The Insider: Outdoor Escapes

Top design pros reveal expertadvice and Insta-worthy looks for creating your own private oasis at home. Grab your sunscreen and sunglasses, and get ready for summer!

Written by Clinton Smith

7 MINUTE READ

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Los Jardines 12" x 12" field in Gris

Design: Xorin Balbes

1

For hundreds of years, decoratively patterned encaustic tiles have graced the floors of homes and public spaces across Europe and Northern Africa. The eye-catching patterns and colors in Los Jardines is Ann Sacksā€™ porcelain take on the coveted tiles. Sublimely elegant, the tile marries form and function with aplomb. It is a workhorse, making it ideal for both residential and heavily-trafficked commercial spaces. Los Jardines is also suitable for submerged areas, including pools and fountains, and is not effected by freezing and thawing.

Madrona 8" x 8"" Field in Ballina
Design: Tracy Hardenburg; Photography: PƤr Bengtsson

2

While a uniform surface material can often be the suitable choice for a variety of outdoor spaces, sometimes the areas benefit from the use of varying materials to break up the large expanses and to create more defined spaces. Here, Madrona by Ann Sacks was ingeniously used to create the feel of an outdoor rug. The decorative field tile celebrates the history and beauty of encaustic designs, yet works in a diverse array of classic, transitional and contemporary spaces.

Laurelhurst 24" x 48" Natural field in Beige

3

The boundaries between inside and out are increasingly blurred, and a seamless transition from indoors to out without any visual interruption is part of a growing trend. Using the same tile or stone in both interiors and exteriors creates the sense of a far larger contiguous space. Laurelhurst by Ann Sacks is a porcelain tile with an understated stone look that is available in five finishes. Not only is it ideal underfoot, but also it can be perfectly suited for high-temperature areas behind ranges or as fireplace surrounds.

Gem by Kelly Wearstler 8" x 8" Elope field in Azure
Design: Noelle Interiors; Photography: Lauren Pressey

4

Decorative tiles can be used to create artistic focal point outdoors, both classic or contemporary. Wall applications, in particular, can make for striking and lasting impressions when graphic or organic design motifs are arranged in thoughtful, compelling patterns to lure the eye. Here, Gem by Kelly Wearslter for Ann Sacks adds a stylish, resort-like flair to a welcoming outdoor entertaining space.

The Perfect Imperfect by Clinton Smith

Defined in interior design as "Wabi Sabi", discover the art of the perfectly imperfect.

40 Years of MADE by Clinton Smith

When Ann Sacksā€™ hallmark MADE collection debuted in the 1980s, it was about filling a void in the marketplace. Four decades later, it has become one of the crown jewels of the companyā€™s curated offerings.

A Case for Colorful Tile by Sophie Donelson

Thereā€™s a reason youā€™re seeing more colorful tile out there. Itā€™s livable, joyful, and not as hard as you think.