Name: Cassandra G.
Location: Santa Monica, California
Size: 96 square feet
Your Favorite Thing About Your Outdoor Space: This multi-purposed space starts the day for me with yoga and ends with me enjoying an evening cocktail with my husband. During my at home work days it also provides plenty of escape for getting some sun or taking a break to get those creative juices going again. Being only a block from the beach it stays bright but breezy, and feels like an oasis away from an oasis. And the best part? Everything was DIY right down to the pillows and furniture - all re-purposed from other materials. Very green!
Biggest Design Challenge With This Space: Getting nice screening so we don't have to see our next door neighbors' empty porch while gaining some privacy at the same time. Our solution: very viney bougainvilleas. They grow like crazy, add more color and will eventually fill in completely!
Tips for Creating a Great Small Outdoor Space:
- Find something of inspiration and go with it! For me it was a "Hot Weather Fashions" poster cover from a vintage issue of VOGUE. From there came the DIY cocktail umbrella lamp shades and the "HOT" thermometer I made from an old clock frame. The rest just fell into place!
- Don't under estimate the impact of flooring and how it can make your space feel bigger or cozier. For us, we chose to to paint it with horizontal stripes to accent the other textures and fabrics, and to really make a bold statement.
- Choose the right plants. Our space gets tons of sun so staying of top of watering is a must. But for the days we neglect, our plants still hold up because we chose drought-resistant succulents which still provide color. We've learned our lesson to go with colorful perennials instead of annuals that don't require a lot of work. Instead, they provide longer blooming times and less work which for us equals more time to enjoy our space.
- My final tip and probably most important tip is to find your space's function and purpose. Whether it be for retreat, entertaining or both, figure out what is most important and play that part up.
Thanks, Cassandra, and good luck!
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Don't forget to vote! Finalists will be announced Monday, August 29th.
The entry voted the favorite by our readers gets a brand new PUBLIC bike!
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This is an adorable patio. I like how the designer paid attention to detail.
OMG, you are rocking that space. I love it!
Cool space...definitely down with the bright Orange color scheme with the compliments of blue
I love it all, especially the blue and orange color combination and the way it sets off the plantings, but isn't that gorgeous lliclla on the wall going to get faded? I love textiles, too, and would love to incorporate more of my collection into my outdoor space but would hate to lose them to the elements.
Pillows courtesy of chrysalis couture!! 100% re-purposes and re-claimed vintage fabrics...visit http://www.chrysaliscouture.com/CC/Home.html for more info on getting you own!!
I love the hanging lights covered with little umbrellas. They really pull the whole wall arrangement together and they look so light and fun! That wall with the fabric is under an overhang from the roof and it brings movement to an otherwise stagnant blank space and protects the lamps and the fabric from direct sunlight. Great job with that wall and I love the elephant legs on the table with the cocktails too. The whole thing is a feast for my eyes.
Love the color scheme of the space as well as the textiles. She did a great job with the space
I like how she transformed the area and still kept a california spanish feel to it , the colors are warm and appealing and I love the chair...
All I can say is that this space is amazing. Two thumbs with two chrysalis couture pillows in them way up!!!!
This space is gorgeous. Definitely my favorite. DIY therometer and what-seems-like cloth covered wallpiece are amazing.