Innholdsfortegnelse for 2503 i Home Beautiful Specials

IN AUSTRALIA, WE ARE INCREDIBLY LUCKY to be surrounded by nature and blessed with great weather, and the alfresco spaces in our homes allow us to embrace this idyllic lifestyle wholeheartedly. Our obsession with outdoor living stems from childhood, when the backyard was our playground and simple pleasures like swinging from monkey bars, searching for four-leaf clovers and sliding across the lawn on a soaped-up tarp filled our days. We’ve taken these memories and adapted them to family life – a shaded verandah to enjoy that first cup of tea for the day, a built-in with a table and chairs for low-fuss meals, a sunken lounge area surrounding a fire pit for winter nights or a resort-style pool modelled off happy memories of overseas holidays. If the kitchen is the…

NOTHING EXTENDS THE ENJOYMENT of your home quite like an outdoor living space. These relaxing zones serve as a place to sit and take in your surroundings or soak up the breeze, and when done well, can be used all year round. Start with the structure: a roof overhead will keep the sun and rain from ruining your fun, while a vine-covered arbour or retractable awning will provide intermittent shade. You’ll want somewhere to sit, whether it’s a comfy outdoor lounge, cushy beanbags or a hanging chair. A low table for snacks and drinks won’t go astray, and to this you can add other traditional living room elements, such as rugs, cushions or blankets. To make it suitable for all seasons, consider a ceiling fan or breeze blocks to cool…

A HOME IS NEVER TRULY FINISHED without a garden, and the following pages are filled with some spectacular examples of how to maximise the available space to build a verdant oasis that suits your local climate and your lifestyle. There’s a lot to consider – from form and shape, to colour and texture, material selections and irrigation – so it’s a good idea to work with a qualified landscape designer to ensure your backyard ticks all the boxes. Creating a few different zones within your backyard will open up the possiblities for how you use the space, and you can use plants, paths or hedging to link or delineate each one. Lawns provide a soft base for pets or play, with plenty of low-maintenance, drought-tolerant and shade-loving grass varieties now…

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT, and none more so than your home’s exterior. It should set the tone for what’s inside, not to mention make your heart sing every time you arrive home. There’s lots to consider in the design of an exterior, from the roof and walls to the windows and doors, plus the finer details like guttering, trims and lighting. Materials should have a long lifespan and be able to withstand the local weather conditions – think stone, timber, steel, concrete or brick – while also representing your desired aesthetic, be it coastal, Hamptons, mid-century, contemporary or country. For your colour scheme, a good rule of thumb is to stick to two or three complementary shades: one colour for the walls, a contrasting shade for trims and a third for…

WHILE INDOOR DINING ROOMS certainly have their charms, there’s something to be said for eating outside. There’s the fresh air for starters, not to mention a view of the garden or the pool or distant glimpses of trees, mountains, rolling hills or the city skyline. When done right, your outdoor dining space can surpass any bar or restaurant, serving as a comfortable and convenient venue for friends and family to feast and chat until all hours. Today’s open-air eating zones are more than just a dining table and chairs. Usually there’s a kitchen component, with a barbecue, serving bench and maybe a wine fridge or pizza oven. Outdoor lighting is essential for evening meals, and a fireplace or firepit will keep the party going in the cooler months. And don’t…

THE ULTIMATE FINISHING TOUCH to a house exterior, verandahs, balconies and patios provide yet another way to soak up the views and spend time in nature while staying within the comforts of your own home. Typically, patios and verandahs are located on the ground floor of the house, while a balcony is an elevated platform flowing from a living space or bedroom on an upper level. Along with the aesthetic benefits, they all protect your home from the elements and help keep it cooler in summer and warmer in winter. And because these areas serve as another living space, they can also increase the value of your property. To get the most from your verandah, patio or balcony, remember three things: comfort, privacy and functionality. Somewhere to sit, plants that…

IT’S THE AUSSIE DREAM to own a home with a big backyard and a pool. From the traditional kidney shape, to a more streamlined rectangle, a compact plunge pool or a freeform design that wraps around the house and garden, pools provide somewhere to cool off on a hot day and, more importantly, provide a place to spend quality time with family and friends. When you’re not splashing about, you’ll want somewhere to sit, be it sunlounges, an outdoor sofa or a sumptuous day bed. Shade is also important, with umbrellas, awnings and pavilions providing respite from the heat and protection from the sun’s rays. Tropical landscaping will add a resort feel to your pool area, while a fully enclosed fence that meets height standards will keep everyone safe. To…