Summer Outdoor Living

Hello everyone!

I hope your week has got off to a lovely start!

Today I’m sharing my photos and tips on outdoor living from the current issue of Reclaim Magazine.  I’m pretty obsessed with moving the indoors outside, and making a space for lounging, and a space for eating using my favourite crockery and textiles.  I have whole Pinterest boards dedicated to Alfresco Living and Decorative Garden, and although the whole outdoor living vibe is something that always seems to be just out of reach here in the UK, I love the idea of it!  So, here are a few ideas to hopefully inspire you to bring a touch of prettiness to your garden.

Outdoor Summer Living

Now that summer is here, it’s time to move into the garden and use it as an extension to your home.  Bring your prettiest floral fabrics and furniture outside to bring a touch of country cottage chic to your outside space.

Alfresco Dining

Make a sweet dining area under the shade of a tree, by moving a table outside and adorning with your prettiest china.  Place freshly picked blooms from the garden in bottles, and serve mini sandwiches and tea from an old teapot for the dreamiest afternoon tea.

Table : You could use any table, or even an old table top with trestles.  Check out car boot fairs and auctions for bargains.

Fabric : Try www.thelinengarden.com and eBay always have a good selection.

Vintage china : You can’t beat a good rummage in charity shops for pretty china.

Teacup Tree Chandelier

For a magical garden party, hang teacups in a tree at varying heights.  Add further prettiness by tying sprigs of flowers from the garden just above the cups.  I used a regular craft string to hang my cups.  For an evening dinner party, you could also hang old jam jars with tea lights inside.

Sources –

Vintage tea cups : Try www.cakestandheaven.com

Outdoor Living Room

For a new take on garden furniture, take your chintziest pieces out into the garden!  I’ve gone for a full whimsical living room setup here complete with floral lampshade, but you could get the same effect by making some pretty floral slings for deckchairs.

Sources :

Vintage chairs : scour vintage markets, car boot fairs and auction for chintzy chairs.

Floral lampshade : I find all my lampshades at car boot fairs, but take a look at www.thelampshadeloft.co.uk for some really pretty handmade shades.

Reading Canopy

Hang a simple canopy under a tree to make a wonderful outdoor reading nook.  Pile high with blankets and cushions and enjoy the summer breeze with a good book.

Sources :

Net canopy : Bryne Net, from Ikea.

Cushions and textiles : Some wonderful places to find gorgeous textiles are www.theoldhaberdashery.com, www.thelinengarden.com, www.vintage-home.co.uk.

Tamsyn x