One of the things I’m looking forward to most in summer is lingering outside with friends and family on a warm evening while we sip beverages, barbeque, and enjoy the cool breezes that blow through the yard.  I’m sure you feel the same about your summer evenings too!  I invited my friend and fellow blogger Shannon of {aka} Design to be a contributor here and today she’ll be sharing a few ideas for creating that perfect inviting outdoor conversation zone which will guarantee your guests linger longer during the warmer summer months.  Please welcome Shannon as she shares her best tips on creating an inviting conversation area in your own yard. 

“Outdoor dining areas have long been popular in the warm summer months for parties, barbeques, and family get togethers.   There are so many fabulous ideas to be found both online and in print to inspire you to create a cozy eating area and conversation zone outdoors. 

With so many beautiful and affordable outdoor furniture sets available these days, it’s easy to create an outdoor conversation zone that works for your lifestyle.  But creating an area for lingering conversation is about more than just plopping down an outdoor sofa and some chairs.  Here are some tips for creating an inviting conversation outdoors in a space large or small!  

1. Create a Focal Point

HGTV

Parker Palm Springs

Build your conversation area around something interesting by creating a focal point.  This can take the form of a fire pit, a coffee table, or an outdoor ottoman to rest your feet.  By gathering your seating around something you make it easier to have face-to-face conversation.  The nice thing about a fire pit is it creates a campfire-type atmosphere for sharing stories – of the ghost-type or not – and is great for toasting marshmallows.  A coffee table or ottoman provides a place to set your drink or put up your feet, which is always a reason to stay a little longer. 

 

2. Layer Greenery

Elle DECOR

BHG

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This weekend seemed to fly by quicker than ever and I ended up asleep in front of the Oscars last night, completely exhausted. I had a fantastic weekend though, on Saturday I treated myself to some retail therapy by making a special trip to West Elm – it’s over an hour away – but I made a trip due to Victoria’s announcement that there was a West Elm + Etsy event, so I met up with my blog buddy Courtney from Courtney Out Loud. We mingled with a few Etsy sellers and had a lot of fun checking out all the new goods in the store.

I’m loving their recycled glass bottle collection this year, all those watery blues and greens look fantastic in a group together.

It’s been around awhile, but I’m still loving the graphic bull’s eye pillow and that carved wood side table together. That multi faceted wood ball is such a fantastic decorative object but I can’t find it online so now I wish I’d grabbed one at the store.

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G’day all!  I’m so excited about the Tablescape Link Party I announced yesterday, so I couldn’t wait to share some inspiring ideas with you!  Setting a table is so much fun, because the table is that place where people gather to do two of the very best things in life: eat and talk.  Eating and talking, talking and eating, really does it get much better than that?   I don’t think so.

I rounded up a bunch of inspiration for you and some tips for setting a stylish table with ideas for all of the upcoming holidays, so here we go!

Choose the Classics.  You can’t go wrong when you opt for the traditional palettes we associate with each holiday, whether it’s the warm amber hues of Thanksgiving, the blues and whites of Hanukkah, or the classic red and white of Christmas.

Williams Sonoma

Martha Stewart

House to Home

Pinterest

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Hello ladies and gents, it’s that time of year where we’re all planning for the holidays and part of that is setting an inviting table.  Would you like a chance to win a gift card to HomeGoods by setting your holiday table and snapping some pics? 

Well I’ve partnered with HomeGoods to host a holiday tablescape contest next month, right here!  It’s gonna be fun and filled with inspiration! 

To get your creativity flowing, take a peek at a few helpful hints for setting a stylish table by interior designer Elaine Griffin. 

I interviewed Elaine last year, and she’s one of my most favorite designers.  Elaine has also partnered with HomeGoods to create a series called ‘Design Happy’ – hop on over to check out her short videos, she’s sharing her best advice on everything from hanging art to arranging vignettes on a table. 

Here’s how the holiday tablescape contest will work.  On Wednesday November 30th, the Link Party will be right here for one day, and here’s what’s up for grabs:

One Grand Prize Winner will receive a $100 HomeGoods Gift Card

Three Runners Up will receive a $50 HomeGoods Gift Card

To enter, you’ll need to style a holiday tablescape and post it on your blog on or before November 30, 2011, then link up to the party on that day. Or you can enter via email with a minimum of two different images sent to tablescapecontest@gmail.com. 

Tablescapes to be judged in the spirit of HomeGoods based on style, affordability, and  creativity.  The tablescapes must be fall or winter holiday related (Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years, etc.) and must be set on a dining table (no mantels or bookshelves, etc.)  The panel of three judges who will determine the final winners includes myself, Rhoda from Southern Hospitality and Courtney from Courtney Out Loud. 

Here is the Date to Remember:

Tablescape Contest Link Party: Wednesday, November 30, 2011

(or enter via email to tablescapecontest@gmail.com  by midnight PST on 11/30/11, minimum two different images of your table)

Start thinking about the fabulous table you will set !!  

Are you in? 

Disclosure & Rules of Entry:  No purchase necessary. Entrants must be over the age of 18 and a resident of the United States. Official entry occurs by linking up your blog post with images of your tablescape on November 30, 2011 on this blog, or via email (minimum two images) to tablescapecontest@gmail.com  sent before midnight PST on November 30, 2011. 

The odds of winning depends on the number of entries and the final choices of the panel of judges based on the criteria specified. One entry per person. Any disputes to be resolved at the sole discretion of the blog owner. All contest winners will be announced on this blog before December 12, 2011, and via email provided. This blog to be held harmless in the event that the prize or sweepstakes in some way negatively impacts the winner. Home Goods is the sponsor of this contest at no cost, however the blog owner and judges have been compensated with gift cards to Home Goods for this promotion. The state of California is the jurisdiction of the regulation of this contest.  Void where prohibited by law.

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