From a Plain Patio to a Moroccan Oasis

Designer Brian Toffoli leads the team in turning a plain patio into a relaxing Moroccan-themed retreat.

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Filed under: Patios, Design Style

New furniture, draped fabrics and accessories bring Moroccan flair and comfort to the patio.

Maureen and Michael Feldman are not satisfied with their plain back patio. They dream of a more interesting place to entertain company and play with their two kids so Maureen invited host Susie Coelho and the Outer Spaces team to fix up the space as a gift to her husband. While Michael's at work, designer Brian Toffoli leads the team in turning the patio into a relaxing Moroccan-themed retreat.

The existing built-in barbeque divides the patio into two areas, which hampers mingling during parties.

Before: The homeowners would like to disguise this unsightly staircase so it's not such a dominating feature.

After: A backdrop made from large bamboo floor tiles glued and nailed to plywood camouflages the stairs. Using the same material on the buffet unifies the two areas. Furniture in natural tones and textures gives the area a warm and inviting feeling.

Plant dollies from a hardware store make it easy to move heavy planters to open or obscure a view, protect the plants during inclement weather or improve growing conditions if needed.

Before: While beautiful, the patio is rather plain as it is and could use warmer colors and plants to really make it welcoming and comfortable.

After: Lots of soft furnishings and lush plants make the outdoor area an extension of the indoors and create an intimate spot for adults to relax.

The kids' play set gets a fresh coat of brown stain and ties into the Moroccan theme with a new canopy, bullion fringe and accents that speak to the young princess and budding archeologist that play there. These special touches create a space with a true sense of adventure for each child.

Designer Brian Toffoli divides the patio into three distinct areas with a lavish lounging spot for adults, a Moroccan-style fainting couch for reading and a family entertainment/dining area off the kitchen and close to the play set so the kids are easy to watch.

large ceramic pots (Asian Ceramics)
Moroccan tables, mirrors, hanging lights (Badia Design Inc.)
curtains (IKEA)
copper tub, black ottoman, table lamps, plaster artwork, lanterns on swing set (Marshalls)