Photography by Alise O'Brien
When architect Susan Bower of Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design plans an outdoor space, she considers everything from the sun to the space’s overall function. In this case, the homeowner was looking for a cottage-inspired outdoor area that feels like an intimate living room. Bower, who worked alongside general contractor Amherst Corporation (7350 Forsyth, 314-862-1012, amherstcorporation.com), merged the cottage feel of the columns and pergola with similarly hued fieldstone slabs and pavers to create a cohesive space.
“We designed the outdoor areas of this home in a series of steps,” Bower explains. “A screened-in porch attached to the home links to the pergola, which is more open but still feels intimate, and that space links to the back yard.”
The Clayton homeowner, who was transitioning from a larger house, was able to use her existing outdoor furniture from Smith & Hawken and added new Pottery Barn pillows that mirror the colors of the pergola, fieldstone, and pavers for a muted, calming feel. She chose granite for the grill area in the same beige tones with black accents to tie in the furniture. “The large fieldstone slabs also really make this more of an extraordinary space,” Bower explains. “Instead of wood decking or brick pavers, the very large slabs give it a more rough and natural character.”
For homeowners aspiring to a similar look, Bower suggests tying the style of the outdoor space to the decor within your home.
“More and more, outdoor living is a huge part of designing a home,” she adds. “You want the outdoor space to flow from the indoor space. It’s also helpful to consider some type of shade structure to make the space more useable at any time of day.”
