Outdoor Dining: An Elegant Experience

When the days get longer, and the weather gets warmer, everyone gets excited about getting outside.  The parks suddenly get crowded with people eager to soak in the beautiful day, and public gardens begin to look more like amusement parks as the spring flowers begin to bloom.  This afternoon, my daughters and I headed to tour our local gardens and enjoyed the tulips, azaleas, and dogwood trees.   I am eager to get back outside to soak up the rest of this gorgeous day, and why not? 

My theory is, when you have a day this perfect, why spend time inside?  So, the next thing on our schedule is dinner and  "Surprise!" "Girls, we will be dining outdoors!"  Forget restaurants and take out, when this time of year comes around, I save money on dining out, and instead, I dine in my own quaint and inviting space, outdoors. 

It's really the best kept secret for a "budget-friendly" dining experience.  Grab a few candles, and maybe some spring flowers from the yard, and "TADAAH!"  your own little backyard restaurant is in business.  Dust off the grill after checking out your local grocery store for the best deals in the meat department.  Pick up some fresh produce and create a colorful and healthy fruit salad.  Boil some noodles and toss them with some pesto sauce.  Then, open a bottlee of Pinot Grigio before sitting back and relaxing in your own backyard escape.

By creating an elegant atmosphere in your outdoor living space, you can have an intimate dining experience in your own backyard.

Think Pink?

This photograph was taken on a beach near St. Augustine, Florida.  What an amazing sunset, with the pink sky reflecting on the ocean waves.  When decorating outdoor spaces, some people like to use the colors in nature when picking fabrics for their furnishings.  So, when the 2011 Color of the Year was selected by Pantone, I was both surprised and excited.  the color chosen was, Drumroll please........................PINK!  Not a soft, muted pink, but  a vibrant and warm pink called Honeysuckle.

Before I worked for Summer Classics, this might not have been a topic of interest to me, but as I begin to get more involved in my family's business, announcements like  "The Color of the Year," is met with great enthusiasm.   After hearing the news, I began to see pink everwhere.  Whether I was reading an article in House Beautiful, or shopping for a new jacket, I began to wonder if it was just my imagination or if I was actually surrounded by pink?

Now, since I am in the outdoor furniture industry, the question becomes "Will Summer Classics take part in the new 'pink trend'"?  When it comes to fabrics, I must say, I consider us leaders in our industry.  Summer Classics has almost 200 different fabric options, and over half of them are exclusive.  But, before I begin to sound like too much of a car salesman, let me just say that and I love fabrics!  When it comes time to pick out our fabric line for the year, I really enjoy sitting in on meetings and being a part of the creative process.  Although it's never good to have "too many cooks in the kitchen," when  choosing fabrics, sometimes I get the privledge of sitting in on these meetings. (And, usually, I even throw in an opinion or two.) 

So, now that the color of the year is pink, I am curious to find out if we too will join the pink craze.  I have to say, if I were to get to decide whether pink makes it or not it would be an absolute yes, but as Summer Classics makes their final choices for the 2012 fabric line, I have my fingers crossed that pink will make the cut.

Plan a Spring "Staycation"

Spring is quickly approaching, and many people are making vacation plans.  Maybe you have children who are anxiously awaiting Spring Break or, perhaps you  just need a break yourself .  Whatever the reason, right now you might be deciding where to go or what to do, or trying to figure out how to budget for an expensive vacation.

Some people are looking at an alternative to traveling this spring and they are calling it a "staycation".  A staycation is basically a vacation at home.  I found this idea both interesting and appealing as I began to consider the costs associated with taking a Spring Break vacation with two children.  And, after some thought, I decided that a staycation might be just what we are looking for.

I found a wealth of information from different websites about what to do on a staycation.  One site that had some really fun ideas for things to do during a staycation was  www.staycationideas.com.  They recommended activities like "family game night", "movie night," and suggested learning how to play croquet.  I have always wanted an antique croquet set, and with the money I will save by staying at home rather than spending money on gas or airfare I might just have to buy a croquet set and learn to play.

People are also choosing staycations over vacations and using the money they would have spent on expensive travel costs to add value to their homes.  Some staycation ideas that add value to your home are remodeling a closet, painting a room or two, or my favorite option for a spring staycation, sprucing up an outdoor space.

There are lots of ways to spruce up your outdoor space and the majority of them cost a fraction of what you might spend on a vacation.  Replacing your outdoor cushions, adding a chaise lounge or two to relax in, or purchasing that hammock you've been wanting, are just some ways to fix up your outdoor space to make your staycation feel like a vacation.

Fall in Love with Outdoor Living

Snowfall in Alabama is typically a rare occurrence, but this year has been whiter than most in the south.  This picture was taken last week just before the snow began to melt, and this particular day proved that a wintry day outdoors can be quite nice.

As the trend towards the outdoor den continues to grow in popularity, people are creating outdoor spaces that are comfortable year round.  Outdoor fabrics and furnishings are becoming even more luxurious, while retaining their durability.   This has created even more enthusiasm towards the idea of making the most of outdoor spaces.

I encourage you on this Valentine's Day, to fall in love with your outdoor living space. Check out this article in the New York Times to see how people are braving the elements and sitting back and enjoying the great outdoors regardless of chilly temperatures... http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/garden/27Alfresco.html

Spring Fever

It's just about this time every year that I begin dreaming of the warm, refreshing days of spring.  This picture was sent to me by our Nashville store and it inspired me to begin thinking about ways that I could bring a little bit of spring to the table, so to speak.  

I like how they used these vases in lime green and crisp white in varying heights on this French Country dining table. The geometric patterns on these accessories give them a modern look while the picnic covers over the plates add a touch of nostalgia and keep pests at bay. 

I like to bring out a new tablecloth each year to brighten up my table for spring.  This year, I found a white one with bold pinks, lime greens, and a touch of metallic gold.  I have been saving it until the weather got warmer, but I think I am going to go ahead and add a touch of spring to my own table.  Do you have any traditions that help you get ready for warmer weather?



Dreaming of Warmer Weather