Outdoor Living Issue
Small Hands,
Big Garden Let the kids get their hands dirty. These garden projects will get young ones excited about plants, exercise and the Earth Celebrity Q&A: Rick Bayless The Top Chef Master dishes on entertaining in his urban garden
PLUS: Outdoor Materials: Explained
Kid at Heart Whimsical outdoor play spaces the whole family can enjoy
Gone Grillin’
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The Top Chef Master dishes on entertaining in his urban garden
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Trend Watch
The hottest trends in outdoor lighting and furniture this season
Q&A with Rick Bayless Kid At Heart
Design-focused, kid-friendly outdoor additions make parents want to play, too
Small Hands, Big Garden Gardening tips and games to get the whole family involved outside
Gone Grillin’
Get the right grill (and other hot add-ons) for this year’s outdoor meals
Alfresco Entertaining
Our experts give tips on how to host fun, stress-free parties in your backyard or patio
Joshua Curry Photography / Mark Batson
Kid at Heart
Design-focused, kid-friendly outdoor additions make parents want to play, too
(Left) A fire pit that doubles as a sandbox retains its usefulness long after the kids have grown up. Plus, it provides a focal point for the yard.
By Megan Patsavas CTW Features In Walker’s Point, Lake Muskoka, Ontario, a three-level tree house encompasses four trunks. The work of Lukasz Kos, the “4Tree House” has a refined design, with an open, slatted structure. This awesome structure is one of fifty covered in Philip Jodidio’s book, “Tree Houses: Fairy Tale Castles in the Air” (Taschen, 2013), full of varied, stunning takes on the childhood outdoor hideaway. Although the structures are purely aspirational – few have the resources, skills or
space to construct such cabins – they are fun, playful places that even adults can enjoy. More and more, the concept of “play” becomes the focal point of stylish spaces, for both kids and adults. From interactive art installments to the in-home slide or dormroom ball pit, people are finding ways to get creative and whimsical with play – without creating a plastic technicolor eyesore.
It’s All Fun and Games Incorporating games into your outdoor décor is one way homeowners can engage guests of all ages, says Mark Batson, owner of Tongue & Groove, a custom building and design company based in Wilmington, N.C. From bocce ball courts and a polished, concrete shuffleboard table to a ping pong table that doubles as a spot for shucking and eating oysters, Batson’s ideas “draw people [in]
and keep them there.” Ring toss, Batson says, “is a real simple outdoor game that’s not obtrusive but gets a lot of use for both kids and adults.” All you need is a stainless steel ring attached to a string and a hook on the wall. Aside from games, Kenneth A. Stouffer, a Home Depot associate based in Chicago, suggests setting up a fire pit where families can roast marshmallows and have fun.
Homestyle – April 2013 – Page 3
Batson built a fire pit that doubles as a sandbox, a place where adults can relax with a drink in front of the fire (which can be used as a grill), or where his three-year-old son can play in the sand.
Stylish Structures
“I’m kind of a kid at heart so I think about how I played as a kid,” says J.R. Kramer, principal landscape architect at Remark, a landscape architectural studio based in Charleston, S.C. He and his wife (also a landscape architect) wanted to provide a play structure for their children, but they did not want a piece of plastic in their small backyard. “We wanted to be very design-oriented, so we thought, ‘OK, we like art and our kids like art,’ so we did sculptures.” The giant concrete balls they put in the ground may seem simply aesthetic, “but the kids climb on them and play on them,” he adds. For those who want a designated play structure, Kramer says to think outside the
box. He built a tree houselike jungle gym, complete with a zip line for a couple who wanted “an adultfriendly environment that was also kid-friendly.” Attached to a wall and set back a bit, the design took cues from the home’s architecture, with clean, simple lines. Kramer also made sure that the structure would get a lot of play. “[Their] kids were young now but they wanted to be able to grow in to this space, so we made sure that it was good for ages really from two all the way up to young teen,” he says. “I could see a teenager even being up in there, having a little getaway from the parents.” © CTW Features
Trend Watch Lighting Trends :: Seating That Dazzles in the Dark Light up your porch, garden or pool area with seats that glow. These stainless steel and acrylic cube lights can cast soft, multi-colored light upon your garden or patio. Cordless, rechargeable and waterproof, these LED light cubes can change colors and offer extra seating or a side table, both indoors and outdoors. Mix and match colors depending on the mood of your party. Some products include a remote control that can change the color-change speed and intensity of light, whether you’re looking for a party-like atmosphere or a romantic glow. The lights are powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery, which is either charged on a charger base or with a plug-in charger. Most batteries will last about eight hours. Light cubes are available from Usona Home at $1,315 to $2,875. Brookstone offers more affordable options around $150 to $250, and the cubes also have sound sensors so the light will literally keep the beat. — Christina Andrews
Page 4 – Homestyle – April 2013
Usona Home
Matt Bolt / Remark Landscape Architecture
(Above) The tree house-like jungle gym blends into the backyard's fence and complements the natural surroundings, creating a playful area that adults can enjoy.
Frontgate
Table On Fire
What’s an outdoor gathering in the evening without some flickering flames? Stay warm the whole year and create the perfect outdoor setting with a fire table. These tables come in various materials, including concrete, porcelain, natural stones (granite, marble) and metals (stainless steel, bronze), and some include accents like glass barriers, cobblestone or wooden bases to pair perfectly with your outdoor setting. Fire tables have become popular fire-element options because they are not only a gathering place, they also offer room for a drink or plate
of food. Decorate the fire area with lava rocks, ceramic logs or fireglass. Most fire tables are fueled with propane gas, like the porcelain-tiled Melrose fire table from Frontgate that features push-button ignition, for $1,395. For the eco-conscious consumer, bio-ethanol fire tables are available, such as the stainless steel and glass Buschbeck Crystal fireplace, available at Mantels Direct for $1,084. — Christina Andrews
Furniture Trends :: Get Caught in the Web
Hive Modern
Open, webbed outdoor pieces – from chairs to textiles – create a casual, airy feel for balconies, porches or backyard patios. Inspired by Italian designer Giandomenico Belotti’s famous steel-and-PVC-plastic “spaghetti chair” and Harry Bertoia’s steel-and-chrome side chair, webbed furniture can vary in material and structure.
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Backyard barbecue season is back. Make sure you have the right grill (and other hot add-ons) for this year’s outdoor meals
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Americans have long loved their grills – and the memories of warm summer days, backyard camaraderie and that charcoal aroma that come with them. They love grilling so much, in fact, they’re doing it more often and in more ways than ever before. A 2011 study by the trade group Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association found that 62 percent of grill owners use their grill yearround, an increase of six percentage points from 2009.
Grill Anything “It’s not just flipping hamburgers anymore,” says Leslie Wheeler, director of communications for the HPBA, based in Arlington, Va. “The new grills that are coming out are more user-friendly and add more flexibility for cooking. I’ve also seen a
proliferation of barbecue accessories, so you can cook anything on the grill.” More often, people are heating up the grill for seafood, corn on the cob and stir fry, using accessories like skillets and vegetable baskets. Grilling pizza also is popular, Wheeler says, adding a spark to an ordinary dinner that young families especially enjoy. “The thinking is that it’s healthy eating on a grill,” Wheeler says. “You’re not adding oil, you’re not using fat ... and when you’re adding vegetables, it’s a home run.”
Gas or Charcoal? With so many options out there, how does one go about choosing the right grill? Kevin Kolman, the “grill master” for Weber Grills, the gas and charcoal grill manufacturer, says the first steps are determining a price range and deciding which kind of grill the person wants.
Grillers who want a quick and easy cooking experience might opt for a gas grill, while traditional folk might prefer the added flavor and smell of charcoal. Once the potential buyer has picked out a grill, do the “wiggle test,” as Kolman calls it. “Go up to the grill, move it around and make sure it’s stable,” he says. “Having a grill that’s built solid and able to last a long time is important.” He then suggests they open the lid — “it’s like opening a car door for the first time” — taking out the grates, and getting a feel for the grill’s level of userfriendliness. Finally, he recommends consumers do their research when it comes to the grill manufacturer. He tells people to look up the website and even call the customer service to understand the level of help they’ll receive if they experience trouble with their grill.
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Nowadays, having the right charcoal is just as brag-worthy as having the right cut of meat. Charcoal comes in varieties such as hickory and mesquite wood, chemicalfree, eco-friendly fuel and competition-level charcoal so people can cook like barbecue champs. The biggest question grillers face when choosing charcoal is whether to buy lump, made directly from natural hardwood material, or briquettes, typically made with compressed wood by-products and additives. Weber’s grill master Kevin Kolman explains that lump charcoal burns hotter and faster, making it ideal for direct grilling for less than 20 minutes. He suggests briquettes for indirect grilling because of its longer and more consistent burn. “It’s much more adventurous to use lump charcoal, because the pieces aren’t uniform,” Kolman says. “You may have to pay a little more attention.” While lump charcoal typically costs more, it usually produces less ash and is preferred among the purists. “It really comes down to personal preference and what you’re comfortable using,” says Leslie Wheeler, the director of communications for the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association. One thing charcoal grillers usually can agree upon? “They are total fans and would never switch to gas,” Wheeler says. “Gas grills are so convenient... but charcoal certainly holds its own.” – Rachel Stark
iStockphoto
Choosing Charcoal
(Above) Accessories that make it easier to cook different foods, like this nonstick grilling basket, are popular to create a more unique grilled meal. Smoker boxes are another way to introduce new flavors.
Accessorize It Going beyond the basics, there are plenty of details that enhance the grilling experience. Raymond Vartanian, CEO of American Heating Technologies, the Los Angeles-based manufacturer of Luxor Grills, says grills with infrared burners are becoming increasingly popular. Known for heating up more quickly and reaching higher temperatures, the infrared burner keeps meat juicier, Vartanian explains. A smoker box is another popular accessory, especially for those with gas grills who lament the lack of smoky wood flavor, Vartanian says. Purchase wood chips, which come in flavors like mesquite and hickory, and soak them in water before placing the chips in the box. Then place the box in the
grill and see how it changes the taste of barbecued meat. Full-size smokers also have become a wish-list item among barbecue enthusiasts. “We call those people the ‘weekend warriors’ because that’s when people really have the time to dedicate to smoking and roasting,” Kolman says. “There’s such an anticipation for something that’s been cooked for one or two hours.” Easy-to-use products have contributed to the rise of smokers, he adds. “It takes a lot of the apprehension out of smoking, makes it easy for people to get a good quality brisket or pork ribs off a smoker,” Kolman says. “Before, it was a little more difficult.” © CTW Features
Homestyle – April 2013 – Page 7
iStockphoto
Small Hands,
Big Garden
if they “can see themselves reflected in the planning and design,” Cohen says, “so involve them every step of the way.”
Planning and Plotting
Start by drawing a basic map of the garden and have kids glue on pictures of plants from garden and seed catalogs. Think of it more as an art project and excitement generator than a specific plan. “A family garden will look and feel very different from a typical adult garden,” with plants from spilled seeds “sprouting in the middle of pathways,” Cohen says. “These are signs that you are on the right track to making your garden a magical world for your children.” Still, both adults and children may appreciate having separate spaces.
Kids get exercise, learn about nature and enjoy the great outdoors when they work in the garden. These gardening tips and games make it easy to get the whole family involved outside By Dawn Klingensmith CTW Features Nursery rhymes and children’s books teach kids that gardens can be magical – “with silver bells and cockleshells and pretty maids all in a row” – or filled with forbidden delights, like Mr. McGregor’s beans and radishes. But in real life, adults tend to drain the appeal out of gardens by insisting on manicured rows and optimal yields. That’s too bad, because kids generally love being outdoors and getting dirty. They make “terrific gardening companions” when
Page 8 – Homestyle – April 2013
adults are willing to surrender some control, says Whitney Cohen, co-author of “The Book of Gardening Projects for Kids” (Timber Press, 2012). Involving kids in gardening promotes family bonding, physical activity, better nutrition and stewardship of the natural world, Cohen says, who leads garden-based learning workshops for educators through the nonprofit organization Life Lab, based in Santa Cruz, Calif. Kids are more likely to enjoy gardening
Tim ber Press
“Giving kids their own small plot or container garden may help adults feel more comfortable allowing them creative freedom,” says outdoor living expert Rebecca P. Cohen, author of “15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids” (Sourcebooks, 2011). Kids’ plots should contain lowermaintenance, “most likely to succeed” plants like sugar snap peas, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and carrots, she adds. Kids also enjoy themed beds, such as a rainbow bed with plantings for every color of the rainbow; a zoo bed where all the plants have animal names and forms (tiger lilies, lamb’s ear, snapdragons, lion’s tail); or a pizza bed in which vegetable pizza toppings are grown. In shared gardens, if space permits,
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make walkways wide and beds narrow so kids can reach in to harvest vegetables with minimal disturbance, and so it’s clear where they can tread, suggests Life Lab’s Cohen. Be sure to make signs for garden beds to instill “an increased sense of ownership over what kids have planted and to help them remember what make walkways wide and beds narrow so kids can reach in to harvest vegetables with minimal disturbance, and so it’s clear where they can tread, suggests Life Lab’s Cohen. Be sure to make signs for garden beds to instill “an increased sense of ownership over what kids have planted and to help them remember what they have to look forward to throughout the growing season,” she advises. Big wooden spoons stuck into the earth or smooth, rubber-stamped stones make great markers.
Puttering and Playing When researching “The Book of Garden Projects for Kids,” Cohen and co-author John Fisher talked with several families about how
they managed to keep kids enthusiastic about tending the garden over the course of the season. Most eventually gave up on the idea that kids should always take part in the ongoing maintenance. “Instead, they made it so kids had a choice of gardening or playing nearby, so they could see adults enjoying the work and gain an appreciation of gardening” by spectating as well as participating, Cohen says. Keep tasks and chores age-appropriate, and stay close as they take on new skills. “Having high-quality, child-size tools can go a long way to making the work more manageable and provides kids with a sense of ownership and the ability to work right alongside an adult” should they choose to, Fisher says. Garden activities don’t always need to be task-oriented or productive. Make mud pies with “baked-in” leaves, twigs and flowers; monitor a rain gauge made out of a widemouth jar and a taped-on ruler; or keep a garden sketchbook or journal. Fun activities for smaller children include garden scavenger hunts, including a
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Homestyle – April 2013 – Page 9
“rainbow hunt’’ – gather a bunch of paint chip samples into a basket and find corresponding colors in the garden and yard. Repeated rainbow hunts are a good way to illustrate how nature’s palette changes according to season, Fisher says. Older kids might enjoy researching how residential gardens and yards can qualify for the National Wildlife Foundation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat program.
Reaping the Rewards “Kids who are involved in harvesting and preparing healthy foods from the garden are also more likely to eat them,” Fisher says. Gardening is not about instant gratification, but it helps sustain kids’ interest to include foods they can pick, wash and eat without further preparation, including cherry tomatoes, berries, radishes and sugar snap peas. Kids also can make homemade herbal tea bags or fill ice trays with mint leaves and edible flower petals (marigold, nasturtium, bachelor button) to spruce up glasses of ice water. As Cohen and Fisher conclude in their book, “Your children’s love for the outdoors, their sense of connection to plants and animals and their enthusiasm for fresh fruits and vegetables are the real harvest of a family garden.”
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Q&A with
Q: I’ve heard you have a pretty
Rick Bayless How Does Your Urban Garden Grow?
Paul Elledge Photography, Inc.
By Alice Oglethorpe CTW Features
As chef and owner of Chicago restaurants Frontera Grill , Topolobampo and Xoco, Rick Bayless has made a name for himself as the leader in authentic Mexican cuisine in America. You probably also recognize him as a Top Chef Master and as the host of “Mexico, One Plate at a Time” on PBS. But something people may not know about Bayless is that he’s a huge fan of cooking with local, organic produce. He even grows some of his own vegetables and herbs, either on a rooftop garden above one of his restaurants or in the garden behind his Chicago home. Recently, Bayless sat down and dished on his urban oasis, outdoor entertaining and how to make dinner guests feel right at home.
impressive garden at your Chicago home. What does it look like?
A:
Our garden is actually split into two parts. The bigger one is 1,000 square feet, which is pretty large for being in a city, and it’s a working production garden for our restaurants. It’s constantly under cultivation and we actually grow about $30,000 worth of produce every year out of that garden. It’s full of salad greens, microgreens, unusual herbs and edible flowers. It even has a small greenhouse so we can keep growing plants in the wintertime. Then we have a separate, smaller garden where we grow things exclusively to use while cooking at home, like Sun Gold tomatoes and Thai basil.
Q:
Wow, sounds like quite the operation! Do you have time to relax back there?
A:
I love to entertain in the garden. I have guests over almost every weekend, and in the summer, we eat all of our meals outside. We have two seating areas outside – one table that seats four or five and another that can expand to seat 20 if it needs to.
Q:
Are your dinner parties more formal or relaxed?
If I don’t have time to make something, I’ll just take some nuts out of the freezer and warm them up in the oven so there’s something for them to nibble on. When it comes to the actual meal, I like to serve dishes family style. You never know what dishes people may want or how much, and I don’t want someone to feel like they have to finish what I’ve put on their plates. Also, if people are vegetarian, they can just serve themselves whatever they want and nobody will think twice about it.
Q:
Not everyone has 1,000 square feet of garden space to play around with. How can someone grow an urban garden without such a huge backyard?
A:
For a long time I lived at the top of a building overlooking Lake Michigan, and all I had to work with was a little balcony. But I still grew things out there. There are really wonderful things you can grow in pots, like salad greens and cherry tomatoes. One vegetable a lot of people don’t think about growing is Chinese long beans. They grow phenomenally in pots and grow really fast. Then of course, there are herbs. Everyone can grow fresh herbs, even if all they have is a sunny windowsill. © CTW Features
A:
I never formally entertain at home, because that’s what I do for a living. So when you come to my house, you’re going to be a part of making the meal. One of my favorite things to do is have guests go out into the garden and harvest ingredients. I’ll ask them to pick the salad greens or go grab a big handful of parsley. It gives them an opportunity to not just look at the garden, but to get a real feel for what it’s like.
Q:
Any tips to make a dinner party go smoothly?
A:
Well, I always make sure that there’s some sort of snack out when guests arrive, because they are usually hungry, but dinner won’t be ready for another hour or so.
Homestyle – April 2013 – Page 11
It’s All in the Materials
Trex
Rehabbing your outdoor space is an investment. Outdoor materials get a lot of wear and tear, so choose lowmaintenance options that fit your personal style
By Alyssa Karas Outdoor spaces can be just as comfortable and inviting as indoor spaces if you choose the right materials. Here’s how to select products that will weather the elements – and the
Page 12 – Homestyle – April 2013
pets, the people and the occasional ketchup stain that make up the joys of the outdoor experience.
Decking
When it comes to outdoor decking, there are
several material choices: wood, composite decking or PVC, a type of plastic. Composite decking is a mixture of real wood and other ingredients, such as wood flour, rice hulls and glue. Because composite decking contains some wood material, it can
be prone to the pitfalls of real wood, like stains and mildew. Many manufacturers are switching to PVC from composite ingredients, says Steve Pozo, sales manager at Lakeside Lumber in
Tualatin, Ore. While PVC can be a more expensive choice, people consider it money well spent. “It seems that PVC on the outside is the best way to go,” Pozo says. “It doesn’t stain, it doesn’t take on moisture.” Wood-alternative decking company Trex offers a 50 percent plastic, 50 percent wood decking product, which it says will not rot, warp or splinter. Recognizing that aesthetics matter as much as physical durability, the Winchester, Va.-based company also says its product is scratch-, stain-, fade- and mold-resistant, and several lines carry a 25-year warranty. The allure of real wood, however, is still strong. “Around here, a lot of people like natural wood,” Pozo says. “We still sell a lot of wood decks [like] cedar, mahogany.” In some cases, natural wood can be less expensive, but the tradeoff is that it requires more maintenance. The more sun exposure a deck receives, the more upkeep it will need. It needs to be cleaned regularly. Plus, most wood decks need a new coat of stain once every two years, if not before. That’s more often than the siding on a house, which only needs to be stained every five years or so. Pozo says that people tend to forget that decks take a lot more wear and tear than other exterior surfaces: “Dogs are walking on it, people are walking on it, stuff from trees
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is falling on it.” On the other hand, composite and PVC decking requires less attention. Trex products, for example, can be washed down with a garden hose.
Furniture
The most popular outdoor furniture materials include aluminum, wicker, wrought iron and wood. Aluminum furniture is rust-resistant and lightweight, making it easier to rearrange and store. Cast aluminum, which is heated down and poured into a mold, offers a more ornate outdoor touch. “Aluminum doesn’t rust, so that’s perfect for pool areas where it has the potential to stay wet,” says Tonya Johnson, store manager at Holiday Patio and Wicker in Hudson, N.C. Johnson recommends applying a clear coat of wax to outdoor aluminum furniture once a year in order to maintain it. Wicker furniture is another lightweight option. Outdoor wicker is made of vinyl, while indoor wicker, or rattan, is constructed of reed material. Melinda Frazee says customers are drawn to her shop, Frazee’s Wicker in Searsport, Maine, in search of the nostalgic, antique feeling that wicker gives off. “They like to come in and get sofas so they can sit down and relax, read and watch the birds,” Frazee says. Wicker is easy to maintain and can simply be hosed off. However, wicker can mildew, she says, which can be cleaned with bleach and water. On the other hand, wrought iron furniture is heavier, so it’s a better choice for windy outdoor areas. Of the outdoor furniture materials, wood requires the most maintenance, Johnson says.
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Teak is one of the most popular outdoor woods, and if left alone, it weathers and takes on a silver hue. “A lot of people want to get that silvery gray color,” she says. “When it first comes, it’s a tan color, but… if you want to maintain it, you have to keep it clean.”
Fabric To really liven up outdoor living, don’t forget about fabrics, where quality is just as important as color. Solution-dyed acrylic is your best bet for long-lasting fabric. “You should not be able to turn a piece of fabric over and see white on the back side,” says Gina Wicker, design and creative director for Sunbrella fabrics, a popular choice for many outdoor brands. “When you turn it over, it should be a negative image of what is on the front side of the fabric.” Another quality to look for is UV-resistance. They “are essential for fade resistance and prevent the fabric from degrading over time,” Wicker says. The key to decorating an outdoor living space is to take your indoor aesthetic outside. “If you like bright colors, select brightly colored fabric for the furniture,” Wicker says. “If neutrals feel safer, then select neutral fabrics for your outdoor furniture and accent it with pops of color in accent pillows, outdoor throws and rugs.” For a fun touch, mimic the flowers and colors of your landscape and garden with the colors and patterns on your outdoor fabric. © CTW Features
Page 14 – Homestyle – April 2013
The Greener Outdoors If you’re looking for eco-friendly alternatives for your deck or patio, here are a few outdoor products that incorporate recycled materials. Trex “Excess scraps and stuff that would eventually get thrown into the landfill, we take those scraps and bring them into our facility,” says Adam Zambanini, vice president of marketing. Plastic bags, for example, and other reclaimed materials are put through an extruder and turned into Trex decking. Azek Pavers These composite pavers use up to 95 percent recycled materials (scrap tires and plastics) and act as an alternative to traditional concrete or clay pavers. Polywood Polywood turns discarded milk jugs and detergent bottles into lumber and furniture. Because it’s composed of recycled plastic, it won’t absorb moisture, meaning no rotting or splintering like typical wood. —Alyssa Karas © CTW Features
Alfresco Entertaining
Photodisc / Michael Blann
Setting the Scene Choose a theme to make decorating easier and more fun. But don’t force it – stick with something you enjoy, and get creative. “For the summer, select a ‘fresh farmers market’ kind of approach,” says Cheryl Jamison, who along with husband Bill co-authored the comprehensive “Big Book of Outdoor Cooking & Entertaining” (William Morrow Cookbooks, 2006). When fresh fruits and veggies are in season, it’s easy to find branch flowers, fruits, herbs and other food garnishes at a farmers market to double as décor. Easter-style dyed eggs, too, can decorate your space.
Lighting plays a huge factor when hosting an outdoor party. Depending on the time of the day, you need to think of adequate lighting, whether it’s candle light or electrical lighting. “Porch light is not adequate ambient lighting. I would suggest flameless candles around your space, as it creates a radiant vibe,” Jamison says. Flameless candles are a safe outdoor alternative, especially for kids. Some products include timers to conserve battery life.
Nothing says warm weather like enjoying a meal Festive Foliage Use small, low-maintenance plants for outside. These decoration. A succulent plant, along with a experts will help you piece of driftwood, can make an elegant host perfect parties right centerpiece. “I always buy succulents, as they are affordable. I use simple cans and put a outside your home
By Christina Andrews CTW Features With the garden, patio and grill area all in tiptop shape, the next step is to invite people over to admire your hard work. Simple, right? But throwing an outdoor party can be stressful, whether you’ve invited over the entire family or you’re simply barbecuing with pals in the backyard. Our experts offer five simple decorating tips for your next outdoor extravaganza – so you can spend less time preparing and more time enjoying the party.
Create an Ambience
Mix and Match Bring your inside furniture outside to make better use of what you already have – not only is it inexpensive, it’s efficient. For a burst of color, you can experiment with bright throw pillows on your existing furniture, says Denise Gee, author of “Porch Parties” (Chronicle Books, 2010). For instance, place a yellow throw pillow on a bright blue chair or a rustic red metal chair. “One of the things I like to do is mix up chairs. Some people worry about not getting them matched, but I think that as long as there is a theme, don’t be afraid to move the indoors outdoors.” Even a small tweak can make indoor furniture more outdoors-y. “You can pull out side tables from inside your home and put a bandana over them, with a potted plant,” Gee says. The humble rug, usually considered an indoor staple, is available in outdoor varieties that will brighten up your space to make it feel more festive. “Rugs can add a lot to dressing up on a rooftop or patio,” she says.
succulent in each one and wrap them in ribbon and give them as gifts,” Gee says. She suggests lining up small pots of basil, rosemary or thyme on porch steps for decoration.
Va-Va-Vintage
Contrary to what some people might think, old and vintage items might last longer than something brand new. If you think you are going to entertain outdoors over time, Jamison suggests investing in less expensive but attractive kitchenware and décor. “Some casual outdoor type flatware in big quantities or even enamel-coated metals found in yard sales, can be used in the long run,” she says. If it’s old enough to be considered vintage and yet is still functional, chances are it will serve you well. And whether the party runs smoothly or not, just remember to enjoy yourself and don’t let the little things get to you. “People don’t need to stress over hosting an outdoor event. As a host, you need to relax and enjoy the party,” Jamison says. © CTW Features
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