June 2006

A Summer of Beauty on Deck

Have a deck but almost never use it? Here are easy ways to fall in love again with that magnificent feature of your house ... just a few steps away.

By Rachel Ezekiel-Fishbein

Each spring I have the best intentions: I'll spend more time relaxing on my deck; serve more meals out there; and persuade my husband that summer evenings are for glasses of wine in the moonlight, candles and conversation, not reruns and paying bills.

Sadly, the deck never seems to beckon me the way I fantasize. Apparently I'm not alone. According to Wyncote landscape designer Brad Baker, president of Baker Creative, many of us spend the money to build beautiful decks and patios only to abandon them. His solution? A simple and inexpensive facelift to make the space more alluring (and practical), turning it into the type of oasis many of us envision when we decide to build.

"Your outdoor space," says Baker, "should be an extension of your living space, sharing the same aesthetic and inviting you to relax. It should appeal to all of your senses and be easy to maintain — a source of relaxation, not stress."

Baker begins transforming an outdoor living space by standing in its entryway to gauge what the homeowners will see as they walk outside. If the first thing he sees is a neighbor's garage or garbage cans, he understands immediately why the space isn't used more often. However such views can be easily transformed with the bevy of new and interesting screens, pergolas and trellises on the market. The initial impression should also create continuity between the interior and exterior, whether it's through color choice or consistency of style.

"The possibilities are limitless." says Baker. ''You can take a small area and build a 10-foot tall arbor, giving it height that makes it seem bigger, or add warmth and intimacy to a large, open area with the addition of a pergola from which to hang wind chimes and flower baskets.''

A critical consideration is how you want to use the space. Determining this will help you create a floor plan for the furnishings. As you place each item, remember to add little touches that will encourage you to use the space. If you envision reading on your deck in the evening, invest in low-voltage track lighting near your most comfortable chair. If you want to eat outside more often, pick up an inexpensive bench or trunk to fill with a decorative outdoor tablecloth, paper or plastic tableware and cushions for your dining chairs. Having everything at your disposal and a method for easy set-up and clean-up will make you more likely to follow through.

Baker says you on should take a moment in each of the spots where you foresee seating to identify any additional views you wish to camouflage and focal points you choose to emphasize.

Placement of décor accents and furniture allow you to create the flow you desire and protect small children from the heat of a grill or a dangerous stairway. If you're re willing to think ''outside the box" with your décor, you can create appealing, unexpected points of interest. For instance, a window box need not hang from a window. A large window box placed on the ground, patio or deck is the perfect shape and size to deflect children, blocking them from harm with beautiful, colorful blooms. For one of Baker's clients, a combination of oversized window boxes and trellises formed the attractive yet functional edge to an unrailed front porch that would otherwise have presented a falling hazard.

Planting an herb garden or edible flowers inside those large pots will give you another reason to use your outdoor space, truly extending your home outwards. If your deck or patio gets a lot of sun, peppery Nasturtiums will grow well. They are delicious in salads and come in intense shades of yellow, red and orange. Those same children you are protecting from the grill will love the instant gratification of picking herbs and flowers for their meals.

An added perk to choosing larger containers is their lower demand for watering, because they hold more soil and water. Technology has made gardening so much less time-consuming," says Baker, "The new potting soils are made with slow-release fertilizer and water holding crystals, so you don't need to fertilize and you only have to water your potted plants once or twice a week.” Because of their ease of maintenance, Baker suggests 14-inch pots, if your space is large enough not to be dwarfed by them. These pots are even roomy enough to hold candle receptacles or the large citronella torch-style candles that look so pretty emerging from the earth.

Don't save your decorative lights for the holidays. Baker suggests myriad ways to use soft bee lights in your outdoor space. “Bee lights are one of the best ways to create a mood outside,'' says Baker. ''Wrap them around the railing of your deck, twist them through your huge tropical plants or intertwine them in a pergola to give the illusion of moonlight anytime. These lights will look beautiful from the inside, inviting you outdoors.

Baker is quick to remind his clients to consider the sounds of the outdoors, in addition to the sights. The simple addition of an outlet will allow you to plug in a soothing fountain. It is also relatively simple and inexpensive to run speaker wire through the wall to hang outdoor speakers. Most modern stereos have a remote control so you can turn on soft music, the sounds of water or even dance tunes without having to go back inside.

If, like me, you want to make this the year your deck or patio becomes an extension of your home, just follow a few of the tips below, supplied by Baker:

1) Plan ahead to emphasize the best views, hide what you don't want to see and design the space around your home and lifestyle.

2) Create intimacy and define your space by crafting borders — even the illusion of a ceiling — with simple items such as a decorative arbor, a trellis adorned with climbing plants or hanging flower baskets.

3) Get bold with large pots to create dynamic flowering arrangements or edible designs.

4) Be creative with window boxes, remembering that they aren't just for windows.

5) Select an easy-to-use electric or battery operated fountain to create a soothing environment.

6) Use appropriate lighting to draw you – and keep you – outdoors.

7) Artfully place outdoor sculpture to personalize your space.

8) Choose furnishings that aesthetically appeal to you, offer comfort and complement your style inside your home.

9) Add music or other soothing sounds.

Brad Baker is a Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist. You can reach him at Baker Creative, 215-884-4978 or Brad@BakerCreative.com. To see his work, visit www.BakerCreative.com.

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