Design Articles

The Outdoor "Living Room"

Is there any time of the year that is better than summer for enjoying the outdoor living environment around your home? This is when we take our relaxation, fun, and entertainment outside. Our outdoor living spaces are filled with summer furniture surrounded by plants and foliage...the living accessories! The bulbs we planted last year and the annuals invested in this year have brought us beauty and enjoyment. Our perennial gardens are blooming, with more to come. And then there's the vegetable garden! Soon-we'll all be enjoying the benefits of the labors of spring.

Deer Oh Deer!

We certainly have a plethora of wildlife here in the Southern Tier! I have clients that are "sharing" their expensive plantings with the deer populations, especially. Since we help our clients cultivate and enjoy their outdoor living spaces by planning furniture settings and plantings to complement them; it is especially frustrating to have plants' foliage clipped off by our hungry four-legged friends!

Do you have this problem? We're fortunate to have a wonderful landscape designer who helps us by planning the outdoor gardens for our clients. She recommends plants that will work best in their soil and location, while meeting the goals of our clients. She passed along a web site that lists deer resistant trees and shrubs. "Visit www.twomblynursery.com/resource_deer.html for more information.

What's Cooking?

We have found that the world of outdoor entertaining has brought a new interest in bringing the convenience of the kitchen to the party! Who wants to constantly leave their guests to go back into the house to meet food and beverage service needs? It is getting more common to see custom built-ins on porches and patios that will meet all the summer entertainment needs while allowing our clients to stay with the party. A built-in barbecue/food center, wet bar, and refrigeration are all conveniences that are being employed outside. We have also designed counters with built-in service areas that allow serving dishes to sit on ice.

Decorating for the Elements

Our clients love it when it's time to bring out their summertime decorating items that splash with color and pattern. Their outdoor rooms come to life in late spring when the wicker or colored metal furniture with brightly colored cushions are set in place. The addition of throw rugs, colorful planters filled with wonderful annuals, other fun accents and accessories, and light sources complete the scene.

It will make your life easier if you select easily maintained furnishings. Vinylized fabric for your furniture cushions (any fabric can be sent away to be coated with vinyl), washable rugs, and furniture frames that are easily washed are all essential. Unbreakable summer service dishes are abundant in the marketplace and add wonderful color to your outdoor environment. Inclement weather (and the sometimes hard use by partygoers) calls for well-made furnishings that are easily cleaned, sturdy, and unbreakable.

Leigh Ann Evans Interior Design is located at 147 Walnut Street, Corning, NY 14830.

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