Inside Out: Interiors Tips from Louise Bradley
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Inside Out: Interiors Tips from Louise Bradley

Louise Bradley explains how to bring the great outdoors into your city home

Interior designer Louise Bradley has an outdoor terrace that seamlessly connects to a garden room and dining area in her London home. Here she shares her tips and ideas for creating a green oasis in the middle of the city.

The Best Outdoor Furniture Edit

Interiors Tips from Louise Bradley

  1. Choose natural materials. Such as wood, linen, bamboo and earthy ceramics. Together they create a beautiful, harmonious scheme.
  2. Invest in floor-to-ceiling windows. It connects your home to the outdoors and provides ample natural light.
  3. Create a foliage screen. Particularly if the outdoor area is small. Planting vertically also adds to your privacy.
  4. Use mirrors to enhance the sense of being in nature. Light and reflection expands your space beyond its footprint.
  5. Choose a natural colour palette. Earthy colours evoke a sense of being in nature and work hand in hand with the rich greens of foliage.

    Louise Bradley

    Louise Bradley at home

  6. Choose tablewear in organic shapes and hues to further enhance the beauty of your outdoor dining scheme.
  7. Design your space with booth indoors and outdoors in mind. This way you’ll create a coherent look, seamlessly connecting the two spaces together.
  8. Opt for evergreens. They create a year-long canvas. You can add seasonal flowers and accessories.
  9. Make the space work after dark with outdoor lighting, either with a professional lighting scheme or do it yourself with lanterns, bowls with floating tea lights and candles. Burn naturally scented candles inside.
  10. Make your space dynamic by choosing furniture that can be easily modified, changed or folded away.

At Home with Louise Bradley

Get the Outdoor Look

Summer’s on its way. Now is the time to decide how to get maximum benefit from the light-filled days.

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Mater table and chairs

Mater

Ocean collection four-seater table from Mater, made using salvaged sea plastic, £462. Chairs, £206 each. heals.com

Sutherland Perennials rug

Sutherland Perennials

C Major outdoor rug, £1,343pm/. perennialsfabrics.com

Indian Ocean lounge chairs

Indian Ocean

Latitude lounge chair, £2,295, and footstool, £1,275, upholstered in Manuel Canovas outdoor fabric. indian-ocean.co.uk

Haddonstone

Haddonstone

The Gardener statue, based on an 18th century piece at Surton Sgnes Hall, £1,350. haddonstone.com

Emma Britton carafe

Emma Britton

Meadow carafe, £21.50, featuring British wild flowers, grasses and butterflies. emmabritton.net

French Connection

Natural driftwood stool, £120. frenchconnection.com

Not On The High Street hammock

Not On the High Street

Handmade denim hammock, £185. notonthehighstreet.com

Cassina outdoor bed

Cassina

Trampoline love bed by Patricia Urquiola for Cassina, from £6,060. cassina.com

William & Son goblet

Mario Luca Giusti

Dolce Vita acrylic wine glass, £18. amara.com

Winch design chair

Winch Design

Lounge chair with seat and back cushions. summitfurniture.com

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