THE BEST OUTDOOR LOUNGES
A convivial, contemporary outdoor lounging area is more essential than ever at the moment – and not least because both family members and visiting friends always seem to gravitate naturally towards them. Here are enviable alfresco lounges from which to take some inspiration as you plan or renovate your own outdoor living space.
Pergola-covered and with a river-stone floor, this enviable patio is part of a holiday property on the Balearic island of Mallorca. The pergola itself is supported by plastered masonry pillars, with a forged iron top frame and cross wires covered with bamboo and a salvaged mature grape vine. The built-in seating was added during the home’s recent renovation: “Small spaces always feel bigger with in-built seating arrangements,” says designer Oro del Negro of More Design (moredesign.es)
Asked about the charming mix of vintage and reclaimed pieces that characterise their contemporary home in the Cape Winelands – including this romantic veranda – the homeowners say: “We don’t find them; they find us. They are mostly passed-on heirlooms and junk-shop or reclamation-yard finds.” The collection of blue and white plates that hang on the wall here, for example, belonged to one of the owners’ mothers.
Sporting a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, this front deck is much more like an outdoor room than a conventional veranda: it has sliding wooden shutters that can be used to partially screen it from the elements – such as strong winds or harsh sunlight – or to fully and securely enclose it. The wooden outdoor furniture is from Bloc Outdoor (blocoutdoor.co.za) and the wall decoration was picked up on the homeowners’ travels.
A seriously sophisticated holiday home needs outdoor living spaces to match, and this elegant patio is perfectly appointed for relaxing, day and night. Designed by the homeowner – who is the creative director of a large fashion retailer – every aspect of the space has been as carefully considered as the rest of the house. The adjacent pool area is the perfect spot for magical summer parties alfresco.
This sleek covered patio is used as an outdoor entertainment area for dining and lounging, with separate zones created for each function. Aesthetically, the space is a considered dialogue between contemporary and traditional elements, with resolutely practical finishes – such as the polished concrete floors – softened by classically styled furniture that includes lots of natural wood as well as comfortable upholstered pieces.
In a family home that’s all about seamless indoor-outdoor living, spaces suitable for enjoying family time and entertaining friends are an absolute essential. This patio runs the house’s full length, and all the doors can be flung open to connect inside and out. Interior designer Simone Hirsch of Simone Katherine Interiors (www.simonekatherineinteriors.com) has created a genuinely romantic space that includes this comfortable lounge area, festooned with hanging plants and surrounded by garden greenery.
