Turn Me Inside-Out: Stunning Outdoor Rooms

I hope everyone is having a restful and fun-filled Memorial Day Weekend.  We've been laying low in the city and popping out for day trips.  I have to say, pulling out the flip flops and sunblock has really gotten me excited for summer!  


One of my all-time favorite summer fantasies is to have an "outdoor room" - a place where you can chat with friends over a glass of wine at the end of a warm summer day.  


What is the difference between an "outdoor room" and a simple outdoor sitting area?  I think it has to do with bringing inside elements to the outside - sometimes incorporating a rug or pillows that don't necessarily look "outdoors", and in some cases bringing out furniture and light fixtures that you wouldn't normally see out of the house.  


When done right, the whole effect is unexpected and utterly charming. 


Here are some dreamy photos to get you in the mood... which would you choose?


Terrace with a View:

{ PS: This is Tacoma, Washington!  Via AHBL Landscape Architecture }

The topiaries and wood furniture really complete this space:

 { Via Better Homes & Gardens }

Ocean View:

{ Elle Decor, Via Chic Geek }

This is a New Yorker's dream!

{ Via Architectural Digest } 

See below for an utterly romantic look.  Although your husband would have to haul all the furniture back inside when the guests have gone home!

 { Via Inspired Design }

Love this "Italian" vibe:

 { Via Better Homes & Gardens }

Another thoroughly romantic scene... look at that climbing rose and the Moroccan lantern!

{ Via BHG }

This is the "mountain house look".  The rock fireplace and the beams are just beautiful. I don't know how I feel about the TV set into the fireplace.  I suppose you'd at least lure the guys outside during important games:

 { Via Merchant Circle }

This is the ultimate poolside dinner setting:

 { Via Ashley Whittaker Design }

Such a cozy spot to chat after dinner.  The fireplace makes us East Coasters sweat just looking at it!  But it would be divine in the West where the evenings get cool...

 { Via Houzz }

Curtains really make this "room" even more special:

 { Via Design Chic }

This is the epitome of an outdoor room - it even has a mirror over the mantel.  It's Kim Kardashian's house, for you trivia lovers!:

 { Via Hooked on Houses }

This is my wine country dream:

 { Elle Decor, Via Coco Cozy }

Love the barn vibe.  The throws and pillows make this space say "outdoor room": 

{ Via I Love Farm Weddings }

Between the curtains, throw pillows and accessories, this is another ultimate "outdoor room".  On a beautiful lake:

{ Via My Home Ideas }

Do these pictures have you drooling yet?  I can't wait to one day have an outdoor space of my own!  But dreaming is also half the fun...

Sweet Dreams: A Bakery Concept Heats Up in the West Village

Don't you admire people who decide to take a big risk and chase their dreams?  I love stories of people who leave conventional, successful careers in order to pursue something totally different. 

My friend Umber is one of those people.  Successful by any measure, Umber left behind the prestigious world of finance to pursue her dream ... to open a world-class bakery in the West Village of Manhattan. 

 { Via Haute Living }

Umber and I have had some fun discussions about the interior design of her bakery, which is slated to open in September 2012. 

Her family is from Pakistan and she was raised in Michigan.  She grew up traveling the world and she now resides in New York City.  A true woman of the world!  It's important to Umber that this place reflect who she is - both approachable and sophisticated, with an appreciation of the old and the new. 

Imagine a jewel of a bakery, tucked into a cozy cobble stone street in the West Village...

... What design elements would you hope to see?

In order to have an approachable, artisanal feel, but to also maintain refinement and sophistication, the bakery will need a mix of media - reclaimed wood and exposed brick, warm lighting, copper accents. 

{ Via Shop Keep }

The bar at ABC Kitchen would make a great counter:

{ Via Smith Ratliff }

To ensure the space doesn't become too rustic, Umber wants to incorporate urban elements as well - industrial filament lights could do the trick:

{ Via Restoration Hardware }

I like Restoration Hardware's take on mixing industrial with classic:

{ Via Restoration Hardware }

White subway tile on some of the walls would lend a clean, streamlined look:

To incorporate Umber's heritage, I thought it would be great to hang framed black & white photos of Lahore, Pakistan on an exposed brick wall:

{ Via Blog Baberafzal }

{ Via 3 bp }

Rustic, quaint and traditional...

{Via Brondmo }

Meets savvy, urban and sleek...

What will the final result look like?  It's fun to dream! 

Four Easy (and Cheap!) DIY projects

As you all know, the interior design world is humming with DIY projects - who knew there were so many uses for a glue gun??  While I am constantly inspired and impressed by these hard-working and creative DIYers, I have to admit most of these projects I will never, ever undertake.  I am simply not handy (or patient) enough! 

However, there are a few DIY ideas I've seen recently that have grabbed my attention.  And they are easy and quick enough that I think, "hey, maybe I could do that too..."



1)  Picture Frame Redo
This first project is one of my all-time faves.  I have so many plain black frames from Crate & Barrel and Target floating around my apartment and I just feel like they are sort of *blah*.  I recently read this quick "picture frame redo" post from Oak Ridge Revivals and I thought "Eureka!"

 Before:

After:

She simply measured two inches from each corner and applied gold paint.

Instant chic!  Check out the whole process at Oak Ridge Revival's blog here.


2)  Sunburst Mirror
Okay, this is a little more involved, but I love the homemade, artisanal feel of this Sunburst DIY mirror from House of Fifty.  I really want a gold sunburst mirror in my future foyer, but I also think the look has been really overplayed.  This sunburst feels refreshing and different to me:

She found a bunch of sticks from Ikea and glue-gunned them onto a mirror. How hard can that be?? And I think the result is really stunning.



You can read all about the Sunburst mirror process here.


3)  Nightstand Redo
One of my new favorite blogs Stay at Home-ista is by a Bay Area mom who is chock-full of creative ideas.  She recently spray-painted her son's bedside table, literally transforming the look of the room.  I love the color and what it does to the space.  Reading this post I thought, "yes, I can do this!"

Isn't is great?  You can read all about the "Nightstand Switcheroo" here. 

Speaking of spray painting, interior designer Nate Berkus is always proselytizing about the virtues of spray painting just about everything.   Take a look at these awesome, inspirational examples:


Before:

 


After:



Before:

After:

 { Via The Nate Show }

Okay these black side tables were probably not *easy* to redo, but they are so fabulous I just had to include them. 



4) DIY Twine Balls
One thing I just can't stand is spending money on accessories that I *know* are not worth the price tag.  Have you noticed that things like grapevine balls (that you can place casually in a bowl on a coffee table, for instance), cost a pretty penny?  

{ Via egrapevineballs.com }

Hence my love for this simple and very cheap project. Twine Balls! 

{ Via The Nate Show }

This was featured on the Nate Berkus show and tried out by Melanie, the "DIY Bride" blogger.  All you need is twine, glue and balloons!

 

'

Final result.  I love how the DIY Bride uses her twine ball as a stand-alone sculptural element:

 { Via Wedding Favours }

Well, now you know what I'll be doing this weekend!  I think my pregnancy has gotten the best of me - all I want to do is NEST and MAKE THINGS!  

 Till next time ~