Decorating Cents Season 4 Episode 8 Garden Tea Room
- November 18, 1998
- 21 min
In season 4 episode 8 of Decorating Cents, titled "Garden Tea Room," viewers are treated to a charming backyard transformation that brings a touch of whimsy and elegance to an unassuming space. Host Joan Steffend joins forces with designer Sandi Schimmel Gold to create a cozy outdoor tea room that's perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet moment of relaxation.
The episode kicks off with a tour of the backyard, where Joan and Sandi take stock of the current space and identify areas for improvement. They note that the backyard is quite small, but they're determined to make the most of the space by incorporating clever design tricks that will create the illusion of more room.
Their first order of business is to create a clear focal point in the backyard, which will draw visitors in and provide a sense of purpose and cohesion to the space. To accomplish this, they decide to build a garden tea room - a small, enclosed structure that will serve as a cozy retreat for reading, chatting, or enjoying a cup of tea. The tea room will be positioned near the back of the yard, where it will be tucked away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
To build the tea room, Joan and Sandi turn to a contractor who specializes in custom garden structures. Together, they sketch out a design that incorporates a stone pathway leading up to the tea room, as well as a small patio area where guests can sit and relax. The tea room itself will be constructed from wood and painted a charming shade of light blue, with wicker furniture, cozy cushions, and a rustic chandelier adding warmth and personality to the space.
While the contractor gets to work on the tea room, Joan and Sandi turn their attention to the rest of the backyard. They decide to create a series of "rooms" within the space, each with its own distinct purpose and aesthetic. The first room is a cozy seating area, featuring comfortable chairs and a fire pit for chilly evenings. The second room is a dining area, complete with a beautiful outdoor table and chairs for entertaining guests. The third and final room is the tea room itself, which serves as the centerpiece of the backyard.
To tie everything together, Joan and Sandi choose a cohesive color scheme of warm browns, whites, and creams, with pops of blue and green adding a fresh, natural feel to the space. They also add a variety of plants and flowers throughout the backyard, from small potted plants to large flower beds, which add texture, color, and life to the space.
As the tea room nears completion, Joan and Sandi add the finishing touches to the rest of the backyard. They hang curtains around the seating area to create a sense of privacy and intimacy, and they string up twinkle lights around the dining area to create a magical, fairy tale-like ambiance. The result is a backyard that feels like a secret garden - a hidden oasis that provides an escape from the stresses of daily life.
In the final moments of the episode, Joan and Sandi step back to admire their handiwork. The tea room, with its charming blue facade and cozy interior, serves as the perfect retreat for a quiet moment of reflection or a lively conversation with friends. The rest of the backyard, with its clever design tricks and thoughtful details, feels like a true haven - a place to escape, relax, and recharge. It's a transformation that proves that even the smallest backyard can be a thing of beauty and joy with a little creativity and imagination.