SPRUCE UP YOUR SPACE
Budget makeover tips to get your garden back in shape
AFTER a year of our homes and gardens largely being out of bounds to family and friends, the race is on to ensure our neglected outdoor spaces are ready for post-lockdown summer shindigs.
Luckily, award-winning interiors blogger Lisa Dawson has written a new book, Resourceful Living. It’s packed with creative repurposing and budget makeover tips that will get your home and garden looking lovely and just right for guests.
‘This year I ventured out to find our outside space looking like the Mary Celeste,’ says Lisa. ‘Filthy barbecue complete with tongs, piles of dead leaves, half-used candles, broken hanging plant pots, baskets filled with spider-infested throws and a bamboo that was sitting in a full pot of fetid water.
‘But it matters not a jot how awful you think it looks, it can most definitely be improved so that you can welcome back your guests and entertain again in style this summer.’
Here are Lisa’s top tips for revamping your outdoor space for the perfect post-lockdown garden party.
Whether you have a balcony, a small backyard or a good-sized garden, the first thing to do when planning your outside space is to assess the situation and look at the bones of what you already have, before you start spending. First, get the weeds out and cut back the border planting ready for new growth, then give the garden furniture a good scrub. Patios and decking can be transformed with a jet wash and a stiff brush.
If they’re past their prime, look at exterior paints to prolong their life. Even the most horrible looking patio slabs can be improved with a good quality floor paint.
Zone your garden. Set a space aside for the barbecue. Then create a cosy living area – fire pits are great for bringing warmth, plus they’re a perfect social focal point. Layer rugs and mix textures such as bamboo and wicker to juxtapose the look/and create a welcoming space to sit and relax. If you’ve got an outside table, use an outdoor rug beneath to anchor the space and promote the perfect dining ambience.
Lighting is the icing on the cake of your outdoor room. Strings of festoon lights have come on leaps and bounds and many are LED, so they last for ages and you barely need any other light source. Large Kilner or Mason jars are ideal to use as hurricane lamps, adding atmosphere and giving a soft, warm glow to your dining display – or dot small drinking glasses containing tea lights along your table.
Add textiles with a pretty tablecloth – or two layered up – or be resourceful by utilising a single plain sheet, which can be dyed to suit your colour theme.
Vintage fabrics from your local thrift shop are perfect to use as napkins. Vintage crockery and tableware not only look beautiful, there’s nothing better than laying a table with pieces that have a history. Use alongside your normal plain dinnerware for that vintage/modern mix.
Thrift-shop finds such as etched water, wine and liqueur glasses, look fabulous when mixed. And look out for vintage decanters to bring that bit of extra edge. Juxtaposing old pieces with new is the key. A tea trolley doubled up as a drinks bar is an excellent addition as it can be used inside and out.
Style up with your favourite drinks, mixers, an ice bucket and cocktail shaker with a handwritten cocktail menu for your guests to make their choice.