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Festive outdoor lighting
It already gets dark early in the middle of November, so we can begin to decorate our balconies, houses and gardens with light garlands. The simplest method is to fix the tensed fairy lights to the rail or the drip, or wrap it around trees, shrubs and the pergola. It will look nice, however, we can be more creative.
Let’s buy glass or plastic LED luminous globes in different sizes. These fit very well in an urn shaped pot and a bird bath. But they can be also placed alongside the garden path. We can even make them by ourselves using old globe lampshades. Put the lights in it and seal it with a proper sized tin can at the socket. This latter can be used as a stand for stability, but we can transform it to a huge Christmas ball ornament by turning it upside down and fix a bigger hook in it.
Let’s use the hanging wicker baskets which held flowers in the summer. Pad it with light garlands with pulling out the small lights on the holes of it. Cover it with cotton wool and maybe fill it with glass ball ornaments. Hang it to its place where it was in summer. It will be a cozy sight.
If there is a human or animal shaped sculpture in the garden, it can be decorated with light garland. The garland should be formed spherical by looping it throughout itself for keeping the shape. Place it in the hands or at the feet of the statue as if it was played with.
Let’s make artificial icicles until there are no real ones. Cut the legs of some nylon stockings. Fill it with cotton wool with placing the light garland among it. Sew it at the top. Hang it under the roof, near the front door or on the patio, preferably protected from rain because cotton wool sucks water quickly.
It’s important to use only outdoor, waterproof light garlands for safety! Ask for help of an interior designer for planning the festive outdoor lighting.
Garden fire pit
Although autumn is here, we don’t have to give up the daily relaxation in the garden. Though the air is already cooler after sunset, the patio and grass might be wet because of the more frequent rain, there are some tricks with which a pleasant atmosphere can be created.
Let’s make a fire pit near the house. Even we can build one DIY made of bricks, quarry stones, concrete etc. Complete it with an easy-cleanable garden path leading to it. If its form, color and shape fit to the house, it will be a perfect accessory which fades into the environment but it can be the integral part of the patio also.
Enough seating place will be needed around the fire pit. In the case of it is sunken in the ground, the rim can act as a bench. Cover its edge with stone or treated wood. Covered with cushions, it will be comfortable for everyone. If the fire pit is standing alone, armchairs can be put around it. Thick blankets should be put on them also beside cushions against cold. Since these can be slippery on plastic, it’s better to choose furniture made of wood or metal.
The portable fire pit is mostly made of metal, it can have open or closed firepot, in several colors and shapes. With this, it is easy to transform the summer breakfast corner to an autumn warming place. Its advantage is that it can be placed anywhere if there is enough space or where the view is beautiful.
Don’t let the autumn rain discourage us! If the wind is not blowing, we don’t have to go inside: parasols still do a good service this time also. Stand some of them above the seats and the fire. The smell of the rain and crackle of logs will be a pleasurable addition to chats.
Ask for help of an interior designer for making the outdoor cozy.
Garden furniture
Comfortable garden seats beyond faux rattan
Mini gardens 2.
Mini potted vegetable gardens on the patio – fresh, own grew ingredients
Useful accessories 6.
Useful accessories on the patio
Pergola
Shading is the biggest problem in the case of a patio connected to the house. There are less and less plots with big trees, so the problem should be solved artificially. A pergola can be a showy solution.
Pergola is a frame made of wood, it is open at the sides with a trellis top. The wood has to be properly treated to make it weatherproof. The nervure of the wood remains visible under burnishing and lacquering, so it can be seen in its natural beauty. Painting makes the structure more uniform, it handles the pergola as a freer focal point because of the range of colors.
Pergola filters the sunshine on its own but mostly it is plant-clad. If we don’t want to toil with caring plants, a light, breathable cotton fabric should be fixed on its top which provides the perfect shading. It is enough to tie it loose, on just some points for removing it easily in the case of a storm, but the textile moved by the soft breeze looks nice in good weather.
Its size is defined by the usage of the area: bigger meals, two-persons-chatting, swinging in a swing-bed etc. It not necessarily has to cover the whole patio, this way there remains place for sunbathing also. It can stand alone or can be joined to the wall of the house also.
Pergola can be used as a rain-roof above the entrance door and the car park, as a cover above the pathway leading to the outbuilding, as shading above the windows, for highlighting the entrance of the garden etc. Its great advantage is that it looks very good even in winter when covered by snow.
Ask for help of an interior designer for planning the pergola harmonizing perfectly with the building.
My project 6.
My prior work: Studio + terrace furniture design (redesign) – 25+16 sqm
Further pictures: https://classicinteriors.hu/en/references/21-references/42-references09
Mountain chalet style
Ski season is coming soon and many people travel to the near mountains to enjoy the fun and sport opportunities provided by winter. Rentable mountain chalets are also popular beside hotels. In both cases, we meet with characteristic mood and interior design.
Wood and quarry stone are the most determinative of the materials used. The very knotted pattern of pine planks and beams is highlighted much more by lacquering and burnishing. In the case of other wood types, nervure has bigger role and can be more spectacular by it. The stone fireplace or stone decorated main wall gives the basic mood. Its colors have a wide range from grey to brown. The two extremities can be mixed, so the outcome will be more natural and colorful.
Upholstered furniture provides warmth to the space. This softness is needed beside the wooden walls, beamed roofing and huge windows. The color palette is mostly warm. Fabrics should be thicker but soft. Checkered pattern also fits for mountain chalet style, beside plains. Craftsmanship-like patterns of cushions and blankets add a twist to the total effect. A blanket and a smaller rug made of fur gives us the feel of warmth. The big leather armchair near the fireplace will be a perfect reading nook. (Bio-ethanol fireplace can be placed in any kind of flat/house.) Let’s put characteristic alpine heart-back wooden chairs beside the wooden table in the kitchen/dining area for the desired rustic mood. For more elegant look, upholstered chairs are better. Quarry stone can be used for tiling the bathroom also.
Chandelier and wall scones made of antlers, faux trophies, landscapes, candles, knitted things, antique tools and skis are perfect decoration elements. Use colors specific to the style: browns, warm grays, warm whites, cherry red, darker greens, beige, dark blue, cream. The patchwork blanket and home slippers at the foot of the bed will be an inviting sight.
Ask for help of an interior designer for enjoying the mood of a mountain chalet not only during the ski tour but even in the whole year, in your own home.
Autumn balcony
As days become colder, we spend less and less time on our balcony. Although, a relaxation outside would feel good on nice, sunny autumn weekends, watching color leaves. We still don’t have to pass it up but it needs small preparations.
It is a bit easier in the case of a covered, side protected loggia. Put a thicker cushion on the outdoor chairs. Lay a smaller carpet or even a mat under the chair protecting our feet. A low power heater and a thick blanket can create warmth. If there is a metal table, let’s place a plate mat on it and put a cup of hot chocolate or tea on it, this way it gets cold later. If the rail of the loggia is grilled, so the wind can blow through, let’s cover it from the inner side with a nice fabric or rush. Fix it on several points to keep the wind from playing with it.
In the case of an open balcony, more preparations are needed. It can be made relatively close by fixing a curtain rod on the bottom of the balcony above it, on the sides. Curtain made of any outdoor fabric can be hung on this. Tie the bottom of it to the rail against wind. If there is enough space, the wind can be blocked by tall potted plants (e.g. thuja) also. For those who live on the top floor, it’s worth to install a plastic rain roof. This protects from sunshine and snow also. Anything curtain-like can be fixed to this too. Thick blanket, cushion and hot tea are important accessories here also.
Let’s decorate the balcony/loggia with the colors of autumn. Make garlands from lined crops and color leaves which can be fixed to the rail. Hurricane lamp like candle holders are perfect for outdoor mood lighting. The chair should have arms for bigger comfort and coziness. An outdoor faux-lawn can be laid down which lets through the rain, dries soon and provides the feeling of a garden. Ceramic pumpkins, color harmonizing fabrics, berried branches in a massive vase and warm slippers can help to enjoy the most beautiful experiences of autumn which can be provide by nature.
Ask for help of an interior designer for transforming your balcony for autumn days.
