home + garden

THE CHALLENGE: ELIMINATE AN EYESORE WHILE CREATING AN APPEALING OUTDOOR RETREAT

The challenge: Eliminate an eyesore while creating an appealing outdoor retreat.

The setup: Sue Hunter's back yard in Minnetonka has a lovely swimming pool -- and some not-so-lovely but necessary pool equipment that used to be concealed behind a fence. "The fence started getting old and worn out, like fences do," Hunter said. Instead of just replacing it, she decided to use a gazebo as the starting point for a new outdoor room.

Making it permanent: A lightweight gazebo kept blowing over, Hunter said, so she bought a more substantial metal one and had her brother cement it into the ground. "Making it a permanent structure was important. I don't have to take it down every winter and I can use it into the fall," she said.

Using what she had: Hunter didn't need much of a budget to furnish and decorate her outdoor room; she just gathered up items she already owned -- including porch furniture, a zebra rug, a potted palm and a birdcage -- and reassembled them outside.

Decor in a can: She chose a dramatic color palette of black, white and hot pink, then used spray paint to update some of her pieces. She painted the wicker chairs black, and the garage-sale accent table and ceramic pot hot pink.

Inexpensive accents: The few items she did buy included ready-made window panels from Ikea that she used as a backdrop, and sale-priced fabric that she wrapped around seat cushions and accent pillows for a no-sew solution.

Let there be light: An inexpensive electric chandelier added instant impact. "Lighting is the key to great outdoor dining and entertaining in the evening," Hunter said.

Reflected glory: A vintage mirror in an ornate frame, hung above the sofa, reflects the pool and brings light and movement into the space. "When the wind blows, it looks like a movie," she said.

Multifunctional: Hunter's outdoor room is versatile, taking on varied roles depending on the weather and time of day. "It's the best place to sit and have coffee in the morning," she said. It provides shelter from the midday heat and even rain. "Before there was no shade; it's perfect for the person who doesn't want to be in the sun," she said. And it's also a great place for hosting dinner parties al fresco. She just brings a table and chairs from indoors and sets them up in the gazebo.

Looking for ideas? Hunter offers flat-fee outdoor-room design service for those who want suggestions and professional advice. She'll create a design plan, color scheme and sketch, as well as tips on patio materials, plant colors, exterior colors, furniture and grill placement, etc. She'll also walk through your home's interior, offering tips on how to freshen your decor for summer, easily and on a budget.

The designer: Interior designer Sue Hunter, Home for a Change, 612-701-0101, www.homefor achange.com.

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