Inside out…outside in

by Natalie and Justine

We were recently asked for some tips by a magazine on how to create a seamless integration between inside and outside (obviously for a spring article as no one is thinking of outside when it’s so cold out!!) but this is a feature that we always looking at …with more open plan living and blurring of spaces…here’s some suggestions to help you achieve that idyllic living:

-  lots of light and view points in and out of the room – depending on budget think either big windows or skylights; bi fold (minimal frame) doors or glass extensions and if your budget allows, dbl height  or glass ceiling to floor brings the outside in – has a huge impact

This is Ebba Thott’s home from Sigmar who Natalie was fortunate to work with – seamless flow of glass brings the outside in

Love this..especially the boxed overhang window – it would be like sitting outside but with comfort of inside

- continuous flooring from inside and out not only maximises sense of space but draws your eye through..also keep the flooring level for seamless flow between inside and out too also helps

Here’s the wide plank Dinesen floor that leads your eye out, but it could be a pebble resin or polished concrete that runs inside to out…and wood floors can go outside too

-lighting helps hugely – bring in the impact of natural light from outside at night times with different levels of light. Also light up your garden at night to bring it into the room

This is a fab example from John Cullen…the garden is like a piece of artwork in the room.

- reclaimed and natural materials in your kitchen are a quick win – using a mix of natural and reclaimed materials instantly give you that feeling of connecting with nature and your garden space. This could be worktop material; reclaimed open shelving materials to wooden reclaimed boxes with herbs  – on the walls or on worktops; plants are an obvious but perhaps hang from ceilings and on walls not just on the floor or table top.

Vintage crates housing herbs and you can make a feature of them like they do here

Sky Planters – a dynamic way to have foliage inside

- using tonally the same or complementary colour palette inside and out, as well  as style and texture helps connects the spaces -  this doesn’t mean just greens per se but creating room setting inside and outside that complement each other. Pick up your accent colours in both spaces;  mirrors reflecting outside in, rugs (plastic woven rugs even from the likes of Habitat that are for indoor/outdoor use are very popular to help create adjoining spaces

Seamless integration from outside in

- patterns: birds are very on trend, so whether it be a bird pattern on a cushion, or ceramic bird sculptures, it brings nature in. Think of patterns that are based on nature: organic patterns, even geometric, fern leaf; natural textures in pottery

Ferm Living’s Birdcage is just one the brands that are contemporising bird designs…try also Rockett St George

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These are fab from Rockett St George

you can also consider carrying the actual kitchen to the outside – depending on the layout and structure of the back of your house and budget, you could create an effect by extending the kitchen units outside so again blurring the line

I believe this was from Living Etc, but you can see how the kitchen flows to the outside for all those hopeful summer days!

- style of furniture doesn’t have to be constrained to wicker,  blocky squares or teak…be creative outside and think of it like a room of your home

Don’t just go for the standard garden furniture. There are lots of fabrics that work outside that look like they should be inside, as well as style of furniture…think of your garden or outside space just like you do a room

As we hope you can see, and get inspired by the above, there are lots of things you can do be it in a modern or traditional style…or anywhere in between – eclectic is also very big mixing up styles, patterns, textures

How we can help:

We can help you with the style concept to get you started, or we offer a flexible full interior design service to suit you and your budget. To find out more, contact us at sayhello@barkerbourne.com