This post was moved  to http://www.modani.com/furniture-blog/2012/08/30/what-to-look-for-in-a-modern-office/

Outdoor Patio Furniture

Sometimes you just don’t know what you will read. It started innocently enough discussing the effects of gardening and digging in fresh black soil that usually makes most people happy however, this article went on to discuss the benefits of a microbe geosmin that naturally occurs in compost piles that acts essentially as a natural happy pill. That smell of fresh earth after a rain is the essence of feeling good. In keeping with this thought, enriching the garden so we can bloom just as well as our plants, it is important to make this space work so we can enjoy its bountiful environmental and health benefits.

Getting a handle on how much space you have, first consider how you would like to use it then immensely useful for keeping projects on track, create a sketch of where, what, when and how. Since working in soil is beneficial to our well being be sure to include either in ground plantings or pots filled with medicinal plants such as aloe vera and edible plantings. It is not necessary to choose between flowering plants and edible ones as many produce beautiful intermittent flowers that presage vegetables as well as edible flowers themselves; case in point nasturtiums. Plan to design the garden in layers taking into account the size of mature plantings to ensure that there is adequate space for growing plants.

Taking a cue from such a healthy s/pl/ace, modern outdoor furniture should be situated to maximize both interactive engagement with the garden plants as well encourage reflective musings under the dappling of leaf filtered sunlight and gentle breezes slightly perfumed with what else, dirt!

Keep sectional sofas within easy reach of ripening tomatoes and fresh herbs spilling over the edges of scattered pots. You can decide to go with the typical wicker furniture however, there have been some recent intriguing design initiatives elevating plastic outdoor patio furniture to almost theatrical levels with eccentric baroque lines and vibrant colors that rivals the best that Nature has to offer. The “Design of Love” series offers high design in easy to take care of plastic along with colors that will double your happy level with a color selection that is definitely eye catching. Nestled next to blooming orange trees and tropical banana trees, they will compliment any garden design that champions vibrancy. Feel free to mix them with some more traditional patio furniture and wood deck chairs for an eclectic, one of a kind space.

While you are busy adding modern patio furniture pieces as your happiness level dictates, take a moment to make sure that this space is really your space. Including and highlighting those items that you zealously protected to bring home from vacations and perhaps challenged both nature and man to retrieve is the stuff of story making and good times to share. A treasured rock placed atop a cocktail table, adds both weight so on a windy day it won’t blow away as well provides that therapeutic feeling of connection. Why not use the collected beach glass as the mulch around the plants. Sea shells can serve similar duty.

A happy habitat is one that lets us celebrate our life and gives us meaning. Design also is ultimately very personal and should express us in the way that we live each and every day. Once the concern over whether we got it right or not is dispelled, we find the relaxation and comfort that good design, personal design should bring to our lives on a daily basis providing nutrients for our soul in the same manner that rich, black soil does for plants.

There are times when looking at some of the latest colors available in modern outdoor furniture literally makes you want to eat them up! Vibrant and tantalizing in blueberry blues, sherbet orange, raspberry purples, strawberry reds, lemony yellow and sparkling lime greens are design delicious eye candy. Since we can’t quite actually eat them as much as we might fantasize about it, they are a great and colorful echoing of Nature’s abundant palette of colors.

The new line by Modani, the “Design of Love” series might just be what you are looking for if you want mouth-watering flavors translation; colors from which to choose from. With eccentric baroque styling’s, the series featuring the “Queen of Love” is wonderfully a bit over the top in terms of exuberance and detailing. What an incredible fun and interesting way to add to your outside room! Available in a wide range of playful colors, consider mixing and matching both colors and pieces.

With the naming of the pieces keeping in the theme of royalty, indoor/outdoor cocktail tables become the “Duke of Love” and storage containers, “Joker of Love’. As with any well thought out design idea scale is also addressed allowing for a “Little Queen of Love” and a “Little Princess Ottoman,” cute! making any little girl feel extra special. Play time pieces to heighten the imagination.

Designed by the Italian team of Graziano Moro and Renato Pigatti, the reaction to the launch of the line in the New York City, Los Angeles and Miami showrooms as been favorable, adding a new dimension of possibilities in modern furniture design for the outdoors. With the delicious arrays of color choices, it is in keeping with the energy of the color of 2012 selected by Pantone, Tangerine Tango.

“Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.” Spirited and vibrant, echoing the renewed vigor forged in the marriage of design and application.

Comfort and ease of maintenance should always be a high priority when selecting any outdoor seating and furniture. The point is to enjoy being outside not preparing to enjoy being outside so keep it simple. This line is so perfect for this. Made of highly recyclable polyethylene, it is a breeze to keep clean with no cushions to worry about. Add a “Pot of Love” that serves as either a champagne bucket or planter, and fun just went to a whole new level. Add a couple of large, oversized umbrellas with a striped pattern to keep things from matching and an overhead string or two of LED lights that dance delicately in the breeze for a transformative atmosphere that provides for a “mini” vacation in your own backyard. Who says you have to stray far from home to feel rejuvenated?

Personalize the pieces with touches that are collected from your own trips. Vases and pottery containers can hold seashells from that exotic ocean-side retreat or pinecones from your hiking trip in the nearby mountains.

Who said practical and eccentric can’t live together? With marvelous swirls on oversized arm rests and its ample size which can easily be the dreamy jumping off point for more design inspiration, it will also hold its own against scratches and the sun, nicely provided by its UV coated fade resistant full through color.

So, as you enjoy relaxing in your lap of luxury, drinking in the outside world’s sensory overload – smile,; tomorrow  you can also buy the blue and the yellow  and the pink “Queen of Love” chair. So much fun to have, so little time!

Special places are created with thought as to the function of the space as well as the intended ambience. While private urban outside spaces are more difficult to come by as land is always at a premium, the opportunities for capitalizing on their potential should always be taken advantage of. A terrace, a patio even an alley access can all be possibilities. The key is to look for its strong points and build the space around it. Finding a way to connect the inside to the outside also enhances the extension of the interior living space making it feel larger as one room seems to flow seamlessly into the next.

One of the first challenges most people have to contend with is pocket spaces and access to the land itself. Instead of looking at this as a problem, turn it into motivation to maximize the minimal. Since modern design champions clean, minimalistic lines, this might be an excellent jumping off point for a design concept as well.

These bits of urban spaces waiting to be made into design jewels sparkle best with a clear concept from the start. Clearly function and form will have to be addressed simultaneously. Modern outdoor furniture with its clean, no frill lines complements perfectly the strong architectural elements present usually defined by the walls of the building and neighboring buildings as well.  Reinforce this strength by bringing in elements that emphasize strong lines and clarity of form such as modern sectionals, deck chairs, dining tables, planters and vases. The emphasis should be on underscoring the vertical elements and distinguishing them from the horizontal with smooth, crisp lines emphasized by form, color and materials.

The vegetation should be selected to reinforce the modern feel with the repetition of line, volume and scale; all of the most basic design elements through leaf form and color. A repetitive use of color in a small space can pack a big punch. Echoing this same color palette in the modern outdoor furniture, either through accent pillows, an umbrella canvas or in the furniture itself can create a nice synergy of elements playing seamlessly between the softscape and hardscape elements.

Softscape refers to the plantings, furniture and other accessory items usually movable and easily interchanged. Hanging lanterns and twinkling sets of lights set off a night scene turning the most routine of nights into something special. It doesn’t take much to create a sense of retreat particularly cherished and appreciated in urban spaces. Plants should be hardy and provide strong form. A larger singular tree can provide a visual anchor to the space. A few well-placed plants in a few strategically placed containers reads better than a clutter of pots thrown together. In small spaces, it begins to feel closed in and not cozy, a fine line that needs to be observed.

Hardscape refers to the items that structurally define the space: pavers, tiles, pergolas, trellises and built-ins. Try to not overdo built-in planters and fixed seating. As easy as it is to maintain making it a popular choice, it does limit the flexibility of the space. Softscape needs to be able to be moved as needed which is an important part of making an urban oasis work well. Before investing in constructing something more permanent such as a pergola or a deck, find out if a permit is required. In wind prone areas such as Houston and Miami, this is of particular concern and probably required by code.

One last element to consider in your special space away from place is smell. Adding a fragrant twining vine that drips from that large tree might be just the element that lets you breathe in and enjoy your perfect urban oasis!

Inspiration source: http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/urban-gardens/index.html

House to Home is a UK-based interior design blog. The blog covers all of the areas of the home, and is organized by tabs for each room. Photos for the subject area scroll at the top of the page and there are different sections for decorating ideas for accessories, advice and shopping.

House to Home is more than a design blog, though. They feature links not only to stores, but tradesmen, buyer’s guides and special offers. The blog is meant to be a go-to for all of your renovation and redecorating needs. As they are reaching out to a broad audience, their pages feature many different design styles. One of the living rooms featured is very modern and lush looking. The next room in the series is casual comfort, with a more open floor plan and lighter colors. This is a great blog to start with if you are looking for ideas before you decide on a theme.

House to Home features a design board to help you narrow your choices down. If you see something you like, you simply click on the paperclip above the photo and it gets added to a virtual corkboard that appears at the top of every page. It’s a wonderful idea for a design blog – it can help you bring the look you want through the whole house.

The How To section is less about crafts and more about caring for the home you’ve worked so hard to perfect. How to regrout tile and care for laminate flooring figure are two of the guides available.

The Advice section features comprehensive guides to common quandaries. For example, the paint section features no fewer than eight separate features on different aspects of paint. Interior, exterior, eco-friendly, and floor paint are all discussed, and that’s before they get into application, style, gloss and color. House to Home discusses a wide variety of home improvement topics with the same depth and zeal.

The blog also has a product finder, featuring neat new accessories and their sources. It’s a on a scrolling photostream, making it easy to review and click on the items that catch your interest. Clicking on an item brings you to a description and an order page.

House to Home is a great blog for both the new and experienced homeowner – it offers great information and a fabulous selection of products to inspire your decorating dreams. House to Home can be found at http://www.housetohome.co.uk/