A desire to bring the outdoors inside was the inspiration for the entertainment space at the home of Diane Fogerty, owner of Savvy Surrounding Style.
“We took out one wall plus three-quarters of a wall because I wanted to do open-air. That was the key to redoing the space,” she says. In place of the walls, folding glass doors were installed, allowing Fogerty and her family to use the space year-round. “We can close the doors, turn on the heat or the air conditioning, yet feel like we’re outside. My husband grills 12 months out of the year.”
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In addition to the kitchen, complete with an oversize grill and an island with seating for five, the space holds two full-size sofas, floor pillow seating, a custom humidor, and a powder room.
“It’s like ‘glamping,’” says Fogerty of the poolhouse, which sits back from the main house set on 3 acres in Frontenac. “You have the joy of nature and the conveniences of home, which is nice.”
Though the focal point is what a guest might see outside—the weather, the stars, the sunshine—plenty of attention has been paid to the interiors. A neutral palette, featuring creamy Danby marble and natural stone accents, opens the space up even further. The console under the television was carved from wood and stone, decorative light fixtures above the living room area are made of grapevine and twigs, and the flooring is travertine tile, a continuation of the tile installed around the pool deck. “It doesn’t get slick, it’s easy to clean, and it mimics natural stone with its many variations,” she says.
To craft a comfortable outdoor area, Fogerty tells homeowners to make it their own, just as they would any indoor space: “Find things you love and incorporate them into the design.”
For Fogerty, that makes plants a must. She recently installed a hanging herb garden on a brick wall that she wanted to cover. In addition to providing cooking herbs, it infuses the space with a wonderful scent. “I also love an outdoor fireplace for ambience,” she says, “but if you don’t have room for a pit or a box, you may have the space for a tabletop fire pit.”
In a small space, a built-in bench covered in pretty fabric and dressed with throw pillows is an alternative when there isn’t enough room for a sofa. “Hanging swings are another option,” Fogerty adds. “There is usually enough space to place some sort of comfortable seating.”
To achieve continuity with the house, Fogerty recommends using a similar color palette. “That way,” she says, “the outdoor space flows off the home.”
Fogerty’s outdoor area fills a special niche for her family. “Outdoor entertaining is more relaxed,” she says. “People are more comfortable, and nature is soothing. We have outdoor movie night; we watch the Cardinal games, and we feel like we’re right there.”
Yet they’re home.
