Commentary by Randy Sorrell

Outdoor style is paramount. Take a look at the catalogs arriving daily packed with sleek furniture, patterned rugs, vogue fire vessels, heating towers and everything else that screams outdoor cool! I dig it! And, it’s all driven towards helping us create the right feel … or vibe.

Tightly coupled with creating the right vibe are privacy and shade conversations. “How do I establish privacy so that our outdoor gatherings seem intimate?” or … “Help, I need protection from the sun.”

Maturing

I believe those issues of vibe, privacy and shade represent both a maturing of our culture and of our fueled pursuit of luxury outdoor living. Initially, our ambitions simply centered around developing some sort of patio or deck to enjoy. A place where we could grill, entertain friends occasionally and hopefully relax with a book and a glass of vino.

Now that many of us have accomplished that, our tastes are evolving to more advanced thoughts. Like the trifecta of privacy, shade and vibe.

Solutions

Historically, we have relied on wood fences for privacy and mature trees for shade. Recently, we have grown more impatient and would like those issues solved in more creative, immediate and fashionable ways.

Often, those solutions are similar. Pergolas designed for shade offer some sense of privacy from homes perched close to each other. Add horizontal “lattice-like” members and the privacy ratio explodes, as does the resulting shade as the sun works its way toward the horizon.

The featured massive Carmel deck/patio/pergola/privacy panel/landscape project shows off several solutions geared toward the trifecta. It’s packed with luscious color, smart traffic flow, architecture that correlates with the home and plenty of living space.

Get yours this season and enjoy the vibe like never before.