Interior Design Guide Trends

Ask the Expert: Bringing the Indoors Out

September 13

Interview with: Tal Thevenot
AquaTerra Outdoor Environments

Homeowners are investing more in their backyards; sophisticated outdoor structures are minimizing the boundaries between the interior and exterior of a home. High-end outdoor kitchens, dishwashing systems, wine refrigerators, industrial grills, surround sound automation and other outdoor entertainment systems are popular amenities that clients are having installed to maximize their outdoor experience.

Tal Thevenot at AquaTerra Outdoor Environments, an outdoor design and construction company in Dallas, discusses the popularity of customized outdoor amenities that have a strong emphasis on design.
“People want to maximize their outdoor experience; they want to blend the inside of their home to the outside and integrate the two worlds,” says Thevenot, “It is about minimizing separation and creating an extension of the home.”

The extension of home entertainment is an important factor when figuring out what to install in a backyard. Full outdoor kitchens, movie projectors, surround sound systems, lighting installation, fireplaces, shade structure, and temperature altering pools are elements to consider when discussing desired amenities in a consultation. Although prices will vary, there are ways to implement features and still be within budget. A moderate way of incorporating an outdoor fireplace is to opt for a fire pit instead. Fire pits can be adorned with circular seating and grilling arrangements as well, creating a more inviting space.

“Clients want their dream to be brought to fruition. They want to hire designers and architects to execute a cohesive outdoor environment,” says Thevenot, “If a client hires independent contractors with no professional design background, the design principle can be butchered.”

Clients are hiring outdoor designers and landscape architects to work together and manage the entire process, from its conceptualization to its installation. Hiring several contractors to do separate jobs can make the design of the outdoor structure look inconsistent.

Cohesive design is important when constructing a balanced environment. Hiring multiple parties can be tedious and time consuming since the project becomes executed through scattered intervals, rather than one constant sequence.
Constructing popular amenities in an outdoor environment is a great investment which adds value, enhances entertainment, and expands the opportunity for activity and enjoyment.

Interview with: Tal Thevenot
AquaTerra Outdoor Environments