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Outdoor rooms: Neale Whitaker explains how to create a backyard oasis

September 25, 2020 1 Comment

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โ€œItโ€™s not a new phenomenon, but Australians really did pioneer the outdoor room,โ€ says The Block judge and Love It or List It host Neale Whitaker. He puts it down to our lifestyle and fabulous weather. And with the open-plan interior trend having dominated for over a decade now, itโ€™s natural that it would would eventually extend to the outdoors.

Neale Whitaker on the King Living Zaza outdoor sofa
Neale on the King Living Zaza outdoor sofa

โ€œIn recent years, people have become aware of how an outdoor room can enhance their lifestyle while adding value to a home,โ€ says Neale, who sees the backyard (or even deck) as no longer just home to a BBQ and a couple of sun loungers, but a legitimate additional โ€˜roomโ€™ all of its own.ย 

โ€œI used to live in an apartment in Sydney’s Alexandria and the deck was almost the same size as the indoor part of the home,โ€ says Neale who, through clever design, was able to use the space for much of the year. โ€œI designed the deck just as I had the indoors. I put a sofa out there, coffee table and art on the wall,โ€ says Neale who found it was a wonderful way to increase the footprint of the home.

King Living Delta outdoor setting
King Living Delta outdoor setting

But ensuring a seamless result, from the inside of a home to the outdoors, hasnโ€™t always been easy; in large part due to a lack of available outdoor products. For example, once upon a time, if you favoured a Scandi aesthetic there was no way that look could continue through to your homeโ€™s outdoor area, but now it can. 

This King Living Zaza outdoor sofa would look just as at home indoors
This gorgeous King Living Zaza outdoor sofa (upholstered in Oceania fabric) would look just as at home indoors

โ€œOutdoor furniture was once pretty generic. It all felt the same. There was a lot of that woven plastic furniture from the Philippines which didnโ€™t wear very well,โ€ says Neale, who is an ambassador for King Living. He explains that not only are outdoor furniture designs better than ever, but the outdoor fabric technologies are too. โ€œGiven that amazing strides have been made on this front, you can now replicate the style you have inside, on the outside too.”

So with summer on our doorstep, what are Nealeโ€™s top tips for creating a fabulous outdoor room?

Assess the space

First up you need to really look at the space; what are its dimensions and what sort of light and shade do you have? โ€œAn outdoor room is a wonderful idea but if you have no sun protection you will need to think about how you can live in the space,โ€ says Neale, who suggests installing a sail cloth as a great initial step.

King Living Quay dining table and chairs
King Living Quay dining table and chairs

How do you live?

Next up, you need to think about how you are going to live in the space. โ€œI would give the same advice to someone renovating their kitchen or bathroom. You should think about what you really need and donโ€™t overspend on unnecessary items,โ€ says Neale who cites the outdoor BBQ as a great example of an often-underutilised item. โ€œDepending on how close your kitchen is, you may not need to invest in an elaborate and expensive BBQ,โ€ says Neale.

King Living King Cove lounge and side table
King Living King Cove lounge and side table

Furniture and accessories

โ€œStop thinking of the backyard as a backyard and think of it as a logical extension of a living space and apply the same rules to create it. Think of it as a room without walls,โ€ says Neale who believes that getting the furniture right is fundamental. 

โ€œObviously everyone has to work to a budget but if you can, I think itโ€™s worth investing in a quality big ticket item such as a comfortable and stylish sofa,โ€ says Neale. Then pair it with a couple of stylish outdoor chairs, an outdoor rug, coffee table and even lamps if you’re adventurous. โ€œIf youโ€™re going to use the space at night you do need to consider your light sources,” says Neale, who loves finishing off an outdoor space with an array of gorgeous pots and plants.

King Living Zaza outdoor sofa

For more on King Living

Roof terrace
Roof terrace outdoor solution for inner-city WA home
Situated on a tiny 183 square metre block, in the inner-city Perth suburb of Mount Lawley, creative design solutions were top of mind when designing this gem of a home.…
An outdoor oasis all year round: how?
As we firmly step into winter, the lure of venturing out to the backyard may not be as enticing as it is during summer.ย But this should not be the case!…
Neale Whitaker on ignoring trends while paying attention to how your home feels
Interior design expert and TV personality, Neale Whitaker, discusses his approach to trends and how to create a home that’s truly you. When it comes to styling a room, Neale…

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Want to try a different tipple this weekend? Toda Want to try a different tipple this weekend?

Today's #iafoodiefriday recipe is a lemon and pink peppercorn spritz by our friends at @thewholefoodsrefillery ๐Ÿธ 

They'll give you 20% off your first order with our code. Find everything you need on the blog now via link in bio.

Cheers! 

#pinkpeppercorn #spritzlife
Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world!ย 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

#timberhandles #timberknobs #cabinethardware #cabinethandles #finishingtouches #drawerpulls #kitchenhandles #kitchenpulls #kitchenknobs #kitchendrawer #kitchendrawers #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #theinteriorsaddict #homerenovations #interiordesignaustralia #interiordesigninspo #transformyourhome #housemakeover #designinspiration #trusttheprocess #designwork #beautifulhomes #dreamhouse #homestylingsydney #beforeandafterrenovation #creatingbeautifulspaces #kitchentrends2022 #kitchenglowup
Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

๐Ÿฆ˜๐ŸจForget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers๐Ÿ™

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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  1. AvatarMater Stools says

    May 1, 2021 at 2:37 pm

    Starting with a great area rug is a good place to start when designing and defining a room. For the rest of the design, stick with the color palette from the rug and add in some complementary pieces of furniture, flowers and plants and other decor. Thank you for your post. Hope you will like my thoughts.

    Reply

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