home about me our home

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Inside Out, why Not?

I know that our weather has been a bit odd this year to say the least. Even with the odd weather we are all getting little glimpses of the promise of Spring.
I am looking forward to spending time outside working in my flower beds and sitting outside with candlelight and the sound of water splashing in my fountains.

Outside areas are looking more and more like inside areas of our homes thanks to so many beautiful weather resistant materials that are now on the market.
I  have a few images that are inspiring me to bring more inside elements outside these days……..

Mark Lohman Photography (304x400)
Mark Lohman Photography

Every time I see this image I want to find a console table to put in my backyard. I have a large lattice wall on the side of my pool area that I think this idea would look amazing.



Marcs%20first%20apartment%20002[1]
This is last year right after it was built. It has weathered and the vines are a bit larger. I think a console table would look great right in the middle with a wonderful zinc mirror hanging on the post  don’t you?

Something else I would like to work on is our gate. It is not worth showing right now since it is just a plain redwood 6ft gate. I think something more interesting would be fun. Here is an image that caught my attention…..

gate (550x655)
I love this gate I think it would be fun to have a mirror in the panels to reflect our pool. I use mirrors outside, in fact I have three in my backyard. One on the great wall that I want to replace for a zinc framed mirror, and two round mirrors on my back fence as pictured below.


Backyard, family room, kitchen, masterbath 029
Backyard, family room, kitchen, masterbath 023
Backyard, family room, kitchen, masterbath 028
This one is the most fun to watch because the birds take a bath in the bird bath and then they think they are seeing another bird in the mirror and they just peck away.

 All our beautiful ivy had to be removed because it was literally over 3ft deep and pulling on the fence. It is pretty barren right now but I see growth already and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will come back quickly.


I have another image that is very  intriguing to me and I am trying to figure out a place to use it.
untitled (640x480)
This is just a small little terrace and they have made it look larger and also cozy by the use of mirrors. I love the addition of the shutters. I have these mirrored doors in my dining room inside my home.


christmas dining room 2010 010 (800x600)
Here they are at Christmas this year.
I love the idea of using them outside also. I just have to figure out where?!
Do any of you have mirrors on the outside of your home?

Just a few ideas that I am thinking about for this years projects. Do you all have any fun ideas planned for your yards this year?


“Enjoy  the Process” Of:

Bringing ideas that look like they are for the inside to your outside areas.

Kathysue

18 comments:

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

I would love to have the table and the lamps from the first picture for my inside not my outside...they are gorgeous pieces! South Texas is already heating up...in the 90s today, so there is no incentive to sit for long outside!!

Tote said...

Kathysue, you have a lovely back yard. You can tell that you have put a lot of work into making it look this way.

Susan

The enchanted home said...

Gorgeous images and inspirations....love seeing things that you see indoors come outside. Love seeing the lamps outside, how beautiful! Outside living is bigger and better than ever..so why not!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love your yard and I think all of your mirrors are fabulous. Love the idea of the console and mirror on the back trellis. It would look wonderful. Your yard is so pretty and so inviting. Hope you are having a super weekend. Raining here all day. Great for my new flowers that I just planted. Hope they grow fast. Hugs, Marty

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Love the pictures and a table would be so pretty outside!

Here is how to embed the HTML from pinterest :)
Hope it helps!

Click on your board

Click on the picture

To the right of the picture you will see embed, like, tweet, e-mail

Click on embed

the HTML code will come up

quintessence said...

I can't wait to be able to sit outside!! I simple adore that first image - absolutely exquisite. So lush and inviting - truly an outdoor room!!

Sally@DivineDistractions said...

Love the idea of a console table. If I were you, I'd start looking at resale stores for something you can repurpose. An old antique sewing table base would be great with a remnant of granite or marble! One little warning...make sure the sun doesn't hit the mirror directly or it will burn anything it touches. Fires in the back yard aren't cool! Love your beautiful, private space...oh and that gate...to die for!

Blondie's Journal said...

I love the accessories that are being used outdoors. I love lamps and mirrors and furniture you would normally see inside.

Love your pretty yard, the mirrors and the fountains. I'm sure you really enjoy yourself out there!

XO,
Jane

lvroftiques said...

Ohhhh I love everything about picture #1!! What a fabulous space....actually makes me a little giddy! You have a beautiful backyard already Kathysue but integrating some of your inspiration ideas will make it even better.
My neighbors have mirrors all over their backyard, they say it's to ward off bad feng shui *winks* Vanna

designchic said...

The first image is wonderful...love the table and the idea of lamps for outside!! Hope you're having a wonderful weekend Kathysue ~

SHERRY HART said...

Beautiful pool! I bet your grandkids love that :) You guys are so lucky in Calif with such beautiful weather. Outdoor rooms can really be used.

Babs said...

Great inspirations and great photos of your back yard. I love your idea of a mirror by the bird bath or to reflect other areas. It's already getting almost too hot to sit outside here now.
Have a great Sunday,
Babs

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Your back garden is quite lovely. The addition of the console would be great...the perfect spot for it. I have several mirrors in the garden although not as elegant as yours. Because they add another dimension they really add interest and are fun!

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

I love the idea of a console table outside...and I love the gate too. Your backyard looks divine....We have summer weather here at the moment....I'd love a dip in that pool!

Beach House Living said...

Ivy? Feel free to come and take all of ours. It wrecks the fence, kills the trees, cracks the stucco and I recently read is a fire hazard to close to the house not to mention giving cover to pesky creatures that scare the wits out of our little dogs.

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

My brother uses mirrors in his backyard to great effect. I have a huge one on my veranda but it needs to be re-positioned for better effect. In fact, we a re screening it this year so i can make it the outoor living room that we use it as all summer. Lots to do and some good ideas here Kathy. I am just happy summer is finally coming! XO

Mona Thompson said...

If you've been following you know I'm a little obsessed with outdoor spaces right now. I'm in love with the inside out philosophy. I have a very similar iron console on my covered porch. I'll be sharing pics soon. Funny , how I ended up with it. It's a gorgeous very old bow front balcony made into a console. I had a stained concrete top made for it. We had it in our shop for over a year and never sold it...so it came home with me. It's gorgeous. Go figure, why it never sold? Your back yard is lovely. Can't wait to see what you add this season. Enjoy your Sunday. Mona

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Kathysue, The back yard is beautiful and I love the lattice work. I think mirrors are wonderful in the yard but birds will fly into them. I would love the console table in the first picture.
xo,
Sherry