Claudia Leah is an accomplished Naples
interior decorator known for her distinctive
portfolio of work and unparalleled customer
service. Fluent in English, German and
French, Claudia provides complete and
cohesive design services, ranging from a
single room to an entire home. Her firm’s
design work is supported by Naples’
leading contractors, installers and trade
professionals.
Her award-winning designs focus on
creating delightfully-livable spaces that
reflect the personality and lifestyle of each
client. Her background in architecture and
fashion enables her to construct spaces
that are both aesthetic and functional.
She has built her impeccable reputation
designing interiors for over 400 of Naples’
most prominent residents.
Claudia, her husband and her two
daughters fell in love with the Southwest
Florida lifestyle and have made Naples
their home for over 18 years. As an active
member of the design and business
community, Claudia has been a longtime
member and served on the board
of the Naples Interior Design Society and
Business Network International.
239.431.5936
6062 TAYLOR ROAD, STE 801,
NAPLES FL 34109
WWW.CLAUDIA.DECORATINGDEN.COM
YOUR HOME MAGAZINE | 15
umbrellas, are a great way to spice up your
lanai and reinforce your color palette.
Storage outside is sometimes overlooked
during the design process. From pool toys
to potting tools, there are certain items you
need to have handy. Look for dual purpose
items like benches or ottomans with concealed
storage space. There are also small,
decorative sheds that are the size of a closet
which are easy to assemble, and great for
larger items like pool noodles and floats.
Your storage options should also make entertaining
on your lanai more convenient.
I chose to use accent tables with hidden
ice buckets. They have plenty of room for
wine and champagne bottles, which means
I don’t have to leave my chair or the party to
pour another glass.
You wouldn’t stop at colors and furniture
inside your home, so make sure you finish
your lanai with accessories, plants, and
lighting. One great way to create a cohesive
lanai is through accessories and drapes. They
can hide less than desirable architectural
details and offer privacy. I also think lighting
is particularly important—who wants to sit
on a dark lanai? When building a home, make
sure you pay attention to where the lighting is
placed in the floorplan. Seating areas and your
outdoor kitchen/grill should be illuminated for
use throughout the night. You don’t want to
burn the steaks because you can’t see them! If
unsatisfied with your home’s lighting situation,
there are clever alternatives. Decorative bistro
lights can be hung over a dining or seating area
and LED lanterns or pendant lights (plug-in
options are now available) can be used as well.
There are also ultra modern lighting spheres
which can be placed around your lanai and
even in the pool for a subtle glow. If you want
a more permanent option, you can always
hire an electrician to create junction boxes in
your ceilings or reposition wall plugs. If you
need suggestions, just ask, I’d love to help you
decide where to place your new lights and
recommend someone I trust to help you do the
work. Also, make sure you have a fan or two
for good air circulation. Remember to hang
them at an appropriate height, especially
if you have a tall lanai. Sometimes fans are
hung too high—you want the air to circulate
around you and not just in the ceiling. These
are just a few ways you can spruce up and
enliven your outdoor space!
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