DESIGN Art takes outdoor ‘rooms’ to next level
Backyard spaces get more attention these days. The trend to create outdoor rooms conducive to relaxed living continues to expand, bringing with it comfort and decor solutions that were once only used indoors. Innovative materials and mechanics that can withstand the weather outside give us more options. Outdoor table lamps, area rugs and canopy fabrics are available for a more formal outdoor living experience for those who prefer this style.
Introducing artwork to an outdoor space is an obvious next step. Alica Dusil is a horticulturalist, landscape designer and artist who has witnessed the shift in outdoor decor, as her decorative metal panels appear in more and more of her upscale landscape designs. “There are always areas outside that don’t work for some reason,” said Dusil. “These custom-made and custom-sizable metal screens can be installed on a deck, on a fence and in the garden on a frame. Great for privacy and as an art piece, they can bring life to boring parts of the garden.”
For the Birds in Flight panel, the birds have been cut out and rewelded onto the screen. The fanciful illusion of birds in flight brings threedimensional interest to a flat section of the yard, producing a stunning centrepiece. Dusil has many designs; the open cutwork allows light to peak through, and creates interesting shadows. The metal panels are heavy but can be set into a cement bed if wind is a problem. Dusil likes the orange of the rust patina that comes with the untreated mild steel she works with. It is possible to powder coat with a protective paint if white or another colour is preferred. A panel can also be constructed to be part of a larger project. Privacy is provided for an outdoor bed with an organic tree silhouette panel, seen here, hung from wood behind the bed.
The outdoor experience is essentially about enjoying the surrounding landscape. It is a pleasure to be up close and personal with the grasses, flowers, bushes, trees, a pond or lake. These are nature’s decorations, and a constant source of inspiration for artists and designers. The addition of man-made art nestled up against nature’s finery can make an endearing picture. Dusil is partial to the edgy, industrial design esthetic, and enjoys working with metal. Panels can be flat or raised, and hung on a fence or blank wall as garden art that softens the space.
Other accessories in her collection range from steel planters to street addresses that are set above the brick so that rust won’t stain the cladding. Styled steel window screen inserts join an interior room to the exterior world. Find inspiration on her website at dusildesign.com.
The play of light is an important part of the beauty found in cut metal pieces. Light glows through the carved motifs on light columns and mimics the appearance of jack-o-lanterns decorating the yard. Panels can be lit from the front or back, throwing design shadows on walls and pathways. Sunlight works its magic on overhead screens,
This form of art in the garden is a year-round asset. How wonderful to be able to enjoy the view and watch it change as the seasons progress. Debbie Travis’s House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Email house2home@debbietravis.com, follow Debbie on Twitter at twitter.com/debbie_travis and visit her website at debbietravis.com.