Out of the world feel

Some weeks ago, Unwind carried a story on the popularity of the great outdoors. The article talked about the US where despite various parts being subjugated to the vagaries of nature, the year still yielded a great many months where the thought of spending time outdoors could be entertained.

Cut to Dubai and the scene, as we know, is different. The enemies of the outdoors are many — to list a couple — daily lashings of sand and dirt and 100 per cent humidity during summer.

Not to mention the fact that sitting outside, in say, August, or even September for that matter, isn't really a great idea. Realistically, we are talking October to March, when the UAE is at its best weather-wise.

''We have bought a garden set from Ace Hardware and got some plants from Garhoud, and we are throwing a party on Thursday night,'' said Sue Amherst to me on the phone.

In the older Dubai, Sue might have been forgiven. Things were difficult to get hold of and there was little choice to resort to. That no longer holds true.

Garden set replaced

The ubiquitous garden set has been replaced by dramatic exteriors featuring fabulous treated fabrics that do not care a bit about how hot the sun gets. And no, rattan, white plastic and ugly iron are no longer the only things that can withstand searing temperatures of this place.

The new patios explode with colour and texture. The fabrics are well treated to withstand serious wear and tear, so the perfect patio is much easier to achieve.

To create a modern accented patio, paint a feature wall a bright, fun shade. Citrus shades or a bright hot pink can look great. Then cluster bean bags in a clashing shade (orange cubes around a pink wall, dark chocolate with cobalt blue, mocha with orange, or even blood red and purple) around modern-toned tables and create a fun space.

Or you could even go the extra mile, and have metallic, matte gold and silver cubes clustered around large stone tables.

The only hardscaping necessary here are plain white stones with patches of circular lawn intercepting the whiteness.

Less is more

Bean bags in various colours or cubes in one colour with a printed one thrown in for quirkiness, are also quite a rage.

Remember, whatever you do, less is more and a sense of restraint always looks more stylish. Go overboard with colour and the results could be tacky.

Cindy Singh, who has just bought herself a property in the Greens Community, had her carpenter build some low wooden seating, with the walls of the patio playing backrests and placed mattresses available locally.

These were covered in an off-white canvas.

Go international

She bought these beautiful Sunbrella fabrics from a local design company and made some large cushions. She then had all these little African stools scattered everywhere for holding platters of food and drink.

Another one decided to go all Moroccan — a look that was popular some time ago. Actually, the ubiquitous Moroccan outdoor area is in transition.

Morocco is evolving and a great many people from other countries are moving in, melding old aspects of ancient Morocco but weaving in a huge contemporary element.

The new Moroccan style perpetuates the enduring appeal of the exotic, but celebrates it in a brand new avatar which is modern but not without an identity.

One designer went down this modern-Morocco route and outfitted her patio with black and white as the predominant shades and threw in a gorgeous fuchsia as the accent colour. Lots of bougainvillea in that hot fuchsia shade, in those glossy planters, added dramatic appeal.

Comfortable seating

Seating is obviously a focal point when it comes to cosy outdoor living. You could go for recliners around a central coffee table, or built-in upholstered sofas against a wall, Remember, this is an area that requires flexibility and mobility. So, nothing too heavy and cumbersome.

Next are the tables to hold food and drink. These could range from one large coffee table to lots of little ones strewn around the place.

A shelving unit can hold the bric-a-brac that you have picked up over time and which will not mind the sand blasting they will receive on a daily basis.

Mixing up styles

While entertaining, candles are always a great accompaniment to any meal to conjure a sensuous atmosphere.

Mixing up styles is fun as well so you could go for a touch of France by putting wrought-iron furniture with pretty white tablecloths set off by pink roses in aluminium buckets.

For a touch of Mexico, you can try painting your patio in vibrant colours — a beautiful blue as a backdrop to a pink bougainvillea plant can look adorable. Use differing heights for tables and various textures to make the patio a visual extravaganza.

— Devjani Cox is a UAE-based interior stylist and writer