The Outdoor Design Challenge: Three Top Designers Compete to Make Over an Outdoor Space

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There is no question that outdoor living spaces are becoming more popular with each passing year.  They are very popular in our Myrtle Beach area since our climate is so conducive to outdoor design.

We decided to have some fun while also helping our readers get some tips on how they can make over their outdoor space.  We teamed up with three top local designers who have now seen the space and understand that we have a budget of $5000.  They've been told to create a plan to make the space awesome.  Each of these designers have come up with their own design.

These local designers are all super talented, and their designs were all so unique and different.  In the video, you'll be able to see the exact designs that each designer has laid out for this outdoor living space.



Layla Altman

First, we have Layla Altman of Posh Living. She designed a cottage backyard using light and fresh colors such as blue and green.  Her outdoor fabrics are made of 100% acrylic which helps them to resist mold and staining.  They also won't fade as fast and are easy to clean.

She included Adirondack style chairs and an area for adults  to gather. She also made room for a dining height table with chairs as well as planters that are up to 8 feet tall to give the area more shading.  In addition, she included some outdoor fabric draperies for privacy.

See her budget here >>

Here is her design:

Chiara Rizzo-Hansen

Chiara Rizzo-Hansen of Chiara Rizzo-Hansen Interior Designs came up with her own unique plan.  Taking the interior colors of the house into consideration, she chose to use lots of green and blue in her rendering.  This is the palette of nature, as the greens blend well with the plants and shrubs and the blue is a natural coastal color.

Chiara’s eclectic outdoor design includes both a dining area and sitting area for the adult space.  She recommends buying sturdy, yet inexpensive, furniture and covering the cushions with stylish outdoor fabric.  This is a way to gain a custom look without the expense of special order furniture. A bright, all-weather rug warms up the sitting area and ties in all the colors of the aqua, royal blue, leaf green and tangerine motif.  The design calls for a movable, cantilever umbrella that provides shade to the patio.

The beverage cart is a practical and attractive addition to the entertainment setting.  By adding pavers both to the entrance and off to the right side of the patio more functionality and flow are achieved.  The pavers provide additional space for the grill and expand the usable living area.  Privacy is achieved by placing a decorative screen directly behind the grill.

Designating the children’s area underneath the trees promotes a natural separation of activities.  The trees provide a canopy of shade and Chiara has alleviated the problem of protruding roots by adding rubber mulch.  Addition of an attractive bench allow adults to comfortably supervise and enjoy the children at play.

See her budget here >>

Here is her design:

Laura Bowden

Laura Bowden of Laura Bowden Designs took the homeowners' family situation into account.  This is an active family with two small kids, so she concentrated heavily on the children's play area by putting rubber mulch under the trees.  This protects kids from tripping on the roots or having a hard landing if they fall off the swing set.

She created a colorful play area with small Adirondack chairs that have matching accent colors.  She also planned to hang lanterns on the tree limbs and install a kids' garden area. Trellises against the fence will add color to the yard.  She also plans to add a 10 x 10 extension to the patio to give more space for grilling or a summer kitchen.

Additionally, she has plans for a table and six chairs on the patio.  Her inspiration for colors came from the outside brick as well as using green as a complementary color.  She also created a space for a possible future fountain.

See her budget here >>

Here is her design:

How To Vote

Now we need your votes! For a vote to count, voters will need to LIKE Greg's Real Estate Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Greg-Sisson-Real-Estate/121799681208987) and then type in the name of the designer of their choice on the wall. The voting starts May 2nd at 12:00pm EDT and ends 12:00pm EDT on Saturday May 5th.

You also have the chance to win a fantastic rug from Rug Décor at Market Common - Myrtle Beach. Just by voting for your favorite designer, you can have a chance at winning this great rug! Simply follow the instructions on how to vote and we will be choosing a winner at random very soon.

At the very least, we hope that you got some great design ideas for your outdoor space.  If you'd like to find out more about these designers or learn how to contact them, let me know and I'll be glad to connect you.

Here is a picture of the rug: