Alfresco Living with Julia Style Trends

by Julia Wong

As spring rolls around, bringing with it warmer weather and idyllic days, it’s time to prepare for the season of tan lines and California sun. Dusting off your home’s outdoor spaces can be a challenge whether it’s upkeep or a complete revamp. The direction I take with my alfresco living is a blend of indoor and outdoor, the comforts of the inside of the home with the beauty and refreshment of the outside.

The starting point is extending the interior color palette to the exterior. I prefer neutrals with pops of vibrant color. Color palette isn’t the full extent though—I aim to bring all the comforts of the interior to the outdoors. Outdoor heating is a must for the brisk California nights that persist even until early summer. It doesn’t have to be in the form of bulky heat lamps; I want my heating fixtures to blend with the setting. Lighting is essential for the ambience of any area. In the backyard, I tend to stay away from bright flood lights, opting for a more moody, romantic feel. I find that this creates the most comfortable and congenial atmosphere. All these elements come together to create outdoor ‘rooms’ that transition seamlessly with the rest of the house.

Sculpture gardens and ornamental plants help create a backdrop for these alfresco rooms, while also minimizing the amount of natural grass that needs to be watered. Incorporating sculptures in garden designs can add a unique and artistic touch. Larger-scale sculptures create a focal point and catch the eye, while smaller pieces create detail and depth in areas of the garden that may be more sparse. There are many types of sculptures that can be used to enhance the design of your outdoor room, ranging from contemporary to abstract to classical styles. My favorite sculpture materials are marble and bronze for their timelessness and durability. The one pictured here is from a line of garden sculptures I’m developing now. Stay tuned!

Ornamental plants create subtle dividers between certain areas of the garden or can function simply as decoration, such as for framing fountains or fixtures. I love trees in decorative stone planters, particularly olive, orange, and lemon trees. They remind me of my travels to the Amalfi coast.

Fountains are a particular favorite of mine. They provide both visual and audio appeal, creating another layer of atmosphere in your outdoor scene. They can be less conspicuous when constructed of natural-hewn materials or take the spotlight with bright tiles and waterworks. Tiles are not limited to fountains either. We’re spoiled here in Southern California with the many types of tiles that can be used for outdoor applications, including ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone. In addition to aesthetic considerations, it’s equally important to take into account the durability and slip-resistance of the tiles to ensure they are suitable for outdoor use. The installation and maintenance requirements of tilework should be kept within what is comfortable and practical to maintain. You don’t want your walkway to crack the first time we have an earthquake!

When combining elements in garden design, consider the overall style and theme of the outdoor atmosphere. The most important thing is creating a space that is both beautiful and functional. Creating outdoor rooms in the garden using ornamental plants, sculptures, fountains, and tile can elevate the outdoor-living experience and transform the garden into a luxurious and effective space.