Sophisticated design for exterior garden rooms

Admired gardens have focal points that support a garden room theme.  Within that area, you then showcase its best features using focal points.

Focal points can be created using splashes of color. They direct views toward desirable spots, and distract the eye from focusing upon unsightly things.

Red color accents create happy, vibrant, energizing feelings.

Here is a summary from the video (below) of five ways to use red for garden focal points:

1. Celebrate the passage of time by placing plants with red berries, leaves or flowers in strategic places. In Feng Shui, red is considered a fire element, so winter is a perfect time to create warmth by locating a native winterberry holly [Ilex verticillata 'Spriber'] in a strategic location viewed from inside. Welcome spring by choosing red flowering native plants, or even red-twigged natives such as Arctic Fire red twig dogwood [Cornus stolonifera 'Farrow'].

2. Pave with darker red bricks or pavers to create structure within the garden. Since we’re used to moving upon hard ‘floors’, our eyes easily ‘find’ path edges and paved surfaces. We’re attracted to the deeper clay reds because we know them from other natural landscapes.   In color science, red paired with its opposite, but complementary, green is always a winning combination.

3. Design hidden focal points that appear as you walk around your garden rooms. A dynamic garden doesn’t have a single view, but many views.  Each appears as you move through your spaces. Delightful red focal points create curiosity and fun surprises that subconsciously urge us to look for more.  A whimsical red-accented ceramic frog acts as a surprise focal point just around the corner from a garden pool.

4. Add red accessories such as pillows, rugs, vases, chairs, and flags. Who said chair cushions all needed to be identical? When you bounce an accent color around your seating area, an energy is created that excites both your visual and physical senses. Red solids and patterns are terrific for accomplishing this effect.  Try to vary your treatments in different yard areas in order to highlight particular features.

5. Accent with Yard Art. With the resurgence of glass gazing balls and availability of any number of sculptural pieces in quality garden centers, seriously consider placing a very large piece of art somewhere on your property. As the season’s change, it’s really fun to watch your art emplacement change.  Your visitors will certainly be impressed and remember their visit to your yard long after they return home.  Just remember to think Big, because the landscape swallows up items and their effect is less than impressive if the scale is out of proportion with its surroundings.

Aim to balance all of your individual elements for an overall harmonious effect.

A busy garden full of too many colors creates visual chaos.  Sophisticated spaces use multiple tones of a few colors.

Just remember: a little red gives you a Big result so use it sparingly.

Video: Great Garden Design with Red

How have you used red in you home and garden?  Feel free to leave your thoughts here…

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

gottabgreen July 16, 2012 at 5:10 pm

Great article. I’ve never been to your blog but you speak to the choir. I love the red focal points in a garden or contemplative space. A space like this is built for a casual wading through the environment and shopping with our eyes. It’s a relaxing uphoric place but a little power of suggestion never hurt… or follow the path i have set out for you.
Visit GottaBGreen

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