Summer Color
By Susie Coelho
I love entertaining outdoors and because I live in California where the sun shines most of the year—our summers are longer and so is our outdoor entertaining timeframe. Our outdoor areas become part of our regular living space. Depending on where you live, you may have summer all year round as well, but for most, summer is just a few short months so you want to make the most of this time.
Summer style is all about simplicity, bright fun colors and durability. You’re thinking “Durability? What’s so stylish about durability?” As all good sun worshipers know, the great outdoors can really take its toll on your skin and it’s important to protect it from the elements (especially if you don’t want wrinkles!) Think of your entire outdoor decor, sitting around in the blistering heat and getting splashed with chlorine water from the pool or baking and bleaching away. You want to make sure that your outdoor fare has flair, and that’s not going to translate when your metal pieces are rusting, your paint is peeling, and your colors are fading.
I always like to begin my styling with a strong neutral foundation. My outdoor furniture is a neutral brown and the cushions are a neutral taupe. I choose bright colored pillows and ones where the fabrics are UV protected and that can withstand the weather, the elements and the sun. With a solid neutral foundation, you can start having fun with color in your accessories. Think hot pink, lemon, lime, and mango for your color palette. Think bold shapes and patterns. Take a few of your ho-hum garden pots and spray paint them in these fabulous bright colors. Krylon makes a great product called Outdoor Spaces Paint. This line of paints is designed to maximize durability and prevent rust, UV color fade and weather damage. It’s like sun block for your decor! It also comes in metallic and hammered finishes so you can use it to touch up all of your wrought iron pieces.
Set the tone of your party by arranging different conversation niches around your patio, porch or deck. In keeping with the spirit of play, your tabletop décor should reflect a sense of whimsy and fun and of course summer colors. My August project using terra cotta pots is very simple and filled with color. Running several of these eye catching terra cotta pots across a table creates a contemporary runner effect that does not take itself too seriously.
For summer, simplicity is key. My recipe for Mango and Arugula Salad with Chili and Lime is so easy to make, yet its light refreshing zip is a sure fire way to turn up the heat at your party. Take it from me; you don’t want to be slaving away in the summer heat. Keep things simple, have fun with color, stay cool with durable outdoor products that can weather the weather, and go play with your kids in the pool. And…don’t forget your sunscreen!
