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Blog written by Lieske

If you are a fellow resident of East Seattle you may have attended the most recent Mt. Baker garden tour! After attending myself- I felt inspired to talk about gardening and outdoor seating. Below you will find some of my recent favorite outdoor furnishings, my tips on planting and some sources of inspiration for your backyard reawakening. 

.01 Furnishings

Extend your color palette from inside outdoors by bringing out similar colored linens and similar accents. Try to utilize similar toned woods as well- for example if you use warm toned woods inside try a warm stain on your outdoor seating options. Also, since you are outdoors- try mixing in natural elements into your materiality like stone or wood. (Personally I drift more towards woods than metal in an outdoor space.) Just like indoors, avoid purchasing complete furniture sets; although they may save time and money, they often lack a personal touch. Embrace the process and view your outdoor space as a fresh opportunity to explore your interior design creativity. 

.02 A Unique Groundscape 

Grass lawns are tried and true, but there are many unique ground cover options that can help you diversify your landscape while requiring less maintenance. Some of our favorite alternatives include clover, ground cover plants, moss, and mulch. Within the category of mulch, there are various options such as nut shells, buckwheat hulls, and gravel.

When deciding on what to plant, I recommend researching what thrives locally in your area- to reduce your water usage. For example- here in the PNW elderberry, hydrangeas, maples and ferns are some of just a few low maintenance and watering plants that thrive. Additionally, we suggest focusing on planting perennials for a sustainable garden and or planting your annuals seeds in the spring when they will have plenty of time to germinate.

.03 Quality Indoor/Outdoor Fabrics & Finishes

Plan for your outdoor furnishings to receive direct sunlight and look for items designed to withstand sun bleaching, such as fabrics with UV protectants. Consider using furniture covers to shield your furniture when they aren’t being used, and explore shading options. If you decide to apply UV protectants, be aware that these need to be reapplied every few months to maintain their effectiveness. When selecting materials, opt for woods that resist sun damage, such as teak or white oak. Some wood oils can also serve as moisturizers and UV protectants. You may even choose rot-resistant wood and embrace the natural greying process over time.

.04 Shade

While an umbrella is a great option for providing shade, there are many beautiful alternatives to consider. Awnings made from bamboo or natural fiber fabrics are becoming increasingly popular. You might also think about creating a structure that supports climbing vines or allows trees to provide natural shade. Recently, I came across a backyard where a kiwi tree had taken over, creating the equivalent of three trellises’ worth of shade and producing hundreds of kiwis. Likewise - you could try grape vines, climbing hydrangea or ivies. 

Our Patio Inspirations

Take a look below at some of our top inspiring photos of garden and patio design:

 Britto Charette

Cetra Ruddy

Patrick Printy

Arne Maynard Garden Design

Photo sourced from AD