Easy Breezy Summer Entertaining
- At July 12, 2017
- By catherineschager
- In Tips and Advice
0
Who needs a special occasion for a summer get-together? Good friends, good food and good weather are reason enough! No need to stress over the details though. Just relax and let it flow together, easy as a summer breeze. This time it’s all about having fun. Here are some ways to keep is simple and stress-free.
Spread Out
Instead of worrying about table space for everyone, just plan on allowing guests to eat in lawn chairs, lounge chairs, or picnic style. Use area rugs or picnic blankets and cushions to turn the yard into the best seat in the house. Bring out the picnic baskets (or borrow from friends) and tuck special treats inside for guests to find. Doesn’t this make you want to pile on cushions and dig through the basket?
cushions from Hayneedle, basket from Wayfair
Simple Fare
Try to make foods that can be eaten one handed. This allows people to eat while standing or balancing food in their laps from lawn chairs or blankets. Ditch recipes that require cutting food with a knife – save the steaks for smaller, fancier gatherings. Think picnic fare and your guests will find eating to be a breeze.
Party on Wheels
Roll out bar carts, kitchen carts, kids wagons and lawn carts for mobile food and drink stands. They are super easy to roll back into the house to restock and relocate around the yard as needed. Encourage guests to mingle by scattering drinks by one seating area and desserts by another.
bar cart from Pottery Barn, yard cart from Home Depot
Now download a playlist from the summers you were young and carefree and I’ll bet everyone will be singing and dancing to the memories. Check out some more ideas on our pinterest board. Happy summer!
Creating Defined Outdoor Spaces
- At July 15, 2016
- By catherineschager
- In Tips and Advice
0
Utilizing our outdoor areas is a great way to expand on the space our homes have available. A cozy outdoor living area can be the perfect retreat. Creating defined outdoor rooms might seem like a maintenance headache of intricate landscaping but it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Inviting, distinct spaces can be carved out with any number of simple design arrangements. Here are just a few methods:
Dividers and Privacy Screens
There are so many simple screens and dividers available for the outdoors! Folding or hanging screens, large planters, living walls, curtains and even outdoor lighting can easily and beautifully define a section of your backyard into an inviting outdoor room.
(above left: gardeners.com, center: plowhearth.com, right: thegardenglove.com)
Destination Points
An open expanse of yard can become a defined space by creating a destination point. A seating area, a raised or sunken patio, an outdoor fire pit, or an outdoor structure create functional retreats where family members and guests can spend time.
(above left: bhg.com, right: lowescreativeideas.ca)
Furniture Arrangement
Yards and patios can be divided into functional spaces with well designed furniture arrangements. Carve out gathering points and individual, private retreats by strategically selecting and placing outdoor furniture.
(above: decozilla.com)
Visit our pinterest board for more examples of defined outdoor spaces.