outdoor spaces

At Home on a Squirrel’s Tail

This little guy has chosen his home right outside my kitchen window. Always tippy top of the squirrel’s tail, that is his favorite perch. He is there almost every day, many times a day. It is fun to have something to look at outside, a nice focal point. This is my own secret focal point, because you can’t even see this from the street. You would have to walk up the drive and look behind the hemlock tree. Mister has been enjoying the dozen or so shelled, raw peanuts I set out for him every few days. What should I name him?

December 8, 2015 | Categories: Gardens, kitchen tips, outdoor spaces, Residential styling | Leave a comment

Gorgeous statuary gives personality to a garden

Have you ever seen a more gorgeous focal point? This is in my friend’s fabulous garden.

A beautiful young woman inhaling deeply into a bouquet of spring flowers.

May 22, 2015 | Categories: outdoor spaces, Residential styling | Tags: garden statuary | Leave a comment

Doors and gates of Charleston

A few days in Charleston is all you need to get hooked (for the fourth time or the fortieth).
Here are a few peeks from a random stroll down Church St. All images by Color Calling.

Typical Charleston courtyard

Charleston courtyard, same as above, with close up of bronze child. She is on tippy-toes and still just can’t quite reach the tree branch! How cute is she?

red door in Charleston

Now, this is what I call an outdoor room!

close up of outdoor room

black door with freshly polished brass gleaming in the sun

Varnished Wooden door

side porch

black gate

silver gate

January 20, 2013 | Categories: Front door entry, Gardens, outdoor spaces, Residential styling | Tags: Charleston garden, door, gate | 3 Comments

How do you determine exterior light size?

We all know curb appeal is important. When I do exterior color consultations, I always look at the big picture.

Many times, I will recommend that my homeowner consider upgrading the main doorway light fixture(s).

Think about it, your home is being most often viewed from street distance. Make sure your light fixture is proper size.

Traditional Exterior design by Cincinnati Architect RWA Architects

Mediterranean Exterior design by Phoenix Architect Don Ziebell

A good rule of thumb is that your exterior light should be 1/4 the measurement of the height of your door.

So, if your front door measures 8 feet in height, you need to look at light fixtures around 2 feet high (8 divided by 4), or around 24″.

Don’t try to judge the correct size on your own. You will invariably undersize the light!

Now that your eye has been shown a good proportion, take a look at the following lighting scheme:

Mediterranean Exterior design by San Francisco Architect Simpson Design Group Architects

Don’t you prefer the 4:1 ratio of door to light? Doesn’t the above lighting scheme look dinky now that I am pointing this out?

The house below is a tad busy, but the main front door lighting has nice proportions. By the way, better to be a bit big than too little:

Traditional Exterior design by Minneapolis General Contractor Hendel Homes, Rick & Amy Hendel

What about this one?

Traditional Exterior design by Boston General Contractor Woodmeister Master Builders

If you said too small, I agree. (I am not loving the huge sidelight to the right of the door, which would be the correct place to have a light).

What about this?

Traditional Exterior design by San Francisco Architect Mahoney Architects & Interiors

Did this visual exercise help you determine the correct size for your lighting? Does your own exterior lighting have enough presence?

Do you agree with my proper proportions guideline?

August 23, 2012 | Categories: Entry, Front door entry, outdoor spaces, Residential styling | Tags: lights | Leave a comment

Nothing says summer like blue and white

Traditional Porch design

Mediterranean Patio design by Houston Landscape Architect McDugald-Steele Landscape Architects

Traditional Family Room design by New York Interior Designer Megan Smythe Design

Modern Living Room design by San Francisco Interior Designer Kendall Wilkinson Design

Traditional Living Room design by New York Architect Austin Patterson Disston Architects

Traditional Kitchen design

Eclectic Bedroom design by Dallas Interior Designer Kim Armstrong

Traditional Living Room design

Contemporary Living Room design by Other Metros Architect Marcelo Brito Design

Contemporary Living Room design by Seattle General Contractor RGN Construction

Traditional Living Room design by Boston Interior Designer Su Casa Designs

Traditional Porch design by Philadelphia Design-build Echelon Custom Homes

Traditional Patio design by New York Landscape Designer Westover Landscape Design, Inc.

Traditional Kids design by Charleston Architect The Anderson Studio of Architecture & Design

Traditional Bedroom design

Traditional Porch design by Chicago Interior Designer Jeannie Balsam LLC

This is Benjamin Moore Maritime White

August 16, 2012 | Categories: Benjamin Moore colors, outdoor spaces, Residential styling, using the color white | Tags: blue and white decor | Leave a comment

My Top Rules for Perfect Porches

FRAME THE VIEW

Traditional Porch design by Grand Rapids Interior Designer Dwellings

Eclectic Porch design by Other Metros General Contractor Gabriel Builders Inc.

Mediterranean Porch design by Los Angeles Architect Garden Pacific

Traditional Porch design by Minneapolis General Contractor Lands End Development – Designers & Builders

Don’t be too matchy-matchy.

Break up sets with vintage finds and flea market items.
See how one little vintage footstool and a couple of quirky lights break up the matched set of furniture, below? And a couple of roughed-up vintage tables, next image down?

Mediterranean Porch design by Dallas Interior Designer Astleford Interiors, Inc.

Traditional Porch design by Charleston Architect Julie O’Connor

Too matchy-matchy, below:

Contemporary Porch design by Baltimore Interior Designer Bountiful

Propped up Vintage shutters can add interest and depth to a plain long wall:

Traditional Porch design by Portland Architect Alan Mascord Design Associates Inc

Image ©Color Calling

Keep CLEAN colors together

Contemporary Porch design by New York Interior Designer Anthony Baratta LLC

and MUTED colors together

Mediterranean Porch design by Other Metros General Contractor Gabriel Builders Inc.

See what happens when you mix clean [the pillows] with muted [the fireplace stone]? The effect is not as visually pleasing or harmonious.

Traditional Porch design by Atlanta Architect Summerour Architects

So, don’t mix “Clean” (the red pillows) with “Muted”(everything else)

Porch design by Seattle Architect Dan Nelson A.I.A. Designs Northwest Architects

If you wish to use humorous or cliché phrases, do so with a little subtlety, like this:

Eclectic Porch design by Charlotte Media And Blogs Christie Thomas

Use plants to help carry out your color scheme

**(you do have a color scheme, right?)**

Traditional Porch design

Eclectic Porch design by Dc Metro Landscape Designer Cathy Carr, APLD

Use pretty colors as a vignette if space allows, even if no one ever sits there. It can just “BE” pretty.

Traditional Porch design

Respect the architecture of the home when furnishing and styling the porch:

Eclectic Porch design by Atlanta Architect Summerour Architects

**Don’t forget to use plants on your porch! (Look at this no-plant porch. Did you realize what was wrong?)**

Traditional Porch design by Atlanta Architect Summerour Architects

USE UNDERSTATED OR SOLID UPHOLSTERY FABRIC which can be more easily jazzed up with toss pillows:

Image ©Color Calling

Traditional Porch design by Charleston Interior Designer Alix J. Bragg

Too much graphic upholstery doesn’t work. It looks dated:

Mediterranean Porch design by San Francisco Interior Designer Schippmann Design

Modern Porch design by San Francisco Architect Frederick Gibson + Associates Architecture

Do give a nod to the topographical area of your porch, but don’t go overboard.

These two porches, below, hit the right note of “beach”, without giving in to too many clichés:

Traditional Porch design by Tampa Lighting Fixtures Barn Light Electric Company

AND, IN THE HILL COUNTRY, how is this for rustic perfection?

Traditional Porch design by Interior Designer Design Associates – Lynette Zambon, Carol Merica

COMFORT MATTERS

IF YOU WANT YOUR PORCH TO BE USED, you must have comfortable (deep seating) furniture.
Which lovely porch would you rather sit in for a while?

Traditional Porch design by Minneapolis General Contractor Lands End Development – Designers & Builders

OR THIS?

Traditional Porch design by San Diego Design-build Flagg Coastal Homes

WHITE IS NOT A NEUTRAL

Traditional Porch design by Minneapolis General Contractor John Kraemer & Sons

WHITE PERFECTION:

Traditional Porch design by Portland Photographer Philip Clayton-Thompson

GO FORMAL IF YOU WISH.

Traditional Porch design by Dallas Design-build Period Homes, Inc.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO USE NOT-OUTDOOR-ONLY THINGS IN A COVERED AREA. But, use only outdoor-approved electrical items on your covered porch.

Modern Porch design by Austin Architect Rauser Design

Eclectic Porch design by Portland Maine Interior Designer Karen Gallagher Interiors

PAINT THE PORCH CEILING BLUE OR UNIFYING A COLOR.

Traditional Porch design by Charleston Interior Designer LORRAINE G VALE, Allied ASID

Mediterranean Porch design by Houston Architect Sullivan, Henry, Oggero and Associates, Inc.

ADD SPEAKERS FROM YOUR SOUND SYSTEM OR A TELEVISION TO ADD LIVELINESS.

Traditional Porch design by Dallas Design-build Period Homes, Inc.

July 19, 2012 | Categories: Decorating trends, outdoor spaces, Residential styling, using the color white | Tags: neutral colors, porch ceiling, toss pillows, upholstery | Leave a comment

Eden Gardens State Park

We spent a lovely late afternoon at Eden Gardens State Park, located about 10 minutes from WaterColor Resort, in
Point Washington, Florida. Dogs on a leash are welcome. The azaleas were sadly past their peak, but a few camellias were blooming. The other real enjoyment for me was taking photos of the fabulous bronze sculptures of children at play placed beautifully along the walking trail. What a treat!

Source: google.com via Ellen on Pinterest

Below: the Wesley House is open for tours on the grounds of the Eden State Park

Source: gardenthemedwedding.com via Ellen on Pinterest

March 21, 2012 | Categories: green, outdoor spaces, Residential styling | Tags: bronze sculpture, Eden State Park | 2 Comments

Creativity in the garden

Don’t you love it when someone’s creativity and imagination just make you go WOW!

Source: crinklecrankle.com via Ellen on Pinterest

Here are some garden accents which I find inspiring and beautiful right now

From Goff Creek Pottery

Source: goffcreekpottery.com via Ellen on Pinterest

A lovely birdbath, in an almost-impossible-to-find all copper. It is the correct depth as well. Don’t buy a birdbath with a pool depth of more than about 3 inches, according to bird experts.

Source: signaturehardware.com via Ellen on Pinterest

P.Allen Smith’s Allium beds:

Source: t

http://www.thegardenbuzz.com/2011/06/a-little-something-about-alliums.html

March 19, 2012 | Categories: outdoor spaces, Residential styling | Tags: bronze, copper birdbath, garden accents, garden interest, pottery plaque, sculpture | 1 Comment

Pretty patios

Since I have been reworking the furniture, and the look of my terrace, I am loving researching patio décor. I have my old patio sets sent out to be stripped and freshly powder coated. Some of the odd pieces are going to stay rustic to add patina. It won’t look too matchy-matchy when I have finished. I will bring out a couple of blue and white Chinese garden stools to add color, and I found some killer outdoor toss pillows in a navy-blue and white Schumacher ‘Imperial Trellis’ knock-off for a song.

Here are some of the looks that I like and found inspiring: