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S O F T S P O T
Pillows
propped against the wall
take the place of a heavy-
looking headboard,
above.
An aqua-painted antique tub,
above right,
matches the
wainscoting. Shutters make
carefree window dressings.
N A T U R A L A T T R A C T IO N
Grasses and a bowl of apples
link the screen porch,
opposite,
to the backyard.
L i g h t e n U p On windows, one option is to remove
heavy
treatments and
hang airy linen panels, Kocher says. “I also use shutters a lot,” she says. “It’s a
very coastal look.” In a kitchen, painted cabinets dress things down, as does open
shelving. “An
easy
way to get the look of open shelving is to remove doors from
upper cabinets,” says San Francisco designer
t i n e k e t r i g g s .
“Painting the backs
of the cabinets bright apple green or citrus orange makes them even more casual
and fun, especially if you don’t have bright dishes to display.”
M o v e O U tsid e A porch or patio is the essence of casual living,
right.
Cole
lets the function of the space drive the decorating. If a screen porch is a place to
eat breakfast, add a bistro set. If a patio is used for family gatherings, consider a
big farm table. “Pick furniture that seems like it could be inside in a casual living
room,” she says. “There should be a seamless flow between indoors and out.”
S im p lif y “If you have
1 0
pillows on a sofa, pick your favorite three,” says
Gibson-Wakeman. ‘You’ll create a lighter, more relaxing space.” New York
City
designer
J e f f r e y b i l h u b e r
is big on organization. “Know why you have certain
things and what they mean to you,” he says. “Everything should have a place
and be in its place. That’s what makes us relaxed and comfortable.” ®
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AUGUST 2008 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
For buying information see page 190.
