Summer Living: Indoors & Out!

Perhaps it's the beautiful weather we're finally experiencing here in London, but for whatever reason I'm feeling super inspired today by this summer living shoot by the team over at Dalani. Having grown up in the countryside I've always felt an affiliation with being outdoors. Now, I'm not exactly the hiking type but I do like the country idyll of being closer to nature's natural beauty. What can be better on a summer's afternoon than moving the table and chairs outdoors and styling up a little afternoon tea for close friends? Update your existing outdoor pieces with a scattering of throw cushions and an array of terracotta pots over following with fragrant herbs. Or, create a little haven to read by layering up textiles with throws, pillows and outdoor rugs. If you're looking to bring this outdoor vibe inside then why not update your sofa with a tropical palm print fabric? I also love the idea of creating a summer themed inspiration wall of seasonal tear sheets. The key to making this look work indoors is to use plenty of organic materials and fresh, green hues - I'm really tempted by the mango wood Industrial Coffee Table. Is anything catching your eye from this Dalani collection?
// Dalani.co.uk magazine | Styling by Talib Choudhry assisted by Harriet Loraine-Smith | Photography by Chris Tubbs

Tablescape 101: A Nautical Supper

What better way to celebrate the season than with a BBQ and Seafood party? We took this party outdoors, keeping the focus on the feast: a simple table setting with a few DIY elements created a inviting and relaxing ambiance for the guests. The nautical design was inspired by the Vernazza plates from Anthropologie, which led to covering the table with a cotton fabric in cool blue and aqua shades.  Fig.2 Design dip-dyed monogram cards to make placecards in aqua and cobalt which were stuck onto navy striped place mats before a starfish was added to finish. Using clear glass dinner plates allowing the patterns and colours to be visible, making the most of these DIY elements. Continuing the DIY theme, napkins were quickly transformed by stamping basic white linen napkins with an anchor stamp and fabric paint. For the centerpiece, we wrapped jute rope around tin paint buckets and place fragrant herbs like lemon thyme and basil inside them. This brought an invigorating, summertime fragrance to the table. Cobalt tumblers made from recycled materials added a punch of solid colour, whilst paper boats, coral and sailing knots added playful seaside decor elements to the table. Happy grilling! - Manvi

Read all the Tablescape 101 posts right here.

// Photography & styling by Manvi-Drona-Hidalgo | Stationery by Fig. 2 Design Studio | Market Picks: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

{Pottery Barn summer 2010 collection}

The summer collections are coming out thick and fast and I'm having a hard time not getting excited about every-single-one of them! Pottery Barn's spring collection (post here) was a hit and their high summer collection is just as strong. There's hurricane lamps aplenty and here are my favourites, all of which are perfect for adding a little seaside romantic charm to your patio or balcony. My top tip for decorating with lamps like these is to mix up different styles, colours and sizes, this way you'll end up with an eclectic and relaxed style.

Images: Pottery Barn

I don't you about you, but that first image has me itching to book a vacation...who's with me?!

{Lighting or tea lights? Lighting or tea lights?}

Sadly, lighting is all too often left for a quick dash around Ikea on a busy Saturday afternoon. Whilst Ikea can offer affordable options to light a room, it is perhaps a purchase overshadowed by the rush for a bag of 50 tea lights or that must-have potted cactus. Over at Bright.Bazaar we believe that lighting is one of the most important additions to our homes. A great way to add colour and depth to a space; good lighting really can change how a room feels. We've been on a search to find some inspirational room sets, which use lighting to tell the story in each space.

An antique chandelier adds a sense of grandeur and formality to a room - perfect for hanging above a dining table. If you prefer a more modern and quirky version, then check out these chandeliers by Squint, which you may remember appearing on the site a few months back - we're still loving them!

The task lighting in this small corner makes the space instantly recognisable as a work area. For more home office inspiration, check out our regular feature, Office Inspiration.

Images: Ideal Home

As it's the last month of summer, why not make the most of the light evenings and turn your garden into a romantic hideaway. Perhaps those tea lights were quite important after all...!

{Picnic chic}

August has finally arrived, bringing with it a parcel of sunshine. This glimpse of summer could only mean one thing - it was time for a picnic. Strolling through the park we saw: couples, families, and friends; all of whom were enjoying the good weather. Whether tucking into a hearty picnic, playing a boisterous game, or just quietly reading; they had all graced the park without a picnic blanket. We couldn't help but wonder about the extravagant country picnics of days gone by, which would have included plenty of cloudy lemonade and strawberries and cream.

In hindsight, we have to admit that all the fresh air had probably made us a little dreamy. Even so, these picnic blankets from Moleta Munro - an Edinburgh based interiors store, which champions innovative British and European design - are not only stylish and practical; they are also a quick and easy way to achieving a chic look for your next picnic.

'Anorak' picnic blankets, £36.

Image: Moleta Munro

{Taking the inside out}

Over at Bright.Bazaar we have been taking our inspiration from the gorgeous UK weather and consequently we've spent the the morning hankering after these delightful outdoor room sets. The styling on the decking in beach house above simply makes us beam from ear to ear. The bench looks inviting and comfy with a collection of both small and over-sized pillows. The metal signs which hang from the wooden walls add character, warmth and charm to the setting. We don't know about you but this image makes us long to see what they've done inside the beach house.

A fantastic way to create a versatile space in your garden comes in the form of the trusty old shed. Often forgotten about at the bottom of the garden and probably full of spades and spiders, the garden shed can, with minimal financial input and a splash of creativity be turned into a glorious escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Here are two of our favourites; a light and airy outside living area, which spills out onto the lawn in better weathers, and for those with younger family members, we chose this quaint shed full of mini tables and chairs for children to use for crafts and summer games. What inspires you to decorate in the summer months? Are you planning to turn your shed, garden or decking into an outside room? Let us know below, we love to receive all your comments.

Images: idealhomemagazine.co.uk