garden party
There are 19 entries for the tag
garden party
If you wish to make a statement, check out the exceptional wicker collection from Emu. It is nothing like you ever seen before.
The Yucca chairs were featured on an episode of Take It Outside where they were used as dining chairs. The high back means that adds lots of impact to a garden.
The chaise longue goes hip with the Alveo chaise. The semi-covered chaise spreads in a seat and a footrest. The shapes are pretty cool. The cover protects from sunrays and creates a cozy space that can be shared by two persons.
Categories:
OUTDOOR living
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Wednesday, August 06, 2008 1:37 PM | Feedback (0)
We reached the time where outdoor furniture and accessories start to go on sale. I find you a few interesting deals.
Three models at Restoration Hardware are available at less than $280. You could opt for the modern Del Mar Fire Pit/Grill, the Provencal style of the Antibes Fire Pit/Coffee Table or the Classic Copper Garden Fire Pit.
If you like the copper look, Target sells a similar model. To save more, buy the Copper Fire Bowl online since you can save 15% when you spend online $125 or more on furniture, patio furniture and lawn and garden items. The Copper Tub available at Smith & Hawken will complement the look.
Categories:
OUTDOOR living
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Sunday, August 03, 2008 1:15 PM | Feedback (0)
Jaime of It’s a Jaime Thing sent me the pictures of two bridal showers she designed last year for a cousin and a best friend. They are lots of clues who can recycle for your own parties.
The Sunflower Sunshower
A hand-made tiki bar and lots of fresh sunflowers set the tone of this party. Her cousin, the groom to be, built the tiki hut for his father as a Father’s Day present. It is so cool to reuse his own creation for his bridal shower.
If you wish to host a tiki bar, check out ebay or your local kitsch stores to get your hands on a few tall tiki mugs. Get for the lucky couple a scorpion bowl for 2. These will make nice souvenirs to the couple.
Categories:
REAL-LIFE
ENTERTAINING
posted @ Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5:06 PM | Feedback (1)
Earth Inc. from Toronto is the latest design firm to join the wagon of television. It is a popular trend that grows even more this summer. A glimpse at the TV schedule on HGTV Canada will convince you.
Dirty Business concentrates on the creative elements of building breath-taking, upscale outdoor spaces by this preeminent landscape design firm. We are talking about people with substantial budgets. I watched the fourth episode this week .
About the Show
I feel the show tries to appeal to both men and women. We see the rest of Earth team, James Dale, Joel Loblaw and Lorne Hancock under the leadership of the host, Kennedy McRae. Landscape design requires multidisciplinary skills from landscape architects to plant specialists.
Categories:
OUTDOOR living
REVIEWS
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Saturday, July 26, 2008 3:18 PM | Feedback (0)
This white and red backyard shares the South Beach hip vibes. This is the outdoor space of a couple with young children.
The magnificent backyard of Doris and Anthony Lapico was featured in Canadian House and Home last summer.
The couple divided their huge backyard in activity zones. From the draped cabanas to the open air bar in the pool house to the ceiling fans over the dining tables, every detail contributes at making this stylish outdoor a paradise.
7 Design Tips for the Ultimate Outdoor Entertaining Space
If you are planning to redo your backyard, remember the 7 design tips for an ultimate outdoor entertaining space:
- Every wonderful backyard starts with great space planning. Think about the function, the circulation path and the flow when you design the areas.
- Instead of one huge dining table, Doris opted to line up 3 dining tables. When needed, you can split the tables between the kids and the adults.
- Provide the ultimate comfort by installing an awning plus a couple of wall-mounted ceiling fans over the dining area. You get more design options and can cover a larger surface if you opt for a non-retractable awning.
- Placing the bar inside a pool house with a full window wall extends the bar usage to rainy days or cold nights. It is also simpler and cheaper to install a bar fridge, an ice maker and a sink if your bar is inside.
- Do not be afraid to add glamour to your décor. Play with contrasts to surprise your guests. Here the chandelier and the ornate mirror add sophistication to modern furniture.
- Your backyard should look and feel amazing at daytime and nighttime. You want to fully enjoy every corner all day long. The activity that you do may change during the course of a day but all the space must stay usable.
- Backlighting is an amazing technique to add drama. Softly illuminate the areas where you wish to promote intimate conversations.
Categories:
OUTDOOR living
TRENDS
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:29 PM | Feedback (0)
Food covers are a necessity in certain regions. Unfortunately, they often lack style. This is not the case of these gorgeous bamboo food covers.
Available in three colors from the UK retailer Graham and Green, you can harmonize the bamboo food covers with a set of 3 baskets.
Like you can see on the left picture, the look feels more sophisticated if you mix colors. Repeat some key elements and have fun creating your tabletop.
>>> Sourcing:
Buy online: Summer Bamboo Food Cover at Graham and Green – price: £10.95
Buy online: Summer Bamboo Baskets at Graham and Green – price: £12.95 for the set of 3
Categories:
TABLEWARE
DINING
posted @ Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:15 AM | Feedback (0)
One clear fact that emerged from my debate on kid birthday party favors is the party favors must be useful to win everyone’s hearts.
Craft Project
Ohdeedoh showcases this vintage looking oilcloth lunch bag by Martha Stewart’s Living today. They have a universal appeal.
Kids uses lunch bags all the time. This model has the advantage that you can insert it in the kid backpack. You could add a Velcro if you want that the bag stayed closed.
Categories:
KIDS party
PARTY favors
FAMILY style
ENTERTAINING
KIDS + BABY
posted @ Tuesday, July 15, 2008 2:10 PM | Feedback (0)
The pirate theme seduces both children and adults. A pirate party is fit to be really creative with the décor and the food. I spot the cutest pirate cake and cupcakes on Cupcakes Take The Cake blog.
The Sweet Tooth Fairy, a cake shop from Salt Lake City made a Jolly Roger pirate cake plus several dozens of pirate cupcakes for a pirate party. I like everything from the blue and red color palette to the execution.
Pirate Kid Party Ideas
If you are looking for decor ideas, check out the pirate party mood board I did last year. The pirate theme was designed for an outdoor kid birthday party. Yo-ho-ho! A Pirate Party! written by The Finer Things provides more cool ideas.
Categories:
CAKES
DINING
posted @ Monday, July 14, 2008 7:17 PM | Feedback (1)
They are plenty of small items that can make your stay at beach or at the park more enjoyable. It is better to shop for them before your vacation starts. These summer essentials display style and function.
Recreational Recliner
The Metro Seat by Picnic Time is a portable, recreational recliner with shoulder strap. The Metro Seat is available in 4 colors. It is color coordinated with the Metro Basket that I introduced last year. Looking similar, the Metro Melrose Bag is an insulated tote with a picnic service for four.
Colorful Dinnerware and Serving Ware
Stock bowls in punch colors to serve ice cream, cereals and cold soups. The Medium Orange, Large Green and Small Blue Birthday Party Cake Stands are currently on sale at Pottery Barn. At $29 for the set, it does not cost an arm to add a festive touch to any table.
Categories:
OUTDOOR living
HOME + GARDEN
PICNIC
posted @ Monday, July 07, 2008 11:17 AM | Feedback (0)
Real estate experts say that having a well-designed outdoor space will increase the value of your house. I read in the Property Advice of Living etc that it is particularly true in the spring and summer.
To help you create a stylish outdoor oasis, Living etc publishes a guide with top tips and advice. Learn more about space planning, adding atmosphere and how to get striking garden lighting.
It is great because we do not always know where to start. I would seek the help of professionals to redo my own outdoor space. I have friends who enjoy doing the manual labor; it relaxes them from their daily job. They still hired a garden designer to get a plan first. Planning and preparation is key. The following tells you where you should concentrate your efforts.
Categories:
OUTDOOR living
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Sunday, July 06, 2008 7:05 AM | Feedback (0)
Summer is here. The last two issues of Domino magazine featured amazing outdoor rooms and lighting.
Outdoor entertaining requires more than a cool outdoor kitchen. The new essential is an outdoor lounge. Here are a few ideas to create an incredible outdoor space.
Modern Bonfire
No one can deny how much fun it feels to sit outside around a bonfire. This modern version mixes with classical touches. You can see a more ornate version of the green glazed ceramic table I shown you in my Moroccan Dinner Party theme.
Three oil lamps with the same shape as the fire pit show an attention to details. This is a great example of the art of repetition.
Categories:
OUTDOOR living
REVIEWS
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:53 PM | Feedback (0)
Watching the first episode of the third season of Take It Outside gave me the idea of a Moroccan outdoor dinner party.
I give a high mark at Kelly Deck for the way she divided that backyard. Eight people easily sit on her custom made bench. It would be cool to have the space to build one on my own backyard.
The Décor
Stock plenty of cushions on the sofa and lay down a few large round cushions so people can sit on them.
Create a vibrant tabletop full of jewel tones. Prefer the earthy feeling of ceramics. Mix mosaic patterns with solid plates and bowls. As you can see from the tea picture at the bottom, you can mix lots of rich hues.
If you cannot find any Moroccan inspired dishes, I propose you check out the Sausalito dinnerware collection. Despite its Mexican influence, the colors of the collection harmonize well with this theme.
Categories:
FOOD + drinks
DINING
OUTDOOR parties
posted @ Monday, June 09, 2008 12:30 AM | Feedback (2)
A fun party theme idea for this Father’s Day is to host a father and kids baseball game.
Why not make a communal Father’s Day party where brothers, friends, colleagues and neighbors reunite to celebrate together?It allows everyone to have a playful and active day outside.
Food and Drink
These adorable icing baseball cookies caught my eyes last week. They are the creations of a San Diego mom named Lori. She took occasional cooking classes. It shows that Lori worked in the catering business while in college. Her blog, The Recipe Girl is about her adventures in her kitchen and her passion for cooking.
Your guests will be impressed to each have their own cookies. You can also divide the batches of cookies by family name.
Refreshments are important when you play outside. Make sure you have plenty.
Categories:
HOLIDAY
ENTERTAINING
posted @ Tuesday, June 03, 2008 2:33 PM | Feedback (0)
Cabanas are useful and charming. If I got a summer cottage, I would install a few so my guests can get change and put their stuff for the day. Having a cabana helps to keep your house clutter free while you are hosting a beach party.
I was charmed by the cabana next to the pool from the June 2008 of Canadian House and Home magazine. This cabana is available at Fresh Home and Garden in Toronto.
Typical white and navy nautical stripes are not my thing. I prefer the cool turquoise with earthy red shown here.
Thanks to Alex Newman and the Canadian House and Home styling team for presenting this beach house inspired by the Hamptons. The article is titled Water Colored in the magazine.
May18th, 2008 Update:
I just realized that the same color palette is used on the luxury hammock by Henri Hall Designs.
Categories:
HOME decor
OUTDOOR living
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Thursday, May 15, 2008 5:05 PM | Feedback (1)
It feels almost like summer. You could bring the Daydream swim ring and Day dream beach ball to complete my first birthday party theme. If you want bright colors, get inspired by the Moroccan pattern.
Revive your inner child spirit and throw some beach balls at a grown up pool party. These designs are brand new. Designroom Group launched them on April 15th, 2008. They have other patterns including a camouflage and a punk pattern.
>>> Sourcing:
Buy online: Beach Ball Daydream by Designroom Group – price: $12 USD
Buy online: Swim Ring Daydream by Designroom Group – price: $12 USD
Buy online: Poolside collection by Designroom Group
Via: {outdoorables!} [Daisy Chain]
Categories:
EVERYDAY entertaining
KIDS party
ENTERTAINING
posted @ Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:24 PM | Feedback (1)
This is the coolest hammock I ever seen. At a price tag of $19,500 this is not for everyone. Still, we can all appreciate the stunning design of this 113 inch diameter hammock.
You can drape it for privacy or more protection against the sun. It is supposed to be more stable than the regular hammocks.
The standard size day bed and the huge hammock are perfect to party under the sun. It looks so hip. The San Francisco based company Henry Hall Designs proposes fine outdoor furniture in an array of modern and traditional styles.
Vintage Fusion
The Fusion range mixes teak and stainless steel. The best part for me is the falling pool. I always dreamed of a pool like that.
Vintage is made of stainless steel and synthetic resin. Inspired by the curved plywood chairs of the 1950’s, Vintage line proposes a chaise lounge and a stackable dining chair. As you can read on Henry Hall Designs Web site, the Vintage revives an era of visionary design for the outdoors.
Categories:
OUTDOOR living
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:58 AM | Feedback (1)
I received an email from Janine who is thinking of doing a garden party for her daughter's first birthday.
She feels that all of the kids party decorations look so passé and cheesy. I have to agree with her. She asked for some ideas. I am proposing a cool flower theme.
Party Planning
A first year birthday is often more for the parents and family since the baby is not well aware of what is going on. It is best to plan for a two-hour party. Schedule some activities to play with the kids.
Flower-Power Décor
The cakes for the 10th anniversary of Cakes by Tatiana were my inspirations. Located in Ottawa, Cakes by Tatiana has a list of distinguished customers including two former Prime Ministers of Canada and Adrienne Clarkson. The two cakes are creations by award-winning pastry Chef Tatiana Vorobej.
Categories:
KIDS party
KIDS + BABY
posted @ Monday, May 12, 2008 3:54 PM | Feedback (5)
Instead of talking style I will talk about function. Whenever you are designing an outdoor space for entertaining, you must fulfill the function before the styling can begin. My 5 tips are to design a backyard for grownups.
Plan well defined areas
Staying at the exact spot for the entire party during is quite boring. The best party designers know that time seems to pass faster if you move your guests around from one area to the next.
To make the best use of this trick from the trades I suggest you plan a barbecue / food preparation area, a lounge area and a dining room. Place the lounge area as far as you can from the dining room.
Do not put too close either the barbecue from the dining room because of the heat and the smells. Plan to get a few sitting places close by the barbecue. A simple bench works fine. This way, a small number of guests can hang around comfortably with the cook.
Categories:
OUTDOOR living
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Friday, July 20, 2007 10:07 PM | Feedback (5)
This romantic scene could sell a lot as postcard. How can someone not feel in heaven out there, especially if you eat an incredible meal?
Do not despair if you do not have a country house because it may be possible to reproduce this look in the city or the suburbs if you happen to live in the right backdrop.
How to reproduce this look
Under the biggest tree of your yard, hang a couple of outdoor lantern chains. Put enough lanterns to create a magical atmosphere.
Since Habitat is not available in North America, what you need to reproduce this look is dining furniture in metal with clean lines. Villa designed by Bethan Gray for Habitat is a mosaic and metal round table. The mosaic is made with copper colored glazed ceramic tiles. A modern style aluminum table top can also create interesting light effects.
Categories:
OUTDOOR living
HOME + GARDEN
posted @ Friday, June 08, 2007 5:06 PM | Feedback (2)