HG Openhouse Blog

It is a beautiful day in StL today. In fact, I am looking forward to enjoying a glass of wine on the patio at the end of the work day.

While I was out doing a little treasure hunting this morning, I ran into a lovely lady who was purchasing items to decorate her patio. After a long cold Winter, we all get quite excited about the thought of moving outdoors. So, I thought I might post a list of items to consider when planning your deck or patio for this year’s entertaining.

I find it helpful to begin with the furniture; however, it doesn’t have to be fancy. Cafe sets are cute and fun, and I like the shabby chic look of mix and match flea market finds. I read a hint in a magazine lately that suggested coordinating mismatched pieces by painting them all the same color.

Once you have selected primary colors it’s time to consider accessories. Some of the items I plan to look for this year are pillows, candles, baskets of flowers, a throw to enjoy on a cool evening, and an indoor/outdoor rug to better define the space.

Don’t forget to consider a fountain, a fire pit, and windchimes. I also add critter friendly decor like bird houses and bird feeders.

My last tip for today is one to file away for Fall bulb planting. These gorgeous tulips are the result of a tip my husband learned last year. Each year he plants bulbs and every year the deer, squirrels, and chipmunks devour them long before the first frost arrives. This past Fall he planted the bulbs, covered the space with chicken wire that he attached at the corners with brads, and covered that with dirt and mulch. Oh, did we have some frustrated critters. We could see where they tried to get at the tasty treats, but thankfully they were unsuccessful.  We feel very satisfied when we have outsmarted the woodland creatures.

I hope you are beginning to have warmer temperatures where you live, and you too are getting excited about spending more time in the fresh air. Please share any tips and ideas you have for making your outdoor space more enjoyable, and by the way, we love photos so add one to your comment if you’d like.