Baltimore Sun Sunday

Summer seating for a chic lake house vibe

- By Katie Laughridge

It’s the start of a lovely and leisurely lake season. Whether you just visit a lakeside abode and want to bring some of the magic back to your neighborho­od for the summer or venture out to your special getaway, the rustic chic lake aesthetic is beloved by many.

Lake-inspired decor is fun, free and a bit whimsical. It brings to mind walks in the fresh air, lush greenery and sparking campfires in the evening. I for one can’t wait to be spending more time in the great outdoors as the seasons turn, and decorating my home and outdoor spaces is half the fun.

When it comes to my outdoor spaces, I love to incorporat­e natural elements that blend with the surroundin­g beauty. This means a lot of natural wood in everything from my outdoor furniture to my tabletops. One of my favorite unique pieces of outdoor furniture this year is a treated teak root pub table and stools. The live-edge wood gives off an organic and earthy feel that is truly stunning. It’s the perfect statement piece for wood lovers.

For a more traditiona­l look, I love the classic look of bobbin chairs and a settee. The clean lines and light natural tone of the furniture pieces are airy and elegant while still casual. They are the perfect canvas for outdoor pillows and pops of color. Oversized cushions make for a comfortabl­e spot when watching the sunset.

Mixing and matching different styles of wood gives a setting depth and interest. By balancing the sharp lines of a wooden table with naturally finished bamboo chairs, a tabletop can go from simple to stunning. While the legs on the campaign chairs

mimic the warm teak of the bar top, the clean white canvas seats work with the traditiona­l spool chairs and white wicker host and hostess chairs at the table for a seamless look throughout the backyard. We enhanced the table with more wicker and wood accents on the

tabletop.

Incorporat­ing live plants into the centerpiec­e allows for even more of the natural surroundin­gs to be brought into the design.

Creating a relaxing and beautiful outdoor space is an ongoing project full of finishing touches of

planters and an occasional garden stool.

Each year I find myself adding additions to my collection that bring a smile to my face and make for a special area for my friends and family to enjoy. I can’t wait to see what more I can find this year.

 ??  ?? The clean lines and light natural tone of the bobbin furniture pieces are airy and elegant while still casual.
The clean lines and light natural tone of the bobbin furniture pieces are airy and elegant while still casual.
 ?? TNS PHOTOS ?? The live-edge wood of this pub table gives off an organic and earthy feel that is truly stunning.
TNS PHOTOS The live-edge wood of this pub table gives off an organic and earthy feel that is truly stunning.
 ??  ?? Left: Try balancing the sharp lines of a wooden table with naturally finished bamboo campaign chairs to make your tabletop go from simple to stunning.
Left: Try balancing the sharp lines of a wooden table with naturally finished bamboo campaign chairs to make your tabletop go from simple to stunning.
 ??  ?? Above: Mixing and matching different styles of wood gives a setting depth and interest.
Above: Mixing and matching different styles of wood gives a setting depth and interest.

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