Taking it Outside

Since indoor/outdoor living usually means broader, more transparent openings, our team emphasizes consistency of materials, color palette and tone on both sides of that indoor/outdoor threshold. Floor and ceiling materials that flow unimpeded between indoor and outdoor spaces emphasize a sense of connectivity. Beyond the building materials, furniture pieces should be in dialogue with one another, with outdoor furnishings providing a subtle echo of the creative direction inside, whether in color palette, shape or tone.

Comfort is key in creating a welcoming outdoor space. There is no rule that says an outdoor sofa or chair can’t be just as cozy and inviting as its indoor siblings. Although we always have our eye on durability, we try to use outdoor furnishings that look and feel as if they could be every bit as at home indoors.

Inside, I love to let nature be the artwork. Often a carefully-framed snippet of the landscape is more impactful than a wide expanse, distilling the feel of calm and serenity that the outdoors can give us into peek-a-boo moments that feel like small breaths of fresh air.

Outside, it’s all about gathering, and the essential elements of fire, water and earth. Designing zones where families can gather in different spaces throughout the day or evening is important in forming outdoor space that beckons any time of day or night. Providing different levels of shade, whether solid or dappled, will keep it comfortable.

Porches are one of the most inviting outdoor spaces I can imagine, just as easily enjoyed by a group or alone with a good book and a cup of coffee. Front porches and back terraces can act like two sides of the same coin, forming a sense of balance and symmetry. Personally, I’m in favor of anything that invites you to slow down and stay awhile!

Life outdoors is fun, and our team loves to create transitional spaces that support that sense of whimsy and the pure joy that comes from living life outside. For a vacation house in Lake Tahoe, we leaned into the cottage resort vibe and designed a “snack shack” with a concrete countertop and roll-up door so the family could sidle up and grab food provided directly from the kitchen. At this house, the primary view was in the front, so we lined up a row of colorful modern turquoise Adirondack chairs on the expansive front porch where they could kick back and enjoy the view of the lake, recalling lakeside resorts of a bygone era.