Property
Outside
Living
T
he sensitive blending of indoor and
outdoor spaces generates a lifestyle
harmony that cannot fail to enhance
your property. From morning mediation on
the terrace to lazy lunches on the lawn or star
gazing from the balcony, the reverberation of
life and light constantly entices you outside.
Whether you choose to build near a beach,
head for the hills, venture into a white village
or seek the bustle of city life, it’s worth putting
as much serious thought into the exterior as
the interior decoration.
Inside-out rooms
A tendency of those from colder climes is to
concentrate on inner décor first, dealing with
outer spaces independently later. The secret
to Spanish outside-in living is to structure
porch, patio and balcony areas in conjunction with the nearby inner rooms to give a
sense of fusion rather than division. These
outer areas should reflect the materials,
tones and colours on the floors and walls of
the interior. The place to soften the lines and
go with the flow is in large sprawling lawns
and gardens where nature can be allowed
more poetic licence.
Where a bedroom, living room or kitchen
lead out to patio, porch or balcony, wide
opening windows or sliding glass doors, give
a wonderful sense of space and freedom.
This extends your home into your private corner under the moon and stars as well as the
sun. Create a smooth move from inside to out
by using homogenous materials, perhaps a
rustic terra cotta or a sophisticated marble, to
lend an underlying sense of synchronicity.
Floor and wall tiles, as well as paving surfaces, should be carefully chosen, possibly
with the expert advice of a reputable local
architect, who knows what works well in the
region. Make sure you select long lasting materials that require minimum maintenance.
Temperatures variations and the strong sunlight of the long summer months will test most
building and paving products to their limits.
Allow the location and style of the property
to dictate the overall look to a certain extent,
while adding your own personal finishing
touches.
The Power of Plants
Plants set the scene in any patio, terrace or
balcony. Against a backdrop of fresh white or
soft ochre walls, an assortment of hanging or
standing terra cotta pots containing colourful
flowers, herbs or dense green foliage bring
both vitality and tranquillity into your outer
and inner living areas. The beauty of potted plants and hanging baskets is the scope
for changing colour, position and mood with
minimum expense or effort. The humble geranium grows well in Spain and gives a wonderful blaze of red and green, as often seen
spilling out of window sills and balconies of
Andalusian village cottages. An abundance
of luscious green leafed plants lends a sense
of cool sophistication and creates a welcome
oasis when the temperatures rise.
As well as colour, patio plants fill the air both
inside and outside the house with powerful
perfumes. Two of the favourites that grow well
in warm climate are jasmine and ‘Dama de
Noche’ (Lady of the Night). The fragrance of
these flowers intensifies on warm summer
nights, setting the scene for: delicious dinners
with friends and family in your private outside
moonlit dining room.
There is even a solution to the sometimes
unwelcome outdoor visitor – the mosquito.
Amongst your patio plants, place some little
pots of Basil (albahaca) around your favourite
evening outside zone. The mosquitoes are repelled by the aroma given off by this delightful herb and of course, it will also be handy
for adding flavour to salads and pasta.
Other herbs are also easily grown in the
warm climate. They love sunlight and look
and smell very impressive spilling out of
nicely arranged hanging baskets. Mint grows
very well in the ground or in pots and gives
you fresh leaves to make a refreshing mint
tea to cool you down after a long day in the
sun.
A sun seekers guide to shade
Sun seekers may not realise that the summer will at some time send them in search
of shade. While a south facing terrace, patio
or garden is a much sought after item on
the property wish list, care must be taken to
create a pleasantly shady area to escape to
when high noon makes us run for cover. Vine
leaves on an overhead pergola can provide
the idyllic outdoor dining or living room. A
hanging vine conveniently sheds its leaves in
the cooler months, when the warm midday
rays are more welcome giving you H