Alfresco Living
There's no doubt we'll be spending plenty of time alfresco this summer. That's why it's a good idea to plan on maximising your outdoor space. Create a seamless flow between the interior and exterior to make the outside feel like an extension of the home. Here are our top tips on how to do it.
1. DEFINE OUTDOOR SPACES
Creating separate areas to eat and relax will help to make guests feel comfortable. Define zones for activities such as cooking, conversation and relaxation. How do you define zones? Strategically position your backyard furniture. Move shrubs, planters and pots to create corners and borders. Use outdoor rugs and lighting to create pockets for socialising that are inviting and comfortable.
2. COORDINATE DESIGN
Create a flow between exterior and interior spaces by coordinating the design. Neutral colours and textures work beautifully both inside and out. By matching up the same woven textures, woods, and upholstery both inside and out, the outdoor seating simply feels like an extension of the interior space.
3. STYLE OUTDOOR SPACES
Draw your guests outside with an outdoor living space that feels just as warm and inviting as your indoor family room. Upholster comfortable couches and add comfortable patterned cushions. Provide throws for cooler summer nights. Style a coffee table with greenery, magazines and games. Hang artwork on the columns, or fill colourful vases on tables to make guests feel at home.
4. ADD GREENERY
It's time to pull out your green thumb and attend to the garden. Grow a fruit and vegetable garden so that you can benefit from fresh produce all season long. Overflowing containers filled with fragrant herbs not only look and smell beautiful but can become part of the meal.
Invite nature inside the house with pops of greenery in every space. A tall green plant in front of the window creates a seamless transition between the inside and outside.
Plant your garden
The Vegepod is a self-contained, self-watering raised garden bed. Featuring self-watering wicking bases, the system ensures your plants always have access to water from below, with overflow holes that avoid drowning your plants. Grow your own food with this easily accessible, low maintenance and almost fail-proof raised garden bed.
Juice your fruit & veg
Offer your guests a glass of all-natural juice made with your favourite fruits and vegetables. Loved by health-conscious people throughout the world, Kuvings is a leading kitchen appliance brand that makes healthy living more efficient, convenient, and delicious. Try Kuvings Whole Slow Juicer for a healthier lifestyle. Feel refreshed and energetic all day.
Say hello to summer
"Cooking and eating food outdoors makes it taste infinitely better than the same meal prepared and consumed indoors."
- Fennel Hudson
5. ALTERNATIVE SEATING
A hammock or hanging chair installed under a big tree is a great place to spend your summer days. If you don't have somewhere to hang it, the hammocks on stands will work anywhere. Outdoor floor cushions or bean bags can also be great for afternoons lounging about with friends.
6. FIRE IT UP
There's no better investment for summer than a good quality barbeque. Its social, fun and creates memorable meals. Besides, nothing creates intimacy in your outdoor space like a roaring fire. A fire source like a fire pit will not only bring guests together but also provide some heat.
7. BRING NATURE TO THE TABLE
Adding greenery to the table (both indoors and outdoors) helps to create a natural flow. Elegant palm fronds or banana leaves on a platter only compliment the delicious prawns stacked on top. A simple stem of leaves on the earthenware crockery takes us right back to nature. Consider a beautiful centrepiece made of Australian flowers, plants and sticks. The possibilities are endless.
KEEP IT LIGHT
Ambient lighting brings your patio to life. Perfect for dinner parties, candles serve as beautiful decoration whilst giving off a romantic glow. If you can, hang some candlelit sconces from the pagoda. Or, try solar lights around your garden for a dramatic impact.
Likewise, flooding an indoor space with natural light brings the freshness of the outdoors into your home. Take any opportunity you can to open windows, doors and skylights. Summer is here, and it's time to welcome the warmth.
Stay Hydrated
Introducing the world's most beautiful sparkling water maker. It's home carbonation, refined. With its straightforward setup and elegant design, the Aarke Carbonator 3 Sparkling Water Maker lets you quickly and easily create sparkling water with style. Perfect for home entertaining.
Set the tone
Luminara knows the beauty of a candle begins with its flame. That's why they've created worry-free candles with a realistic flame effect. Mirroring the real flame effect of a flickering candle these beautiful objects cast a festive glow, perfect for any setting or as part of a centrepiece. Versatile for any occasion, Luminara candles add magic to every moment.
