By Angela Cabotaje
Modern design doesn’t stop at the foundation of a house. It’s all about carrying the aesthetic you love throughout, from the light fixtures that illuminate the room to the hardware on the doors. So as summer—and all its glorious weather—fast approaches, we’ve turned our thoughts to modern design for the inside and outside.
Indoor-outdoor living, where interior rooms open up and blend into exterior spaces, has continued to grow in popularity in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve seen it in the commercial sector, where restaurant seating spills onto the sidewalks courtesy of rolling doors and garage-door walls. And happily, the trend translates to residential as well—the open spaces and ample windows of many mid-century modern and contemporary homes are already well suited for this lifestyle.
SLIDE TO IT
One way to make a modern transition from interior to exterior in your home is by installing bi-fold doors. These minimal glass panels slide open on a track, gathering neatly to the side for open, unobstructed views. Plus, they come in both wood and metal frames to suit your particular style. There are several companies that offer bi-folds, including Marvin and Loewen.
DECK IT OUT
As the Field of Dreamsmentality would have it (“If you build it, they will come”), creating an attractive exterior seating area or dining setup is another way to jumpstart your indoor-outdoor life. Several stores, from Design Within Reach to Ligne Roset to Roche Bobois,have outdoor furniture collections that look like chic extensions of your home décor. Just as with your interiors, pay attention to scale, quality, and durability.
WARM IT UP
When the sun sets, a sleek fireplace can persuade you to stay outside just a little bit longer. EcoSmart Fire‘s portable options are sculptural centerpieces, while SPARK offers streamlined gas- and propane-powered choices.
We’ve shared some of our favorite elements for great indoor-outdoor living. How do you live modern outside?