Outdoor Living Area at the Beach House

Last week, I revealed our new outdoor dining area at the beach house. Today, I’m excited to share the second space I designed in collaboration with Design Within Reach: the living area that’s located adjacent to the dining space on our outdoor deck in the back garden. This area is great because it offers an opportunity for use throughout the day. In the mornings, it’s bathed in sunshine and makes the perfect coffee spot. In the afternoon, it’s in shade and thus offers us a place to read and relax while seeking respite from the heat of the sun. Then, come sundown, it’s once again cloaked in warm, golden light as the sun sets between the surrounding trees.

You might remember how we added a pair of French doors to the back of our living room during the initial renovation of the house three years ago? Those doors are the standout architectural feature of the house and we love the aspect it provides over the garden from the living room. So when it came to designing the living area that would sit right outside those doors the key thing I didn’t want to do was block the view.

That’s why the moment I saw the Terassi coffee table I knew it was perfect for this outdoor living space. I love how it sits low to the ground and allows for a clear line of sight from inside the house out to the garden. Plus, the teak with its beautiful straight grain brings a sense of streamlined rustic warmth to the living area.

The Terassi coffee table and Terassi three-seater sofa were designed by the husband-and-wife Julie and Mika Tolvanen in Helsinki, and the Terassi Collection was the first project they designed together. The collection, aptly described as having “craftsman materiality meets Japanese minimalism”, was inspired by 1930s-era furniture the pair came across on a visit to Timberline Lodge in Oregon. I love the clean lines and how it has a wrap-around ledge along the back of the whole sofa, it’s perfect for placing cocktails! Plus, the Sunbrella-upholstered cushions are mildew resistant. Now, I have Sunbrella fabric inside and outside my home!

To create a conversation area I paired two Palissade low lounge chairs opposite the Terassi sofa. I like how their architectural shape and form creates a striking contrast to the sofa, and the powder-coated steel means they are super durable. The Crinkle throw provides a soft reprieve from any evening breezes, although to be honest we’ve not seen too many of those recently, it’s been so hot! The striped blue rug creates a striking contrast with the warm teak of the furniture and really helps to anchor the space by pulling everything together. I love how this space came together and can’t wait to hang out with my friends on this very spot.

Photography and styling by Will Taylor