Today, we continue our tour of Lola Thompson's exciting outdoor living spaces. On Tuesday, we visited Lola's front courtyard, and, today, we tour Lola's interior courtyard in two different looks. Design as intended is never finished - just as life is not static, the best of spaces evolve with us. Lola takes this design theory to heart and is continuously redesigning her spaces to evolve with her changing decor needs and tastes. The result is always refreshing and inspiring.
In the courtyard, the two different looks serve two different purposes, one is designed with entertaining in mind, while the other serves as a personal sanctuary akin to a boutique hotel room's balcony. Both looks, however, bring elements of the inside out, artfully layered to create an inviting, lovely outdoor living space.
Look One: Social Courtyard
Look Two: Courtyard Retreat
The first look invites entertaining, with its modern benches diagonally placed on the carpet with an antique bistro table centered in between them.
The second look, featuring the acid green chaise with a Turkish towel blanket thrown across it, makes me want to curl up with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. This look is a retreat designed for peaceful and quiet seclusion.
Look One: Chinese Drum Tables
Look Two: Moroccan Tray Table
Whether lucky enough to visit this courtyard as a dinner guest or as a personal retreat, you are enveloped by an enchanting environment. Boxwood topiaries frame the courtyard, an antique window guard and shutters provide a photographic backdrop, and twinkling bistro lights are strung overhead. Carefully curated artifacts bring depth to the space and invite guests to linger as their eyes absorb the surrounding beauty.
Antique Moroccan Lantern Hangs Overhead
Succulents Bring Vibrant Chartreuse Colors to The Space
Antique Corbels Transformed Into Planters
Shoe Molds Greet You at The Front Door
Remnant of Antique Chinese Lantern Serve as a Candle Holder
Paper Ephemeral Decorates Topiary
Design Notes
Elevate the design et décor of your outdoor living space.
- Create a room by defining the space with a rug and a border. Structured boxwoods create a linear border around Lola's courtyard.
- Center your courtyard around a seating arrangement, water feature or sculpture.
- Create a private sanctuary in your courtyard by using a privacy screen created from plants (such as tall hedges, Cyprus trees or a flowering trellis), outdoor curtains or architectural elements, such as shutters in Lola's space.
- Create a moody environment with string lights and candles.
- Keep plenty of side tables on hand for functional entertaining. Chinese drum tables are versatile and easy to move around.
Images by Brooklyn Boheme.