Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
MomSquawk -> Managing the Mansion -> Outside furniture help!
Post Info TOPIC: Outside furniture help!
kris


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 6179
Date: Apr 10, 2011
Outside furniture help!
Permalink  
 

You guys are so good at putting rooms, spaces together to make them look amazing.  So, I need help.

DH built this pergola last fall so we haven't done anything with it yet - other than watching it be buried in snow all winter!

I had an idea of the furniture I wanted to put out there.  Maybe a loveseat type thing, two chairs with cushions and a table.

Here is the issue I don't think practically.  I want lovely funiture out there like in a magazine.  DH burst my bubble by reminding me of all the sap from the trees which will be VERY hard on anything we put out there.  So, he says teak would be best.

When he was building it he mentioned putting a metal roof on it.  I said no, no, no.  I like the sun coming through the top.   After more discussions it is obvious if he puts the roof on there it will protect anything we put out there so it will open my furniture options a great deal.  So now I'm leaning towards having him put the roof on. 

The plan is to plant tall bushes of some sort along the outside.  I have tons of hostas that I'm going to transplant to go on the inside edge that is closest to the house.  He also still needs to finish running the electric out to one of the main posts.  And now all of a sudden I'm thinking ceiling and ceiling fan?!

Here it is . . . . can you tell me what furniture you would put out here if you were me?

 



__________________
kris


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 6179
Date: Apr 10, 2011
Permalink  
 

Something like this was one of my first impressions but I'm such an in the box thinker that I know there has to be ideas I'm not thinking of.



__________________
happylib


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2797
Date: Apr 10, 2011
Permalink  
 

Kris,
Your dh does fantastic work. I like what you posted, and here are a few things to think about.

How do you see your family using that space? The furniture needs to work for whatever activities you do there.

I think you idea about planting tall shrubs there is good because it needs something to tie it to the ground. You might also want to choose some plants/shrubs that have some reddish/bronze/brown tones to tie the color of the pergola into it.

Speaking of color, I think that your furniture will go a long way in helping that blend together too. Because the pergola is large, you need to tie it into the scene or else the focus will be the pergola and not the actual "room" it creates. You don't have to have a print cushion, but throw pillows, table cloths, lamps, rugs, or whatever else you put out there can help it blend.

If you think you will be out there when it's really warm, go for the ceiling fan. You might get more use out of it. Also, the ceiling would allow you to do more with furniture. If it's not all that protected, you will have to keep the furniture covered except when you are using it. With a ceiling you could also string lights, add an outdoor rug, and be able to keep little things you use out there where it is handy.

Bottom line, do what's easiest to maintain while still being able to enjoy it.

__________________
LucsMama


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 493
Date: Apr 11, 2011
Permalink  
 

I have no suggestions but I just wanted to say WOW!!! That is really cool

__________________
muffy


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1694
Date: Apr 11, 2011
Permalink  
 

Firstly - LOVE it. And iwould not cover it! Secondly, I would not put teak, because it would be a slightly different colour and you already have so much wood I would say it is too much wood. So I wuld go for somethin metal with a somewhat contemporary line and if there were cushions, they would be simple and discreet in a neutral IMO contemporary mixups better with oriental then, say, traditional American style garden furniture.. You should go for cushions and pillows, but keep discreet. By which I mean yes to textiles, but no to prints or many wild coolers, but you could do neutrals with perhaps one punchy accent colour. Of, and perhaps a table with glass top...

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
MomSquawk -> Managing the Mansion -> Outside furniture help!
Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard