We have gotten some great press from the project including the Fox5 morning show, HGTV on-line, Home and Design, Washington Gardener, the Washington Post on-line and lots and lots of other features.
To appreciate what our challenge really looked like, here is the BEFORE picture:
Here were the main issues:
- The impossibly thin dimensions created a floor plan challenge.
- Working with the peeling floor and the awful existing railings (you can't even see the worst part, the terrible gold cornucopia things in the middle).
- The deck felt very exposed and lacked intimacy.
Solutions:
- By designing a custom row of pedestals (placed over the angle supports that hold up the railing) and benches (placed in the gaps between the supports) I was able to create visual height and interest and create one long continual focal point that unified the two seating areas we designed.
- By laying down a row of patterned indoor outdoor rugs I was able to hide the existing floor and create a nice indoor-outdoor feel.
- Adding accessories like custom printed artwork (the photos are of espalier trees that are in a private garden in Georgetown) and custom mirrors (made by my sister's talented boyfriend!).
- The new sheer canopy that was supported by metal brackets that I designed and had custom made helps to give the sense of intimacy that was missing.
The FINISHED project!:
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| The custom metal work I designed was made by Phoenix Handcraft (see more of his work in my DreamHome Room). PAPortner Construction once again followed through with help on the installation. |
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| The benches and pedestals I designed were fabricated by Kaleo at Kala Studios the sectional was borrowed from Offenbacher's Patio. |
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| Thank you to Glen Raven who provided the outdoor Sunbrella cover fabric. |
