Furnishing Your Outdoor Oasis
March is a busy gardening month in South Mississippi. We are planting, pruning, and fertilizing, preparing for the beautiful bursts of blooms that are about to appear. We begin the annual clean up around the yard, clearing out old vines and debris. There are places on the porch and the decks that need a little touch of paint and outdoor furniture that needs a good bath. Porches need sweeping and wiping down and there is probably some mildew that needs a little dab of bleach.
We make the annual pilgrimage to the plant nurseries and DIY home stores that bedazzle us with luscious hanging pots, blooming shrubs, and plants they promise will grow in our hot Mississippi sun. We plant the cuttings and sprigs that friends share with us from their yards, and we gladly accept the green pieces of history that relatives insist we must take home after a visit. Each carefully cut stub is wrapped in a wet paper towel and is accompanied by the story of its life in the family. You find out that the camellia or gardenia you have always admired has adorned yards in the family for generations. And years from now, you will share a snippet with a family newcomer.
Every year we welcome spring with a fresh outlook on the days ahead and we dream of a few weeks of moderate weather and getting outside to enjoy it. Southerners have an intimate relationship with their yards, their porches, and the outdoor spaces they create to relax, visit, and entertain. Innovative and creative outdoor spaces with sophisticated design details continue to be a popular trend. From wrap around screened porches that seem to go on forever, to multiple decks on modern facades, to outdoor kitchens and pool areas that feel like extensions of the home, there is a strong desire to connect indoor and outdoor spaces with quality furnishings, lighting, and natural accessories.
Starting from scratch on an outdoor project offers an exciting opportunity to build something you will actually use and enjoy. Consider how your family likes to experience the outdoors. Do you like lounging in the sun or are you shade seekers looking for a lush private oasis? Do you want a space for parties and ballgame watching? Or would you enjoy a flat lawn for croquet and bocce with a courtside sun shelter for drinks and water breaks?
We caution you about building an outdoor space just because you think it will look good. Seeing the picture of a beautiful outdoor kitchen can be alluring but is probably not the best investment if you do not like to cook! Carefully plan what kind of space you want, how you will furnish it, how you will landscape and garden around it, and how you will address any privacy concerns. Create the space of your dreams knowing you will be making memories there for years to come.
A recent survey by the International Casual Furnishings Association found that 82 percent of their respondents underutilize the outdoor space they already have. A minor redo of a current space might be a good plan if taking on construction is not in the cards. Cosmetic changes or small design upgrades can make an enormous impact.
Painting is easy and replacing old, worn out outdoor furniture can make a space feel brand new. Adding a small table and chairs and a new chandelier will transform a porch into an extraordinary place for entertaining and dining alfresco. Repairing and covering an aging deck or cleaning off a patio that has gotten overgrown may give you what you are looking for. Add accessories like art, drink tables, potted plants, and pillows just like you would indoors. Updating is easier on the budget and can be accomplished in much less time.
Spring is here and everything is green again. It is time to get outside, get the yard spruced up, and get ready to enjoy the outdoors in your private gardens of good times. We can almost hear the music and laughter breezing across the yards now from all the family gatherings that are about to take place on a porch or by a pool or in an outdoor living room or wherever folks gather to celebrate the good life in South Mississippi.
Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage has spent nearly 20 years in the giftware industry. Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Sassy Bird Interiors
211 Main St. Bay St. Louis
228.344.3181
www.sassybirdinteriors.com
