STYLE ETIQUETTE
Melissa Penfold creates resort-style alfresco living in lieu of travel.
Melissa Penfold’s recipe for resort-style living for stay-at-homes.
OVERNIGHT , outdoor space has become a commodity hotter than ever and can be just as restorative as a faraway jaunt. We can create holidayat-home experiences by making outdoor areas comfortable, functional and ultra-luxe. In the Covid-19 era, however big or small, our gardens should be a source of joy, and offer safety and freedom.
GOING ALFRESCO Knowing how you will use the space is key. Some gardens are to be viewed from inside, some are a passive space to read the newspaper, some for entertaining, and some for all of the above. EMBRACE YOUR ASSETS Find your power spot. If you have a roof deck with an enviable view, celebrate it by placing the furnishings to direct eyes to the view. Is the backyard shaded by a building? Enhance the mood with cosy seating, soft lighting and a shade garden. Play up a large space by using plants, pathways and furniture to divide it into separate areas. Make a slim city balcony more inviting with an outdoor rug that could warm a sterile tiled floor or hanging planters to add greenery without taking valuable walk space. DESIGN AN OUTDOOR ROOM Think about the flooring, walls and ‘ceiling’, and how these can maximise a space’s potential. A simple materials palette can create a sense of calm and make a space feel bigger. Use fewer varieties of plants, and keep pots, accessories and furniture in a similar or complementary ‘story’. Then decide do you screen out neighbouring windows? Does a tree canopy or a trellis add shade and privacy?
FIND FURNITURE Decide where seating will go and measure before you shop. Otherwise, you could plant a big tree in the middle of the garden and find you gave up the best spot. Add lighting and patio heaters so your outdoor area can be used into the night. MORE IS MORE In small gardens, it’s best to do a lot. Planting should be coherent but varied in texture, colour and scale; add materials that complement each other – wood and gravel, decomposed granite and boulders. Gravel of a few scales can elevate a small space; a sculpture or piece of driftwood can add energy. BEAUTIFUL PLANTING A mix of flowering perennials and deciduous trees as well as evergreens can ensure interest and ‘green’ all year. For success, keep in mind the garden’s natural conditions: aspect or sun, exposure or wind, and moisture. Designing with appropriate plant selection as well as considering furniture choice and layout will lead to a more successful outcome. ADD A FIRE PIT These can provide warmth and visual interest, and can really activate a garden at night. WATER WORKS The sound of a simple water feature can help to reduce stress and muffle urban street noise. TOUGH CHOICES Outdoor textiles are replete with punchy colourways, botanical prints and enticing textures. Kvadrat ‘Patio’ fabric comes in great hues from mint to lavender or citrus and is now covering cushions at Dedon. Mokum’s ‘Tropicalia’ by Catherine Martin is an effervescent collection of palettes and prints that work beautifully outdoors.