Design by and Photo courtesy of Studio McGee
After a long winter, it is so nice to spend time outdoors again, but each spring, we find that our own spaces need a little sprucing up. After a good cleaning and some fresh plantings, we're ready to set the stage for a summer of fun and relaxation! No matter the size of your outdoor space, we have a few ideas that will bring you that luxurious vacation feeling without leaving your own backyard.
Stylish Shade
Get some relief from the heat of the sun and bring a little colourful resort vibe home with these ultra-cute umbrellas. We love the striped beach umbrella with fringe and the colour-blocked portable weekend umbrella, which both feature UPF-50+ protection on water-resistant canvas. The responsibly-sourced oak poles have a two-piece connection and can be set up anywhere -- you'll feel like you're on the Amalfi coast instead of your own backyard!
Elevated Lighting
Strategic ambient lighting is really the key to taking a backyard from day to night. Think of your outdoor space as you would an indoor one, and place lighting around the perimeter and at different levels. We love these sleek standing concrete lanterns for their modern shape and interesting texture, and imagine them mixed among potted plants for the ultimate fairy-garden feel. We also love these portable rechargeable round lanterns which are a fun and sustainable take on round paper lanterns.
Smoke-less Fire Pit
The Solo Stove is one of those rare products that lives up to the seems-too-good-to-be-true hype! Once the fire is established -- which is super fast thanks to the strategically-placed holes in the double-walled structure -- the fire is truly smokeless, so you can enjoy the ambiance all evening without smelling like a wood stove the next day. The design also creates very little ash, making clean-up and storage a breeze. And speaking of storage, the stainless steel material is not only sleek in appearance but super lightweight, so you can take it on the go.
Textural Throw
Warm days may still give way to chilly nights, so be prepared with a few extra throw blankets on hand. But why cover up with something dull when you can use a beautiful 100% cotton artisan-made blanket like these from Jaipur Living? The tribal patterns and pretty colourways will bring instant style to your space -- indoors or out.
Tray with Handles
A well-appointed tray is a small, simple item that will make life easier during the warm months by eliminating unnecessary trips between your kitchen your outdoor spaces. Carry multiple glasses of lemonade or popsicles out to the kids or load it up with supplies for making s'mores around the fire pit (if you don't have one of those yet, read above!). Really, the options and uses are endless, and if you grab one as stylish as the seagrass tray here, we know you'll find a spot for it year-round.
If you'd like our assistance updating your outdoor space, please get in touch by filling out our Inquiry Form. Our King Street showroom is open by appointment only. If you are interested in any of the products here, you can reach us via email at hello@aspenandivy.ca or by telephone at 705-721-8585. Happy Summer!
Product images are courtesy of their manufacturers