Creating a comfortable living space in and of itself is a feat, but putting one together on top of a garage? That’s a challenge — and a challenge that Lush Interiors took on marvellously. 

“We had to do a bunch of engineering to make it all work,” says owner and lead designer at Lush Interiors, Charlene Threatful.

Busy Calgary homeowners of this 2021 build had one primary goal in mind when designing their outdoor living space: creating a functional living space that felt like a natural extension of their indoor living space. With teenage children and a drive to entertain, the clients wanted to combine functionality with the aesthetic of their indoor interior design.

“They wanted a space that was also three-seasons because they wanted to be there in the spring and the fall as well, so we incorporated some functionality that would allow them to do that,” says Threatful.

The two immediate focal points of the patio are the fireplace and the pergola. The fireplace was redesigned and reimagined to match the blue and grey aesthetic, aligning the design with the rest of the home. Along with the fireplace, Threatful mentions that they added grey stucco, a mantle and a beautiful hearth. 

“They were specific on asking for a pergola because they wanted shade, they wanted to control and have some shade, they wanted heat in the spring and the fall, so we installed heaters,” says Threatful. 

By adding the pergola, the clients were able to get that functionality that they wanted out of the space — the addition allowed them to have a bit of control over the shade during the colder months and the sun and heat in the warmer months. 

The home itself boasts a navy blue stucco exterior and the homeowners wanted that reflected on  the patio, so the specific shade of blue photographed is the colour that really helped that cohesion from inside to outside, guiding the entire palette.

Layout, furnishings and colour palette for the patio were all chosen to capture the essential flow between inside and out, allowing the homeowners to step seamlessly from their indoor living space into a welcoming outdoor environment. The result is a cohesive space that mirrors the home’s interior style while offering the functionality and comfort needed for modern outdoor living.

Entertaining guests and friends is a big part of the homeowners lives. A functional cooking space was essential for their outdoor patio. Photo credit: Kelly Pease // KM Photography Interiors.
The homeowners requested a fireplace be incorporated into the patio design. An existing sectional created a secondary seating area around a firepit. Photo credit: Kelly Pease // KM Photography Interiors.
Homeowners wanted a separate dining space outside, specifically requesting a pergola, to really encourage three-season entertainment in their outdoor living space. Photo credit: Kelly Pease // KM Photography Interiors.
Because the property faces a back alley, privacy was key. Strategic placement of plants on the fence hide the electrical poles in the alley. Photo credit: Kelly Pease // KM Photography Interiors.
The sectional and railings draw on the grey stucco of the house to emphasize cohesion between indoor and outdoor. Photo credit: Kelly Pease // KM Photography Interiors.
Saskia Wodarczak

Saskia Wodarczak

Saskia Wodarczak is pursuing her BA in English Literature with Minors in History and Professional Writing at Concordia University in Montréal. Born and raised in Vancouver BC, Saskia is interning at Canada Wide Media, and is excited to write about food, culture and the rising industries in the province she hails from