With spring around the corner, indoor-outdoor living is top of mind for many Decatur residents. Sunshine is calling, and one of the best ways to enjoy the bounty of our backyards is by blurring the lines between the interior and exterior. There are many ways to accomplish this blending holistically: utilizing the same stone flooring in your living room and on your patio is one way, while another is creating symmetry between ceiling designs for a seamless transition.
The purpose of home renovation is to enhance your everyday lifestyle. HammerSmith Residential Design and Renovation promises to accomplish this regardless of budget or need; they believe we all deserve to Live Brilliantly. Every personalized project serves the individual client and their unique long-term vision. The goal is to touch every room once a day. Addressing areas of frustration and thinking through the whole life of the house yields design recommendations that will make your daily life simpler, easier, and more comfortable.
There’s a way to build a house that’s more interactive with the outdoors, and recent innovations can help. Retractable screens on porches are rising in popularity as they bring you the best of both worlds: you can enjoy the screens when avoiding mosquitos and other insects and retract them for a more open feel. Artificial turf is another feature that is rising in popularity. It requires no chemicals or pesticides, can last up to twenty years, and is a luxurious alternative to concrete around your pool. Speaking of pools, they have become easier to maintain and enjoy than ever before. You can avoid the unsightly covers of the past, add automatic cleaners instead of the dreaded octopus vacuum, enjoy LED lights with a wide range of colors, and include an updated hot tub for all-weather enjoyment. Let your pool become a sight to behold all year round.
With optimal indoor-outdoor living, your home becomes made to entertain. Treat your guests with meals and backyard activities to enhance any party. Outdoor kitchens had a moment of great popularity, but now a pared-down design is trending. As amenities can freeze and cabinets don’t tend to thrive in extreme weather conditions, installing a built-in grill with a nearby sink covers your bases. Trends favor pizza ovens, which provide a wonderful gathering space at parties. Spring houses are another popular feature to keep in mind. They are screened-in houses with swing beds and a loft, providing a glorious getaway for kids and guests alike.
Storage can’t be overlooked to manage your outdoor amenities, especially for pool items. A garage bay is an ideal choice: this covered area, similar to a pergola, leads to a door to the garage. An effective escape from rainy weather, it is also an ideal place for shelving and an additional bathroom. If you want to go the extra mile, install a washer and dryer here, specifically for wet towels from the pool. Maximize the use of your garage by upgrading this space with sleek flooring, shiplap wood along the walls, and cabinets. Voilà! You have transformed the space into yet another entertaining area.
The process of working with HammerSmith entails multiple meetings and long-term planning. In the case of implementing indoor-outdoor living, they will break down what “entertaining” means to each client. HammerSmith doesn’t always recommend additions. There are often other ways to open spaces and fix what your home currently has. It’s all about integrating the house and making it flow better to achieve functionality for daily life. These enhancements make your home much more liveable and offer a safer alternative to going out on the town.
Founder and CEO Warner McConaughey grew up in Decatur and has watched in awe as it has become a destination for Atlanta living. For him, home always encompassed his chores as a kid, which connected directly with hands-on work. This passion for beautiful and functional living presents itself in his design sense. HammerSmith’s Director of Design, Luis Gallardo, views home as his space to create, where he can fully be himself. He strives to make clients feel that same way. After all, our homes are our sanctuaries. Make yours the one everyone wants to visit.
“The perfect house unfolds in layers. There’s a glimpse that excites you with every step of the journey.”