I don’t know how to describe the difference between being inside and being outside. But, there is an unquestionable difference. Perhaps it stems from the fact that most of us spend almost all of our time indoors. Or, perhaps, it originates from a deeper ancestral memory of a time when nature provided everything that we needed to survive. No matter the reason, I have to admit, when I’ve got a lot on my mind and the busy time of year has me stressed, it is the few moments when I can find myself lounging in my rustic wooden chaise in the backyard that I feel the most relaxed. With the wonderful Colorado spring sun soaking into my skin and the fresh air filling my lungs, I can release some of my tensions in ways that I cannot in my living room, on the couch or even in bed.

I believe this is why the newest idea to blanket the world of residential landscaping is that of ‘outdoor living’ and creating ‘sanctuary’ in our gardens. Living outside can mean many things, but no matter what, the basic underlying commonality is that these outdoor spaces duplicate in some way, an indoor one. For some people, their sanctuary is a tranquil living space with comfortable furniture and the murmur of a peaceful water feature in the background. Others, in an attempt to recreate the traditional living room, use fireplaces or fire elements as the focal piece. And, without question, most people, at some point in their lives, have cooked outside. And, as we all know, the kitchen becomes the center of our social gatherings, whether that kitchen is inside or out.

This shift in how our residential outdoor space is viewed challenges the field of landscape design. Whereas, in the past, the landscape was intended for gardens, they are now intended for people. It adds a new dimension to our jobs and asks us to think as interior designers as well as horticulturalists. I’m so excited about this because creating gardens for people is intuitive for me. The greatest honor in designing space for someone else is the idea that we can touch lives in positive ways. We enable people to enjoy themselves and connect with nature in new ways. And, after the last candle has burned down at the end of a night shared with friends and family, there is no greater compliment than knowing that our projects have enhanced those gatherings.