by Brad Mee

Photos by Scot Zimmerman

In Salt Lake City, a high-style pergola offers ideas and inspiration for designing and decorating your own garden retreat.
“It’s where I live in the summer,” says homeowner Marilyn Kalbach of the spacious pergola that extends the living space of her Federal Heights home in Salt Lake City. She worked with designer Michelle Dunker, principal of Dunker Beal Interior Design, to infuse her home—indoors and out— with fresh, classic style. The chic décor fills the interior and flows freely outside into the inviting backyard pergola, the ultimate garden spot to hangout and entertain all season long. 

Ideal Location

Ideally located just steps from the home’s kitchen and adjoining family room, this shaded patio area is an extension of the kitchen and is as inviting and as comfortable as any room indoors.

Connection to architecture and décor

The timeless design of the pergola structure complements the fresh classic style of the newly remodeled house. The pergola’s cream-colored paint matches the exterior trim color of the home, strengthening the link between the house and shade garden structure.

Inviting Living Space

Because Kalbach uses the pergola-framed patio for summer living and outdoor entertaining, she knew it had to be large enough to comfortably fit a dining area and comfy seating space. Large “doorways” lead from the shaded structure to the lawn and gardens.

Charming Lighting

Strings of outdoor lights hang from the pergola’s overhead beams, illuminating the living space with a charming, festive lighting every evening.

Lush Wisteria

Wisteria grows up the sides of the pergola, creating a spectacular shade cover and smothering the structure with lush greenery. In the spring, clusters of violet flowers hang freely creating a breathtaking canopy of flowers. Because wisteria has the power to pull down a weak structure, it’s important to integrate strong, durable supports on which the twisting vines can grow.

Stylish Furnishings and Delightful Details

The shaded patio gets much of its appeal from a stylish mix of outdoor furnishings, comfy cushions, trimmed pillows and charming tabletop décor. A palette of refreshing greens cool the patio space while handsome containers planted with topiaries, boxwood balls and blue hydrangea foster the outdoor room’s classic garden style.
Want to see more of this elegant home? See the full story here, or check out our magazine!