Inspiring your Home and Lifestyle
Hello again. I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day weekend! I love the 4th of July, and my birthday just happens to come the day before, so I always have a lot to celebrate in July. This year I spent the weekend at the lake, soaking up the sun and eating all my favorite foods, generously prepared by my friends. It was a lovely time, and I couldn’t resist sharing this sunset photo from my birthday night. Glorious!
…
Not all of us have the luxury of living with lush lawns sweeping to the horizon or deep flowerbeds that contain lots of color and beauty almost every day of the year. Many of us reside in urban areas, where space is at a premium, and plantings are used as simply a border–an afterthought. But you can use pots—and potted plantings—as a possible space usage solution, as well as that “what the what” factor for design, and even a focal point in an existing landscaped space.
In terms of design, what I’m talking about here is creating and using vertical emphasis in your plantings. You don’t need a towering palm tree or garden sculpture to create height appeal. One interesting pot—or several—full of foundation plants or a seasonal color mix will give any area that bit of pop and wow that will bring the eye up, rather than being focused on the ground.
First, use one or more good-looking pots. You have two choices here; go with something in a dark color like charcoal, which will recede into the architecture and design, or go with a bright, almost eccentric color choice to really create an unexpected, happy space. I always say to think big and streamline. A large pot will not only make your design more sophisticated; it will also mean you don’t have to worry about watering all the time. Take an under-used, blank space or corner and line up some pots. Then add some seating. You’ve just created another ‘room,’ which you probably didn’t even know you would have. One design trick here: uniformity. Use the same planter in matching color, as well as the same plants. Repetition of elements will mean the space appears larger. And isn’t this blue against the white walls cool and refreshing?
You can feature one large pot raised on a simple platform of stacked rock and fill it with something hardy for a really effective use of space. Using rock as a base for your pot means you won’t have to worry about the pot shifting in the garden soil. And you’ve created something special out of what was just an ordinary planting space next to a walk. Notice the pot isn’t overly dramatic, nor is the plant material overtly bold. It’s all in the presentation.
Or you can get adventurous and use a bright color for your pot(s). And bear in mind that you won’t have to use orange-blooming annuals in an orange ceramic pot. (Although you can, if you wish. No one will ever condemn you for using color. Certainly not me.) The idea here, however, is emphasis is placed on the pot itself, so more green than color is used in our planting. And a word about planting these featured pots; place as much into them as you can. Like I always say, “Shove it and Cram it”! More plants in tight spaces means more drama.
And a reminder: Repetition of pot shape, color, and planting material will be your ally in this kind of design. Use more than one pot, and use the same type pot and color.
Using potted plantings in various ways to augment borders, walls, or corners will mean your landscape takes on further dimensions and another bit of sophistication. While gardening in the ground is wonderful, using pots as further expressions of your taste will mean you can enhance what you already have, and create something unexpected.
Chris Olsen is a nationally known home and garden guru, designer, author, TV personality and public speaker. In his book, Chris shares his landscape and gardening knowledge along with his unique flair for home decor and design.He is also a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. Learn more about Chris and all of his work at chrisholsen.com.
In the long hot days of summer, it’s hard to concentrate on any kind of upgrade or design challenge that you may have put on the back burner. However, when you are with your family during these months, it might become more apparent what part of your home might not function in the best possible way. We always tend to feel more cramped up in our spaces when there are more people or when your children are at home for longer periods of time. I have always been in a more focused and family-aware mindset in the summer months. It is a great time to change things around in your space to reach a better accessibility for your entire family. In the month of July, we are talking and thinking a lot about our freedoms. So what better time to assess your freedom to change your surroundings?
Perhaps it only means some new pillows on a sofa or changing the fabric on that one special chair that you’ve had forever.
Whatever the case may be, take advantage of the lazy days of summer to do that one special project in your home to add that essence of family. And remember, textiles are the easiest of changes to make a HUGE impact!
Kelli Wilson is the creative mind behind Kelli Wilson Consulting, now based inside Ellen Golden Antiques in Little Rock!
Really? For a lot of us summer is anything but easy living. Sister and I are not “home for the Summer.” We still get up and go to work every day. At best we try hard to pack in as much “ fun” as we can over the weekend–or maybe if we are lucky an entire week off–to go to the beach or lake or whatever suits our fancy…
image source shopdailychic.com
image source pauladeen.com
Or how about a Bourbon Peach Basil Smash…Yum!
image source girlinthelittleredkitchen.com
image source thekitchn.com
image source thewanderlustkitchen.com
image source thepioneerwoman.com
image source belllimento.com
or watermelon salsa?…another Pioneer Woman Recipe
image source thepioneerwoman.com
We can’t forget fresh strawberries…Strawberry Margarita Punch is just the trick to beat the Summer heat…
image source thecookierookie.com
Firing up the grill is a real summer tradition…
image source stsimonselopments.wordpress.com
Honey Garlic Pork Chops…Oh my!
image source blogchef.net
Or a nice, juicy steak is always a crowd pleaser…
image source vintagekitchennotes.com
So even if you can’t grab your bucket and run to the beach…
image source brightboldbeautiful.com
Head to the fresh market…invite some friends over…and enjoy the guilty pleasures that only summer can bring!
image source tastebook.com
It’s your turn. Let’s talk!
Providence Design is Mona Thompson and Talena Ray, a sister duo who are antiques dealers and interior designers. Learn more about them on their website, providenceltddesign.com.
It’s Tobi TV Wednesday again, and today we’re sharing the next in a series of videos created by interior designer Tobi Fairley, in which she uses the home design featured in our June issue to offer advice on how to use her techniques in your own home. This video is all about how to make the best–and most beautiful–use of your kitchen space.
In a kitchen, you don’t need a ton of space to make it work for you. In fact, I like to design smaller kitchens to really test my ability to create a fabulous, functional space. Let’s look at the great kitchen of one of my favorite clients for a few tips
It’s Tobi TV Wednesday again, and today we’re sharing the next in a series of videos created by interior designer Tobi Fairley, in which she uses the home design featured in our June issue to offer advice on how to use her techniques in your own home. This video is all about how to add natural light to transform your home.
>>To see MORE of this great Sheridan home and read the story, click here!
Do you know what one thing makes any room in your house look better? Natural light! I love to have windows that will let that sun flow into a room. Add in some neutral colors, and you can completely transform a space! Here are some tips that will help you “bring the light” into your home!
Today, we’re sharing the first in a series of videos created by interior designer Tobi Fairley, in which she uses the home design featured in our June issue to offer advice on how to use her techniques in your own home. This video is all about how to create a family room that is both comfortable AND stylish.
>>To see MORE of this great Sheridan home and read the story, click here!
Creating spaces that are full of style, but are also comfortable, can be a challenge for designers. If your home has kids and pets, that makes it doubly difficult. So what if you want style and design, but you want your family to feel at home and like they can relax and really put their feet up? Here are some tips for you!
You’ve heard me say many times that you don’t have to keep strict boundaries between outdoors and indoors. You can bring elements inside that might otherwise be considered strictly “outside,” like plant materials or design ideas. The same idea can work outside the four walls of your house; you can create ‘rooms’ of areas that were once unused, ignored, or simply walked through. You can take a corner or any flat area of your landscape and make one–or many–rooms to enjoy. These photos are from a house where I did the plantings. Garry Mertins and Kaki Hockersmith did the interiors. What you can see is how easy it is to create rooms out of doors, and create a whole new living and entertaining area.
The best course to follow is simplicity. Arrange seating and tables at a focal point, like a fireplace, or fire pit. Another nod to simplicity: use furniture and tables that are functional and in hues that fit into the colors of your landscape.
Busy patterns and hot colors won’t be necessary because you aren’t competing with your plantings as much as you are working within them. Greens, blues, and darker colors may be better for outdoor room furnishings.
Notice how this arrangement mimics a chic angled room from the house. You haven’t reinvented the wheel, but you have rolled it outside.
Once you’ve considered basic color use and seating that is both comfortable and functional, don’t forget the design elements of texture and light. Stone is your ally, so use it wherever you can.
Ultimately it’s all about flow. If you have enough room, why not create an outdoor kitchen and adjacent seating? Your guests can stroll from room to room, chatting and drinking while enjoying the outdoor experience. A nice tall set of curtains provides shelter from the occasional rainstorm. Your guests won’t have to run for the house.
The basic rule for a party is simple: guest congregate in the kitchen when they can. A working kitchen—with all the appliances just like the one inside—makes for great use of space. It won’t be wasted, and it means you won’t have to leave your guests as you monitor the appetizers. A long table, an ample amount of seating, an expansive counter, and a backsplash add all the indoor elements for your outdoor space.
And what about nearby plantings? What should they be? I situated an herb garden just below, and used stacked stone walls of the same rock used in the outdoor rooms. The nice thing about herbs is that they aren’t fussy, and many will scent the air. Having herbs near seating and the outdoor kitchen means your guests can smell them close by, and you can stroll over to cut them for use in your dishes. The idea of convenience should never be discounted.
We live in a temperate part of the country, so we can take advantage of our weather many months of the year. Use that space between your house and yard! Create new rooms, new vistas! Make use of what you have, and think outside the house. Don’t let something like four walls limit your freedom.
It’s as simple as finding an area that will serve as your gateway to both indoors and out-, then pulling together functional seating and cooking implements, arranging them all, and inviting your guests. If you have just a tiny space between house and lawn, you can use it for great effect.
Live Life to the Fullest and never be afraid to try something new! Your home is your oasis!
~Chris
See more of this amazing outdoor space in our March 2014 issue!
Chris Olsen is a nationally known home and garden guru, designer, author, TV personality and public speaker. In his book, Chris shares his landscape and gardening knowledge along with his unique flair for home decor and design.He is also a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. Learn more about Chris and all of his work at chrisholsen.com.
With the passing of blues legend B. B. King, I’m in a space of reflection about his legacy and about the blues–even the design blues. Some of the most relaxing and sumptuous homes I have worked on tend to be built around shades of blue.
Always on trend and constantly being updated, I “fall back” to my go-to color when in doubt if an inspiration. With all the shades of teal blue and turquoise being predominant in outdoor textiles, I sometimes find it difficult to choose just one palette from which to work.
Mixing shades within a chosen hue makes the feel of your space much more interesting. Layering texture, pattern and color tones of different textiles adds to the luxurious feel of “fullness” in your designs. Let the “blues” within your spirit guide you to the ultimate comfort of your chosen design!
Kelli Wilson is the creative mind behind Kelli Wilson Consulting, now based inside Ellen Golden Antiques in Little Rock.
Well, hello again. I hope you are having a fruitful and enjoyable spring. If you are anything like me (and my garden) you are about to wash away from all the rain! But, as they say: “April showers bring May flowers,” and…well…I suppose all these May storms will just bring that many more blossoms in June! Or, at least we can hope, right? I have been rather lucky, actually, in that I missed much of the dreary weather, having been out of town for half of the past month. Since we last saw each other, I have been traveling quite a bit, mostly for work, and I thought I would share some of my experiences of life on the road (and Outside the Box!).
I started my travels with a trip to Little Rock to give a presentation to the wonderful women of the Little Rock Garden Club. While I failed to take any pictures, I had a great time sharing with them what it means to me to Live Outside the Box, and they were so gracious to welcome me at their monthly meeting.
Next, it was on to Dallas and another group of lovely ladies: The Dallas Garden Club. I was lucky enough to attend their annual flower show with some friends. It was held in the gorgeous home and garden of one of the club’s members, and I managed to sneak a few photographs in between mimosas!
It was such a treat seeing all the special creations and visiting with all the garden-loving gals in the club.
While in Dallas, I found a fun store, Big Mango Trading Company, which imports all sorts of unique items that are great for decorating your home and garden. One of my favorites was this water garden, carved from a single piece of stone.
I also fell in love with this planter, made with real barnacles, and just had to bring it home with me. I love how it looks on the dining room table, filled with graceful orchids.
From Texas, my journey took me for the first time to Santa Fe, NM. While the gardening ‘scene’ is quite different from the lushness of Arkansas, it is beautiful nonetheless, and spring is definitely a beautiful time to be there.
From my hotel room balcony, the sweet scent of wisteria climbing over a neighboring wall greeted me each morning.
And from the vantage point of a rooftop cafe on the downtown square I could take in the beautiful mountains surrounding the town, as well as the steeple of the famed Loretto Chapel.
Nearby, an interesting fountain caught my eye as it filled the cafe with its soothing sounds.
Before leaving town after a memorable weekend, I rode out to the Santa Fe Botanical Garden to take a look. This serene sculpture greeted me at the entrance and had only just been installed that day.
The garden is very new and still very much in development. Nevertheless, there were plenty of interesting things to see. This pavilion near the entrance makes use of branches harvested from the garden to create a unique and affordable shade structure.
Just inside, a meadow garden leads to a collection of sculptures carved from huge pieces of stone.
Further down the trail, dry creek beds draw the eye to other points of interest, including an abandoned highway bridge re-purposed for use in the garden.
Along the art trail, I encountered this creature made from branches gathered from the garden. A desert scarecrow, perhaps?
Along the way, I stopped for a rest in the shade to enjoy the view from the inviting pavilions scattered throughout the garden.
All in all, Santa Fe was an absolutely thrilling experience. But, as usual, I couldn’t wait to be back at home in Arkansas where my garden greeted me with extra vigor…a result of all the life-giving rains. And, so it is with life Outside the Box!
Stay tuned next month to see what else the season has in store!
Exterior designer Daniel Keeley is an Arkansas native and founder/principal of DK Design. His work has won numerous awards and accolades and is featured regularly in various publications. For more information visit dkdesignoutdoor.com.
At Home in Arkansas offers you a look inside the state's most inspiring homes. The magazine features monthly advice from the experts to help you plan your next remodel or redesign, entertain at home, or find Arkansas's best kept secrets. It is your definitive guide to the state's finest homes and gardens, design professionals, fashion and entertaining essentials, and premier shops and showrooms.