At the start of the year one of my main objectives with our home was to improve our outdoor space and particularly our patio, which leads directly off the kitchen extension with our VELUX roof windows. It’s always been a favourite spot due to the natural light and airy feel they give to the space, but the outdoor area really let the space down, an ugly old, cracked patio, rotten fencing panels and no planting, it’s desperately needed work to make the two areas more cohesive!

We laid the new patio area with smart porcelain dark grey slabs, replaced the dilapidated fencing, built a large planter bed out of railway sleepers to fill with plants that could been seen and enjoyed from both the inside and the outside area.

We wanted to fill this area with lots of tropical style plants such as eucalyptus, bamboos and ferns. The idea behind the planting scheme was to evoke a feeling of a lush holiday location so even on a grey day in Birmingham I can sit at my dining table and look out to beautiful lush planting.

We also built an outdoor sofa out of scaffold boards and a coffee/dining table out of pallet wood to create an outdoor living area.

With the patio doors open to the garden and the natural light that streams in through the VELUX roof windows it’s now such a lovely place to sit and read, eat as a family or socialise with friends.

I think the two areas are much more cohesive together now, especially when the doors are open. The natural light from the VELUX and the patio doors work together to make this such a lovely place to sit and it really gives you the feeling of being outdoors (lots of plants help but I definitely want more in here!) And let’s face it with the British summer time weather we usually get this is pretty essential. And at least I can stay nice and dry in here, while getting lots of much needed fresh air!

See more of Theresa's beautiful interiors on Instagram @theresagromski.