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Monthly Archives: July 2017

Discover 100 of the Most Beautiful French Homes on Houzz

17 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by marthawolford in Architecture, Entertaining, Interior Design, Landscaping, Luxury Homes

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We mark Bastille Day with a journey through a wide-ranging collection of gorgeous French homes and gardens

 July 14 is Bastille Day in France. The holiday, instituted in 1880 during the time of the nation’s Third Republic, marks the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution, an event that symbolized the end of absolute monarchy. Bastille Day also commemorates the Fête de la Fédération, a national festival held in 1790 to celebrate the unity of the nation and the drafting of the early stages of the constitution the previous year.
What better occasion to embark on a tour of French architecture and decor? On the itinerary are elegant Haussmannian apartments, the charms of Provence, lofts brimming with character and traditional country houses. From Lyon to Paris, Bordeaux to Nice, and even to the nation’s overseas territories, we look at incredibly rich styles, surprising choices and clever ideas. Don’t forget to tell us which of the photos is your favorite!
Beach Style Patio by Melian Randolph
Melian Randolph
1. Biarritz. See the rest of this home
Eclectic Dining Room by d.mesure - Elodie Sire
d.mesure – Elodie Sire
2. Normandy. See more of this country home
Shabby-chic Style Landscape by Catherine Sandin
Catherine Sandin
3. Versailles, Yvelines. See more photos and read about this weekend retreat
Industrial Dining Room by MEERO
MEERO
4. Argenteuil, Val-d’Oise. Tour this loft outside Paris
Contemporary Living Room by Sarah Lavoine - Studio d'architecture d'intérieur
Sarah Lavoine – Studio d’architecture d’intérieur
5. Paris. See more of this chic apartment
Contemporary Pool by François Primault architecte
François Primault architecte
6. Moirax, Lot-et-Garonne. Step inside this contemporary home
Contemporary Kids by Agence Glenn Medioni
Agence Glenn Medioni
7. Paris. See more of this petite apartment
Rustic Bathroom by Damien Carreres
Damien Carreres
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8. Méribel, Savoie. Tour this rustic ski chalet
Contemporary Exterior by frederique legon pyra  architecte
frederique legon pyra architecte
9. Var. See more of this seaside villa
Contemporary Bathroom by Marion Alberge Décoration
Marion Alberge Décoration
10. Paris. See the modern decor of this Haussmannian apartment
Bedroom by Nous Studio
Nous Studio
11. Trouville-sur-Mer, Normandy. See more of this award-winning design
Contemporary Pool by Ml-h design
Ml-h design
12. Montpellier, Hérault. Step inside this renovated mill
Contemporary Dining Room by am Alexandra Magne
am Alexandra Magne
13. Paris. See more of this duplex with industrial style
Contemporary Exterior by SARL ARCHITECTONIK
SARL ARCHITECTONIK
14. Toiny, St. Barts. Get a taste of island life at this villa
Midcentury Kitchen by Aurélien Vivier
Aurélien Vivier
15. Lyon. Peruse this plant-filled home
Contemporary Wine Cellar by Ciel Atelier d'Architecture
Ciel Atelier d’Architecture
16. Lake Annecy, Haute-Savoie. See more of this wine cave near the Swiss border
Transitional Living Room Appartement de Luxe - Triangle d'Or, Paris
17. Paris. See the rest of this luxe apartment
Contemporary Pool by Laurent Guillaud-Lozanne Architecte DPLG
Laurent Guillaud-Lozanne Architecte DPLG
18. Lyon. Tour this contemporary home
Living Room by Jours & Nuits
Jours & Nuits
19. Marseille. View this interior designer’s home
Scandinavian Family Room by Au50bis
Au50bis
20. Bordeaux. See more of this historical renovation
Scandinavian Living Room by Dorner Design
Dorner Design
21. Paris. Discover this apartment’s stylish simplicity
Contemporary Bedroom by Jennifer Decaux
Jennifer Decaux
22. Paris. Behold the power of home staging
Traditional Exterior by Olivier Chabaud Architecte
Olivier Chabaud Architecte
23.Villennes-sur-Seine, Yvelines. See more of this light-filled home
Contemporary Dining Room by ATELIER FB
ATELIER FB
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24. Paris. Visit this apartment of an art collector
Contemporary Patio by nesso
nesso
25. Var. See more of this contemporary villa
Mediterranean  by Agence MORVANT & MOINGEON Paysagistes Concepteurs
Agence MORVANT & MOINGEON Paysagistes Concepteurs
26. Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône. See more of this transformed yard
Eclectic Family Room by MEERO
MEERO
27. Paris. Bohemian chic in a former artist’s studio
Farmhouse Bedroom by Bernard Touillon Photographe
Bernard Touillon Photographe
28. Alpes-Maritimes. Tour this charming home in the south of France
Contemporary Kids by Jours & Nuits
Jours & Nuits
29. Frontignan, Hérault. See more of this seaside cottage
Eclectic Family Room by Fabrice Ausset - Architecte DPLG
Fabrice Ausset – Architecte DPLG
30. Paris. Step inside this eclectic apartment
Mediterranean Exterior by MAS PROVENCE
MAS PROVENCE
31. Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône. Tour this traditional farmhouse
Contemporary Kitchen by Aude Borromée
Aude Borromée
32. Paris. See more of this colorful space
Contemporary Kitchen by Agence Glenn Medioni
Agence Glenn Medioni
33. Paris. See more pictures and read about this apartment
by MEERO
MEERO
34. Paris. Tour this home of musicians
Contemporary Patio by CKA PARIS
CKA PARIS
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35. Paris. See more of this apartment
Contemporary Kids by AMDECO
AMDECO
36. Méribel, Savoie. Visit the rest of this chalet
Eclectic Entry by Alexandre Montagne - Photographe immobilier
Alexandre Montagne – Photographe immobilier
37. Lyon. See more of this apartment bathed in light
Contemporary Living Room by JPDA
JPDA
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38. L’Isle-Adam, Val-d’Oise. Tour the rest of this home
Contemporary Dining Room by ATELIER FB
ATELIER FB
39. Paris. Style galore in this home of a fashionista
Contemporary Balcony by Cendrine Deville Jacquot - Architecte DPLG
Cendrine Deville Jacquot – Architecte DPLG
40. Bordeaux. See more of this home addition
Eclectic Bedroom by Christophe Beaugrand / Anthony Nicolini architects
Christophe Beaugrand / Anthony Nicolini architects
41. Paris. See more of this glam bedroom
Traditional Exterior by A3Design
A3Design
42. Périgord, Dordogne. Tour this renovated chateau
Industrial Dining Room by Alexandre Montagne - Photographe immobilier
Alexandre Montagne – Photographe immobilier
43. Lyon. See more of this transformed loft
Eclectic Family Room by d.mesure - Elodie Sire
d.mesure – Elodie Sire
44. Paris. Step inside this moody apartment
Scandinavian Bathroom by atelier daaa
atelier daaa
45. Paris. Visit the rest of this home
Eclectic  by Franck Minieri, Photographer
Franck Minieri, Photographer
46. Nice. Tour the “Super Dog Loft”
Modern Patio by Jours & Nuits
Jours & Nuits
47. Le Lavandou, Var. See more of this seaside villa
Industrial Dining Room by Aurélien Vivier
Aurélien Vivier
48. Saint-Étienne, Loire. Step inside this renovated textile factory
Contemporary Family Room by be-attitude
be-attitude
49. Paris. See more of this bright apartment
Contemporary Landscape by Atelier Zündel Cristea
Atelier Zündel Cristea
50. Vincennes, Val-de-Marne. View this contemporary home
For 50 more please visit net weeks Blog!
Thank you to HOUZZ and
Pauline Warlet July 14, 2017
Rédactrice en chef Houzz France

How to Design a Plan for Your New Home or Remodel

17 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by marthawolford in Architecture, home building, Interior Design, Luxury Homes

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Building or renovating a house? Follow these 6 steps to draw up a plan that delivers the goods…
Most importantly…..

What you need and what you think you want are not the same thing.

Before you can even begin to design your own home (or design anything for that matter), you need to establish a clear brief for the project. This is more than just a wish list — it covers all aspects of the project: size, appearance, location, orientation, sensory qualities, cost, construction methods and much more. Let’s take a look at writing a brief in detail.

Modern Exterior by Archier
Archier

Your written brief will form the foundation of your entire house design. It is a description of your design objectives, which you will refer back to constantly and, as such, requires careful consideration.

The step-by-step process outlined below is the method I use to create briefs for every project I do. Whether you are designing a new house or extending an existing one, the approach is the same. Work through the steps, and by the end you will have not only a comprehensive and detailed brief but also a greater understanding of what it is you need rather than simply what you want.

Don’t worry about getting it right the first time; there will be plenty of opportunities to refine it later. What matters is that you get everything out of your head and down on paper so that the project can start to move forward.

Contemporary Exterior by SHED Architecture & Design
SHED Architecture & Design

1. Compile a list of “likes” and then analyze them. The first step in designing your own home is to establish the sort of house you want to create and why. You should begin by collecting images of all the things you like and that speak to you about the type of home you want to create. I find Houzz to be the best tool for this because you can easily share your list and collaborate with other family members.

Browse images on Houzz for inspiration

Modern Kitchen by m3architecture
m3architecture

Now this is where it starts to get interesting. Take each of the images you have chosen and look at it more closely. For each one, ask yourself what it is specifically that attracted you to the image, and note it down. It could be obvious, such as a particular material or shape, or it could be something less tangible, such as a feeling of comfort you infer from the image.

Can you picture yourself living in the room or house in the photo? If so, how does it feel to be there? Ask yourself what it is about that feeling that you want to emulate in your own home. It’s important to try to draw out the qualities that you want your home to have, rather than simply gathering shiny images of how you want it to look.

Contemporary Kids by S&K Group
S&K Group

2. Look more closely at how you live. Now it’s time to look critically at how you live in your current home. It doesn’t matter if you own a house, rent an apartment or sleep on your parents’ sofa. We all inhabit space, and we all do it in slightly different ways.

Ask yourself the following questions about your current living situation. Spend some time on each one and be as critical as you can:

  • What do you like about where you live and what don’t you like?
  • Which rooms do you prefer to spend time in and which do you rarely use?
  • What is it specifically that you like and dislike about these spaces?
  • Which functions of your lifestyle do you feel are well-addressed and which ones are not?
  • If you could improve just one thing, what would it be, regardless of cost and practicality?
Modern Home Office by 3rdSpace
3rdSpace

Next, make a list of all the items you own that will require storage in your new home, including the amount of space required for each and the best location for it. Don’t underestimate storage; it can make or break even the best-designed homes.

Finally, sit and watch how people move around in your current living spaces. Can you identify any conflicts that could be avoided in your new home? This is especially common in kitchens and bathrooms, where a lot of activity takes place.

Modern Kitchen by schulberg demkiw architects
schulberg demkiw architects

3. Draw up a list of spaces. You are now ready to start compiling a list of the rooms you hope to include in your new home. This is not as easy as it sounds. Lots of “what if” questions, doubts and uncertainty will start to crop up. This is normal and an integral part of the design process. Just keep going.

I would urge you not to dwell on these doubts for too long. Accept that you don’t have all the answers at this stage, and move on. It’s more important to identify the right questions so that you can address them as the design progresses.

Don’t worry about budget or practicalities just yet. There will be plenty of time to downsize if and when it becomes necessary. Be as extravagant as you like. This list is simply a draft of what it is you want — or rather what you think you want. It will be subject to plenty of adjustment before it is finalized, so don’t stress over it too much.

Modern Deck by Lynn Gaffney Architect, PLLC
Lynn Gaffney Architect, PLLC

Be sure to consider the entire range of activities you would like your building to host. Think in terms of what the house can do for you, and try to envision any future needs you might have. Don’t forget to include outdoor living spaces in this list.

If you are planning an addition or refurbishment project, include both the existing spaces you want to keep and the additional spaces you want to create.

Read more about doing an addition

Modern  by Archier
Archier

4. Analyze the list. Next, look at each of the rooms on your list in turn, using a separate page or document for each, and consider the following questions:

  • What specific activities will normally happen in this space (for a kitchen, this may be eating or socializing in addition to cooking)?
  • What furniture will you want to put in the spaces you are going to design? Include any built-in storage you think you may need. Look back at your storage list and make sure you include the storage requirements for each room.
  • Can you categorize the room in some way? Would you call it a public or a private space? Is it open or closed, inward- or outward-looking? Will it be a primary or secondary space in your home?
  • Can you combine two or more of the rooms on your list? Consider multifunctional spaces that can serve different purposes at different times. This is a great way to start to rationalize your list.
  • Now revisit the qualities and feelings you identified from your list of likes, as well your analysis of the rooms you enjoy spending time in. What qualities do you want each of the rooms on your list to have? This may include access to natural light at certain times of the day, or feelings of spaciousness, comfort, warmth, serenity or cleanliness, for example. Think about rooms in your current home that you rarely use and make sure you aren’t simply replicating them in your new home.
Modern Exterior by ZeroEnergy Design
ZeroEnergy Design

5. Establish big-picture goals and priorities for the project. You should now have a good handle on the specifics of each room. It’s time to take a step back and think about the project as a whole. As with any project, it’s important to establish a clear list of goals from the outset. These goals will help guide the decision-making process as you move forward, and form a handy touchstone when you face difficult choices or conflicting opinions.

They might be environmental goals, such as minimizing energy use or water consumption, or economic goals, such as maximizing affordability and minimizing ongoing maintenance costs. Your goals could also be personal ones, such as allowing for flexibility toward any future lifestyle changes or creating the perfect place to hold lavish dinner parties. Think of your goals as the values you want your final design to embody.

Modern Exterior by Fearns Studio
Fearns Studio

Finally, consider what relationship each room might have to another one. You might want a kitchen to be close to a dining area or to open onto the garden, for example. Alternatively, you might want to locate the bedrooms away from the main living area to ensure that they are quieter and more private.

Note it all down; you can’t write too much on all this stuff. Be as expansive and as specific as you like, but prioritize each item into “nonnegotiable,” “important” and “nice to have.”

Modern Kids by Angus Mackenzie Architect
Angus Mackenzie Architect

6. Finalize your list and address common mistakes. The last step in this process is about bringing it all together. You should have an overview of the rooms you think you need and their relationship to one another, as well as a fairly detailed description of what each room should contain and how it should feel.

There are, however, some very common mistakes people make during this process. Take one last look at your list to make sure you aren’t guilty of any of the following:

  • Focusing too much on aesthetics. Instead, think more about quality, comfort and functionality. Trust me, looks can come later.
  • Thinking purely room by room. Be sure you have set real goals and values for your whole project from the outset. A good designer is able to focus on the little details without forgetting the bigger picture.
Modern Bathroom by schulberg demkiw architects
schulberg demkiw architects
  • Not considering all family members’ thoughts and feelings. Although you may be the one leading the design, don’t forget the other occupants of your home. The more they are invested in the process, the richer the design will become.
  • Trying too hard to “keep up with the Joneses.” Just because your neighbors have a hot tub on the roof doesn’t mean you have to have one too. Stick to your specific needs and those of your family, and forget what everyone else is doing.
  • Not considering the future. If this process is going to be worthwhile, your design needs to have flexibility to allow it to grow with you and your family. None of us know what the future holds, so aim for a design that can easily adapt should your circumstances change.
Modern Staircase by John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA
John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA
Thank you to Houzz and
Mark Gregory

So You Want to Build: 7 Steps to Creating a New Home

10 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by marthawolford in Architecture, home building, Luxury Homes, Remodeling

≈ Leave a comment

Get the house you envision — and even enjoy the process — by following this architect’s guide to building a new home

Whether building new or renovating an existing structure, creating a new home is a journey of discovering who you are, what you want, how you want to live and where you want to be. It’s a chance for you to define your relationship to the world, to your family and to yourself. Creating a home is more than building “three bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms.” It is so much more than the sum of a few parts.

As with any journey, you’ll want to do some research and plan your trip. You’ll want to have a sense of what the end result should be and how much it’ll cost. And while you’ll no doubt be able to go it alone, having a seasoned and experienced guide show you the way will likely mean a more enjoyable, more enriching and overall better journey.

Let’s look at the steps, in chronological order, involved in creating a home.

Starting a project? Find an architect, general contractor, home builder or design-build firm to start

Midcentury Exterior by Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects LLP
Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects LLP
Eclectic Entry by Lauren Mikus
Lauren Mikus

1. Set goals. Creating a new home for yourself is all about setting goals and taking the steps to achieve those goals. You’ll want to establish the answers to a whole host of questions so that you can set these goals.

Goal setting requires satisfying both left- and right-brain activities. So your list of goals will include two sides: a practical, meat-and-potatoes side and an emotional, ice-cream-and-pie side. Each is important, and each needs to be recognized so that the end result will reflect a totality.

Questions to ask:
• What do you want to achieve?
• Where do you want to be?
• What will this cost?
• Can it really be achieved?
• Does plan A make sense?
• What’s plan B?

2. Establish a budget. While a budget should be in any goal statement, it’s such an important piece that it’s included here as a separate task. When making your budget, of course you’ll begin with what you can afford, and how the cost of your house fits in with your overall plans for the future. When you’re ready to get down to details, include everything that will go into the project: the cost of the land, local fees and taxes, design and engineering fees, construction of not just the home but the landscape, plus furniture and decorating.

And don’t forget a healthy contingency. As with any complex project, things will happen, and the road from point A to point B will have a detour or two. Make sure that these little side trips won’t send you over the edge.A spreadsheet program such as Excel is a good tool to use for developing a budget, as you can continuously update and modify it as you work your way through the project.

8 ways to stick to your budget

Industrial Exterior by Randy Brown
Randy Brown

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3. Find some land — or a neglected older house. Where do you want to be? How do you want to live? What are you looking for? Maybe you want that house in the mountains or with the ocean view, but it’s not in the cards right now, for economic or other reasons. No matter; you’ll likely be able to reinvent yourself later. For now, it’s the burbs with the good schools or some other place. The point is, find a spot on the globe that you can claim as your own and build what will be a home.

And maybe that land isn’t a few acres that’s never been trampled on. Maybe it’s an existing house that’s just old and tired and has suffered some neglect. The house whispers to you that it really does want to shed those avocado-colored appliances, that shag carpeting and those single-pane windows, and you know you’re the person to do that.

So take heart if you decide to transform that sow’s ear into a silk purse. You’ll be amazed at the transformation that can take place.

4. Assemble a team. While you might think you can go it alone, assembling a team of tried and true professionals is the better approach. After all, you wouldn’t represent yourself in court. So why wouldn’t you entrust your single largest investment to an experienced team that won’t be learning on your dime?

An architect and a builder (if not one and the same) are going to be your most important team members. These people will act as guide, therapist, advocate and counselor throughout the journey that creating your home is. And, as with all good professionals, the right guide can ensure that the journey is all the more enjoyable.

As you embark on this journey, you will likely want to add team members. A kitchen and bath designer, perhaps; maybe an interior designer, too. Certainly a landscape architect, who shouldn’t be the last person hired when all the money is gone; you want to create a beautiful yard that will complement the house.

5. Plan, plan and plan some more. Every large project I’ve ever worked on has had this one thing in common. The owner, whether a private developer, government agency or corporate entity, knew the importance of planning the project in detail before starting to build.

These owners knew that moving walls on paper is a whole lot cheaper than moving walls after they’re built. So embark on a robust planning and design phase.

  • Play the “what if?” game. Sometimes the first answer is the right answer, sometimes it’s the 31st. Just remember not to settle until you’ve explored all the possibilities; you don’t want to say after the project has been built, “We should have done …”
  • Go big or go home. And I don’t mean big as in size (that’s a whole separate discussion), but big as in big ideas. Building a home, be it from scratch or a renovation, is an exercise in making something that’s yours. So dream big and have grand plans. There will be time enough to deal with the realities of budget, zoning and codes. Don’t sweat the small stuff for now.
  • Sweat the small stuff. Decisions, decisions, decisions. You’ll be asked to make many — more than you can imagine. Just remember that God is in the details, so make sure that the details are there so that your home will be uniquely your own and speak to who you are.

6 drawings on the way to a dream home

by Phil Kean Designs
Phil Kean Designs

6. Accept the inevitable. You’ve made the plans, gotten the permits and secured the money; now the only thing left to do is build your house. You’ve accounted for everything, so it should all come together as smooth as silk. Easy, right?

Oddly enough, stuff happens. That’s a given. How you and your team react to these hiccups will be important. My advice is to stay calm, keep your sense of humor and work with your team to address the issue. This is where having the right team in place can pay dividends. An architect, a builder and others who can work together and share ideas without criticizing one another will go a long way to helping you keep your sanity.

Some tips for staying sane during construction:

  • Don’t change your mind. Early on make all of the decisions you have to, select all of your finishes and don’t change your mind. Yes, you’ll be enticed by that new thing that comes along. Just remember that once construction starts, it’ll cost you time, money and perhaps a trip or two to a therapist if you change your mind.
  • Turn a deaf ear to the goings-on. Every construction site is filled with workers complaining. After all, who doesn’t complain about his or her job? Who hasn’t wanted to vent about the boss? The best thing you can do is ignore it. Don’t worry; if it really is an issue, you’ll be told about it.

What contractors want you to know about building

Contemporary Staircase by Andrea Swan - Swan Architecture
Andrea Swan – Swan Architecture

7. Enjoy your new home. You’ve worked hard and spent more than a few dollars to create your new home, so enjoy it to the max.

Revel in the way the light falls across a room and how it changes with the seasons. Find unexpected places to talk with family members.

Discover how this place gives shape to your life and allows you to become the person you want to be.

In the end you’ll be amazed that your new house is so much more than the sum of just its three bedrooms, living room and so on. It’s the place you get to call home and make uniquely yours.

Thank you to Houzz and

Bud Dietrich, AIA

20 Ideas for Easygoing Summer Parties

10 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by marthawolford in Entertaining, Interior Design, Landscaping, Luxury Homes

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Ditch the fancy and fussy in favor of laid-back entertaining that leaves you more time to enjoy the fun

Summertime calls for a distinctly unfussy approach to entertaining, and thankfully so —because who wants to sweat over planning a summer soiree? Make things easier on yourself by hosting outdoors instead of in, getting guests to pitch in and embracing low-key, budget-friendly decor. From DIY flowers and quick extra tables to a beachy outdoor bar, these 20 ideas will make your party planning easier.
by Corynne Pless
1. Whip up an extra table with sawhorses. Short on outdoor dining space? Hunt down a few sawhorses and top them with a length of board as big as you want your table to be. You can paint the board, cover it with a cloth or butcher paper, or leave it as is.
by Corynne Pless
2. Fashion a wooden crate into a drinks container. If you line it with plastic, any old crate can be a rustic-chic open-top cooler for keeping soda and beer on ice. It won’t keep it cold as long as a real cooler, but it should do the trick at a party.

3. No crate? Use whatever you’ve got. An old wheelbarrow, a garden cart, an enamel bucket or even a toy dump truck can be lined with trash bags and filled with ice to make an impromptu drinks cooler.

Tropical Deck by Cezign
Cezign
4. Give your outdoor bar a tiki makeover with a palapa roof. Search for “palm leaf thatch panels” to find a source and tack a few lengths of the grassy stuff to the roof of your outdoor bar or shed to give it some tiki bar style.
Traditional Dining Room by Celia Bedilia
Celia Bedilia
5. Dress up candles with woodsy details. Curl a wide green leaf and drop it into a glass jar — then fill the jar with water and float a tea light on top. Or use lengths of birch bark (available at craft stores) to wrap the outside of a jar or candleholder, and fasten them with twine.

6. Make beachy candles with mason jars and sand.
Filled partway with sand, a mason jar of any size can easily become a chic candleholder. To make hanging lanterns, wrap the mouth of the jar with flexible wire and hang the jar from the branches of a tree. For safety, use battery-operated candles for hanging.
Shabby-chic Style Porch by Atlantic Archives, Inc.
Atlantic Archives, Inc.
7. Use soda bottles as vases. A row of tall, slender soda bottles lined up in the middle of a table makes a pretty (and supereasy) centerpiece. Just plunk one bloom in each vase, and you’re done! Try gerbera daisies, cosmos or sunflowers.
by Soapstone Werks
Soapstone Werks
8. Involve your guests. Have them help squeeze lemons for fresh lemonade, let them take a turn cranking an old-fashioned ice cream maker or send them into your garden with clippers to pick a bouquet for the table.
Rustic Patio by Bruce Clodfelter and Associates
Bruce Clodfelter and Associates
9. Seat everyone at one big table. Who wouldn’t love coming into a backyard set up like this? Put two or three tables together if you have to — the dramatic effect will be worth the effort.
by Corynne Pless
Corynne Pless
10. Use old crates as trays and servers. Vintage wooden soda crates make the perfect receptacle for toting glasses, vases, napkins and other essentials out to the garden. Or use one to dole out flatware, standing utensils upright in simple mason jars.
Traditional Patio by Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby's Realty
Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty
11. Boost ambience with lanterns and signs. Flank the entrance to your party area with a pair of big lanterns and lean a sign nearby — it can announce the menu or simply say, “Welcome!”
Traditional Porch by Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby's Realty
Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty
12. Greet visitors with a pretty porch for the Fourth. A great big galvanized tub of red geraniums and a waving flag make a cheerful entrance to this home. Keep the patriotic spirit going with Americana-style cushions on a classic porch swing.
Traditional  by Beckwith Interiors
Beckwith Interiors
13. Give guests a healthy option with fresh flavored waters. Fill a big drink dispenser with ice water, flavored with fresh ingredients for a healthy thirst quencher on hot days. Try lemon, lime or orange slices; fresh mint leaves; cucumber rounds; or berries.
Traditional Patio by Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby's Realty
Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty
14. Place your table in the shade. There’s nothing worse than trying to enjoy a lovely meal al fresco when the sun is beating down on you! Keep your guests comfortable by pulling the tables under the shade of a tree or awning, or invest in some umbrellas.
Beach Style Porch by Cottage Home, Inc.
Cottage Home, Inc.
15. Make a plan to keep bugs at bay. If you have a water feature, make sure you regularly treat it or skim it to keep mosquitoes from breeding there. If the bugs are bad in your area, plan your event for a less buggy time of day or hold it on a screened-in porch, where your guests can enjoy a fresh breeze without getting bitten.
Eclectic Deck by The Cousins
The Cousins
16. Create activity zones to keep large parties moving. Setting up several distinct areas can help a large gathering feel more manageable, as your guests will naturally be drawn into smaller groups. For instance, you could set up a dining table, a fire pit circle, a porch lounge and an outdoor bar.
Eclectic Kitchen by Becky Cunningham Home
Becky Cunningham Home
17. Collect thrifty party supplies. Avoid last-minute stress by keeping an entertaining cupboard well stocked with mason jars, florist’s buckets, table linens, candles and serving containers. Many times you don’t even need to buy these things — save pretty old jars to use as glasses, washed-out tin cans to use as flower containers and even old bedsheets to use as outdoor tablecloths.
Traditional  by Celia Bedilia
Celia Bedilia
18. Go wild with your arrangements. Plucking flowers and foliage from your own backyard is cheaper than buying them, and it can be more fun, too! Push yourself to look at your garden anew and clip a little something unexpected to tuck into your bouquet. Dandelions look charming in mason jars, flowering chives are utterly romantic, and an artichoke would make a dramatic centerpiece in a mixed floral bouquet.
19. Hang flowers from a tree. Use a drill to punch two holes in a washed-out tin can and thread wire through the holes to make a hanger. Fill your cans with cut flowers and hang them from a tree around your outdoor dining table. Leave the cans plain or dress them up by tying on strips of pretty fabric.
Beach Style Patio by Thom Filicia Inc.
Thom Filicia Inc.
20. Consider the arc of your evening. Moving your guests from place to place is a great way to keep the evening moving along — and keep folks talking. Start with appetizers and drinks on the porch, move into the backyard for dinner, gather around the fire pit for dessert, and carry mugs of coffee on a postdessert walk to the water or somewhere equally pretty.
Thank you to my source- Houzz and Laura Gaskill
Laura Gaskill May 25, 2015
Houzz Contributor. I cover topics ranging from decorating ideas, product picks, Houzz…More

Trending: New Summer Entertaining Tablescapes

04 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by marthawolford in Entertaining, Floral, Interior Design

≈ Leave a comment

I recently received by first “Bouq”… 36 rainbow roses to celebrate Ron and my wedding anniversary….
flowers
DIY FARM FRESH
June 19, 2017
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It’s officially here –– the first day of summer has arrived! As bright days laze their way into warm evenings, we’ve got our minds set on friends, family, food, and flowers. To start the season, we checked in with Eric Buterbaugh, The Bouqs Co.’s very own Chief Floral Designer, to talk dreamy summer tablescape trends. We styled the table with beautiful tableware and linen courtesy of our friends at Shabby Chic and Parachute Home. Happy dining!

Bud Vases

At your next gathering, forget the extra fork. Instead, try adding a bud vase at each table setting to round out your decor. Using a single stem in each vase gives you a lot of bang for your buck, and each flower type lends a unique feel to your tablescape. The diminutive yet ultra-elegant nature of miniature calla lilies makes them a great option.

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Featured Bouq: Juliet // White miniature calla lilies

 

Summer Garland

Dread using the same runner for another year? Tap into the table garland trend by adding bright florals and cool greenery for a look that makes your summer table absolutely sing.

Start by layering the greenery together down the center of the table and steadying it with floral wire. Then toss in some focal flowers for a pop of color. The abundant spray roses and alstroemeria in our Bourdeaux Bouq are perfect for adding some season-friendly brightness to your garland. Just pull out a few stems and tuck them in, before featuring your Bouq front and center on the tablescape.

Featured Bouq: Bordeaux // Pink roses and alstroemeria

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Floating Florals & Candles

In case you were wondering, Gerbera daisies are great swimmers! Before your next soiree, spare a few stems (our Cabana Bouq is a great option), add water to a bubble vase, and include the blooms for an easy, elegant centerpiece. Experiment with size, color, and texture by mixing and matching different flower types. For those day parties that flow into the evening hours, a tea light or two in the vase will give your centerpiece a cozy glow.

 

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Featured Bouq: Santa Cruz’n // Multi-colored spray roses

Succulent Table Setting

Succulents are perhaps nature’s prettiest, most low-maintenance friend. And best of all, they’re an on-trend and easy way to complete your summer tablescape. You can pick up succulents from your local garden center or pull from our Showstopper Bouq to cap off each table setting. It’s a great way to hold down name cards on breezy evenings, and it also makes for a great take-home gift to offer your guests! They can bring their succulent home to plant for a gift that keeps on giving.

 

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Featured Bouq: Showstopper // Pink roses and alstroemeria with succulents

We’d love to see what you come up with for your next summer party! As always, be sure to use #Bouqlove when you post photos of your outdoor tablescape. It’ll make us feel like we were there enjoying the evening with you.

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