Barbecue
Mother Nature’s bedroom. The designers at Compagnie D have translated interior elements to the outdoors to create this peaceful retreat at the back corner of a garden. There’s a sense of enclosure: The tree canopy acts as the ceiling, the perimeter fences as the walls, and the lattice detail as textural wallpaper. The analogy doesn’t stop there. The decorative dishes sit on the wall like picture frames, and bird cages and lanterns in the trees act as pendant lighting. The soft, lush plants are Mother Nature’s carpet, leading to the daybed, a place of respite and rest. It’s an organic outdoor room for anyone’s garden.
. The trellis effect. The architects of this contemporary porch have designed an outdoor room that has a sense of enclosure while maintaining a relationship with the outside. Laser-cut screens both block and allow sun to penetrate, creating geometric shadows. The space is minimal while also being rich in material.
Pack in useful details. It’s the little things that can make all the difference in your outdoor kitchen experience, so consider what would benefit you the most — better lighting, prep space, music? This Toronto rooftop kitchen includes a mini fridge, dish storage, speakers for an electronic device and night lighting.
Add a full-size fridge. If you cook outdoors a lot, a fridge and freezer can be a big help. Keep them stocked with ice, chilled drinks and the food you plan to grill, and that will free up space in your regular fridge. Of course, not just any fridge will do — a retro style in a cheerful color, like the Smeg shown here, will add to the style of your outdoor space.
The outdoor kitchen. This creative outdoor experience literally extends the inside to the outside, mimicking the white and stainless steel materials found in the kitchen within to create an outside room that would be welcome in any home. With the back wall of the house open to the outside, the two kitchens appear as one. The durable stone countertops of the internal kitchen are used outside and the traditional stainless steel oven and cooktop appliances are replicated with outdoor appliances in the form of a barbecue and side burners. Even the cabinetry of the outdoor kitchen takes its design cue from the kitchen cabinets within. What makes this outdoor kitchen-dining area work so well is the integration of all the design components that work well together. The proportions and site lines are carried through from inside to outside and appear seamless.
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