Tips for navigating the market As an interior designer with J.S. Brown Design, Scott Brown has beautified interiors along the West Coast for 30 years, from Mexico to his home base in Bend, Oregon. "Fifteen or twenty years ago," he says, "The outside was all but forgotten."
Now, he frequently has clients requesting equally savvy backyard destinations, and he?s happy to comply. "I think it?s so important for designers to not just stop at the door," says Brown. "The outdoor spaces are just as important as the indoors."
Today, the outdoor furniture market is booming, with many retailers offering pieces at a variety of price points. "It?s an interesting time right now to do outdoor design. There are a lot of resources available," says Brown. He offered his tips for navigating the market, as well as some of his favorite finds. Make a list of activities to determine what you need
Brown approaches the design of an outdoor room much like he does an indoor space, and that means pulling out the tape measure and graph paper before going to the store. "Definitely start with a space plan of the area and consider the uses?whether that?s dining or sitting around a fire pit," says Brown. "Then build from there."
Begin by knowing where certain activities will occur, then hone in on what size furniture will fit the dimensions of the area. For smaller yards, simple furniture will save space, like a wood bench adorned ...