PATIO SPLENDOUR
Above image: www.clubhouseitalia.com / www.fendi.com
The patio or terrace holds more importance in your home than ever before, as furniture and accessories have moved on so much over the last few years, becoming more stylish and practical – and seamlessly merging the indoors with the outdoors.
VERSATILE GLASS
The glass curtain industry has been an extremely interesting arrival onto the interior design scene, allowing homeowners to have the flexibility of being able to enjoy views from their terrace no matter what the weather – and adding value to their property.
In inclement weather you are protected by the floor-to-ceiling glass surrounds but can enjoy the views as if you were sitting outside; and, when the weather is good, you can just pull the glass curtains back as if they were never there.
When glass curtains hit the market, they were sometimes flimsy and awkward to open and close but now they have moved on dramatically, moving smoothly back and forth with strong seals that keep out the rain, wind and noise.
Glass balustrades make a great alternative to brick walls. A patio with a brick wall can often block your view when you are seated on the terrace; glass balustrades offer protection from the wind while at the same time giving a better view out from your terrace.
With the new EU pool safety regulations, glass pool surrounds are a must-buy. Usually made of toughened or laminated glass and fitted as a frameless or semi-frameless system with self-latching gates, they offer maximum safety for children using the swimming pool area – and at the same time are pleasing to the eye.
LOUNGING
Years ago terrace furniture was made out of heavy metal structures or natural wicker, which was often impractical and totally uninspiring. Today wicker is made of vinyl and resin, comes in a number of different weaves, and is UV-protected and extremely durable.
There are several lightweight materials around these days that make furniture easy to manoeuvre and stack, with vinyl-coated fabrics such as sling that dry off quickly when wet, making the perfect poolside companion.
Modular patio furniture is definitely the fashion, with easily stackable patio sets that save space and are aesthetically pleasing even when not being used – making the space look clean, tidy and uncluttered.
Lounging has got more laidback but, at the same time, it is also more stylish. Terraces now seem to feature more beanbags, daybeds, large cushions and low-seated sofas and moulded chairs that rotate, tilt and are even suspended, putting the fun factor back into outdoor living.
Hanging chairs give the feeling of floating in mid-air, while covered daybeds provide a little private hideaway – offering more intimacy. Oversized daybeds are great for sharing with friends or family by the pool, making outdoor lounging a more social affair. Rotating chairs and beanbags allow you to relax exactly how you want to without the restrictions of a rigid chair structure.
Of course, for the ultimate natural sleep aid at siesta time, nothing beats a hammock. Rocking is the same safe motion that we felt while gently floating in our mother’s womb, selected by nature for its calming effect and providing positive effects on the limbic, circulatory and other systems.
One concept, the Trinity, is composed of a stainless steel tubular structure on which three hammocks – in a choice of woven or quilted – are suspended, as well as a small suspended teak table. It is weather-proof and looks stunning next to a pool or on a large patio area – its shape, materials and sense of lightness inspired by the sea and sailboats. The Eternity range, with its traditional shape and hexagonal roof, is reminiscent of a small garden gazebo; while the Infinity model explores unusual shapes for garden furniture.
Then there is the Floating Bed. Its simple, stable and predictable motion feels totally different from other beds (including waterbeds). With the Omni-Pendulum Motion, the bed arcs slowly, gently and smoothly up as it swings, to hold you perfectly in place – without being tossed around. The arc cradles you, so you move with the bed, almost unaware of the motion. And, according to the manufacturers, you will not fall out: not even if the bed could do a 360-degree overhead loop!
Pavilions provide an added living space for your patio or terrace that usually doesn’t need planning permission. There are some pavilions on the market now that are quite advanced, offering versatility with removable walls, blinds and ceilings – depending on what your needs are.
However… let us not forget what is underfoot. On chillier nights, stone can be cold and uninviting. Decking, on the other hand, gives a contemporary Scandinavian look that is highly in vogue. The materials used these days have advanced from the standard wooden panelling of old and are now cleverly manufactured to avoid the problems that wood has always been susceptible to – that is, rotting and splitting in harsh sunlight.
Nowadays you can buy decking that looks like wood but is actually a blend of wood and resin, requiring no maintenance – unlike traditional wood decking – and extremely long-lasting.
There are now many stylish weather-proof rugs and carpets to choose from that make an outdoor space immediately feel welcoming. Neutral earthy colours look elegant and meld into the natural surroundings, while bright flashes of colour make for a fun or dramatic look.
www.fabioluciani.com
RELAXING IN THE SHADE
The importance of shade has led to many advancements in the world of design, with parasols now more durable and versatile than ever before. They come in more weather-resistant fabrics with better structural technology, allowing them to stand up to wind and giving easier manoeuvrability (or “tilt-ability”) to protect you from the sun all day long.
Square-shaped parasols are increasingly popular and look more stylish than the traditional circular models. Gone are the days of fighting with a flimsy parasol that ends up in the bin at the end of the summer – the parasols of today are built to last.
Shadesails and tents create large, elegantly-shaded areas… they can be mounted easily and are excellent protection for a children’s play or dining area, allowing you to use an outside area that you may not have been able to before due to its exposure to the intense sun. Shadesails also offer shade for your car and can make excellent carports.
THE PLAYFUL OUTDOORS
As outdoor living has become more laidback, it has become increasingly popular to introduce leisure items onto the terrace such as jacuzzis, juke boxes and pool tables. Jacuzzis now come in all shapes and sizes, with numerous settings that massage you in different ways.
Pool tables have moved on in design and can really give the wow-factor to a terrace. There are now pool tables that are weather-resistant and come with LED lights – and can even double up as a dining table.
All social outdoor gatherings just have to be accompanied by a barbecue! There are a huge variety of barbecues to choose from depending on your cooking requirements, with the option to grill, roast, fry or boil.
There are barbecues that cook with gas burners and those that simply use a charcoal kettle, but those that don’t take you too much time or effort to assemble and cook great juicy food packed with barbecue taste are the most popular models on the market.
Small portable barbecues are perfect for small gatherings, and are inexpensive and easy to clean. Simply placing them on a table, they don’t take up much space and can be removed easily out of sight when not in use.
If your growing wine collection is getting out of hand, why not store it under the terrace? An outdoor garden wine cellar is a great way to keep the party going and the wine flowing without having to trek indoors each time to reach for another bottle of wine.
THE BEAUTY OF THE FLAME
In the evenings when the temperature can drop, fire pits are a great accessory on your patio to keep you warm and create a cosy atmosphere (with some throws also kept on hand in case the wind really blows). There are many fire pits to choose from, with some designs doubling up as coffee tables when unlit – and others as wood storage areas.
Bio-ethanol fires are very popular and cleaner than the old-fashioned wood burners… they don’t give off smoke and offer an environmentally friendly heating option for your terrace or patio area.
Candles add warmth and ambience to a living space. Candlelight can transform a patio into one of your home’s most enchanting areas. Bring a shimmer of candlelight to your patio by putting a group of candles on the dining table, protected by elegant candleholders.
Consider sconces for an outside wall and lanterns to light up a walkway or boundary area. Some manufacturers have now developed candles that repel unwanted insects, such as flies and mosquitoes, away from entertaining areas – making them practical and a must-have for any outdoor living space.
Image below: www.kettal.com
