It's summer: Time to fling open the french doors, let the sunshine in and expand our living spaces to the outdoors. But in Canada, where the weather can turn on a dime, designing outside spaces is not always so simple.
"It takes a little ingenuity and a lot of thought," says Calgary designer Andrea Zorko, of Andrea Zorko Design.
She would know first-hand. This talented designer from Prague is familiar with a mild climate where outdoor living is taken for granted. When she and her husband Andy designed their home on Calgary's outskirts, creating a sheltered outdoor Eden was a must.
"When we bought the lot, we fell in love with the back woodland grove and we wanted to take advantage of the natural beauty, while protecting ourselves from the sun and the wind," she says.
The couple created a fabulous outdoor living room complete with a full wood-burning fireplace. The room, which is roofed and open on two sides, is essentially an extension of the home and is accessed by french doors from both the family room and the sitting room.
"We wanted to incorporate a living space out in the yard -- not just a place that we could use to barbecue and have a patio table and chairs, but a real living room," she says.
Because of its innovative design, the Zorkos can use the space year round. It's sheltered from the wind, rain, snow and sun, while still taking advantage of the stunning garden views. On chilly summer nights, the family sits outside well into the evening enjoying the warmth and ambience of the fire and even in the winter during chinooks, they find themselves gravitating to their special outdoor oasis.
"We really wanted to become one with the yard and bring the outside in and the inside out."
Extending from the covered deck, the Zorkos designed cobblestone pathways that lead to the grove by way of a charming garden sitting area. "We put in a garden with a fire pit so that we should have the feel of being tucked into the forest, but still connected. I just love the contrast between the clean lines of the deck and the rusticity of the foliage and growth. The juxtaposition of the two working together is magical," says Zorko.
For furnishings, Zorko chose a lovely dark wood sectional with plumped white cushions from Pottery Barn, perfect for getting cosy on those lazy summer evenings. "We wanted the warmth of the wood and it is so comfortable, you could literally sleep out there," she says, adding a caution that in variable climates, outdoor furnishing choices can't be made on esthetics alone. She recommends going with materials that weather well, especially fabrics that are designed to be water, sun and mould resistant.
Rachel Bakgarrd, furniture manager at Chintz and Co. would agree. She says that durability should be your priority. "Furniture that is durable is more of an investment, but it pays off in the long run," she explains. It is also more ecologically conscious, because it is built to last. "You are not replacing it every year and it can be left out in the elements -- which is a big plus."
If you want the warmth of wood, Bakgarrd suggests going with teak. "It's what they use to make boats from so it is highly weather resistant." When left outside, teak develops a silver grey patina, which can easily be oiled back to its original hue if desired.
Polyurethane plastic and powder coated aluminum are also excellent choices, and this year the President's Choice line of outdoor furnishings (which can be found at Superstore locations) offers a multitude of great furnishings made from these durable materials. Sassy colours and funky designs -- all at a fabulous price.
And, while you are there, you can pick up baskets of perennials and annuals to add some seasonal colour to your outdoor oasis, as well as just about anything else you may require, from wine glasses to barbecues.
-- Canwest News Service
