Check Mate.
VERY excitingly my sister in law and her partner have recently had an offer accepted on a gorgeous bungalow south of the river in Lisbon. The home is super quaint and previously used as a family summer house, moments away from a gorgeous stretch of beach.
The house comes with a simple courtyard garden pleading to be transformed! With summer approaching, our thoughts are so concentrated on this outdoor space, instead of the interior, that many a moment has been lost in a Pinterest rabbit hole. It is often the case that Fiona and I begin designing from the outside in, and this brief is no exception.
As I might have alluded to in earlier posts, I’m slightly obsessed with tiles and being in Portugal it would frankly be rude to not start here! Blessed with sunshine, their future in the new abode would not be complete without a splash pool of some sort to refresh in. Getting carried away, I thought I would share some of my BTS musings with our community on here also.
Image Credits:
1. Tigmi Jute Rugs (we love these softer tones) / 2. Paola Navone ‘Arizona’ collaboration with Baxter.it as featured in Paris Design Week Jan ‘23
My sister in law is no stranger to colour, I am sure it will feature inside her home in some way, so I got to thinking of how the colour could make a start outside. Lisbon is often referred to as the ‘City of Light’ the sunlight here can sometimes be blinding so I thought injecting colour in the courtyard would help with glare and provide a sense of playfulness that suits their fun loving personalities.
Hopefully if we’re relaxing poolside it means we’re unwinding and restoring energies. This checkerboard effect creates a design language that takes charge of the visual experience of the space. It simply teleports you to a place of calm exuding intrigue and wonder.
Images Credit 1 + 2: Casa Pueblo boca Paila, Tulum
Buying a house is expensive so there is often little left straight away to start renovations but this pattern is budget friendly and easily achieved with standard square tiles laid to appear as larger more considerable ones. It’s delivering colour, playfulness and Beverly hills chic! You don’t even need the pool to create the same effect.
Last but definitely not least, if space allows, outdoor showers are a must in my book! Framing these areas with a tile as they’ve done in this image, is a subtle way to enhance this shower experience. These calming blue hues are speaking to me and the marriage with the green foliage around is giving me goosebumps.
Image Credit: Stripey Pool by Studio Flamingo Villa in Goa
It will be a while before they are handed the keys, so I shall need to calm my mood board fever down, but it’s getting me so excited for summer (and future visits to their house!).
If you’re looking to reimagine your outdoor space this summer think of engaging as many senses as possible. Sight, touch, sound, smell and taste can all play a part. Edible herbs are an affordable go- to whatever country you’re in. Get in touch if you want any further support, we’re clearly brimming with ideas!
