Heading into summer we all get that buzz to make our gardens look pretty. B&Q must be so busy on the May bank holidays as everyone buys new furniture, garden plants and equipment to create an outdoor paradise. As the weather gets warmer I just want to get outside as much as possible. With our building work going on we are not doing loads to the layout but I am always trying to keep our flower beds and the decking outside our back doors pretty as that is where the picnic table is.
I thought I would just show you how easy it is to dress your picnic table ready for socialising and enjoying your outdoors. I love the traditional park style picnic benches. They are great for younger children and our kids love climbing up and having little snacks sat at it.
As far as making it look 'pretty', painting the wood in some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is always going to make it stand out. With the gorgeous shades she has available you are sure to find one that suits you. My favourites are Paloma, French Grey, Antoinette and Duck Egg Blue. I have used Antoinette.
Once it's painted you then can use your regular items to dress it. I love Sophie Allport's table runners. Her prints are really simple but look so fab. I have her Labrador print table runner and it is perfect inside our house and out.
I love the crispness of pure white crockery. You can match it to everything and it always looks so clean. I am gradually growing my collection as I love fine bone china but it is very expensive so I am purchasing little bits every so often. For making them look extra smart I like to decorate them with bits of greenery from the garden. I just love how it looks!
Emma Bridgewater is one of my favourite pottery designers. I love the creative styles she produces with her Black Toast range being one of my favourites. This tray is fab for the garden as it holds so much. Our glass wear is old jam jars and has been for a long time now. I use them for desserts too but they make great glasses for the table! Bon Maman jars are the best for this I think! With stripy straws, glass water bottles and fresh lemon and mint to infuse the water; summer drinking can be tasty and stylish!
Our cutlery is 6 years old; we got it for our wedding but the style still suits us. I love my Kew Botanical Garden candle pots. One still has a candle in it but the other has now been cleaned out and makes the perfect cutlery holder.
Little touches like flowers always look pretty when dressing a table. I love growing my own and being able to use them. This is another great use for your jam jars; just add a bit of ribbon and they are ready!
I am always trying to expand my collection of serve wear. I picked up these Loaf ceramic dishes from Tesco in the sale and I have used them so much. They were a very good find!
I love how easy it is to create this look. They are all bits from our kitchen and with a little help from good paint and flowers from the garden, I have been able to create a spread that looks like it is straight out of a magazine! This is the way I want to eat all my meals this summer!
Post by Emily
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