Thursday, August 19, 2010

Outdoor Rooms: Inside Outside House

Outdoor rooms are at the heart of every Fernau & Hartman project. For an outdoor room to function properly it has to have some, if not all, of the qualities of an indoor space.


Photos copyright Ro Snell.

A delicate steel sunshade tones down the noontime sun on the terrace that separates the kitchen from the art studio.









The dogs voted with their paws.











In addition to a sunshade, this outdoor living/dining room tempers the elements with adjustable windscreens. It also has a sleeping nook and BBQ








A poured concrete counter, while elegant, takes abuse well.









When the wind isn't blowing, the shutters open onto a California Live Oak.










An oversized cushion will transform the this nook into a poolside bed on warm Santa Barbara nights.








The view from the dining area, across the aquatic carpet, and through the glassless window.












Looking back across the central courtyard, one can see more of the amenities: an outdoor shower (left), boulders and benches.









On the east side, a deck off the master bedroom takes in the morning sun. We made the transition from the bedroom to the deck as comfortable and seamless as possible.