Add to Del.icio.us
Digg this Article
Add to Mixx
One trend designers, architects, and builders say they’re seeing in outside structures is that they’re simply receiving more requests for them. “There needs to be a bridge between houses and yards,” says Dean Brenneman, principal of Brenneman & Pagenstecher – Residential Architects & Builders. “There’s more interest in entrance or rear porches and their connections to the yard,” he adds.
First consider the architecture of the house and how the outside structure can enhance that style. Then decide on the types of materials to use. “Our clients are leaning toward more natural products to create these outside spaces,” Brenneman says, and are considering low maintenance and durable products. “We’re seeing less painted wood,” he adds. “But if it’s going to be painted, then take a look at alternative manufactured composites, such as Azek. Many composites have all of the architectural characteristics of painted wood without the inevitable problems of rotting and warping.”
“For wood, I prefer Ipe,” says Fiona Newell Weeks, principal of Fiona Newell Weeks Interior Design. But her first choices are stone and brick for outdoor spaces. “I love architectural elements, too, such as crisp white columns, fret work, moldings, and trellises,” she adds.
Versatility is also a key factor for these settings, says Molly Scott, landscape designer at McHale Landscape Design Inc. “In the last several years we’ve been building more and more pavilions and roofed structures,” she says, including ones with retractable screen systems. The screens roll up along the support columns and are hidden inside the roof beam.
Urban Oasis
For colors, Vern Yip, architectural and interior designer, judge on HGTV’s “Design Star” and host/designer of his own HGTV series to launch this fall, favors browns for cushions as well as incorporating water elements, chandeliers or candelabras, fire pits, and outdoor heaters. “I always say your space has to be functional for you,” Yip adds. Water trickling over natural stone is soothing and takes away the harshness of the city for urban dwellers.
“Outdoor spaces are so prized, especially in an urban setting,” Yip says. “In the city, people take advantage of planting trees in big pots and connecting to nature. There’s a surge in spending and focusing more time on outdoor spaces.”
Scott used strong colors, such as Tuscan Yellow and Red-Orange, on stucco walls in a small garden on Capitol Hill to brighten the space for all seasons. “The walls echo fall hues and the contrast with a fresh blanket of snow is particularly striking,” Scott says.
“I love to challenge myself to create a special private space out of a tiny urban backyard,” she adds. “In a way I think of landscape design as large-scale interactive sculpture; the introduction of people and life is what completes the work.”
Coastal Scenery
Weeks, who was born, raised, and still lives in the DC area, says outdoor rooms are an extension of the indoors with elegant and comfortable seating complete with attractive, soft fabrics. Most designers agree that outdoor lighting is essential as well. “Even a small garden can gain a sense of drama with creative outdoor lighting,” says Jan Kirsh, owner of Jan Kirsh Landscapes Ltd., who is often inspired by water reflections, sunsets, and native hedgerows when designing settings along the Eastern Shore.
Jay Graham, principal of Graham Landscape Architecture, says he’s seeing an expansion of recreation and special interests areas, such as kitchen gardens, vineyards, and sculptures. Natural shorelines and bio-retention areas are also requested. In urban settings, Graham would like to see Greenscreen, a “living” wall or fence, used more often.
Extreme Measures
With fewer flat lots available, Charles Owen, president of Fine Landscapes Ltd., is currently incorporating glass elevators into two precipitous sites so that homeowners can utilize the land at the bottom of hills, too. “These are extreme cases,” he says, but they create terraced spaces that homeowners can access with ease.
Flames at the bottom of water walls, misting systems with fans to move the airflow, and heaters of all sorts are among the trends. This presents a fire and water theme, he says. In addition, homeowners are moving back outside and embracing the front porches of early American architecture, Owen adds.
Blending In
Custom one-of-a-kind objects, such as the hammered aluminum railings with tempered glass panels that Architect Bruce Wentworth, founder of Wentworth Studio, designed for his porch are also accenting porches and patios. “I love my porch because of the details,” says Wentworth, mentioning its copper roof and custom spun copper finials.
“People have really embraced outdoor living as an essential part of their quality of life,” Scott says. “Innovations in the durability and variety of outdoor appliances and a wider range of exotic and unusual materials have allowed people to create outdoor spaces with every indoor convenience.”
