Creating Beautiful Outdoor Spaces, Antique Architecture and Vintage Doors
Creating expansive outdoor living spaces beyond the pool in your country farmhouse acreage is being in a dynamic conversation with nature’s beauty and artistic elements. Older pool decks were smaller and enclosed and kept you away from absorbing nature’s energies. The newer back to normal is including the outdoors as an extension of the house. Creating larger spaces for outdoor dining, a fire pit, and using antique architectural elements that brings in new energy and connectivity to the open spaces.
The triple arched veranda architectural archway is the focal point of this patio where the family has a state of the art outdoor kitchen. The arched façade vintage barn doors open from inside the house to the patio. The patio sofa and chairs are made from reclaimed woods and the carved ornate details makes it stand out from the regular patio furniture. An old Tibetan mortar serves as the herbal storage for freshly farmed oregano, basil and thyme. The antique oxcart bench reminds you of the Game of Thrones, so eclectic and unique. The stairs have beautiful teak carved railings salvaged from an estate in Jaipur, leading to the garden, where you are embraced by a pair of majestic black granite elephants, their trunks up and welcoming you in an extravagant statement.
The patio leads to the gravel dining room that is framed with old painted tiles in vivid blues which are also scattered around in the veranda. The feel is vintage rustic with an eclectic touch. The granite Buddha sits under the pergola, serene and calm in the earth touch mudra, the gray stone tones are natural and beautiful. His eyes closed in meditation, the calmness and divinity of his energy embraces the entire house. The natural foliage and flowering bushes play their song as nature sings its lullaby. Eating freshly cooked food in such an atmosphere is so holistic and nurturing. The family and friends get together for Thanksgiving every year and enjoy the gardens in their fullest bloom.
The fire pit is a must as winters are cold, the rugged natural stone design was created keeping in mind that fire is purifying and in ancient times was in fact a ritual of clearing energies. A sitting area around it was added as were statuary and the marble ram head planters were used for the beautiful plants that have inhabited the farmhouse for several years. The pool was moved past the fire pit lounge area and a hot tub was added for relaxing. An antique Indian door serves as a garden door leading to the pool area. Rustic old teakwood doors with vines growing around them are great as they are hardy and patina beautifully in the outdoors.
The oversized gates were customized from old Haveli gates from India and are magnificently studded with iron and brass elements. They served as entrance gates to an old Indian mansion and have aged beautifully and are hand carved in beautiful ornate detail. Conscious use of antique architectural pieces and vintage woods creates beautiful outdoor spaces that are in harmony with nature.