I have a treat for you today! Becky from Houzz is here to share some great tips for summer entertaining! It is finally hot here in Nor Cal! While Becky is here, I am over at Laura Blog
Sharing my favorite summer recipe! Head on over to check it out... it will be a staple all summer long!
Sharing my favorite summer recipe! Head on over to check it out... it will be a staple all summer long!
And now please welcome Becky from Houzz!
Hello everyone! My name is Becky and I'm a contributor at Houzz, a home design site focused on helping design professionals and homeowners manage the remodeling and decorating process. Thanks so much to Tiffany for having me!
Tiffany suggested that I talk about one of my favorite topics today: outdoor entertaining. I love to plump up the pillows on my wicker chairs, camouflage my old folding table with a Vera tablecloth, light up those cheap tealights I buy in bulk at Ikea and have my friends over for some wine spritzers, apps and gossip on my porch. So go pluck those fresh heirloom tomatoes and basil leaves you all have been growing, throw them together with some mozzarella cheese, mix up the iced tea (unsweet or Long Island or both) and pick and choose from these ideas for hosting your pals al fresco.
The best thing about entertaining outdoors is that you can be very casual. Chose a level of comfort anywhere between picnic and formal dinner for your patio. While this area is not set up for a formal sit-down dinner, there's room for up to 8 people to pull up a chair, sit cross-legged on the daybed and enjoy watermelon, pasta salad, a refreshing libation and good company around the cocktail table.
While an outdoor dining table is not a must, you will need some surfaces for plates and drinks. Side tables from indoors or even tray-topped tree stumps are all you need for a casual get together.
Other amenities you'll want to set up for a party include:
For a more coordinated and colorful outdoor dinner party, rev up an old ho-hum picnic table with a shocking hue. You can always paint it a new color if you tire of it. Let the flowers in your garden determine your color palette; match things up to your blooms or go for a bold contrast next to them.
Another note to take from this energetic tablescape: If you're lucky enough to have an arbor or pergola overhead, take full advantage. Hang a candle chandelier like this one, paper lanterns, white lights, and/or hanging plants. One of my favorite cheap and easy tricks is to place tealights in mason jars and rig them up with picture wire. You can hang them from tree branches, use them on the table and even nestle them into the grass.
Thanks so much for letting me stop by today, and have a great time on the patio!
Find more outdoor entertaining inspiration from San Francisco landscape designers and more design professionals at Houzz.
***
Thank you so much Becky for all of your great tips and fun eye candy! I can not wait to make myself a cocktail this afternoon and enjoy some music outside!
Tiffany suggested that I talk about one of my favorite topics today: outdoor entertaining. I love to plump up the pillows on my wicker chairs, camouflage my old folding table with a Vera tablecloth, light up those cheap tealights I buy in bulk at Ikea and have my friends over for some wine spritzers, apps and gossip on my porch. So go pluck those fresh heirloom tomatoes and basil leaves you all have been growing, throw them together with some mozzarella cheese, mix up the iced tea (unsweet or Long Island or both) and pick and choose from these ideas for hosting your pals al fresco.
The best thing about entertaining outdoors is that you can be very casual. Chose a level of comfort anywhere between picnic and formal dinner for your patio. While this area is not set up for a formal sit-down dinner, there's room for up to 8 people to pull up a chair, sit cross-legged on the daybed and enjoy watermelon, pasta salad, a refreshing libation and good company around the cocktail table.
While an outdoor dining table is not a must, you will need some surfaces for plates and drinks. Side tables from indoors or even tray-topped tree stumps are all you need for a casual get together.
Other amenities you'll want to set up for a party include:
- Music: Load up your iPod and figure out where you're going to plug it in.
- Seating: If you're short on outdoor furniture, bring out stools, floor pillows and chairs from inside.
- Lighting: Candles will do; make sure you have hurricanes so you aren't battling the wind with your extra long lighter all night.
- Extra ice: Drinks tend to sweat more when you're outside on a warm night, so stock up with a few extra bags for chilling bottles and cans and for the bar.
Traditional Landscape design by Dc Metro Landscape Architect Clinton & Associates Landscape Architects
For a more coordinated and colorful outdoor dinner party, rev up an old ho-hum picnic table with a shocking hue. You can always paint it a new color if you tire of it. Let the flowers in your garden determine your color palette; match things up to your blooms or go for a bold contrast next to them.
Another note to take from this energetic tablescape: If you're lucky enough to have an arbor or pergola overhead, take full advantage. Hang a candle chandelier like this one, paper lanterns, white lights, and/or hanging plants. One of my favorite cheap and easy tricks is to place tealights in mason jars and rig them up with picture wire. You can hang them from tree branches, use them on the table and even nestle them into the grass.
Thanks so much for letting me stop by today, and have a great time on the patio!
Find more outdoor entertaining inspiration from San Francisco landscape designers and more design professionals at Houzz.
***
Thank you so much Becky for all of your great tips and fun eye candy! I can not wait to make myself a cocktail this afternoon and enjoy some music outside!
3 comments:
Those are great outdoor spaces. If only mosquitos didn't exist I would be outside all the time. Love Houzz, by the way!
Thanks for having us, Tiffany!
Love Houzz and love these ideas! Thanks for sharing!!
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