Photograph by Alise O'Brien
Tuscan Getaway
Designer Amy Studebaker combined soft furnishings with striking ironwork details to create a cozy outdoor retreat.
- Three sets of French doors open onto the covered veranda.
- Deep, cushy, shabby chic sofa and chairs are upholstered in a linen fabric. “We wanted a loose slipcovered feel. We didn’t mind the wrinkly look,” says the designer.
- Drapes are fashioned from a Sunbrella twill fabric purchased at the Curtain Exchange and placed high under the beam to impart a dramatic flourish.
- Angela Pritchard from Expressions in Paint & Decorating painted and glazed the window shutters. “We were going for a weathered look,” says Studebaker. Shutters are by Hilson; the hardware is from Locks & Pulls Design Elements.
- An upholstered sofa eliminated the need for an outdoor rug. “The furniture lent the space its cozy feel,” she says. The stone floor, by Earthworks, conveys authenticity of design.
Photograph by Alise O'Brien
Perfect Balance
When a couple downsized from a suburban home with a pool and yard to a Clayton home, an outdoor space was still essential. This terrace, designed with neutrals and pops of color, strikes a happy medium between low- maintenance and high- function.
- “I learned from past mistakes to stay neutral on big pieces of outdoor furniture and add color through pillows, accessories, and flowers,” says the homeowner. The sectional, an all-weather wicker piece from Forshaw, lends an informal vibe.
- The homeowner loves natural elements. She selected a bluestone for the floor, fieldstone for the fireplace, and the brick wall serves as a backdrop for storing firewood. “When you leave things out in the elements 12 months out of the year, they have to be durable,” she notes.
- The TV is made for the outdoors. Bill Fitzgerald of HD Media Systems installed it, as well as the sound system and high-definition speakers.
- Custom cotton-linen–blend shades from Sunshine Drapery soften the harsh late-afternoon light. “We use them a fair amount to cut down on the sun and glare on the TV,” says the owner.
- The homeowner mixes nicer items with less expensive pieces. (The sisal rug is from Target; the coffee and end tables are from Forshaw.) “I think people think they have to spend a lot of money to pull a space together,” she says.
