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The Fresh Exchange, Hudson's Bay Company (Edison lights), CB2 (table), Pier 1 Imports (stool), PoliVaz (chair) SUMMER 2017 BCA A .COM 27 Four ways to pretty up your patio for summer BY JANET GYENES Take it Outside TIP! Adding a rug? If someone were to trip and hold you legally responsible, personal liability insurance could protect you. Learn more: bcaa.com/insurance Balmy summer days are all about outdoor living. Here are some contemporary ways to freshen your outdoor space, whether you have a condo balcony or expansive backyard patio. Bring the inside out Even small patios can be transformed into glorious garden rooms that feel like an extension of your indoor space. Take your style cues from your interior design, says landscape design consultant Caitlin Black, of Vancouver's Aloe Designs. "I like to look at the space as a whole, and all the elements – flooring, walls, plantscapes, lighting and furniture," she says. The interior trend toward warm-toned metals translates especially well outdoors. Many manufacturers are producing outdoor versions of copper and brass fixtures, lanterns, lounge chairs, accent tables and daybeds that are designed for water- resistance and durability, yet look as stylish and modern as their indoor counterparts. Add a rug Outdoor rugs act as an anchor and create a room-like feel. Position your furniture either on the rug itself or around its edges. Make a bold statement with bright colours – stripes and ombre rugs are hot picks – or opt for neutral tones in geometric patterns. Be sure your rug is made from a weatherproof material such as 100 per cent polypropylene, vinyl or recycled PVC plastic. Accessorize with trendy leaf green Avoid trendy tones when buying investment pieces such as sofas and tables, and instead inject colour with affordable accessories. For instance: the colour gurus at the Pantone Institute have chosen Greenery as its 2017 Color of the Year. This "fresh and zesty yellow-green" shade goes well with neutrals like gold and charcoal and pops when paired with pinks, coral and almost any shade of blue. Add it to your outdoor space with cushions, throws and melamine tableware. Try a built-in banquette These mimic a cozy kitchen nook outdoors; plus they're space-savers, especially with under-seat storage. Alternatively, add a low-slung sectional (around 25 cm high, compared to the standard 30 to 40 cm). Pair it with an oversized, low coffee table in a water-resistant rattan for eating meals on laps and relaxing with coffee or cocktails. ■ Try these patio-design fresheners: built-in banquettes, Edison lightbulbs, leaf-green accents and warm- toned metals.

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