Friday, February 18, 2011

The incredible, wonderous, beautiful great outdoors and we have a winner!


ITS GIVEAWAY DAY!!!! I used random. org to select a winner......I am thrilled to announce the winner of the lovely chair from Safavieh is......

My follower.......FIDJI FROM THE BLOG, IRRESISTIBLE PARIS

Please step forward to claim your prize so that I can make the arrangements to have Safavieh deliver your newest addition! (I could not locate your email address so left a message on your blog)

CONGRATULATIONS!


Finally feeling almost fully back to normal and its full steam ahead, many house appts. today, heading to cabinet maker for kitchen color choices...wish me luck!
I don't know about you but I am really craving being outside in the fresh spring or summer air, strolling with my dog, sipping on a light tropical drink (granted I don't often stroll with a tropical drink but it sure sounds good), feeling the surge of the warm crisp air, taking in the beauty of the green grass and flowering trees and bushes. We here in NY, received a gift from the weather Gods, two unusually mild days, back to back and I think its put a little pep in every ones step! 
 I am longing for winter to go! Its been a long one for nearly all of us and for many of us in the most unexpected places, hello Virginia, Atlanta, Texas just to name a few......so today, for all you weary souls.... I make a tribute to fabulous outdoor spaces. Country, mountains, ranch or farmland, the Islands, the coast...wherever, there are so many fabulous outdoor settings that truly take my breath away. I can easily find something in each of these pictures to draw inspiration from. I cannot wait to be in the great outdoors and when you do, why not make it every bit as fabulous as the indoors? Outdoor living is bigger than ever and the industry as a whole is growing by leaps and bounds...so here are a few inspirational if not envy provoking images of some amazingly inviting outdoor spaces..enjoy! Do you have a favorite and if so, what can you see yourself doing in that space? I will go with number 1, and I can see myself and six other couples having a wine tasting dinner al fresco, on a perfect early summer night, light jazz music serenading us from the distance...... 


Suzanne Tucker did a stunning job on this winery covered loggia/outdoor entertaining space in the Silicon Valley, outdoors at its best...so lush!

This pretty brick walled columned covered porch is intimate and inviting with a pretty limestone fireplace and a front row seat to the pool
Architect Hakan Habif designed this stunning outdoor space in Turkey, overlooking the Aegean Sea.....love the furniture and interesting "trunk coffee tables"....stunning!
One of my all time favorites, Tuscany inspired high elevated outdoor porch in California..dreamy by Craig White
Love how the outdoors and indoors become one in this bay area outdoors space.....what a view of the Golden Gate Bridge! Agins Interiors
Love this! Under an grape vine pergola....fabulous, elegant and sooo inviting! I could happily have every meal at this table!
Jacques Dizier brings the outside in with disappearing glass walls that incorporate the stunning living room into the outside terrace to become one, overlooking the Pacific....beautiful soft colors make the setting serene and focus on the breathtaking vistas
Bring me my Mai Tai and I am all set....beautiful outdoor space on Maui, Architectural Digest
This stunning large scaled covered porch off this home off the coast of the Carolinas, is situated to take advantage of water views on each side....love the warm colors used here, Shope Reno and Wharton
Beautiful covered porch with fireplace by William Stubbs is  picturesque poolside
This sunny inviting space is in Napa Valley by Lori O'Kane Backen
This attractive Hamptons home boasts a beautiful indoor/outdoor area with pretty dark green wicker furniture...makes me long for a summer day Architectural Digest
Pretty outdoor space overlooks the Inter coastal in Palm Beach by Geoffrey Bradfield
Jacque Dizier created this sumptuous wood and stone covered trellis outdoor dining area...perfect. How gorgeous is that view in the distance of the Napa vineyards?
Chers "drool worthy" covered porch looks out onto the infinity pool and ocean...one word WOW!
Juan Pablo Molyneaux created this lush oasis full of beautiful greenery on a stone terrace overlooking the French countryside, give me a stash of magazines and a cup of good French coffee and I am good to go!
This beautiful outdoor patio has a tree growing right through the roof, but blends beautifully with the natural, neutral colored furnishings. Architectural Digest
Designer Bunny Williams created this inviting cozy old fashioned feeling covered porch complete with outdoor fireplace...the candles give it a nice glow on a cool summer evening
Mark Boone created this beautiful covered porch/loggia...beautiful against the dramatic tall dark wood cased doors
This would have to be kind of like, the ultimate in outdoor entertaining, don't you think? With the expansive outdoor terraces, the fireplace seating area, the pool, and the ocean beyond...pretty dreamy I would say!  Agins Interiors (just in case you are wondering who this belongs to, its belongs to Restoration Hardware's CEO....yep, you probably helped pay for this!)
Barbara Barry created this beautiful monochromatic rear terrace overlooking Montecito, CA
Gorgeous indoor/outdoor pavilion in this Kona home is done by Mary Philpotts McGrath
Pretty seating area on simple stone patio....calm and serene
Robert Stern designed this dramatic neo classic section of a home that doubles as a dramatic and beautiful pool house
Breathtaking Moroccan inspired terrace off Sicily overlooks the tranquil Tyrrhenian
Frankly you don't need to do much here because of the out of this world spectacular view, but the pretty rounded patio takes advantage of a 360 degree view....perfect!

Wishing you a wonderfully enchanting weekend and congratulations Fidgi!






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26 comments:

  1. This wonderful post with all these divine outdoor spaces has me yearning for Spring! Hope you have a fantastic weekend my friend! XX

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  2. Ughhhh I would be in Heaven sitting in any of the above. Such beautiful inspiration.

    Congrats to the winner....what a lucky lady-
    XO

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  3. These are all gorgeous and I'm with you I would love number one! I just want to be outside in comfortable weather. Have a wonderful long weekend Tina!

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  4. The 7th picture stole my heart as my in-laws had almost the exact setting in Fl. on the gulf coast. Disappearing glass walls overlooking the logia, pool and gulf. It was a piece of heaven to me!!!! Thanks for all the beautiful spaces you shared. Have a great weekend!!! XO< Pinky

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  5. I had to go back to the top a second time, after I realized I was looking solely at the views and not the yards!
    Thank you for the inspiration!
    Congratulations Fidji! Enjoy your new chair!

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  6. Off for a quick r&r break this weekend! Just me and the hubby---going to be beautiful down here in the South this weekend - 75 degrees and sunny! have a great weekend.

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  7. Congrats to your lucky winner! And, I would love to have a beautiful outdoor space like this, especially with a little spring in the air!!

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  8. It would be so difficult to choose a favorite but, I am leaning towards the first image too. :-)

    Have a great weekend!
    Heather

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  9. This looks so dreamy! Wonderful inspiration!
    Ada

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  10. All beautiful - can't wait to go outside without boots!! As usual, I'm with AO - love the first!!

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  11. Great images for this weather...it's supposed to be 75 in Atlanta today!! I would love to be spending it in any of these spaces :) Good luck with the color choices and have a great weekend!! xo KO

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  12. Tina,

    Have fun with the house appointments, it gives you a chance, to check things off of the many lists. Glad you're feeling good as new too!
    Congrats to the giveaway winner. I really resonate with all these spaces and living on the coast of California we use our outdoor living spaces most of the year.

    Under the grape vine pergola I could "see" why I was drawn to this although I enjoy them all. My Mom (who passed on Mother's Day 2010) was born in Spain and there are lots of photos of family sharing meals on a table and setting very much like this one. Of course I hope to travel there someday and sit at that very table with her in spirit.

    Sharing is love and outdoor spaces release people of their usual thoughts and nature embraces to fill them up with something better. Have a peaceful weekend.

    Bette

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  13. This makes spring seem a bit more likely, and the accompanying feelings more attainable. Such a slice of heaven, thank you! (That Robert Stern photo is simply stunning, I love it.)

    May you enjoy a terrific weekend of good health and happy smiles.
    tp

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  14. If I had outdoor spaces like these, I'd never go on vacation. Lovely way to start the weekend!

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  15. I was just telling hubby I want new furniture for the patio this spring :O) I am sure he would prefer I dont read your blog as I keep 'coming up' with more ideas lol

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  16. Congratulations to Fidgi!

    I love the outdoor space on the Hamptons home.

    Enjoy your warm weather spell - we got a warm up this week, too.

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  17. Congrats to the winner! I think I could live outside so beautiful outdoor spaces are very important to me. these are some genms. Have a fabulous weekend, Tina!

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  18. WOW! I love my little backyard, but these are fabulous. I'm sure I'll be back to view this post many times.

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  19. Heaven. I love dining outdoors.
    Mary Ann

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  20. Thank you for your very kind compliments. I am so glad you found my blog. I love your style and I look forward to following your dream house journey!
    AK xo

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  21. love outdoor living area....
    beautiful images...
    maureen

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  22. Oh my...so pretty those outdoor spaces!

    Thank you for visiting my blog. I love your too.

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  23. omgosh
    what a fabulous post.
    i could not even pick a singular setting.
    although i really felt good about the bricked wall setting with the fireplace,
    bunny williams' job, and the one right abouve it.
    i am sorry to say...
    where i live everyone is strolling around drinking tropical drinks all year long.
    :(

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  24. I took a moment to look at the progress of your home. I am excited to see the journey and what lies before you and your family.

    Mr. Goodwill Hunting

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  25. I would never leave home with outdoor spaces like these. The views are spectacular. I am looking forward to seeing your new outdoor space.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  26. WOW! Just discovered your blog while surfing pinterest. Fabulous posts! No need to ever go on vacation if these were your views....

    Caron

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Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!