How to create outdoor spaces with interior items

When it comes to entertaining in the summer, taking full advantage of all your available square footage is just smart. That means utilizing your outdoor space too. Here are a few ideas on how to maximize your outdoor space for entertaining.

When you're thinking about reupholstering indoor furniture, think about using an indoor/outdoor fabric. Not only will you be able to use those pieces outside when entertaining, any inevitable spills will be a snap to clean up! And today's options when it comes to indoor/outdoor fabrics may surprise you... 

Ceramic Asian plant stands do double or even triple duty. From holding potted plants inside, you can then move them outside to be used as additional seating and/or side tables.  From traditional to ultra-modern, there's a plant stand out there just for you.

Lastly, don't forget to 'dress' your table! Bring out your linens, china, and crystal for an elegant evening complete with candelabras and flowers. Or, for a more relaxed evening, hang some old mason jars with tea candles from the trees with simple place settings and a bushel of fruit as your centerpiece. 

Tell me what you love to use to when entertaining outdoors!

Etsy hunting

Sometimes inspirations strikes, and sometimes you have to go looking for it. As I sit here with my computer screen giving me this blank look, otherwise known as an empty blog post, I have come to the conclusion that today is one of those hunting days.  So off to Etsy I go...

I'm feeling a little artsy today, so I started in the Art category. After a few pages of prints and paintings, I refined my search to Sculptures. Ta Da!!  Inspiration struck! 

Here are just a few of my favorites.

This guy Jimmy Lee does these incredible wood turnings. (It has a lot to do with the woods he uses) This example is ambrosia maple with a coprolite finial. Check out his shop to see his other work!

I'm loving these minimalist pieces from Paint Square. Tell them your colors, and they'll custom make one for you!

Susanna Shap over at ModernHouseArt does all her work with a palette knife and paint. I loved so many of her pieces, but will only feature the one that moved me most today. Check out her other work too. She works with a lot of color and abstract concepts too. I'm a big fan!

And last, but not least, I discovered these twisty aluminum sculptures by a guy named Andre. Good for indoor or outdoor use, I could see one placed in the vegetation surrounding a waterfall as well as I could see it placed on a pedestal in a large foyer.

OK, back to Etsy to see what else I stumble across... See you guys next time!

Collections

When accessorizing, I'm a big fan of collections. Often my clients will have special, personal things that they've collected over the years that I can highlight in their space.

In one of my most favorite projects yet, my clients had been traveling around the world throughout their lives together, and had therefore amassed a collection of artifacts from India to China to Egypt to South America. When it came time for the accessorizing, I had such an amazing selection to choose from, it was like being the proverbial 'kid in a candy store.'

Most of the time though, that's not the case. Whatever your style may be, if you're stuck on accessories, think in terms of collections. From your walls to your bookshelves, collections could be the key! You could use a bunch of vases, similar colored objects, or old signs. Just find that one thing that you like, and repeat it! Here are some ideas of what I'm talking about.

A collection of simple plates fills a wall, emphasising the cottage feel.

Black and white photos and drawings are a great way to fill a wall with personality

In this entryway, all the bright white accessories pop against the bold blue background.

Collections of crystal can be used to create elegant tablescapes.

Going for a beach theme? Add those beachy touches, like blue-green glass and shells.

This teenage girls room is finished off by the collection of colorful paper lanterns.

And as always, if you're in too deep and need some professional guidance, help is only an email away!