
“To live beautifully, you need to be organized and live in an edited way.” Nate Berkus, interior designer
Hello, summer! We have been waiting for you. Balmy days and breezy nights are made for outdoor entertaining. We are still safer at home, so Nate Berkus’ advice is especially relevant. Expanding your living space to the outdoors adds a dimension (and respite), but organization is key to making this new area enjoyable. As always, we have a few ideas to get you started.
Design Tips for Alfresco Living
• Say adios to pesky mosquitos. Place plants of lavender, basil, or peppermint around your outdoor areas. They act as a natural insect reprellant. You will love the scent of lavender when the wind blows.
• Devise a moveable patio. Lay an outdoor rug on your lawn and circle it with seating options. Keep a close check on children (and adults!) by building this makeshift patio close to a pool. Add a basket of extra towels and suntan lotion for convenience.
• Revive the patio bar cart. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but a cart could hold everything from condiments to cutlery, sunscreen to sandals and toys to tools.
• Illuminate the night. String lights to a wall or tree, or gather a selection of lanterns to provide light wherever you need it. Look for citronella candle inserts for table votives.
• Be flexible. Add ceramic garden stools and small end tables to your layout, You can move them around as needed; smaller, easy-to-reposition pieces give you more options.
Tables that are the tops!
• Invest in shatterproof melamine (shown below); it is practical without sacrificing any style. If you have kids, you might want to use it indoors as well! We paired a platter by Aerin #WilliamsSonoma with fish appetizer plates #Wegmans and a medium Better Homes & Gardens bowl #Walmart. It is all about the mix.
• Move the dining table as close to the kitchen door as possible. Setup and cleanup will be much easier. Plus, you will get to spend more time with your guests. Remember to socially distance!

Stay connected.
We are here. Let us know if we can help.
The Feltner Group is a full-service real estate team that specializes in providing a concierge-level of service for all clients. Your home is the set where life’s big and small moments are staged. We can help find a house worthy of your memories.
Leave a Reply