Connecting the outside spaces

Connecting the Outside Spaces

I keep the interaction of inside and outside spaces at the front of my mind when designing any home, as increasing your connection to nature and the outdoors is hugely beneficial for your wellbeing.

• Beyond the kitchen is the garden room, which also serves as our dining room. It's wonderful to open the bifold doors in summer and feel close to nature while benefiting from the shade too.
• If you are able to, it is lovely to have east- and west-facing doors that you can open simultaneously for a refreshing breeze through the house in the warmer months.
• Consider using doors instead of windows wherever you can, to give greater access and connection to your outside spaces.
• Our garden is on multiple levels, with terraces beyond different rooms at varying heights around the building.
• The loggia was created from what was an old sheep barn. We reinstated a roof to create a beautiful courtyard room that provides protection from the elements while still being able to enjoy being outside.
• To keep the character of the loggia, we opted for brick flooring in a herringbone pattern and a dining table covered in tiles.
• We worked with a local joiner on all our doors and windows, and in line with my mantra of 'buy once, buy well', we went for the most expensive option we could afford, which has really paid off. They are made from Accoya, an extremely durable hardwood, and have never warped. We chose SlimLite double glazing, which is only 8mm thick.
• When you are doing a project, consider putting wiring in for garden lighting at the same time as you are doing your interior wiring. You may not know immediately exactly what your lighting scheme will be, but putting the feeds in the appropriate places will be incredibly useful when you come to it.
• I love to consider ways that the DNA of the interior design can lead into the garden, whether that's through wicker seating, garden benches painted in the same colour as you have inside or beautiful terracotta pots.

Sourcebook

• Sims Hilditch x Marlborough Tiles collaboration
• SlimLite double glazing
• 'French Gray', by Farrow & Ball