Plus, Highlights from a New Summer Entertaining Survey and Tips to Overcoming Your Fear of Hosting al Fresco!
With old man winter officially on vacation and temperatures across the country on the rise, it's time to dust off the grill, break out the disposal china and invite your neighbors over for a backyard bash. If only it was that easy! In fact, a recent survey on summer entertaining foundthat although nearly 9 out of 10 Americans have an outdoor space, 15 percent of them are afraid to entertain outdoors because of bugs, lighting and space.
Before you bring your next summer soiree indoors, HGTV Design Star and interior designer, Kellie Clements, talks about how to entertain al fresco like a pro! From the perfect lighting,to flipping your furniture, she shares some of the seven secrets to summer entertaining. Here's a sneak peek at some of the secrets Kellie shares:
· Refurbish your indoor furniture instead of buying new to create an outdoor "room". With a little paint and varnish an old dining table can become a new patio table.
· Lighting is key to any outdoor event, and non-traditional options like torches can be both functional and set the mood. Look for torches that are lit from within and also have a flame for ambient party lighting.
· Keep your food and beverages handy for guests. Have food accessible from both sides of the table. It will allow people to move more quickly through the food line and start enjoying the party. If you're planning to prepare food that requires the use of utensils, provide enough seating at a table or a stand up location to rest a plate.
With old man winter officially on vacation and temperatures across the country on the rise, it's time to dust off the grill, break out the disposal china and invite your neighbors over for a backyard bash. If only it was that easy! In fact, a recent survey on summer entertaining foundthat although nearly 9 out of 10 Americans have an outdoor space, 15 percent of them are afraid to entertain outdoors because of bugs, lighting and space.
Before you bring your next summer soiree indoors, HGTV Design Star and interior designer, Kellie Clements, talks about how to entertain al fresco like a pro! From the perfect lighting,to flipping your furniture, she shares some of the seven secrets to summer entertaining. Here's a sneak peek at some of the secrets Kellie shares:
· Refurbish your indoor furniture instead of buying new to create an outdoor "room". With a little paint and varnish an old dining table can become a new patio table.
· Lighting is key to any outdoor event, and non-traditional options like torches can be both functional and set the mood. Look for torches that are lit from within and also have a flame for ambient party lighting.
· Keep your food and beverages handy for guests. Have food accessible from both sides of the table. It will allow people to move more quickly through the food line and start enjoying the party. If you're planning to prepare food that requires the use of utensils, provide enough seating at a table or a stand up location to rest a plate.
