Matt and Beau, the home lifestyle blogging powerhouse couple behind “Probably This,” partnered with Sunbrella to create their outdoor entertaining area in 2021. This spring, it was time for a style refresh and the addition of a retractable awning made with Sunbrella fabric to make their outdoor living area even more comfortable.
The Space
Featuring an expansive dining banquette with added storage, Matt and Beau knew they wanted their outdoor area to be the preferred entertaining area of their Victorian-era New Orleans home. They built a DIY banquette when they first renovated their outdoor space and added cushions made with Sunbrella Sailcloth and pillows made with Sunbrella Piazza.
A New Addition
To complete their outdoor entertaining area, Matt and Beau decided on a retractable awning made with Sunbrella fabric. The new awning helps to extend their living area and provides ample sun protection – blocking up to 99.9% of UV rays – when enjoying their banquette.
They chose Sunbrella Shade Fern Classic for their awning, a classic stripe that ties in the colors of their Victorian-era home and the balanced neutrals in the dining area. “The colors of our dining banquette lean earthy and neutral, creating the calming sensation of an oasis,” explain Matt and Beau, “while the awning is inspired by a classic New Orleans color pattern (that you’ll see at pretty much every beignet spot in the city!) to help further define our home’s sense of place.”
Sprucing it Up
For this outdoor refresh, Matt and Beau chose the Indio Dining Bench from Pottery Barn with a cushion upholstered in Sunbrella Rain in Natural to add another versatile seating option to their banquette area. Adding some pattern and color to the neutral white banquette, they chose the Sunbrella Ziva Striped Indoor/Outdoor Pillows from Pottery Barn (both square and lumbar), and a Sunbrella Southport Stripe Rug in Wheat from Colonial Mills.
The Details
Matt and Beau worked to evoke a calming oasis designed for gathering with their community of friends, family, and neighbors. Community celebrations–from seafood boils to Sunday afternoon happy hours–are a big component in the fabric of New Orleans life. They wanted to make sure to maximize the space for gatherings, with comfortable seating so folks would never want to leave.
“Using cushions and pillows upholstered in Sunbrella performance fabric means we can be a little less worried about accidental stains or spills as they can easily be cleaned, which allows us to enjoy our company that much more,” explained Matt and Beau.
The Completed Oasis
Matt and Beau’s backyard is the perfect place to enjoy and share with their favorite people with plush, elegant, and durable seating, and protective shade that extends their living area with a timeless style, year-round.
Check out our Project Spotlights to see more inviting indoor and outdoor spaces from designers who count on Sunbrella fabrics for long-lasting, durable comfort and style. Find a retailer near you to start designing your outdoor living space with Sunbrella.
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