As Spring gets into full swing, our outdoor spaces are becoming more and more appealing. But there’s still a nip in the evening air and what better way to address that than with a fire pit?
Four top home designers have shared their design ideas, with Northcote Pottery igniting their imaginations with their aspirational outdoor offerings.
Family friendly
In a family home, the key factor for any back yard is safety. Properly installed fire pits that are used with supervision should encourage children and adults alike to spend more time outdoors.
Former ‘The Block’ contestants and contributors to the ‘Location, Lifestyle, Living’ series, Kim and Chris recommend using your imagination when creating functional family spaces.
“It’s important to include engaging features, such as vegetable gardens, insect and animal-friendly plants, and playground equipment if you have the space. Encourage different forms of sensory play by adding a sandbox or a water table,” says Kim.
At Home in the Hamptons
Hamptons inspired style is an enduring trend in Australian home design because of the look and lifestyle it embraces.
Principle at Indah Island and leading design expert in this glamorous aesthetic, Natalee Bowen, explains that the Hamptons style is all about merging the interior and exterior with features such as alfresco areas, outdoor dining and entertaining areas.
“Adding a fire pit at the centre of your exterior space instantly creates a social focal point and extends a warm, inviting atmosphere.”
She adds: “Fire pits are the heart of any backyard, alfresco or garden that can elevate your exterior décor, even when not in use. They also provide an opportunity to carry your interior colour palette through to the garden and no tones are more Hamptons than whites and greys, making the white terrazzo bowl of the Carla, Glow firepit, a must have. It’s cooking grill plate and safety lid also make it a great way of adding a cooking space to outdoor areas that can’t accommodate a separate kitchen area.”
Uniquely Urban
For the most part, city living means a premium on space.
Home décor expert Rani Engineer specialises in urban dwellings and applies her expertise to overcome the space issue.
She says that with some planning and creativity, any exterior space can become a therapeutic sanctuary that offers escape from the hectic city. She encourages people to identify how they want to use their space and deign around those needs.
“Add insulation and a beautiful backdrop with a vertical garden by cultivating lush plants of various heights in layered tiers from the floor to the canopy,” she suggests.
As with an indoor room, Rani recommends adding a ‘wow factor’ and, for this, a fire pit is ideal.
“A stylish fire pit will instantly become the focal point of an outdoor space. It creates a relaxed and intimate cocoon making it ideal for entertaining and looks beautiful even when it’s not in use.”
Cosy with Modern Country Style
Australia’s countryside has inspired a broad range of classic looks, from farmhouse to Queenslander. Ali Jacks, homes stylist and creator of Home & Things, used a modern interpretation of the country style as the inspiration behind her own Hinterlands home.
Drawing signature elements from the landscape, this style focuses on natural surroundings, defined by organic materials, raw surfaces and practicality.
“Décor should have character and charm, inspire nostalgia, and impart a sense of cosiness. Its defining shades are cream, russet and whitewash, with textures and pops of bright colours preferable over prints.
She adds: “A country escape would not be complete without nights spent under the stars, gathered around a fire. The Carla fire pit perfectly suits this aesthetic because of its terrazzo finish. To complete this look, I recommend styling your fire pit on a pebbled surface surrounded by rustic bench top seating.”
