Chasing Summer
Outdoor Oasis Making
What better place to entertain and maximize the warmer months than at home in the garden, by the pool, or in the seclusion of a chic dining area. Whether situated by a crackling fire pit, on a balcony overlooking the mountains, or beneath a draped pergola, your outdoor seating and dining spaces are the perfect spots for intimate alfresco gatherings with friends and family. Known in the building community as leaders in outdoor spacial planning, find inspiration for your outdoor tablescapes, fireplaces, and lounge areas to add a bit of star power to your summer entertaining.
Here’s how we approach designing a timeless outdoor oasis with our clients:
1. Purpose: Think about how the outdoor space will be used and plan accordingly.
Do you host dinner parties or BBQs?
How many guests do you typically entertain?
Are you looking for a quiet space to relax and unwind?
Does your space need to be kid or pet friendly with a separate area just for them?
2. Layout: When designing an outdoor space, we suggest using the same thoughtfulness as if you were designing the floor plan of a new house. Each outdoor area should have a logical and functional connection to the inside of the house, like locating the outdoor dining area near the kitchen.
3. Surroundings: Make the most of the views your property has to offer — arrange a small sitting area to enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the sunrise or a table and chairs for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at sunset. Likewise, use hedges or screens to block out unsightly eyesores. We suggest looking beyond the boundaries of a property to observe how the site fits into its surrounding environment.
Bel-aire
4. Exposure: Which direction your outdoor space faces can define its functionality. In the mountains near Canmore or Banff, we consider the fact that north and east-facing spaces are unusable in winter and can even be too chilly for comfort in summer.
5. Wind Patterns: Make note of prevailing wind direction and time of day. Some areas may be calm in the morning but have a regular evening breeze. The last thing you want is to build a fire pit area and have the seating be down wind or design a beautiful outdoor dining area in a wind tunnel.
6. Comfort: If your outdoor space gets a lot of afternoon or early-evening sun, you’ll want to provide shade for comfort. Umbrellas, pergolas, covered patios, or trees can take the edge off on a hot summer day by providing shelter from the heat, as well as provide shelter from a passing summer shower.
Willow Park
7. Hardscape: We suggest using a combination of surfaces, with a portion of the ground soft and inviting, yet leaving enough hard surface for chairs and other furniture. We prefer natural elements and incorporating flagstone, rundle stone, large boulders and wood decking.
8. Plant Selection: Even an avid gardener needs a place to relax. Choose easy-care greenery in and around your outdoor living space for a low-maintenance area. We also like to use vertical surfaces to design green walls for privacy and leave overhead space open to see the sky. Also keep in mind, that while plants that attract bees and other pollinators are a good thing in your garden, you might not want those particular plants in the middle of your dining area.
9. Furnishings: Appropriate outdoor furniture choices will depend on the intended use of the space — dining, relaxing, entertaining — or most likely, some combination of all three. Select furniture that is comfortable and practical for outdoor use, weather resistant and washable. Use colours and patterns to bring your interior style outside.
Elbow Park
10. Water: For a refreshing and relaxing addition to your space, consider adding a water feature. It doesn’t need to be an elaborate fountain or waterfall, just the suggestion of water, even a trickle, can have an impact. The sight and sound of flowing water have been shown to enhance relaxation and even lower blood pressure. If you’re lucky enough to be near a natural source of water — a lake, the ocean, or a babbling brook — consider designing an outdoor living area that takes advantage of what nature has provided.
11. Fire: When evenings are cool, don’t move the party inside. Extend your outdoor entertaining season by creating a fire pit or fireplace area with comfortable seating. Enjoy evenings being warmed by the fire year-round in milder climates. Incorporate storage areas for blankets and marshmallow-roasting supplies.
Briar Hill
12. Lighting: Make your outdoor space a true extension of your home by incorporating lighting. Illuminate outdoor cooking areas to allow more meal prep to be done outside. Create visual interest and expand the feel of the space by up-lighting trees or fencing farther out in the yard. For safety, add decorative lighting to brighten steps and pathways.
13. Resale Value: "Calgarians love to expand their living space outdoors when done correctly. We used to focus on the kitchens and ensuite baths — now buyers are wanting these outdoor rooms as well,” says Kelly Gallagher, Gallagher Homes.
Extending the use of dreamy transitional spaces is amongst what we do best here at McDowell & Associates. Begin designing your outdoor oasis with us and we’ll help you chase summer well into the cooler months.