Pictures motivate me. I'm visual like that. So it's not surprising that I've been thinking about doing a pictorial inspiration series on Fridays for a while. All work and no play makes Jane a dull girl, indeed! Well, this Jane, anyway. And you?
Some weeks I may have a theme, but other weeks, it will just be a hodgepodge of fun things I've found that inspire. Or something just pretty to see. Decorating, gardening, animal care, camping, ... who knows where this will lead! Fridays should be fun, right?
So, on to the inspiring...
About this time of year I start to think about dining al fresco. I LOVE to dine outside!
A simple table covered with a white cloth and folding chairs can help focus attention on the people and the surroundings rather than distracting from the scenery. Foodies who follow "
Outstanding in the Field" will be familiar with this theme. (Click the link to view their gallery of dinner settings!). This is something everyone can do... just set up a folding table somewhere in your garden or back yard, throw a sheet over it, and let the garden be the focal point. (You can just drag out your regular dining chairs if you need to!)
Still not simple enough? What about this...
Too much sun or heat? Go covered!
Do you have an urban setting? Why not create a garden like space?
Perhaps you live in an apartment building. Do you have a balcony? Background music and a small table top water fountain can help mask traffic noise. If you have to, keep the table indoors, but put it right up against the window.
How about some creative ideas for something totally new? Check out this incredible homemade outdoor chandelier that doubles as a planter. I'm thinking an old galvanized watering trough might work for something similar as long as you had hefty hooks! And it looks like just about everything in this photo is reclaimed. It's a great way to furnish a patio for not much money.
Where I live, evenings can be a bit chilly. Perhaps an optional heat source wouldn't be a bad idea!
I don't think it's so much about the items on the dining table itself, but rather placement of the table. Have you given any thought to where you could dine outdoors on your homestead? Perhaps a little TLC in a favorite spot would make for an enchanted setting. Add some white christmas lights or a few candles and comfortable seating (so people want to linger at the table).
If you live where mosquitoes are a problem, be sure to use citronella candles and offer guests a natural repellent. Chilly evenings? Keep a few scarves or sweaters on hand for guests who don't have a light jacket. Sometimes I like to play soft instrumental music in the back ground (songs with words make conversations difficult). After all, ambiance is part of the experience along with good friends, home cooked food, and great conversation!
Don't forget... outdoor dining isn't just for when you have company over. Why not dine outdoors every night? We do! After all, summer is fleeting and you've got to sieze the day (or in this case, the night)!
Now it's your turn. I'm making this into a Linky Party and the Featured Post on the right sidebar. You have till next Friday to take a picture of your own dining area and write a post on it. Tell us all about it and give us your best ideas! Talk chairs, do-it-yourself, or settings, but just keep it to outdoor dining. I can't WAIT to see your ideas!
Love the pictures! We're now in a hosue we plan to stay in and doing projects like this are on the long term goals. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteSo yeah...summer time and the livin' is easy...eating out doors is one of the best things about summer, along w/ cooking out doors ;) Beautiful pictures.
ReplyDelete*anna
oceannah
I love all the pictures. We will be working on our own patio this year.
ReplyDeleteYou have so inpired me! I have the table and chairs now I think I just need some pillows...and also move the cat dish off the table! I'll take pictures and try to join in on your Friday post! How fun!
ReplyDeletekim
Love the pictures...I was thinking about this just a few days ago. We have a maple tree in our backyard that has long, low-hanging branches that are hard to mow under; but near the trunk, they open up and there's a huge, tall canopy. It's hard to explain, but it's beautiful and I think I need a table and chairs for that space.
ReplyDeleteOur deck should be finished this week!! I'm going to have to try some of these ideas. Hope you are well Amy!
ReplyDeleteThank you for these ideas, we are trying to decide on our new back patio and we got some ideas!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite pic is the BHG one with the long table and market umbrella. Shade is an absolute must for outdoor dining down under and I am hoping for a long outdoor table and huge umbrella for our big outdoor living area which I think you did pop over and visit. Maybe I should link that post up? Over Easter I set up a table in the garden, it was high tea with a backdrop of herbs and was for the purpose of a baking competition I organized for my children. The dining in the vines pic reminds me of when a church I attended years ago held an Italian dinner for a missions fundraiser on the grounds and invited the community and yes, they came. The food was cooked by the owner of an Italian restaurant and it was amazing. One of the most memorable church events I have ever attended!
ReplyDeleteI REALLY wanted to do this this week, but we had RAIN and WINDS too much everyday for eat outside. I hope you will do this again!
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