Inside Out

Inside out may as well be the slogan of modern decor these days. With more and more Americans concentrating on personal fulfillment and emotional success, new energy has been focused on the benefits of relaxation and natural spaces. That means we're taking everything we know about interior design and moving it outside. From outdoor rooms to dining rooms with French door entrances to lush gardens of niche settings for enjoying a glass of sangria or a good book, we’re spending much more time, and money, outside. In the past year alone, the New York Times reports, Americans spent almost $3 billion on outdoor furniture. A figure you can bet The Home Depot, that great indicator of market demand, took a good look at. The retail chain this year increased its outdoor furniture line by 25%.