Imagine this: you're cuddled up in mohair blankets, the scent of cedarwood and cardamom is in the air, and you're surrounded by your loved ones. There's a chill to the weather, but you're perfectly warm. This is the reality that Courteney Cox has manifested with her cozy, carefully designed outdoor living room.
Though the space sits on the edge of her cliffside backyard offering beautiful ocean views and gently swaying grasses, it's just as warm and welcoming as any normal living room. The actress staked out the area by creating a gravel circle, just large enough for a round coffee table, a curved bench, and a couple of carefully placed large rocks. She has laid out a mohair throw for lounging, and a smaller cashmere throw for cuddling up. Every surface is covered in luxurious candles from her clean fragrance line, Homecourt.
Though it's outside, the patio has all the creature comforts we've come to expect from an indoor space. How does Cox create this effect? First, with the use of a variety of throw blankets. Carlin van Noppen, Head of Design at Fig Linens and Home states: 'If you want to use your outdoor space year-round, an indoor-outdoor throw blanket is a must. These furnishings double as fashion accessories that can make you feel oh-so pampered in any space. I would recommend a washable style, so you don't have to be nervous about dirt or food that might get on the blanket as you are using it.'
Like the warmth of a crackling winter fire, Balsam Fireplace lures you in with intoxicating scents of fresh evergreen woods, warm juniper spice, and salted amber.
Each candle is hand-poured into a kiln-fired special edition ceramic vessel with a natural speckled, matte glaze that will complement any style of home. It offers 60 hours of burn time and a Jen-approved scent.
This gorgeous candle features throughout Jennifer Aniston's home. It includes cedarwood smoke, sweet cardamom, cinnamon and white leather for a warming and interesting fragrance.
Furthermore, Cox creates a cozy ambiance at her lookout point with the use of home fragrance. Though we usually consider candles, diffusers, and room sprays more a part of the interior of our homes, they can be highly effective in outdoor spaces. Candles will not smell as strongly in the open air, the faint scent of a favorite fragrance on the breeze can feel very welcoming. A multi-wick candle like the one on Cox's table in the picture is a perfect investment for this kind of entertaining.
The conversational seating layout of Cox's outdoor living room is another win for this space. The curved seating and low table make it easy to imagine sitting around, sharing a bottle of wine or cups of tea with friends. In such an expansive space as the great outdoors, closeness is important, and by placing diners around the same side of the table, this shape ensures plentiful room for conversation.
Interior design needn't be reserved just for our interiors, and, as Courteney Cox demonstrates, with the right touches outdoor spaces can be optimized to use year round.
