Research is Tough
We decided to swing through Miami on the way home to research outdoor living spaces and gardens. With a camera in one hand and martini in the other, we scoured numerous hotels, art deco buildings and public gardens in the Miami area for inspiration.
Our first stop was the outdoor lounge (pictured above) at the Setei hotel in Miami Beach. Although far more decadent than anything we will construct, we were impressed by how well the space achieved a level of intimacy.
We have looked at a great many waterside seating areas for inspiration in our own project. Most, like the JH House, leave us feeling a bit cold. The typical bright blue sheet of water with adjacent (but not integrated) seating area lacks a certain intimacy. Great if you want to lay out with a book, but not the right setting for a dinner party with close friends.
By inserting seating areas into the pool, the outdoor lounge at the Setei got it just right. Surrounded by water, we were able to admire it without disengaging from the table conversation. Nestled this way, it felt private and serene.
The wooden canopy overhead added intimacy by subtly outlining an outdoor room within the larger courtyard. The dramatic height of this canopy helped to lift us out of the courtyard and connect us with the sky above.
How all this applies to our renovation will require some more thought.
