Brittany Farinas, CEO and creative director of Miami design firm House of One, knows what it takes to inject outdoor spaces with “wow” moments and fashion welcoming areas that seamlessly transition from inside to outside. Her savvy strategies for one-of-a-kind alfresco spaces will tempt you to linger.
When a client asks for a “dream backyard,” what’s your process? Our first approach is to understand how they will use the area. We assess how much entertaining our client expects to do and then determine the key factors that will make their outdoor space usable and unique to them.
What are your top tricks for creating a comfortable yet luxe outdoor retreat? Lots of cushions and pillows. For an eye-catching and more cohesive space, use patterned throw pillows that take on the interior color scheme. Built-in benches or banquettes also help create a cozy atmosphere that is just as comfortable outside as it is inside. And a beautiful combination of lush florals and accent lighting can establish an interesting escapist feel.
Any trends you’re embracing? Lately, we’ve been implementing bespoke outdoor millwork designs in our projects. I think it’s important to treat the exterior of any home the same as the interior.
What’s your must-have for an ideal outdoor space? Music. It’s my personal priority, and we love using integrated Sonos systems to amplify the ambience.
