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Home is Where You Come Alive - Designer Tips, Tricks, & Trends
April 2013
In This Issue
Outdoor Rooms - An Interior Designer's Dream
Greetings!  
Spring has definitely arrived.  As I sit in my office writing this my iceberg roses are blooming and a bluebird  is perched on the tree outside my window.  All of my roses are in full bloom creating a burst of color in my yard.  With all of the color blooming outside think about bringing some color into your home in the coming month.  Bright colors are so popular right now.  Just pick what you like - everything bright is trending right now - reds, plums, teals, oranges, blues, and yellows.  

Also think about creating a living area in your yard or on your patio. Outdoor rooms enlarge your living space and create a feeling of spaciousness in your home as they extend your living space to the outdoors. I'll be sharing some tips about creating an outdoor room in this issue.

If you're looking for some new accessories for your home, please take a look at our shopping site. We've added so many beautiful new pieces recently. Choose from lamps,  artwork and wall decor, mirrors, permanent plants and florals, art glass, decorative boxes, candleholders, accent furniture, area rugs, sculpture, trays and bowls, and many other unique accessories.  Remember that for a piece to be placed on our shopping site it has to pass my criteria for beautiful design, excellent quality, and great value.  We have a great zoom feature that allows you to see all of the beautiful and intricate detail on every single piece.

As a subscriber receive an additional 20% discount on your order.  Just enter "SPRING SAVINGS" in the coupon code area at checkout. Our prices are very competitive and shipping is always free!  I hope you find something special for your home.

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Have a wonderful Mother's Day.  I'm looking forward to spending it with my two beautiful new granddaughters.

Warmly,
Pamela Jaffke

 

Innovations Interior Design  

 

 

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Outdoor Rooms - An Interior Designer's Dream
Enlarge Your Living Space with an Outdoor Room

I love spending time outside in my backyard as the weather warms up in the spring and throughout the summer months.  As a Los Angeles interior designer I have the advantage of a mild climate that allows me to spend more time outdoors enjoying the fresh air, beautiful flowers, and gentle breezes.   I'm also excited to see more options in outdoor furniture and furnishings that make it possible to create an extension of a home's  interior design outside.  The new finishes that are available in outdoor furniture are amazing.  Faux wicker looks more real than ever and is available in a multitude of styles.  Outdoor fabrics made of 100% acrylic now come in amazing colors and patterns and are appropriate for indoor, as well as outdoor, use.

 

Beautiful, Durable Outdoor Furniture is an Interior Designer's Dream Come True

At the last Home Furnishings Market in Las Vegas I was thrilled to see a variety of outdoor furnishings that are made to withstand heat, sun, cold, and wind.  This furniture is made specifically for outdoor use, although it is beautiful enough to use indoors as well.  I was especially impressed with the metal frames that look just like stained wood. The only way to tell that it wasn't wood was to touch it because metal feels cooler to the touch.

 

Outdoor furniture  

 

Notice the "wood" frame chair in the front right of the above photo.  That isn't wood, it's metal!  The same goes for the side table in the front left, the top of the fire pit, and the two side tables holding the lamps. These pieces could definitely be used in an interior space, except for the fire pit, of course! The area rug is also made to be used outdoors. Made of polypropylene it won't fade or mildew. You can just hose it off. Outdoor rugs are a great option for family rooms since they hold up so well.

  

Faux Wicker and Rattan Look Better Than Ever

I was very impressed with the many beautiful looks of faux wicker and rattan.  These materials are completely weather proof, yet they look just like the real thing.  I've been a fan of wicker and rattan for many years and look forward to using them for my clients on their outdoor patios as well as to complement the interior design of their homes.  The large variety of styles and colors that are available offer choices ranging from very contemporary to much more traditional.

  

Beautiful Outdoor Furniture

 

In the photo above the wicker is made of a synthetic material which can be used outdoors for many years. The more traditional styling of this furniture would be perfect in a garden or nautical setting.

  

Outdoor Fabrics are Available in a Wide Variety of Colors and Styles

Years ago Sunbrella outdoor fabrics were only available in solid colors in a canvas type weave. Now there is a huge variety of fabrics that can work with any style or color scheme. Outdoor fabrics need to be made from 100% solution dyed acrylic in order to withstand heat, sun, and rain. Acrylic fabrics will not fade in the sun, and will continue to look beautiful for many years. Decorative trims for pillows and cushions are now available in 100% acrylic fabrics making the options endless for creating a style that is right for you.  As an interior designer it's wonderful to see so many options available today.

  

   Beautiful Outdoor Fabrics

 

In the above photo a variety of patterns are used to add style and versatility to this outdoor room. With the addition of occasional tables, lamps, and an area rug, this setting can create a complete outdoor living room in your backyard. But it is also perfect for a low maintenance family room for a family with kids and pets.

 

Now is the Perfect Time to Enlarge Your Living Space with an Outdoor Room

As the weather warms up and summer gets closer it's the perfect time to start planning an outdoor room in your backyard. You can even add a TV outside.  What could be better than relaxing in the shade, sipping a Margarita, and watching your favorite movie?  And don't forget lighting.  There are now outdoor lamps available which allow you to use your outdoor room at night, as well as during the day. Candles, hurricane lamps, and oil burning lanterns can also be used for additional mood lighting. Flameless candles are also wonderful without the worry of them melting or blowing out.

 

Try to use similar colors and styles of furniture to what you have inside your home.  Your outdoor room should be an extension of your home.  If done well your home will feel much larger as your eye extends to the furnishings outside. Have fun creating your outdoor room.  Remember, it can be as simple as a dining table and chairs.

 

If you need help designing or planning your outdoor living room, just drop this Los Angeles interior designer a line.  

I'd love to help.  You'll want to get started soon if you plan on enjoying your outdoor room this summer.

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