Cozy Nooks: Creating a Secret Outdoor Place
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Article by: Debbie Rodgers Everyone seems to love a secret -- and when the secret is a nook in your outdoor , The American Arborvitae Grows well in Milan Pa. space, all the better. A nook is defined as a private or secluded quiet inner place. , Be Careful of Over-Mulching Your Plants Any outside , Hardwood 101 space, from a balcony to an acre estate can benefit from including a nook. Here are points to consider: Purpose It doesn't make any sense to set up a secluded garden , Think you're too busy to capture and store your memories in a scrapbook? Let me show you scrapbookin reading bench , Build A Simple Planter Box if you never have the time to pick up a book. But maybe you'd like to spend 15 minutes in the morning over coffee with your partner, or want to have a quiet spot for conversing with a special friend. Or maybe your nook will be an intimate dining space for four. Consider what you really want to do with your outside , Japanese Gardens - Basic Design Questions That Should Be Addressed space and then make your nook available for that. Otherwise, you'll end up with a space that's lovely to look at but seldom used. Mystery Much of the charm of a nook is the secrecy of the space. To achieve this, hide the furnishings at least partially from view. In a garden , Discover Electric Radiant Heat you might do this with a fence, the wall , 2 Ways to Safely Transplant Rose Bushes of Any Age of an outbuilding or a hedge. , Lawn Care - Conserving Water in the Garden On a porch , Fire Hazard Alert - is your Dryer ready to Ignite or balcony, consider using fabric panels or drapes, pots , In Orchid Care The Flower Gives Signs of Disease and planters or a decorative screen. Lattice screening is especially appropriate to create a nook area on a deck. , Description of a Hurricane Lamp! If your space is small, consider keeping the height of any dividers under 4 ft. That will allow for a feeling of privacy in the nook, yet not completely cut off the visual flow of the space. Boundaries Hiding the furnishings from view may also help with another design , Garden Moss - How To Make Moss On Your Landscape Rocks and Garden Statues principle that should be applied in your nook -- defining the boundaries of that space. A nook is often closed in on three sides by walls, , It’s Gardening Season! plantings, trees, , Hard Economic Times, Expensive Gas and Oil Prices -- No Prob arbors, fences and so on. You can also define the nook's space by changing the flooring , The American Arborvitae Grows well in Milan Pa. in that area. This might mean a few flagstones in the grass; a different color , Worm Compost Bin of stain (or a painted faux rug) on the deck; or a scatter mat on a protected balcony or porch. , How to Lose Weight While Gardening Consider, too, the ceiling. A leafy bough overhead, a pergola or a ring of mosquito netting can all serve as a roof , Home Loans – Would You Buy A Home Without An Inspection? for the area. It's not necessary to have three walls, , Planting the Sunset Red Maple Tree and a delineated floor , Discover Electric Radiant Heat and a roof, , Lawn Care - Conserving Water in the Garden but at least some of these elements will help define the nook and create the cozy feel of a hideaway. A well-defined point of entry also adds to the welcoming effect. Comfort What furnishings your nook will hold depends on your use for it. But whether it's a reading chair, , Crafting--A Frugal Pastime a conversation bench , Patio Makeovers or a small dining table, be sure the furniture , Cork's Coziness Makes It Ideal Flooring is comfortable to use. Seating should support you properly and tables should be the proper height for relaxing dining. Side tables for coffee or books should be easily accessible. If you'll be reading in the evening, you'll want to consider lighting that is restful to your eyes. And have always have lots of cushions and pillows so you can sink into them! Finishing Touches Try to include some greenery in your nook if it isn't there naturally. It will add color, , Build A Simple Planter Box texture and luxury to the space. If you can, include a favorite piece of whimsy that personalizes your nook. Remember that, although the view looking into your nook is half the fun, the view looking out can add immeasurably to the pleasure of the time you spend there. Keep it in mind when you're situating your space. Use these principles and create a secret nook that will give unexpected delight to you and your guests alike. Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, , What to Look For in a Drill Press and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor , What to Look For in a Drill Press living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide "Attracting Butterflies to Your Home , Cork's Coziness Makes It Ideal Flooring and Garden" is now available on her web , Patios And Garden Pavers site. Visit her at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on "Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor , Home Loans – Would You Buy A Home Without An Inspection? space". Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com |
  
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