Outdoor Rooms at Danascara

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Something about living in an area where you can only hang out outside for half the year makes you appreciate your outdoor spaces so much — I never want to waste a single beautiful morning or evening sitting indoors when I could be outside in the fresh air looking at the sky and the trees.

We have many outdoor living dreams for our property, all of which are in their infancy or early childhood, but I feel so excited about all the possibilities that I wanted to write a post about it here to look back on as we make steps toward finishing them every year.

Outdoor Dining Area

We have already set the foundation for our outdoor dining area, which will feature a long line of tables over the pea gravel and square paver patio we installed last year (would anyone want to see a blog post about that?). I just found this iron dining table set with 4 chairs, but I need another table in the same size to fill the space. I don’t mind if they are mismatched as long as they are the same height and width, and I have a few more iron chairs I need to makeover that can sit at this table as well. I’m also thinking that a pergola over that patio would be beautiful with some type of flowering vine growing up and over it. Since this area is directly off the dining room and adjacent to the kitchen, it just makes sense to have it be an extension of those areas for outdoor dining. Can you imagine it with those glass doors thrown wide open and sparkling string lights along the pergola? I placed two terracotta pots on the fence side of this space, which help define the space and make it feel decorated. Lanterns or potted plants on the tables, and more terracotta pots — maybe a plant stand against the brick wall — will fill this space in eventually. And obviously our ongoing project of restoring the brick will make a huge difference in this area as well.

Outdoor Kitchen

This area looks like nothing right now, but we’ve started forming the basic plans for an outdoor kitchen here (the bricks are slated for a few pathways this summer and the propane enclosure is still a work in progress). I was wondering if having a pergola here and one over the dining area would be too much — at first it sounds like it would be, but then I thought the architecture of the pergolas would tie this huge fenced area around the pool together and define the separate areas — pool, outdoor kitchen, dining area (and someday between those will be a sunroom off the back of the house, but that’s a future post).

I was thinking that there would be a long counter directly behind the hydrangea bed, clad in brick and then limewashed the same creamy white color as the house (once I choose said color). Countertop material to be decided. Maybe it will have an L-shaped extension toward the propane enclosure on the right side, where we can place a few bar stools. In the countertop will be a grill, a pizza oven on top, and a mini refrigerator underneath — nothing extravagant — just enough to make preparing dinner outside easy. Behind the planting bed to the left, I was originally planning to continue the concrete slab, but Steve had the idea to level it out, fill it with pea gravel to call back to the dining area, and then build raised beds for herbs we can use for summer cooking. Wouldn’t that be really nice?

Porch Sitting Area

We are so thankful to have both front and side porches on this house. We have a lovely set of wicker porch furniture we found secondhand, but the cushions it came with were rotted by the sun and only lasted for one year. I’m planning to make new cushions and paint the furniture green this year (I do love the pink but after living with it for almost 4 years it’s just not part of my vision for this space). I think adding a plug-in chandelier for ambiance and a couple pretty lanterns and throw blankets would take this area to charm-city. Perfect for morning coffee or watching a summer storm.

Fire Pit Area

I assembled this extra-large fire pit from heavy rocks we found on the property when we first cleaned away the overgrowth. We have had fireside hangouts just a handful of times, and it’s probably because we don’t have designated chairs and have to lug them from the back of the house instead. Someday, I’d love to have Adirondack chairs here so we can make s’mores and enjoy the fire in the summer and fall, but until then, I think I’m going to bring a few extra chairs we have over there so that we use it more often. What I love about the space as it is now is the large size for larger bonfires or to keep the kids further away from our s’mores fires, and the ultra-simplistic design that blends in with the landscape.

Hammock Area

This is so simple, but we have this glade-like group of trees in our front yard that is begging for a hammock. I do have an old hammock in the garage that needs to be cleaned up — I’m going to add that to the short list so I can enjoy a pretty spot to nap or read a book this year. There’s no sense in waiting, right? In my dreams I also imagine an iron gazebo under these trees as a little destination with a couple of chairs or a bench.

As you can see, all of our outdoor “rooms” have a long way to go, but to give you an idea of the aesthetic I am dreaming of, I made a little roundup of outdoor furniture and decor I’d use in a heartbeat in these spaces.

This arbor is an instant room. Place it in the middle of a garden or around a little table and chairs in a picturesque part of your yard and it’s a destination you’ll always want to visit.

I don’t like a flashy fire vessel — it’s about the fire more than the container isn’t it? Ours is very rustic and simple but I love this modern and chic version for a patio or deck.

Lighting is one of the most important elements in an outdoor room that will ensure you get a lot of use out of it well after the sun goes down. I love string lights with round bulbs and a warmer hue.

I love classic terracotta pots — they add such warmth and authenticity. This one is a more pale version of that hue, with the sweetest scallop and beaded borders to make it just a little different. Two of these at an outdoor room “entrance” or on all four corners with tall topiaries would make such a statement.

This outdoor sofa is 100% chic. I love the stark simplicity of the thin iron rod legs, the jaunty grid backrest and classic ball finials. This is a forever piece.

This quilted hammock looks as comfortable as it is pretty. You can’t go wrong with a neutral stripe, it has style but is understated enough to let the natural beauty around it shine the most.

Lanterns with flickering candles are a must to set the mood outside. Line a path, a table, or a staircase.

Nothing says luxury like being able to put your feet up in your outdoor living room.

The perfect outdoor accessory, this plant stand adds height and beauty as well as practicality, corralling all your small pots into a focal point. Put it on your porch or against an exterior wall — you could even add a mirror above it to really make that indoor/outdoor connection.

An instant room! So luxurious and useful, too — stay in the shade and create an oasis for lounging or dining.

This obelisk can be used for climbing plants in a garden, to flank an entrance (or create one), or as a focal point at the center of a garden. Adding height or the illusion of walls or corners always helps to define a “room” in a large outdoor space.

Many people choose to have a pergola custom built, but look at this great option to order all the components online! You could paint or stain this differently before you put it together.

These planters look just like the ones at Versailles (which I have only seen in photos, full disclosure). I would love to see them with topiaries or fruit trees in them, painted a blue-gray-green.

I would mix these chairs with the grid-back sofa above for a more interesting look.

To really make your outdoor rooms feel inviting, don’t forget to accessorize a little. This clam planter is such a showstopper.