11/10/2025
In the special issue "Giardini & Outdoor Living" by Ville & Casali,
I share my approach to outdoor design, where functionality, atmosphere, and connection with the surroundings are the starting points to create spaces meant to be lived.
🇬🇧 English translation below
A Dinner Under the Stars
Creating an outdoor area dedicated to conviviality today requires a modern and carefully planned design approach, as interior designer Ernesto Fusco explains.
“When I design an outdoor space, I always start by listening, not only to the client’s needs but also to the context in which the space is set. I believe the key elements to consider are functionality, atmosphere and the connection with the surrounding environment. It is important to create a comfortable and usable space that invites people to spend time together... a personal oasis that reflects the lifestyle of those who live there.”
Materials play a fundamental role:
“They define not only the aesthetic but also the durability and maintenance of the space over time,” says Fusco.
“I choose materials that can harmoniously interact with the landscape and the architecture of the house, while also being suitable for the local climate.
For a dining area by the sea, for instance, I prefer components that resist salt air, such as AISI 316 stainless steel, teak, local stone and powder-coated aluminium, which guarantee durability and resistance to marine conditions.
In mountain locations, however, one must consider humidity, frost and strong temperature variations. In these settings, I tend to use local stones such as slate or porphyry, resinous woods like larch, corten steel elements and non-slip porcelain surfaces that blend naturally with the landscape and stand the test of time.”
For this type of outdoor furnishing, opting for a warm and essential style is always the winning choice:
“In my work, it is fundamental that nature takes part in the aesthetics of the space,” the designer adds.
“Textured surfaces, untreated wood, soft fabrics and earthy colours all have a place... enriched with discreet yet effective technological solutions. When designing a space, whether interior or exterior, one must be guided by the environment, listen to it, observe it and bring out its essence.”
