In a region where the climate makes outdoor living comfortable year-round, interior designers are well known for taking it outside.
At Obras Studio in Coral Gables, Florida, founding partner Giselle Coujil says that since its beginnings, she and co-founder Omar Moreno have used outdoor spaces as an extension of what they have designed for interiors.
“Living and designing in South Florida, we believe these spaces are integral to the use of a home or commercial space,” she says. “We celebrate the fact that we live in a tropical paradise and these spaces are a manifestation of that.”
She says that what she likes most about designing exterior spaces is that it allows people to commune with nature — providing both a respite from a busy life and a wonderful space to entertain.
Those goals come with the challenge of both climate and the resilience of materials.
“Selecting materials for outdoor spaces can be difficult,” says Coujil. “We do our best to research and vet materials before specifying them for exterior use.”
She says that the pandemic and afterwards brought an increased interest in adding space.
“We were sought out to design more outdoor kitchens, pavilions and other exterior spaces,” she says. “People started to spend more time outdoors, and their gardens and terraces became more important.”
When designing those spaces, it’s important to use the right manufacturer, she says.
“Trust is the most important aspect of these relationships,” says Coujil. “We trust manufacturers, vendors and sales representatives to provide us with the data we need to make informed decisions. We also expect them to stand behind their products and provide support when we encounter issues.”
She adds that good manufacturers will provide advice to go along with the goods.
“A good outdoor manufacturer will educate us on what will work in particular situations,” Coujil says. “For example, we are working on several projects on Fisher Island. When we specify outdoor products, we need to be sure they will perform in saltwater environments. Providing strong support services is very important. Manufacturers should be able to assist in specifications, but also provide information on how to care for products so that they will last.”
She said that designers can best learn about outdoor products and materials by researching publications.
“Magazines are still our go-to source for finding new products and materials,” says Coujil. “We also try to attend as many events at showrooms as possible. It is very different to see something two dimensionally on a page, digital or print, and actually seeing the products in person.”
Any advice for designers who are now starting to take on more exterior design?
“Our advice would be to properly research and vet suppliers, materials and other products you’re using for outdoor spaces. Also, our studio promotes a cross pollination of ideas. When we find items that work well, we’re happy to share that information with other designers. This strengthens our already inspired and talented design community.“
