As we celebrate the official start of summer, outdoor dining, cookouts, and parties, I would like to offer a few tips on outdoor decorating. The trend is to blend your indoor with your outdoor, which means cozy outdoor sectionals, rugs, lights, and artwork. To help you, I have detailed tips on how to set up your outdoor area.
Continue reading How to Decorate your Outdoor Deck or PatioTag Archives: outdoor entertaining
How to Choose an Outdoor Rug
The best way to create an instant conversation area outdoor is to tie it together with a rug. A rug creates a cozy feel and can add that pop of color or pattern that you can blend with pillows and accessories. How do you choose the right outdoor rug?
Continue reading How to Choose an Outdoor Rug
How to Choose an Outdoor Rug
A fantastic way to add a fresh look to your outdoor deck or patio is to add a rug. As it does in your home, an outdoor rug ties an area together, adds comfort, and can be a beautiful way to add a fresh color combination. The questions are what type should you purchase and are all outdoor rugs the same? There are two categories of rugs that you may choose from: synthetic and natural fibers. Be sure to check the label or the product description, so you know what you are buying. Let’s review the types and benefits:
5 Tips for a Fabulous Deck or Patio Area
As we head into summer and have the ability to spend peaceful time outside on our deck or patio, is your outdoor seating area what you would like for it to be? For a fresh look, enjoy these five tips to help you achieve the look you want for your outdoor seating, entertaining and eating area.
1. Bring the comforts of the indoors outside.
In a sunny area, add a solar powered lamp that you can make yourself! Click here to see the step-by-step instructions; you will be amazed at how easy this is to create!
2. Warm up your setting with the soft glow of candles.
3. Any space, small or large, can get a fresh look by the use of pops of color and patterns.
In this example, the seating area is pulled together with a lovely shade of blue in the pillows and accessories.
On this balcony, red is a fantastic color to make this small space shine with comfort and interest.
4. Incorporate plants into your outdoor area.
You will want to vary the height of the plants to create your conversation areas and add potted flowers for color and beauty. If you are placing pots in a full-sun area you will want to choose heat-tolerant plants, click here to review a list of options. Use a potting soil that will help maintain moisture if you are not a consistent person that waters, such as MiracleGro’s Moisture Control Potting Soil. If you already have the potting soil add the “water storing crystals” to the soil, link for more information.
5. Paint your furniture a new color.
I recently had a client, inspired by my latest articles on furniture transformation, sent me photos of her latest DIY project. She transformed a bistro style table and chairs with new paint colors.
Furniture before being painted:
Furniture after being painted:
What a difference! She didn’t like the color it was and used Rustoleum’s Paint + Primer in Satin Espresso, and finished it with Rustoleum’s Metallic Flat Burnished Amber for a slight metallic sheen. A couple of tips that she offered: Your hand gets tired from spray-painting, to help, use the Rustoleum Spray Paint Can Soft Grip to prevent hand fatigue. Wear gloves; nitrile is the strongest won’t tear as easily. Now all she needs to do is figure out some fun pillows! The best part of any redesign, the accessories! Thank you for sharing your fabulous project with us!
If you require help selecting a color palette for any area of your home, or any home decorating question, give me a call 610.955.8202 or email, we can come to your rescue!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz, Google+ and Instagram.
End of Summer Outdoor Party Tips
As we head into the last week of August, I know that everyone is getting ready for the kids to get back to school and changing from summer to fall routines. In this spirit I know I’m trying to take advantage of all of the fabulous options that summer has to offer. Are you considering throwing an outdoor end-of-summer party? If so, hop on over to my fabulous posts for some tips: 5 Tips for Dining Outdoors and 5 Tips for a Successful Outdoor Party.
Depending on if you are planning to have adults only, or a family party will depend on how you handle the seating, table settings, etc. However, you don’t have to give up style! For some beautiful inspiration, click here to view some outdoor dining ideas from House Beautiful. Though some of them may seem extravagant or too complicated, take a few ideas and incorporate them into your party! Personally, I love the color combination of crisp navy with a white setting and pops of summer flowers. I like adding large blue bottles of Saratoga Spring Sparkling Water that is a beautiful deep blue at intervals on the table. Combine that with clear crystal votives and vases, cuttings from your garden or grocery store purchased flowers and it’s very easy to create a lovely table. If blue isn’t your color, consider using green, adding large bottles of Pellegrino Sparkling Water goes with any summer combination since it is a color of nature!
I always struggle with how much food to get and always overestimate. If you are planning an outdoor barbecue, click here for a food calculator from the Food Network. Keep in mind that food should not be exposed to the direct sun so you will want to place under a canopy or simply don’t bring it out until it is service time. Keep food cool by putting ice on the bottom of a deep tray then place another tray on top of that tray, allowing the cold to chill the food and keep the melting ice water away. Be sure to cover your food with a clean cloth, plastic wrap, or food “tent” until you are ready to serve.
Enjoy this last week of August and I hope all of your end of summer get togethers are fabulous!
For all your design, color consultation, or home staging needs, give Debbie at call 610.955.8202 for an appointment!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at www.RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz and Google+.
Having a Summer Party?
Thinking about throwing a summer party? Here are a few tips to help you out with this fun summer idea!
Create the invite list! There are many online invitation sites, consider one of these for a unique look to your summer bash: PunchBowl.com, PaperlessPost.com, or Evite.com. If you have a favorite website that you like to use, send me a note, I would love to hear about it!
How much food to get? If you are planning an outdoor barbecue, click here for a food calculator from the Food Network. Think about the types of food you will be serving and if you plan to serve food outdoors. For a general guide to help you plan your party, click here. Food should not be exposed to direct sun. To keep food cool, place ice on the bottom of a deep tray then place another tray on top of that tray, allowing the cold to chill the food and keep the melting ice water away. Be sure to cover your food with a clean cloth or plastic wrap until you are ready to serve.
Do you have a theme for your party? Since we are approaching the end of the summer season, it’s a great time to pick up outdoor items for parties on sale at stores such as Target, Pier 1, and online sites as well. If you are in need of outdoor party ideas, or recipes I encourage you to visit Pinterest for great visuals on recipes or theme ideas.
General serving tips:
- Create napkin and plastic ware bundles that you have at the end of the serving table. This will minimize spills and messes for guests. Use raffia, gift ribbon, or fabric ribbon as an easy option based on your theme.
- Instead of one big bucket for drinks – create small buckets for the various types of drinks you will be serving.
- Serve small items grouped together on trays – it will make clean up quick and easy!
- Use a table cloth that has various colors to mask any spills that may occur.
- Use citronella votives around the party’s perimeter to keep the bugs away.
- Use chalkboard stickers on glass tumblers instead of markers and plastic cups to label drinks.
Yummy appetizer ideas:
- Marinated Bocconcini
- Kid Friendly: Pigs in a Blanket
- Jalapeno-Peach Wonton Poppers
- Shrimp and Chorizo Kabobs
- Spinach Dip
Looking for a refreshing summer cocktail? Try this recipe for a Limoncello Collins, which can be made ahead, this recipe serves 8:
- 16 oz limoncello (lemon-flavored liqueur)
- 12 oz gin
- 8 oz fresh lemon juice
- 24 paper-think lemon slices
- Ice
- 16 oz chilled club soda
- 8 mint springs
Directions: In a pitcher, combine the limoncello, gin and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours. Press 3 thin lemon slices against the inside of each of 8 collins glasses. Add ice to the glasses. Stir the limoncello mixture and pour it into the glasses. Stir 2 ounces of club soda into each drink and garnish with a mint sprig.
The last tip I can offer is to sign up a friend in advance to help you out so that you are not frenzied before or during the party! Have a great party and enjoy the rest of the summer!
For all your redesign, interior design, paint color selection or training needs contact Debbie@RedesignRight.com!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz and Google+.
5 Tips for a Successful Outdoor Party
by Debbie Correale
Now that you have your yard and patio all set up and looking the way you like let’s talk about having some summer fun! If you missed them here are the links to my recent Outdoor Oasis posts: 5 Steps to a Backyard Oasis and Backyard Oasis Continued – Create a Water Feature. Here are a five tips to consider before you plan your next outdoor get together:
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Choose the Perfect Music Playlist. Fun and relaxing music can make a difference at an outdoor party and should not be too loud and generally enjoyable for everyone to listen to. The recommendation is to have a playlist of five hours of music prepared. Or you could use a music service such as Pandora, you pick a genre and let it do all the work. Personally, I love this idea as I never know what song is going to come up next!
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Games. Make the party fun for everyone! Will there be children at the party? Have age-appropriate things for them to play with such as bubbles, beach balls and sidewalk chalk to give the parents a break. Kids are not the only ones that like games! Pull out the old fashioned classic games such as badminton, croquet, volleyball, bocce, lawn bowling, and horse shoes. In your invitation be sure to inform the attendees to dress casually for outdoor games and fun so everyone is prepared to join in!
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Create a drinking area separate from the food area. If you plan to serve alcohol at the party, have the adult drinks and ice separate from the kids drinks and ice. Set up a beverage cart such as this beautiful one from Wayfair.com. Or you could use a folding card table draped with a lovely tablecloth to match your party theme. Another idea is to set up drink dispensers with water and lemon slices, ice tea, or lemonade and label them. Here are some beautiful online options that you can check out in anticipation of your next party: Potterybarn.com, BedBathandBeyond.com, and Target.com.
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Keep the bugs away! There are some things you can do to help keep the bugs away in order to keep your guests comfortable and happy during the summer entertaining season. Here are some tips from RealSimple.com: Get rid of standing water as this is where mosquitoes breed. A week before the party, empty any place around your yard that has collected water. Plug in fans as mosquitoes won’t be able to fight the wind (also a good way to keep unwanted bugs from food.) Have bug repellent options available, spray and wipes. Keep in mind products that contain DEET, though effective are not safe near children’s hands and mouths, consider Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Towelettes from Avon.com. If you have a real problem consider other repellent ideas by clicking here.
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Seat your guests properly. Generally you will find people congregate together who they know best. Mix it up and don’t put couples together, or best friends, you will find that placing different combinations of people together can create a fun and memorable party!
I love the warm weather and all of fun associated with summer parties! If you need any help with your indoor or outdoor redesign projects, contact Debbie@RedesignRight.com for all your decorating dreams!
Debbie Correale is founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at www.RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz and Google+.
