I love summer; doors flung open, M’s pottering in and out, and the scent of the lilac and soon to be flowering jasmine perfuming the air. Nice! Talking of which nothing beats throwing a garden party on a balmy night. I have just added one of our new sofas to my outdoor terrace, (more in our store!) so I’m dreaming of another zone where we can relax and chill.
I’ve said this a zillion times but I’ve designed my garden like any other room – so after sunset festoon lights go on, candles get lit, jazz plays softly on the Sonas and we’re party ready. Here are my go to tops:
LIGHT IT RIGHT
Photographed by Winnie Au, Lonny.com
I am lighting obsessed. I’ve got two chandeliers and one pendant hanging in the garden, one floor lamp, two table lamps, 3 strings of festoon lights, lights that highlight trees and anything of interest, lights in the cabin, a outdoor fireplace and a Dutch oven in the kitchen, not to mention candle-light. Told you I was obsessed. It’s such an amazing way to add colour and texture to your scheme and they’re lit year round.
WHEEL OUT THE BAR
Add a bar! I wheel out my drinks trolley creating a outdoor drinks station – fab if you drag out a table lamp, adorn with jugs of mint, lemons and then whatever tipple you so fancy.
Cosy it up. If you don’t have a ton of outdoor furniture no problem use rugs, cushions and lanterns to create a luxury level outdoor living area. A warm glowing fire pit makes all the difference too!
If you haven’t got any flowering plants light some incense. I love doing this on a summers evening it fills the air with the most intoxicating scent and everyone remarks on it.