You know that excited feeling you get when you see a room, fall in love with it, and must know absolutely every single thing about it? (We know we can’t be the only ones!) This notion is the ethos behind our series, Anatomy of a Room, where we touch base with the decorators behind some of our favorite spaces and have them break down every design decision and detail.
This round, Katie Staples of @halfway_wholeistic is giving us a tour of her seriously stunning backyard, which is complete with an outdoor living and dining area—both of which are as beautiful and comfortable as those you would find indoors. We’ll let Katie show you around!
Tell us about your backyard and what look and feel you were going for!
Since we live in Southern California, I wanted to create an outdoor space that we could use often since we’re lucky enough to have sunshine all year long. Having a seating and dining area has been so nice, especially this time of year when the weather is just about perfect!
Did you do any major renovations to the space?
Oh yes! You should see the before photos. This backyard resembled something more of an overgrown forest than a curated backyard before we completed the renovation. There was an old patio cover, broken brick pavers, and lots of mismatched shrubbery and trees. We cleared out all of the old plants and replaced them with new ones, added a new patio and patio cover, and installed the retaining wall to create a more defined space between the upper and lower level of the backyard.
How did you choose the rugs for the space, and what made them the right picks?
I knew I wanted something simple and neutral for this space since it can be seen from our indoor dining and living room areas. Something too bold would make it feel cluttered and chaotic! So, I opted for the Braided Texture Indoor/Outdoor rug and Birdseye Striped Indoor/Outdoor rug. The light and airy feel of both works perfectly in this space!
Why did you decide to go with two different rugs for the space?
There’s a simple rule I like to follow when it comes to pairing multiple rugs in a single space. If I want to use different rugs but still maintain a cohesive feel, I select solid, patterned, and geometric rugs within the same color palette.
In this case, I only needed two rugs, so I went with one solid (the braided) and one patterned (the birdseye). While the patterns and textures vary between the two rugs, they have a similar overall tone which allows them to blend nicely on our back patio.
What is your favorite moment in the space?
I would have to say the overall aesthetic! The way the ivory and neutral colors in the space are complemented by the warm wood tones and wispy grasses makes for a comfortable, relaxing space, which I love!
How are you planning on enjoying the area this summer?
Lots of summer BBQs are bound to happen here! We also love using it for a morning quiet time or afternoon hang.
What advice do you have for others who are hoping to spruce up their outdoor areas for the season?
My process for designing a space successfully is always the same, and it never fails! Start by gathering inspiration, create a design board, and then make your purchases! Starting with a clear direction and plan will empower you to create a space you’ll love for years to come.
