Estate Living Magazine Alfresco Living - Issue 36 December 2018 | Page 52

Although tropical motifs (shades of green and leafy graphics)
are still having their moment in interior decor, Delport says that
minimalism is now key for the outdoors so, if you have your heart
set on a pattern, choose something simple.
Alon Sachs of Mobelli Furniture + Living agrees. The beauty of
fully upholstered outdoor furniture is that it has the plush look
of indoor furnishings, which dovetails neatly with one of the key
moods of the moment: creating outdoor living rooms. Sachs
also recommends simplicity: he notes that although brown and
white have been in the spotlight recently, the trend now is for
greys – either in soft tones or darker anthracite, even black. If
that sounds a little heavy and dull for a space that you think of
as light and bright, you can add interest with detailing like deep
buttoning and quilting.
The simplicity of upholstered pieces places more emphasis on
the rest of the outdoor space. Sachs calls this trend ‘outdoor
homing’, explaining that it is all about making the patio just as
comfortable as indoor rooms. In fact, decor elements usually
reserved for bedrooms and lounges have now made their
way outdoors: patios are being dressed up with rugs, scatter
cushions and other accessories. These simple touches elevate
the patio from a space to park your loungers to an area that has
real style and reflects your personality, Sachs observes.
Linked to this, outdoor areas are now being divided into zones –
again, just as they are inside. Your open-plan lounge and dining
room are a case in point; similarly, patios are being ‘zoned’ to
create separate areas for lounging and dining. Sachs notes that
using rugs is a great way to demarcate space.
‘Transforming furniture and furniture compositions will be a
trend in 2019,’ Sachs continues. ‘Furniture that adapts to our
lifestyle and that is suitable for smaller urban living spaces will
prevail. This trend is also about being a co-creator of your own
space as you build the furniture pieces to suit your current needs
and adapt as you change or develop.’
Make it yours
One of the easiest ways to embrace this look is by using modular
furniture, which can be adapted as your space evolves – add
pieces, take them away, bring in chair backs, move side tables
around, introduce a few ottomans.
You may also wish to echo the colour palette that dominates your
interiors, picking up accent colours with scatters and throws.
‘This will soften your outdoor space and create a harmonious
flow between the two areas,’ Sachs says.
Keep it classic
If you’re not convinced that the upholstered look will work in
your home, why not return to the classics? Sachs says that wicker
furniture will always have its fair share of fans – but, to prevent
your patio from looking dated, consider pieces that are curvier
and design-led rather than the more traditional boxy designs.
Perhaps more than any other room in the house, the outdoors is
a space where function and comfort are just as important as style
– an ethos embraced by this season’s key trends.
Lisa Witepski
50 |
estate-living.co.za