OUTDOOR LIVING
Outdoor Living Florida Style
BY BETH ANN DRAKE
Staying true to natural elements For many, more time spent at home has led to enhancing our surroundings. Beautifying the space we live in by tackling small projects or re-designing entire spaces. And because we live in the Sunshine City, a large part of our lifestyle involves the outdoors. Families are spending more quality time by the pool, the water, or enjoying a backyard oasis.
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approach. Her passion stems from a love of the environment and she feels the space should “holistically reflect our natural environment. The goal is to bring the inside outside and create a space that is a celebration of who you are. Almost a healing environment, like the beach.”
We talked with local experts about designing outdoor living spaces, especially in our Florida climate, and the latest trends in design, as well as some new ideas and old standards. From landscape design to outdoor lighting and poolside entertaining, we explore how to bring the inside out.
Levell’s first bit of advice? “Have a plan. And don’t feel like you need to do it all at once, but know where you’re going.” She looks at a space as a workable palette, and the entire project as a process. To begin, know the purpose of your space. Will you be entertaining? For how many? Or is privacy a priority? The answers to these questions will help determine the flow and synergy of your design.
Landscape and Outdoor Design For over 20 years, lifestyle designer Kim Levell of Levell Design has approached outdoor living spaces intuitively with a holistic
In choosing key pieces for topographical artistry, Levell warns against simply going with the latest trends. “I lean towards enduring style. You get the most use out of creating a design that
StPeteLifeMag.com
July/August 2020
