Design 101 - Kate Smith on Infusing Color in Your Outdoor Space with Area Rugs

More and more patio and pool areas are furnished to be as inviting as a home's interior spaces. Well designed furnishings, versatile fabrics and a variety of accessories make it easy to put together a comfortable outdoor space. What can be tricky is capturing the look and feel of an intimate indoor environment outdoors.

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Design 101 - Big Backyard Ideas

Tom Stuart-Smith

Looking for creative ways to transform a barren backyard into a low maintenance multifunctional space? Landscape architect Steve Verner shared with us some of his tricks of the trade for doing just that.

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Design 101 - Guest Blogger Mary Beth Haggerty on How to Make a Large Outdoor Space More Intimate

Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture - Stone Edge Farm

Large outdoor spaces are a dream come true for many homeowners, but for others they present a common problem.  How can we create outdoor space that feels more intimate?  Fear not! There are many tricks of the trade to transform expansive outdoor spaces into charming intimate retreats.  The 5 steps below will get you started.

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Design 101 - The Evolution of Outdoor Fabrics

It was not too may years ago that fabrics used for outdoor furniture, pillows and accessories were disappointing.  A lack of variety in colors and patterns and poor sun and weather exposure performance left homeowners with few choices for decorating their outdoor spaces and the prospect of poor performance.  The explosion in popularity of outdoor living spaces that mirror a homeowner’s interior design prompted textile manufacturers to greatly increase the selection and quality of outdoor fabrics on the market.

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Design 101 - Guest Blogger Sarah Barnard, Eco Chic: Simple Steps for Greener Living

Mamagreen Recycled Teak Table

I wish I could say all of my clients came to me asking for earth friendly projects, however the fact of the matter is, many homeowners just aren't entirely sure about committing to an eco-friendly lifestyle. One of the largest obstacles I face in my commitment to healthy, responsible interiors is the resistance I receive from clients. Most folks are just not willing to accept items that don’t fit into their preconceived notions about elegance, luxury or refinement.

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Design 101 - Guest Blogger Gale Steves, From the Outdoors Looking In

Rees Roberts + Partners

Everyone is so busy moving their indoor looks outside these days. I wish they would stop for a minute or two and ponder how their new exterior creations will affect the view from the windows.  And those windows are important for bringing the outdoors inside. And then stop to think about how the existing garden color scheme will influence furniture choices and colors as well.

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Design101 - Accessorizing Tips from Stylist Allison Lind

Beautiful Living Style

The same sort of principles you use when accessorizing the indoors should be applied when accessorizing the outdoors.

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Design 101 - Trellises, Arbors, Pergolas - Courtesy of Barbara Israel Focal Points

Barbara Israel Garden Antiques - Focal Points Newsletter

Man has forever sought to tame nature. Training vines over structures to create verdant "outdoor rooms" and sheltered walkways is just one of the more picturesque methods.

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Design 101 - Rick Goldstein's 10 Tips for Getting the Right Outdoor Living Structure

Suzanne Tucker & Todd R. Cole

Outdoor living structures are popular for a variety of reasons. They add visual interest to your yard, provide a sense of privacy and potentially can increase your home's value. If you're considering adding a structure to your landscape architect Rick Goldstein outlines 10 things to consider:

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Design 101 - Guest Blogger Kate Smith on The Colors of Global Style

Turkish TileWhether you travel abroad or simply appreciate global style from the comfort of your own corner of the world, adapting culturally-diverse  design elements can transform your outdoor area into your own private sanctuary.

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