The secret to a comfortable, stylish outdoor setup
Why are you still holding on to those moldy lawn chairs?
As someone with no outdoor space to style, you may wonder what authority I have to write the intro to this issue. To that, I say: I watched Reika take my parents’ back deck from 0 to 100, and the difference is astounding.
When my parents bought their Oakland house in 1989, their back deck was expansive, sun-soaked, and painted a jarring shade of brick red. It was a fun place for a kid to run around, but there was nothing relaxing about it.
Fast forward a couple of decades: Now, I spend as much time as I can on their deck when we visit the Bay Area every summer. Reika had it painted a clean, calming shade of white, equipped it with plush, weather-proof outdoor furniture, added a fire pit, and installed a custom retractable awning for shade. She even added a little credenza to store blankets for foggy Bay Area summer evenings and installed twinkly fairy lights around the trunk of their Japanese Maple.
If you, too, feel your outdoor space could use a bit of a glow-up, here’s your guide to making it happen. — Leigh
P.S. If you could hit the little ❤️ heart ❤️ on this post, either at the top or bottom of the page, we would be so appreciative. Liking a post helps other people find us.
📚 Reading: She Used to Be Nice by
(out in August). I worked with Alexia years ago and was always impressed by her writing, so I jumped at the opportunity to read an advance copy of her debut novel. Tackling heavy themes like PTSD and sexual assault, this may be a triggering read for some, but it’s also a page-turner that captures the electric, messy magic of 20-something life in NYC.📺 Watching: Season 3 of “The Gilded Age” on…HBO? Max? Anyway, I can’t get enough of the low-stakes drama of this period series. The fashion and interiors are insane, and I feel it when someone isn’t invited to a party. Julian Fellowes (of “Downton Abbey” fame) has done it again.
👩🍳 Cooking: Cascadian Farms’ Southwest Potato Hash with everything. I know everyone is on a protein journey, but I am personally on a fiber journey, so I toss this fibrous frozen mixture in a pan with eggs, cheese, and whatever greens or herbs I have on hand. 10/10 every time.
🛍️ Shopping: This cabinet from Article. I’m fed up with how chaotic our entryway feels (packages, backpacks, and shoes everywhere!) and am committed to getting this space designed and functioning well before we leave for the Bay Area in a couple of weeks. This piece feels like a good start.
Reika: One of the greatest perks of living in the Bay Area is our ability to enjoy indoor/outdoor living nearly year-round. With a mild climate, we can often use our outdoor spaces daily, rain being the only real obstacle.
During the height of COVID, I found myself unexpectedly drawn into landscaping. With indoor gatherings restricted, clients started reimagining their outdoor areas as safe, functional spaces for socializing.
Cue my crash course in outdoor design. Suddenly, I was sourcing fire pits, umbrellas, lighting, furniture, and plants like a seasoned pro. I’m not a landscaper, but now, whenever a new outdoor project comes my way, here are my go-to design essentials:
1. Function first
Start by defining how you want to use the space. Is it a cozy spot for lounging? A full outdoor kitchen and dining area? Maybe a multi-zone backyard with a grill and dining area, hot tub, and seating area with a fire pit (the dream!). Knowing the purpose helps shape the entire design.
2. Prioritize smart space planning
Outdoor spaces deserve the same thoughtful planning as indoor rooms. Be intentional. Just because someone offers you a couple of old Adirondack chairs doesn’t mean they belong in your space. Measure carefully, choose the right scale, and always leave room for walkways. Comfort and flow are key.
3. Layered lighting
Outdoor lighting is my favorite design element. It sets the mood and adds magic as the sun goes down. Think layers—path lights, stair lights, rope lights under railings, uplighting trees, or hanging glowing orbs. The possibilities are endless and the impact is huge.
4. Shade solutions
Sun protection matters, both for comfort and design. Whether it’s a decorative umbrella (like this one from Anthropologie) or a large-scale classic from Tuuci, there are options for every style and budget. If you’re ready to invest, consider a custom pergola or retractable awning. If your space is covered, opt for an outdoor ceiling fan to keep things cool on hot days.
5. Protect your investment
Don’t skip the furniture covers! Most outdoor covers are water-resistant, not waterproof, to allow for the fabric to breathe and prevent mold. That said, leaving cushions out all winter is a fast track to mildew. Covers help extend the life and look of your furniture. If possible, bring cushions indoors during the off-season.
6. The power of a fire pit
A firepit table adds warmth, ambiance, and a reason to linger. One of my go-to picks is the Adara from Room & Board; it has ample surface space around the perimeter so that it can function as a coffee table, with or without the cover on. It’s also just a really clean, nice design.
With a little planning, your outdoor space can become an extension of your home—beautiful, functional, and ready for anything from quiet mornings sipping coffee to lively gatherings.
Reika: I took my first-ever trip to Miami last year, and we stayed at the lovely Moxy Miami South Beach, the perfect home base for our adventure. From there, we dined at some of the city’s most beautiful hotels and sipped delicious cocktails at rooftop bars that offered views (and vibes) like no other.
The tropical plants, warm weather, beach, and the bold, vibrant design everywhere you look make Miami the perfect indoor/outdoor living city, and next time, I’m dreaming of a stay at the Goodtime Hotel in South Beach, designed by Ken Fulk in collaboration with Pharrell Williams. It’s a splurge, but the playful, pastel aesthetic has me completely hooked.
Speaking of that fun Miami energy, I recently came across a gorgeous project by interior designer Stephanie Barba Mendoza that captures those same perfect indoor/outdoor vibes. You can check out the full project [here].
Leigh: The summer after college, I read Jane Austen’s entire bibliography. While most of her characters marry for love in the end, my 22-year-old brain was secretly impressed by the unabashed expectation that one should marry for money and status.
I had just graduated into a recession, and was repeatedly told I would never find a job (false! I’ve been employed ever since!), and didn’t see what was so wrong with wanting a nice, easy life. It seemed like a practical, tactical move to me. Chalk it up to inflation, tariffs, or a general cultural shift, but 16 years later, the idea that marrying for money isn’t so bad is having a mega moment.
First, there’s the return of “The Gilded Age,” where teenagers run away from home in a rage because their parents won’t sign off on a love match (God, I love that show). Everyone’s talking about Materialists, where Dakota Johnson’s character has no problem declaring her intention to marry a rich guy. And in case you haven’t heard, she lives by herself in Manhattan, has really nice clothes, and goes out a lot on an $80,000 a year salary. I suspect that wanting to marry for money is also wrapped up in a grand plan to dig herself out of credit card debt, but I digress.
The moral of the story—in Materialists, “The Gilded Age,” and of course Jane Austen’s world—is that love matches always triumph. And per Logan Ury, a behavioral scientist and dating coach who was on The Liz Moody Podcast last week, there’s nothing inherently wrong with marrying for money. But it might not last.
“People get married for a lot of different reasons, but what keeps people in a relationship is when they really invest in each other,” Ury said. “When they enjoy spending time together, and then when they stay friends. If you marry someone for money, but you don't have that foundation of friendship, then over time you might drift apart, and resentment might build.”
So, the idea is probably antiquated. But with a disappearing middle class and a country in financial turmoil, securing a cushy financial future with a single legal document and an overpriced white dress sounds so nice. If you do it, though, maybe sign a prenup.
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Xo,
Leigh & Reika