BRING INSIDE OUT

July 15, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

McClatchy Newspapers

ATLANTA

Several years ago, Michael and Lillie Axelrod decided they wanted to redo the outdoor space of their Sandy Springs, Ga., home.

They had the deck removed and added a screened-in porch.

The next step was to call their go-to interior designer for help.

Susan E. Miles of Allegro Interiors came up with a plan to create a functional yet contemporary-styled outdoor space where the Axelrods could gather with family and friends.

“We had a vague idea of what we wanted to do,” said Michael Axelrod, a business consultant and retired attorney. “But we needed help executing that vision.”

Using a variety of materials to create a stylish, livable space, Miles selected porcelain tile for the floor, a stained concrete top for the dining table and dining chairs made of brushed lacquered aluminum.

She also coordinated the Sunbrella fabrics for the sofas and chairs with the other accessories, including wall sconces and ceiling fans.

The Axelrods were pleased with their new room.

But they aren’t alone in wanting to extend the comfort and luxury of their homes to the great outdoors.

The growing “leisure lifestyle” industry is a $6.2 billion industry in the United States, up 5.4 percent from 10 years ago, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, a trade group in Virginia.