Al Fresco Dining
For those of us that live in a part of the world that has 4 seasons, the outdoor dining season is short. Those warm evenings when you can enjoy your meal outdoors are so precious and hosting an al fresco dinner party is extra special. You may think that seems like a lot of work, however, with the tips we share below it can be easy and ohhh so beautiful!
Sight - Do you have a particularly pretty area in your yard that would be perfect for your outdoor dinner party? Tree covered area, overlooking a pool or pond, perhaps a flower garden? Even a patio or deck with a few pretty flower pots is perfect.
Sounds - Adding background music, wind chimes or the trickle of a water feature is a pleasant yet subtle addition to your party.
Scent - A fragrant flower garden wafting delicate scents your direction is ideal and can be recreated with a bouquet of fresh flowers on the table.
Feel - From comfortable well-padded seating that encourages your guests to linger after dinner, to an inviting fire and great conversation, consider how you can make your guests comfortable.
Taste - There are endless warm weather recipes available for both food and beverages. Consider a signature cocktail or mock-tail (so many on Pinterest!) for an extra special touch at your gathering. Charcuterie boards have become more creative including dessert boards, s’more boards, butter boards, just to name a few.
Beverages - Tossing cans and bottles into a cooler is a super easy and casual option. However, there are so many beautiful ways to present your beverages from buckets (casual or elegant) full of ice, to drink dispensers, to punch bowls, to mason jars labeled with your guests names. With a little thought (or web surfing) you can find a pretty way to serve those beverages!
Table setting - Now I know we all love the ease of paper products, but if you are hosting a smaller more intimate group, I would recommend using real dinnerware to elevate the look of your table. In fact, I love to surprise my guests by layering up the table with a pretty tablecloth, textured chargers plus salad and dinner plates! Add some candles, pretty glassware and fabric napkins to beautifully finish your table.
Lighting - If you are hosting your dinner when the sun goes down adding string of lights, solar lanterns and candles is a must! Not only do they help guests move safely around your yard but they can be a magical addition to your gathering.
Unexpected touches - Amp up the drama with something unexpected like an over the table rod, fire table/pit, chocolate fountain, popcorn machine, beer pong, photo booth, slip and slide or games and crafts for the kids.
Theme - Whether you are hosting a casual dinner with friends or a special occasion is it fun to consider your theme. The theme can literally be anything including a color scheme. I like to choose a pretty tablecloth to determine my color scheme and choose napkins, flowers and tableware to go with it. If you have patterned items on your deck or patio such as rugs or seat cushions, consider those items as well when you are building your colors scheme.
Other Considerations - Bugs and less than ideal weather are 2 guests that tend to show up uninvited! Having citronella tiki torches and mosquito repellent at the ready is a good plan. A well placed fan (or individual handheld fans), shade umbrella or tent are great for warm weather. For cool evenings, set out a basket of blankets and sweaters for guests to grab as needed. In the event that the weather doesn’t cooperate with your planned party, have a backup plan to move indoors or under cover just in case.
The Elegant Home with Legos and Glue Sticks
It all begins with an idea.
Recently I was styling the many open shelves in a clients kitchen when I noticed a stack of Diary of A Wimpy Kid books, a small collection of nerf darts and a handful of colored pencils on one of the shelves. My client seemed distressed as she apologized for the less than elegant items in her very elegant kitchen. I smiled at her. This is REAL life, not the styled lives we see in magazines and movies. A quick trip to the home decor store where I found a set of decorative boxes, in a design I knew she would love, and large enough to hold the various homework pages. I also found a marble-like canister with a lid to hold the colored pencils, glue sticks and nerf darts. And finally, a pair of THE most adorable bookends in white and gold to contain the Wimpy Kid books. My client was thrilled that she could maintain the elegant look in her kitchen while still allowing her son to be the awesome 9 year old he is!
Make your home work for you and the way your family lives!
