Stuart and Cathy Malone were looking to bring a little southern hospitality into their picturesque Bluffton, South Carolina vacation home. They wanted the entire property—a newly built carriage house, main house and garage—to connect with the surrounding coastal views and dramatic landscape. And they wanted to make sure the materials they used were low maintenance, so all they’d have to think about was taking in the scenery and entertaining friends.
Getting your table ready for outdoor dining requires little time and effort. Just add a few thoughtful touches by tying place settings to seating styles, combining complementary shades with bold pops of color and changing up shapes and textures.
You don’t need much space or fancy patio furniture to turn an outdoor area into an inviting spot for enjoying a meal outside. A few chairs drawn up around a cafe table under a shade tree, or benches and a folding table on a roof terrace, are all it takes to create an alluring destination. Let’s take a look at 8 inspiring dining table and seat combinations for making the most of dining under the sky.
Having an outdoor kitchen with built-in appliances is a great asset if you entertain outside regularly. It is also an investment that can enhance the value of your home. If a new outdoor kitchen is in your future, read on for tips to help you jump start the design process.
When it comes to absorbing the punishing effects of summer sun, wind, rain storms and pool parties, your outdoor furniture bears as much of the brunt as your home’s other exterior elements. Even furniture touted as “weatherproof” needs its share of care. Follow these on a regular basis, and you’ll have no trouble bringing the “new” back into your cushions, furniture and even your deck.
Memorial Day Weekend unofficially kicks off summer and, by extension, the outdoor entertaining season. Doing your own party planning? There’s a lot to consider—from themes to supplies to activities. Here are my top tips for making this Memorial Day Weekend your most entertaining yet.
Whether you’re planning to sell your home this spring, or just want to get ahead of your outdoor maintenance, now is a good time to start thinking about prepping your exterior for warmer weather.