Bowls frotrees full also of create floating a great tealights effect, and but candles again you in jam need jars to have hung lots. m
If you have plenty of dappled shade beneath trees then make a feature of them by hanging baskets, wind chimes, Chinese lanterns, even your Christmas baubles.
FURNISHINGS
FURNITURE, PERGOLAS AND DECKS may all need a spruce up. Placemakers advise re-staining outdoor timber every two to three years, or as soon as timber is showing signs of weathering.
If you are happy with the depth of colour then select a light deck stain, such as their Kowhai or Rustic Oak. Before applying, clean off moss, mould or mildew with a mixture of 20ml liquid sugar soap and 250ml mould killer in four litres of water, applied with a soft brush, then hose off with water and allow to dry completely.
Outdoor furnishings have come of age with many styles and materials available these days. For larger parties, a few new pieces might be necessary to create separate social areas – beanbags for the kids to hang out on, tables or bar leaners where people will be eating, and a chill-out zone with sofas for relaxation and quieter conversation.
Providing some form of heating is a good idea and so this may be time to invest in an outdoor fireplace. There are wood-burning and gas options, as well as gas fire tables that are ideal for guests to group around at parties.
DECORATIONS
WHEN IT COMES TO ACCESSORISING a garden party, this is not the time for minimalism. Those gorgeous shots you see on Pinterest and Instagram tend to involve lots of elements.
This doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. You can get creative and, so long as the weather is fine, bring out what you already have indoors. Piling up cushions, rugs and blankets will create a sumptuous feel. And an easy win in terms of styling is plenty of vases overflowing with blooms and foliage.
“Go to an op shop, and buy up vases and grab every bottle or jar you can get your hands on,” suggests Lynda. “It doesn’t matter if they’re a bit ugly. If you have a large garden you can pick flowers from outside of the party area but if it’s a special event ask around in the local community, as people are usually willing to give flowers. Or you can use lots of toetoe and flax.”
Handmade signs and bunting look charming; if you can’t sew then buy colour-coordinated crepe paper and cut it into triangles. Wairarapa landscape designer Craig Thorburn of Grand Illusions says he created wow factor at a wedding simply by using bamboo poles with white ribbons tied around them.
As the light fades, your atmosphere is going to come from the lighting. Craig likes to mark out paths with tealights in white paper bags – fill them with a scoop of sand or rice to keep them stable. Bowls full of floating tealights and candles in jam jars hung from the trees also create a great effect, but again you need to be generous and have lots. Flares and tiki torches are affordable. And festoons of fairylights, while more of an investment, are a dramatic way to mark out the social area – just go for a yellow light, rather than a white one, advises Ben Hoyle.
On the day itself, all you have to do is not worry about any imperfections. No-one is going to notice a bit of black spot on your roses or that the slugs and snails have been feasting on your Ligularia reniformis. They will all be too busy having a great time – and so should you! ✤
Everything at Design Warehouse is sourced from Italy, Belgium, France, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Sunbrella® cushions are included with deep seating purchases as shown on our website.