Summer is the season for outdoor fun, food and great company. If you're hosting an outdoor party or festive gathering, it's time to get your outdoor area looking slick. Here's what's new in store for the party season ahead says style director Louise Hilsz.
Outdoor Furniture
This summer, the look in outdoor furniture is luxurious when it comes to the materials and finishes. Materials like cane, linen, and chrome that were once only seen indoors are now on-trend in outdoor furniture that is both elegant and timeless.
Freedom Furniture Sina armchair, $229. Point Tom Outdoor Side Table Wicker, $349. Republic Home Hagos dining chair, $995. Nood Roost Egg chair, $1599.
Outdoor Cushions
Think thick, comfortable, and weatherproof when investing in new cushions for your outdoor area. This will encourage your guests to linger at the table over a long lunch. When it comes to colour you are spoilt for choice make a statement with bold colour, or go classic with a simple pattern and texture.
Navigate Java outdoor cushion, $49. Feefo Bananes Outdoor Cushion, $149. Missoni Dalia Outdoor Cushion, $331. Escape To Paradise Banana Leaf Outdoor cushion, $89.
PAINT
Updating your outdoor area with a painted wall to complement your garden, either in a tonal or contrast shade. Consider the surfaces you're painting, warm-coloured brick walls, with cool grey, and green shades work well. But if you're complementing an all-white plastered wall, choose a punchy colour that creates a statement. Here’s our choice of on-trend colours for summer.
Resene Apache paint, Resene Apple Blossom paint, Resene Fawn Green paint and Resene Clam Shell paint available from Resene ColorShops.
ACCESSORIES
Built-in lighting is a big investment in your garden, however a selection of hurricane lamps with candles is the fast and cost effective way to update your outdoor area. It adds instant ambience for entertaining, and if you choose to burn citronella candles in the lamps it keeps the bugs at bay.
Anthropologie Devika lantern, $80. Baolgi Bulbe Lantern, $145. Bloomingville Glass Leaf Lantern with Leather Handle, $74. Pols Potten Apple striped lantern, $158.