I ome

The Green Thumb

Create an outdoor "room" with style.

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bririg your yurc t o life

Now scheduling for Summer 2012

I G t4, t

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Ivan Katz, Owner

248-543-6320 all
greatlakeslandscapedesign.com

Serving Southeast Michigan

1742010

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84

May 24 • 2012

ER

en years ago, the term "outdoor
room" would've been an oxy-
moron; today, its a well-known
trend surging across the country, even
in winter-heavy climates like Michigan.
It makes sense — even here —
because we want to make the most of
our fairer days. Outdoor rooms provide
an extra space for entertaining, for sim-
ple meals alfresco and special places
to unwind. The best designs create a
feeling of privacy while letting us enjoy
the sights, sounds and fragrances of the
garden from day into night.
Designs can be simple: a paver patio,
a few well-placed pieces of comfortable
seating and some candles for light and
ambience. Coordinate the space with a
An outdoor sanctuary
few containers of seasonal color.
Outdoor rooms don't have to be elab-
orate or expensive. If crafted correctly,
with-privacy plantings and structures,
also adds ample additional seating at
a freestanding grill and portable fire pit the same time.
can fit the bill perfectly.
Just like your interior space, your
But when blending the line between
outdoor scheme should fit with the
indoor and outdoor, many homeowners overall feel, scale and appearance of
like more dazzle and luxury.
your home. If your home has
Built-in grills with granite
a casual feel to it, why make
your outdoor entertaining
counters, fully equipped
kitchens, built-in fireplaces,
area stiff and over-the-top?
Think of it like furnishing
upholstered furniture, coor-
dinated accessories and
your home. You wouldn't buy
furniture that is too large
intricately patterned pavers
for a room so you shouldn't
or natural stone are becom-
ing the must-haves for
create an outdoor structure
today's new backyard.
that is overpowering in your
yard. With that in mind,
Add the latest in LED
Glen Go Idberg
adding a pergola or arched
outdoor lighting, and your
Garde ning
trellis can help define enter-
space becomes a real retreat
Colum nist
taining spaces without box-
from the everyday and the
ing them in as a sun porch
perfect spot for entertaining
might.
and enjoying well into the
If those options don't suit your style,
evening.
consider something as simple as a col-
The materials you choose for your
hardscapes will shape your space's style, umn or a planter on a tall stand, which
will give definition and style to your
too. While brick pavers were once con-
sidered the Cadillac of patios — and
yard. A simple umbrella offers protec-
tion from the sun and adds an impor-
are still a classically beautiful choice
tant pop of color, but imagine drapes
— there are several other options that
have gained popularity over the past
secured to your pergola, wafting in
the breeze and drawn across the south
few years.
facing yard for a cooler late afternoon
In hardscapes, the hot trend is paver
banding, using different types of pavers outside. Today's outdoor fabrics mimic
the look and feel of fine interior fabrics
together in one design. Unlock has a
and are available in hundreds of colors
new line of engineered pavers that look
like natural bluestone and flagstone.
and patterns, from muted to lively, from
classic to kitsch.
These synthetic stones, which come
When it comes to your outdoor room
in many sizes, shapes and colors, are
planning, really, the sky is the limit. E
increasingly desirable. Unlike many
faux products, the difference in appear-
Glen Goldberg owns Four Seasons Garden
ance between synthetic and natural
Center and Custom Landscape Services in
stones is undetectable.
Oak Park. For more info: (248) 543-4400
Enclosing the patio with a low wall
or www.fourseasonsgardencenter.com .
not only gives a more secluded feel but