WHAT TIPS CAN YOU OFFER FOR DECORATING OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES BY THE WATER?
When selecting furnishings and fabrics for outdoor spaces, homeowners should first consider how long they expect their purchases to last and look good; rain, wind and dirt in the atmosphere all take their toll on both fabrics and frames. It might be worth investing in higher-quality furniture, as it will always wear longer and better.
If you choose to go with light, fresh-colored fabrics, visible dirt is unavoidable—it will settle in corners and within cords. As a result, lighter fabrics will always require more maintenance to keep clean than darker ones.
When it comes to decorating outdoor spaces on the water, be sure to consider the views and any other elements that are focal points—fire pits, for example. Choose fabrics for your furniture that blend with the frames rather than contrasting, and ensure that they also blend with the natural environment. Use small accents of color if needed. —Arlene Critzos, Interior Concepts, Inc., Annapolis, Maryland
ABOVE: Arlene Critzos and her team at Interior Concepts, Inc., decorated the living area on a slate patio overlooking Harness Creek in Annapolis. She chose comfortable rattan seating from Woodard, with muted gray fabric that blends with the surroundings, making the view center stage. The furniture is grouped around a custom gas fire pit. Landscape Architecture: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Annapolis, Maryland.