Summer Style: A Checklist for Summer Entertaining

As the days get longer, temperatures rise, and those save-the-dates start cluttering up your mailbox, it’s time to channel our inner party host when decorating those fun, outdoor spaces we long to be in all year!

Before you send out those fabulous invitations, and making arrangements for all your favorite drinks and dishes…it’s important to make sure that the fête won’t end because the proper accommodations haven’t been considered. We’ve made a checklist for you to make sure you have everything you need this summer….now let’s take this outside…literally!

Summer Style: Al Fresco Dining

There’s something refreshing about enjoying our meals outside. Now take that desire and experience it with the idea of choosing materials that age with grace in order to extend the lifespan of the decor elements we choose.

This new Riviera dining table by Suzanne Tucker for Michael Taylor Design is the perfect blend of color and texture. The cast-stone dining base, available in two standard and five premium stone finishes can be combined with both the octagonal and rectangular woven teak Riviera table top. Top it off with fresh flowers and all your guests will start thinking you own your own catering company!

Summer Style: Pops of Color

The natural colors of the handwoven chairs and the wooden sofas create the perfect balance with the bold blue cushions. If ever a place to embrace our inner colorists, the outdoors are the best place to show off the warmest of hues that you’ve been saving for this moment.

Did you know that the California Collection of outdoor textiles by Suzanne Tucker for Michael Taylor Designs recently added more color? This timeless and elegant collection embodies a chic and casual design aesthetic with a broad range of easy-care outdoor solids, stripes, textures and patterns.

Summer Style: Matching Furniture

Normally, matching in anything from your wardrobe to your furniture (especially your furniture) is frowned upon. However, the outdoors allows it. Because you have less wall space (i.e. no artwork, paint to play off, or wallpaper) all one has as a backdrop is nature’s palette. Having matching furniture allows for cohesion and sets a clear destination point for when guests arrive!

Summer Style: Let There Be Light

Love the candlelight chandelier idea in this patio, a perfect way to generate an intimate ambiance in an outdoor space. Outdoor lighting is both functional and a subtle, and chic – a decor element that keeps the party going into the wee hours of the night.

This Arteriors lantern is the perfect example of a stylish lighting option, that has a timeless sensibility about it.

These John Himmel Handwoven rope chairs are a perfect example of how playing with texture when it comes to outdoor furniture can add dimension and personality to your space.

Summer Style: Have a Seat

Seating is one of the most important design elements to consider for an outdoor space. Your guests will love you that much more and come back for your next event, especially, if they can all find a cozy spot to enjoy that delicious lemonade from grandma’s recipe.

This Adirondack chair is one of my favorites. Unpretentious and clean, it’s the last thing to consider when grabbing that book you’ve been dreaming of getting into all year – relaxation at last!

If you are going for a more polished feel, the iron structure of this chair is perfect for you. The metallic subtle lines of the frames are simple yet elegant while the cushion placed on top warmly invites the guest to sit on it.

Set yourself up for success this summer. I’m curious to see how everyone will enjoy theirs!