If you are loving these long summer days as much as I am, then you will love these pretty design ideas for a perfect evening dining al fresco! There is nothing better than ending your day with the stars above and the grass tickling your toes. That's why I love to take dinner outside! Although, come to think of it...I love to take any meal outside! Breakfast in the morning light with the sound of the birds in the background. Or lunch on the patio, just to get a break from my every day demands. It doesn't matter what time of day it is, eating in the fresh open air is good for the soul!
We recently designed this lovely seating area for one of our clients and I can only imagine how many good times have been enjoyed sitting in this beautiful setting. It's perfect for just about anything from appetizers and drinks with friends, to popsicles with the kids!
Have I convinced you to think outside your dining room walls? Let's start by breaking the rules a bit and take your table outside! I promise you, one day in the elements will not damage your table, no matter what it's made of! Don't you just love how the tablecloth in this setting matches the flowers?! Such a nice, subtle touch!
If moving furniture feels like too much work, grab some pallets and create your own table like this one! Outdoor dining isn't meant to be fancy or formal. Take some cues from your surroundings and enjoy the relaxed, casual experience that dining al fresco has to offer. Don't forget to throw some big pillows down for extra comfy seating too!
Of course, since I am a girl with a passion for protecting our environment, this setting really made me smile. Using tree stumps is a fantastic (not to mention inexpensive) way to create extra seating!
Don't be afraid to mix and match just about everything...plates, cups, seating...you name it! A little whimsy goes a long way when you are dining outdoors! If you are planning on doing dinner under the stars, be sure to add some extra twinkle using creative lighting or good old fashioned candles. Fill up a few lanterns with strings of fairy lights, or wrap them around some tree branches!
With the mercury on the thermometer heading close to 90 degrees this week, I am looking for ways to feed my family without actually having to cook! Everyone is happy when I serve up a great antipasto platter like this one!
It's super easy to create this yummy cheese + meat board. Voila! Dinner is served!
Just use the following ingredients:
1) Serving Platter - cutting board or rustic looking serving platter
2) Meats -proscuitto, spicy salami, dry cured sausages
3) Pate - Cut into two generous triangle chunks
4) Bread - Baguettes, country loaf. Crackers work too
5) Olives - variety
6) Cheese -brie, havarti, gouda
7) Fruit -grapes, peaches, figs, strawberries, green apple slices, dried apricots are great too
8) Nuts -natural unsalted almonds, walnuts and pecans
9) Spreads - Fig compote or honey for drizzling
For lots more inspiration check out my Pinterest board, Dining Under The Stars! The possibilities are endless!
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.