"Bringing the outdoors in" is now all about
enhancing your best views. All you have to do is imagine that your garden, back
yard, and the views beyond are part of your home, minus the walls and doors, of
course.
Bigger, better windows
Improving your windows make your views clearer. Low-e
coatings on window glass prevent heat and ultra-violet rays from passing
through glass. According to www.bobvila.com,
low-e coatings mean your rooms will stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer,
plus your window treatments, upholstery fabrics and carpets won't fade and
degrade nearly as much.
Using Energy Star windows means that you can open
the windows with lighter curtains and sheers, plus you can now expand the size
of your windows without compromising on energy bills. There are even tax
incentives to using Energy Star rated windows.
Outdoor colors for indoor ambiance
Your garden and lawn have wonderful palettes of greens,
blue, and other colors to choose from. By bringing these colors indoors, the
outdoors becomes a natural extension of your home's décor.
Paint your walls one of the dominant neutral shades of your
region, such as deep green with white trim for a forested area, or a warm gold
or sandstone to complement a sunny southwest location. If you have a rose
garden, repeating the reds, yellows, pinks and fuschias in a fabric or
decorative accent can bring your favorite flower indoors.
"Going green" is a very big theme in decorating
and the colors of grass, tree trunks, flowers, bushes and foliage are usually
soothing colors to live with. Natural materials balance our electronic
lifestyle, warming rooms with entertainment centers and other electronics.
Bring plants indoors
The lush accent of green plants is beneficial to your
health, as plants clean and humidify the air you breathe. Lighting is important
if your houseplants don't have access to the sun. Choose plants that require
low lighting such as palm tree, Chinese evergreens, rubber trees, ferns and
ivy.
Repeat your outdoor plantings of geraniums, impatiens, or
hydrangeas with beautiful arrangements of these flowers in your favorite vases
and bowls. Double check that any plants you bring in are non-toxic to children
and pets.
Use natural scents
Many outdoor plants will waft their fragrance into the
house. Chinese cherry trees, peonies, verbena, lavender, roses and honeysuckle
are strongly scented plants. Instead of using fragrance sprays with artificial
ingredients, scent your home with boiled cinnamon and cloves.
Bring the casual look of outdoor furniture indoors
Patio furniture has come a long way, and rivals breakfast
room and den furniture for charm and practicality. The light, open weaves and
leaf patterns of wrought iron patio furniture look great in a kitchen or
breakfast room, and you can embellish the seating with custom cushions. New
rattans and natural fabrics lend an outdoor feel to furniture to and remind you
of sunny days at the beach or lake.
For continuity, tile your breakfast room with the same
outdoor tile as the patio. Soften the room with a natural fiber rug such as
bamboo, jute, sisal, sea-grass, and mountain grass.
It's easy to bring the outdoors in - just think natural and
think green.
Brought to you by Realty Times
Brought to you by Realty Times
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