PRIVATE PLACES

spent outside...

When we were children all the boys wanted "Tree houses" and the girls wanted "Playhouses," now we want a place to escape to.

This missive is about finding or creating a special place for you to enjoy your "private moment."   It could be in a meadow, behind a hedge or just tucked into the back yard somewhere; a converted garden shed, a chaise under an old tree, or a table and chairs tucked into the garden for "date night" with your partner. It can be covered or not covered, private or for family, you decide....its your "moment."

HERE'S THE SIMPLEST WAYS TO SET UP YOUR PRIVATE SPACE WITHOUT SPENDING MUCH!

Pull together some of your existing garden furniture, get some weatherproof pillows and cushions at Home Depot, Pier1, Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn and zhuzh it all up with some pots of flowers, etc...



Cheryl Crow "hangs out" here at home when she's had too much Hollywood...

How romantic is this, huh?  Of course that iron furniture is like torture chamber equipment without the pillows, but the look is awesome.

Got a little balcony, even a Juliette Balcony ?

Throw a small table and two folding chairs on it and voila you have a private spot!  Done, next?

This uber-complicated setting involves an old wooden table, four 2 x 2 boards nailed to it and some white sheeting tied at the corners.... Go for it.

Is your existing porch neglected?   Feels boring sitting on it as it is now?   Then get some fun chairs, a table and play with colorful accents until you have it right.

If we're lucky enough to have the private little garden with the beautiful landscaping and fountain, there's no reason not to have a comfy seating area too.  Here it's made with four Restoration Hardware lounge chairs and a small table. Wayyy easy.

If you have some shady areas or even a close-by woods this French "Faux Bois" or "Black Forest" furniture is sublime!   It blends into the natural setting, and doesn't need to be covered in the winter as its made from cement and stained to look like wood, similar pieces can be purchased at Excentricities of the Palm Beaches and the Hamptons.

This lovely vignette is situated in a kitchen garden with views of a tiny creek.   The owners discovered the blue color in France. Some pillows and cushions would be a practical addition to making it welcoming and useful.

City dwellers aren't exempt from enjoying the outdoors.  Do you have an ugly flat roof outside you can access through a door, fire escape door or window?   Layer inexpensive outdoor carpets all over the roof, get some snazzy folding furniture, and if necessary some lattice panels online or your local Lowe's.

An outdoor shower for the summer months is one of the most sensual and enjoyable pleasures.  Near a garden spigot outside install some strategically placed privacy panels - or not...

You can create a French Drain shower drainage and this will be the most inexpensive improvement you can imagine.

This ugly side yard was transformed into a totally rocking little piece of Malibu!  Color here was the key to success, neutrals would've been bland as the architecture isn't all that.

WITH  A MODERATE BUDGET YOU CAN CREATE SPACES LIKE THESE COOL ONES BELOW

A pergola built over an elevated platform creates an observation platform for the beautiful gardens.


Another spot in Cheryl Crows compound.  I'm loving this Yippe-cayay moment!

A simple rose-covered pergola crafted from old railroad ties creates a rustic belvedere for this Virginia garden.

This cedar overlook is clean and simple. This is all about the hammock!

This stunning garden spot is so typical in European gardens; simple, rustic and elegant.  No fancy woodwork or furniture, nature is the decoration here.

The Connecticut home of Richard Lambertson and John Truex is full of special outdoor rooms.  This one, tucked into a hillside garden is awesome.  Stone knee-walls and bluestone paver's are the biggest expense here,  but the chic teak pieces make the moment.

 This space is off the Hookah! 
OK, so you don't live in Morocco,  but why not feel like it? Inexpensive masonry banquettes and an inexpensive sun-cover made of bamboo fencing will do the trick.   A crappy table painted pink, some flowing textiles to hide the hideous cement wall and a few pillows and next thing you know you are chic in Araby...

This lovely English summer house can be used for a sitting room, office or a potting shed. These arrive on a truck in a kit that's assembled in a couple of hours.  They can be painted or left natural to blend into the landscape.