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Liz Nicholls chats to Tanya Lippuner, founder and lead designer of Vivus Interiors, a female-led interior design team.
Liz Nicholls chats to Tanya Lippuner, founder of Vivus Interiors, about the rise of indoor outdoor living ideas and how to design homes that flow effortlessly between inside and out.
From reworking period properties to creating seamless connections with the garden, Tanya shares expert insight into balancing modern living with architectural character.
Hi Tanya! Tell us a little about Vivus Interiors
Vivus Interiors is a south coast–based interior design studio specialising in residential projects. We often work with older houses and properties with strong architectural character, so a lot of our work focuses on finding the balance between modern living and the original personality of a home.
That might involve designing extensions so they sit comfortably alongside the original house – sometimes continuing the language of the building and sometimes introducing a thoughtful contrast, as well as selecting materials and details that work well with the existing architecture.
Our work covers everything from space planning and materials through to furniture and the finishing touches. The aim is always to create homes that work well for modern life while still honouring the character and history of the building.
More homeowners are trying to blur the line between indoors and outdoors. What does that look like in practice when you’re designing a home?
It’s really about making the house and garden feel like one connected space rather than two separate areas. When we’re designing a home, we think carefully about views, levels and how people move between inside and outside.
For example, aligning floor levels so you can step straight out on to a terrace, or positioning doors and windows so the garden becomes part of the everyday view from the main living spaces. The aim is for the garden to feel like another room of the house, rather than something you only experience once you step outside.
When someone is renovating or extending their home, at what stage should they start thinking about the garden and exterior living spaces?
Ideally from the very start. The garden is often treated as something to think about once the building work is finished, but in reality it has a big impact on how the house works. Think about how you want to use the space – if you have a family, is there room to play? Is there a quiet spot just to sit and enjoy the garden? Do you want to entertain outside in the summer?
Outdoor spaces can be just as important as the rooms inside, so it’s worth giving them proper thought early on. Even practical details matter – things like where you’ll store outdoor cushions, rugs or dining pieces might influence how much storage you need inside the house, or whether additional space in a shed or garage needs to be part of the plan.
What are some simple ways people can achieve that?
There are some simple ways people can create that connection. Using similar materials inside and out – for example timber or porcelain flooring can help spaces feel naturally linked. Repeating shapes or colours from the interior in outdoor furniture or planters can also work well.
Making the transition easy is important. Wide doors, clear sightlines through windows and a well-placed terrace directly outside a kitchen or living space can make moving between the house and garden feel effortless.
Outdoor kitchens and entertaining areas are hugely popular right now. What makes the difference between one that feels truly designed – and one that’s just a barbecue on a patio?
If the budget allows, outdoor kitchens can be a really enjoyable space to design. The difference between something that feels properly considered and simply placing a barbecue on a patio usually comes down to planning. Zoning the space for cooking, preparing food and sitting down to eat helps it feel more like an outdoor room.It also works well when elements feel integrated rather than temporary.
Built-in storage, an outdoor fridge, a proper grill or even a pizza oven can all become part of the design. Sometimes it’s nice to visually link the space back to the house, too – perhaps with a semi-covered structure or materials that echo the main building. We’re currently designing one alongside an older property, using cedar shingles on the roof and stone to match the house, so it feels like a natural addition.
And of course, the seating area is just as important as the cooking space. One practical tip is to pay attention to outdoor furniture materials – wood or aluminium tend to age much better than steel, which can rust quickly and often needs replacing after a couple of seasons.
You often work with heritage properties. How can homeowners introduce modern outdoor living features without losing the character of an older house?
With older houses it’s usually about being sympathetic to the character and materials of the building. Modern outdoor features can work beautifully, but they tend to feel most successful when they sit comfortably alongside the architecture rather than competing with it.
Natural materials such as stone, brick or timber often work well, and softer planting can help take the edge off anything that might otherwise feel a little too new or stark.It can also be helpful to spend some time looking at references that suit the style of your home. Creating a simple Pinterest board of furniture, materials or garden features that feel right for the age of the property can be a useful guide, and something you can keep referring back to as you make decisions about the garden design.”
What are the most common things people say they want from their gardens when they start a project with you?
Most people want a garden that’s easy to enjoy and works well for how they live. That often means creating a good social area for entertaining, somewhere for cooking outdoors, and a quieter spot to sit and relax. Zoning the garden into different areas can work really well, as long as the spaces still feel connected to each other.Low maintenance is another request that comes up a lot.
People want a beautiful garden but not necessarily one that takes up every weekend to manage. We often help by suggesting layouts or ideas that introduce softer, more natural shapes – especially when working with the typical rectangular garden to create more interest and flow. From there, clients can develop their own planting plans around the structure of the space.
What small design tweaks can make a garden feel more connected to the home?
Have fun with planters and pots – they’re an easy way to bring greenery closer to the house and help soften the transition between indoors and out. They can also create gentle divisions within the garden or provide a bit of natural screening. Playing with different heights, plants and textures can add interest and make the space feel more layered.
Lighting is another simple addition that can make a big difference. Used along paths or around seating areas, it helps guide people through the garden, and once dusk falls, it can completely change the atmosphere, making the space feel like an extension of the home in the evening.
Are there any outdoor design trends you’re particularly excited about?
There’s definitely growing interest in gardens that feel more natural and relaxed rather than overly formal. Wildlife-friendly planting and pollinator-friendly gardens are becoming more important, as people think more about biodiversity and sustainability.
Alongside that, we’re seeing outdoor spaces treated much more like an extension of the home. People want comfortable seating areas, outdoor kitchens and good lighting so the garden can be used well into the evening and for much more of the year. Wellness features are also appearing more often – things like outdoor showers, cold plunges, saunas or small pools, creating spaces that feel restorative as well as social.
What are your favourite homes and gardens to visit for inspiration, locally?
There are so many beautiful gardens to visit across the South East. RHS Garden Wisley is always inspiring for the scale and variety of planting. Hampton Court Palace is another favourite, especially during the tulip festival when the displays are incredible.
I also love visiting Great Dixter for its relaxed, natural style of planting, and West Dean Gardens in West Sussex, particularly the kitchen gardens. Pashley Manor Gardens in East Sussex is another lovely place to wander around, with a really peaceful atmosphere.
What does your own ideal outdoor space look like?
For me it would be something quite natural and relaxed. I love gardens that feel a little bit wild, with layered planting and plenty of greenery so the space feels immersive rather than overly tidy. If the garden had a few gentle tiers or changes in level that would be lovely too, as it adds interest and creates different places to sit and enjoy different parts of the garden.
A long table for summer dinners would definitely be part of it, somewhere sheltered but still open to the garden. I already have a hammock which is absolute bliss in the warmer months, so that would certainly stay. I also have a pergola which I love, and ideally I’d have something beautiful climbing up around it to frame the structure.Lighting would play a big role too – I love using lighting in a garden as it completely changes the atmosphere in the evening.
And, of course, a few outdoor speakers for music would make it the perfect space to relax or have friends over. The best outdoor spaces are the ones where you naturally want to spend time, whether that’s entertaining or just sitting quietly with a coffee.
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