Your Own Piece of the Great Outdoors – by Adam Haynes, Artisan Landscapes Inc.

 Let’s face it, we live to spend time outdoors. Doing so is essential to our way of life here in the Rogue Valley. Even when I don’t have time to take a dip in a cold mountain stream or to hike the wild regions, I still like to enjoy my morning coffee, or last moments of the evening, in the outdoor living space around my Jacksonville home.

Having a comfortable and well-suited outdoor living area is one of the many ways my family is able to enjoy our beautiful climate while we carry-on with our daily lives.

What I like the most about my own outdoor space is the way it feels –  it’s become an extension of my home. My wife has distinctive touch when it comes to decorating the inside of our home – I think the finished product is a beautiful and accurate reflection of us, our values and our family. The same could be said for our outdoor living area. We like to spend time on our patio because we’ve made it an extension of our overall home and living design. It replicates the character and the tone of our home as a whole.

While many of us spend a great deal of time and effort designing and decorating the inside of our home, it’s important to remember the value of our outdoor spaces as well. What better platform is there for self-expression than our own little piece of the great outdoors?

To achieve the outdoor living area of your dreams, the first thing you want to do is have a complete, integrated design for the space. This entails having an idea of the components you want to include, and approximately how and where you want them placed within the overall plan. Do you see a water feature as a central focal point, or is a fire-pit more your style? How important is an outdoor kitchen to your entertaining style and frequency? What about built-in seating? These are all great questions to ask as you put together the plan for your outdoor project.

Once you have a general plan, it’s important to be mindful about integrating the interior style and design of your home. Do you tend to decorate with a contemporary edge, or is your style more cottage-inspired? Your personal design style will inform the types of materials you will want to use for hard-scaping and plantings alike. Those who prefer more contemporary style will tend to favor more clean-lined and angular designs in their patios and plantings, while traditional designers may embrace more free-flowing and naturalistic spaces.

If you’re not sure what your style is, then a good place to start is by collecting photos of indoor and outdoor spaces that appeal to you. Flip through magazines and keep a file of spaces that strike you as beautiful, calm, stimulating, balanced, or whatever feeling you would like your outdoor space to evoke.

And, most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for advice or design ideas. That’s one of the things we do best. Keep enjoying the outdoors!

Adam Haynes is the owner of Artisan Landscapes and may be reached at 541-292-3285 and www.artisanlandscapes.com