Outdoor Rooms: The Perfect Pergola
Extend Your Living Space With Just the Right Amount of Shade on the Patio
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If you've been thinking about how to add more elegance to your terrace, patio or deck, a pergola could be the perfect choice. This beautiful structure is a wonderful way to define your outdoor space without closing it in. Pergolas are classic, architectural features that often covered the walkways in Italian Renaissance gardens. A pergola makes a versatile addition to any outdoor living area because it can be customized to fit the style of your yard, whether it's formal or casual. Pergolas don't provide full shelter, but their openness is what provides that look of simple elegance.
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This freestanding poolside pergola creates a spa-like focal point. The fabric panels soften the look and create a feeling of luxury. Imagine how tranquil this scene looks when the fabric moves in the wind.
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| A ceiling fan is a great addition to a pergola. It will help to circulate air and give your outdoor space an indoor feel. When looking for fans, just make sure you select one suited for outdoor use.
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This outdoor space could be a page right out of a book on medieval Renaissance gardens. Walkways lined with vine-covered pergolas were very common in these types of outdoor areas, and they provide gorgeous inspiration for our gardens, too!
| If you have a large terrace, don't feel compelled to provide covering for the entire area. Here, a pergola is used for just a portion of the space. This creates a terrace that is multi-functional and more visually interesting. |
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| When planning for your pergola, think beyond natural or stained wood. Here, a deep green hue helps the structure blend into the natural environment while creating a dramatic contrast against the patio's white tones.
8 Elements of a Perfect Outdoor Dining Room |
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| Here, a natural woven material atop the pergola provides shade and an unexpected rustic touch to the clean, contemporary sitting area. |
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by Tenshon, LLC
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| Add color to your pergola (and more shade) by installing outdoor fabric in a vivid hue. |
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This photo shows how a pergola can seamlessly extend a home's living space. The structure is stained in the same color as the trim on the house's exterior, which creates a nice flow from the inside of the home to the patio.
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To obtain a bit more shade and privacy from your pergola, install the overhead slats closer together and include a variety of climbing vines and lush plants.
More:
See more photos of pergolas in landscape design
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More:
See more photos of pergolas in landscape design
50 Great Designs for a Garden Party
12 One-of-a-Kind Trellis and Arbor Designs
Ideabook published on May 22, 2011.
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So who owns this pretty house
http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/05/patio-perfect.html
Rosie, in Georgia
However, one of my favorite places to enjoy nature is under the pergola in the rose garden at the famed Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland -- just outside of Washington, DC. If you're ever visiting the area, this is a must see!
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/