Showing posts with label outdoor spaces. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outdoor spaces. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Take It Outdoors

I post an inspirational picture on my facebook page every morning, and I've built a loyal base of fans that always comment and let me know what they think.  


Long time friend and fan, Melissa, is an extraordinary gardener and has always taken great pride in her home and yard, so when she asked for inspiration for her front porch, I told her I'd put some images together just for her.  Then other friends chimed in agreement, so I began my search for porch inspiration.


Color is always the first element to add into any area needing curb appeal.  Pops of color, whether in fabrics, accessories, paint or flowers, make your home the standout on the street.  You know how I love color, so push the envelope and pump up the color!


 I'm thinking there is nothing more beautiful than those bold pops of coral on that porch.  The pale green of the siding is a wonderful backdrop.  It really shows that the owner put some thought into their entrance.


 Can you think of anything more inviting than a water feature at the front door!


Doesn't this make you want to get ready for the fourth of July?  Memorial Day is around the corner too.  This would be fab!


Even the smallest porches can accommodate some kind of seating.  It's such a welcoming site to see a spot to "set a spell" as my Daddy would say.





I'll meet you here for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine!  


The navy and white makes such a bold and dramatic statement.  What a welcoming front porch!


For those who have more space, adding an eating area, especially on a back porch or lanai creates a wonderful entertaining area, weather permitting!

I love the weathered look of this dining table and chairs.  It feels like a perfect gathering for friends and family.  

Not everyone has a gorgeous covered outdoor space, but the elements of this vignette fit in any space....great color, ambiance and attention to detail.

The mix of styles and textures in this sun porch give it a collected look that's been created over time.  It makes for a casual and relaxing feel.

Check out the table bases.....how creative is that!


Don't forget to add some personality to your outdoor space.  It's a great place to add some whimsy and playful accessories.



That's a lot of Reisling represented there, but don't you love that cobalt blue!  What a creative way to bring color to the garden!  You know there are no really blue flowers?...not even bluebonnets are really blue.  I guess you have to think out of the box to get that color into the garden!


I think this is just about the ultimate in coolness for a porch.  I remember my grandmother had a porch swing, and it was one of my favorite things about her house.  But a swinging bed?.....now that's even better!

Ok, Melissa!  I hope you got some good ideas to incorporate into your home.  If you have a beautiful porch, send me a pic and I'll post it on my facebook page too.  

Sally J. Designs helps you to LOVE your home!
Contact us for in-home or on-line design consultations or turn-key project management.










Sunday, March 28, 2010

What a girl wants

I have a bad habit of going to sleep with the TV on, and the other night, I woke up and the movie "What a Girl Wants" with Mel Gibson was on. 


 I began to think about what I want....I'm still a girl after all. 

I like to visualize my ideal house and what I would want it to look like, so for now (because you know it might change later!), these are some must haves for me in my dream home.

Space!.....I want space...inside and out. 
This would do. 
Hey!  I'm dreaming here!

I need trees.  I want to look out my kitchen window and see a rolling hill or two.

or a canopy of beautiful trees.

After all.......

 Henry-Big Dog needs a great yard to run in.

I want a glorious lanai for spending time outdoors with friends and family.  It will have all the amenities of indoors...ceiling fans for the Texas summers and a fireplace for chilly fall evenings. 
Of course, it will be stylish and chic!

An outdoor kitchen is a must complete with a pizza oven for the grands....
...and the privacy of this saltwater pool and hot tub for me!
Where's my glass of wine??

Are you dreaming with me??

Let's go inside.

I want a great room.....and I mean a GREAT room!



Interior designer, Cathy KIncaid for House Beautiful

I love this room.  The stone work brings the feeling of history to the space...so warm and inviting.  I'm not usually a "blue" person, so I might choose a different decor...like this...


or this......


Anchor woman, Jayne McGarry's great room, photographed for D-Magazine.
Ken Blasingame, Interior Designer.


Or even this.

I find this room inviting too.
Image courtesy of Elle Decor
I think this is very eclectic...modern, yet elements of traditional styling.
I like that the sofas are dark because of this....

Like most of the clients I design kitchens for, I want an open concept greatroom/kitchen combination.
The Southern Accents Riverhills Showhouse had the most wonderful kitchen and keeping room.






I might prefer something a little more open to the  family room.

private client, Sally J. Designs
private client, Sally J. Designs
Stay tuned for more dreaming in my next post.  I think I'll dream about dinner parties and dining rooms.  Won't you be my guest?