Summer pleasures, out of doors
Summer is upon us—though, for those of us in Baltimore, summer has been hanging around for a few months already, really, searing those April showers right off the sidewalks and brightening our front windows with that hazy yellow you get out of a hot, humid day. Now we really tax our AC units and fall back on the rare delight of a crisp, cold glass of iced tea. Now, more than ever, with the skies blue and the air welcomingly warm, we turn to our outdoor spaces, ready to step into the world and embrace its natural beauty.
One of the things I value most, here in Baltimore, is the plethora of outdoor hangouts available to us. Many of our local coffee joints have leapt to cherish this wonderful weather (often so fleeting, here, when midsummer can get downright asphalt-melting and oppressive). Catalog Coffee, on the Avenue in Hampden, opens its rolling front window wide to the summer breezes, and offers bench seating on either side for those craving sun and those craving a little help from the shade. Doppio, too, in Remington, keeps those windows wide to the freshness of the season. It’s a real treat to enjoy some quality coffee and foodstuff (especially Doppio’s brilliant Italian pastries) and soak in the toasty temps.
Among our particular favorites—a go-to for a good place to work, a lunch with friends, or simply a delicious iced matcha latte—is Artifact Coffee, located in Union Mill. Now that the seasons have turned and we find ourselves ushered into the out-of-doors, it’s an excellent time to reconsider our outdoor spaces, both aesthetically and functionally. So, as a case study, let’s look at Artifact for some good lessons on what a practical and simultaneously beautiful outdoor space can look like.
Artifact has a rustic, reclaimed aesthetic—inside, they’ve preserved the old wooden rafters and stone of the original mill building, and matched this look with dark bronze fittings, rich wooden furnishings, and Edison bulbs with shaped filaments. Outside, Artifact has a large side patio space that carries this sensibility. The patio tables have weatherproof cloths in classic floral patterns (practical for cleaning up after guests’ meals and, at the same time, lovely to see) and the chairs are white and weathered, preserving that lived-in, historical style. This is the first point of inspiration we can draw: your exterior aesthetics can find harmony with your interior. Your home, after all, extends its boundaries to your porches, patios, and yards—when thinking about furnishing those outdoor spaces, notes of coherence and harmony between your style inside and your selections for outside can help preserve a satisfying sense of unity.
Many outdoor tables at Artifact feature wind-up/wind-down all-weather umbrellas. The elegant curves and dips of their panels provide a note of grace while simultaneously serving a very definite purpose. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I can get a little too much sun—so, when considering your patio, think about how you want to spend your time out there, and how much time you’ll spend. It’s important to offer yourself a little shelter from the occasional ferocity of the summer sun—whether this manifests as an awning, an umbrella, or a pergola is up to you and your tastes. Plus, awnings and umbrellas can serve as places to inject color or pattern, livening up your design!
Seasonal planters often decorate Artifact’s front steps and patio area. This greenery lends an atmosphere of flourishing peace to their patio. Exposure to green growing things is good for us—we evolved in concert with this beautiful natural world, so it makes sense that we find emotional joy in it—and I always love spotting the new additions to their potted plant features. Your outdoor space, too, can embrace some curated gardening. Thoughtful landscaping and pops of floral color make your backyard glow with the richness of nature.
Are you looking to elevate your outdoor space? Send us an email, and let’s talk patios!
I hope you, too, can find a local spot where you can kick back, enjoy an iced drink, and soak in the sunshine. If you need me, I think I’ll be at Artifact!