Today, Nick is live from the 2018 Las Vegas Market talking exterior design with a panel including Waynette Goodson, Editor in Chief of Casual Living and Exterior Design, Kelli Ellis, Shay Geyer, and Shayla Copas. Get to know these incredible designers while learning why outdoor living is so important and exciting.
Purpose
When beginning to plan an outdoor space, consider it as another room in the home, and learn what it will be used for. How many people and children are there in the house? Does your client need an outdoor kitchen or like to barbeque? If the space is meant for relaxation, rather than entertainment, the area will be very different. Depending on the theme, the landscape design needs to align. Think about the garden, shrubs, and trees existing, or consider making changes.
Additionally, if there is a brick wall or neighbors close by, you’ve got to find ways to cloak them tastefully. Your job is to make your client’s the backyard into a sanctuary!
Open Spaces
Think of the outdoor living space as an extension of the interior. The two need to flow together cohesively and work together to make a home. Today, sliding doors are popular to expand the home to outside. Opening to the exterior with large glass windows and doors essentially expands the house and offers more square footage to play with. Based on the climate of the home’s location, find what makes sense. This additional room changes a home dramatically when taken advantage of.
Mother Nature
Outdoor fabrics, weather, animals, landscaping – how do these things it fit together? Depending on your location, all of these things come into play when choosing pieces. Heat, air pollution, and dry weather take a toll on what you keep outdoors. Countertops can yellow, patterns will fade, and animals will gnaw at furniture. Keeping everything maintained and cleaned is essential for the space to stay pristine. Educate the client on why it is worth spending money to keep animals away, on storage and cleaning. Be sure the client knows they need to maintain the space!
Weekly Wisdom
Your number one client is Mother Nature, and Mother Nature always wins.
Chaise Lounge Updates
We’re gearing up for High Point Market fall 2018. Stay in the loop on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
The Student Lounge is up and running! Visit us to hear podcast episodes produced for students, by students.
Wrap Up
If you would like to hear more episodes, please visit us on iTunes or on our website at TheChaiseLoungePodcast.com. Lastly, find The Chaise Lounge on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or post a review on iTunes, you may even hear your review read live on our next podcast. With that said keep dreaming big, and keep designing a great design business. See ya!
