.  With the narrow rectangle footprint you can often get away with a few more pieces of furniture but even so designing a balcony space requires great restraint and more times than not a commitment to a single purpose.

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Design 101 - Famous Balcony Design Styles

Life In Italy

The balcony alone is an iconic outdoor space but some cities (and one country) are home to the most iconic balconies.  Paris, Venice, New Orleans and Malta are the locations that come to my mind first when I think of balconies.  Ornate, dainty and petite these famous balconies are undeniably feminine and dripping with romanticism.  These outdoor spaces scream to be furnished with equally romantic bistro tables for two.

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Inspiration Board - Balcony Living

When we started to pull this week on Balcony Living together there was much discussion about what constitutes a balcony.  Photos of terraces and rooftop decks kept sneaking into the mix so we decided it was high time we knew exactly what a balcony is.  A balcony is "a platform projecting from the wall of a building, supported by columns or console brackets, and enclosed with a balustrade." Platform is the operative word in that definition and with few exceptions that platform equates into a very small or very long footprint and an iconic outdoor space. We will tackle the design challenges and opportunities of balcony living throughout the week but to get us started some classic balcony inspiration.

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Design 101 - Dock Living Design Elements

Wim Goes

When it comes to designing anything (from parties to outdoor spaces) I'm a big fan of themes.  Starting a design can be overwhelming and themes can help focus the task.  On occasion it is fun and appropriate to overlay a theme on an existing vignette but as a general rule I take cues from the surrounding interior or environment to develop a theme. When it comes to dock living there are a handful of consistent environmental cues that scream dock or water living regardless of the region.   Starting with these classic design elements will give you a strong base from which you can embellish with accessories and accent colors to reflect your region.

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Inspiration Board - Dock Living

Anyone who owns property on a body of water will tell you that when you take possession of the keys you enter an exclusive club.  A club of which only its members' can truly know the alternate universe in which they live.  A universe where the smells, sounds and sites are vastly different from a land locked community and where time moves at a different pace.  These homeowners also likely have access to an outdoor space that only a waterfront homeowner can have - a dock.  Docks in their purest form are utilitarian but the desire to get closer and closer to the water has driven many homeowners to blend utility and relaxation into one space.  This week we will be talking about the joys, design challenges and spirit of dock living.  To get the week started some inspiring dock living.

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Discover - House Address Banners

We thought a great way to cap off our week long series on porch living was with some house number address banners that pack a graphic punch.  There is no better way to direct attention to your beautiful home and front porch than with a house address banner from one of HI's artists Deborah Sommers.

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Entertain In Style - Porch Playlist

Sarah Jessica Parker's Hampton Porch via Greige

I love to entertain and I think music is a key element for a great party just like the food and drink.  I'm crazy enough to spend hours...weeks in advance of a party creating the perfect playlist.  Not everyone has the time or desire to put together a playlist however.

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Design 101 - Adding Color and Pattern To Your Porch

Brian Andriola

Color and pattern set the stage for an inviting porch yet many people are unsure about how to select a pattern and are even more perplexed about how to mix several patterns within a space.  It may seem difficult but if you follow these tips it will be as easy as ONE - TWO -THREE.

Orange

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Inspiration Board - Porch Living

The porch - a wonderful hybrid space where you can have the best of indoor and outdoor living.  Protected and private and a well defined space it is more like an interior room.  Open to the elements, smells and critters of the outside world (if not screened) the porch calls for outdoor furniture and accessories just like the deck, patio or yard.  A porch has a certain je ne sais quoi that no other space can emulate and it kicks off a multi-week series on special outdoor living scenarios such as Dock Living, Pool Living and Balcony Living.  All of these spaces have a certain quality about them that puts them in a class of their own and deserved special attention.  To start off the week an Inspiration Board with some dreamy porch living. 

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Entertain In Style - Family Outdoor Dining

Dining Table Styled by Tara Sloggett

Outdoor dining! There is nothing like it for producing a festive mood with no effort. Add in the fact that you can cook a whole meal on a grill if you choose, and you have super easy preparation.  It’s a great way to bring the family together for a relaxed and casual dining experience.  Toss a Frisbee around, play with the kids, or have a cocktail, as dinner sizzles on the grill.

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