Hey Presto Al Fresco!
Wow, it has been a pretty busy few months at Duck Barn HQ. Tracy has been working her interior magic with some exciting projects (which we will share with you soon, so watch this space) and we’ve been busy uploading lots of new and beautiful products to the website in preparation for the new season because, before we know it, Summer is almost here. The warm longer evenings are already making an appearance and the desire to sit outside and enjoy a glass of something chilled is all the more inviting… So, this month I’m looking at exactly what you need to achieve that perfect al fresco space.
Our Gorgeous Chilson Wooden Table (Shown with our striking Thurloe Chairs)
Sorting some outside seating is a great place to start. Whether you’re looking for a smaller table for two to place on your balcony or patio, or if you need somewhere to sit your family and friends for garden parties and barbecues: we have the perfect solution. Our bistro range is a firm favourite offering a multitude of colours, including my personal favourite - dandelion yellow as it just looks so striking against natural tones. It’s also beautifully versatile in that it all folds away for easy storage and for making the most of a space should you need to change it. For larger options, the new Chilson range is wonderfully striking mixing its textures of wood and fibre cement achieving that incredibly popular and chic industrial look whilst also being practical for use indoors and outdoors. There is also the option of adding more seating using our Thurloe chairs- their steel material is just so versatile and goes perfectly with all of our outdoor sets and can easily be brought inside for spare seating too. I love dressing them with our luxe velvet cushions - the soft texture against the hard steel looks fabulous!
For ultimate relaxation, we also have some stunning outdoor sofa sets which look brilliant on decking or a patio and are perfect for seating your family and friends when socialising, but equally ideal for laying back, popping your feet up and grabbing a good book (when the children are occupied or at school, of course!)
Once your seating is sorted, adding some finishing touches can really make your space feel homely. Our beautiful lanterns are the perfect way of bringing warmth to your space and mixing the sizes together creates a stunning display. Just place one of our gorgeous pillar candles inside and watch the flicker of the flames. Our shiny copper stainless steel lanterns are a particular favourite of mine – the largest standing almost 1 meter tall, they look fabulous on the edge of a decking or patio. If you like having some extra warmth our fire pits are also a great way of prolonging staying outside- they look fabulous too and are perfect for late Summer evenings once the little people are in bed!
Having some planters nearby your seating area can really add a splash of colour; you could also plant up some herbs or lavender to add a soft aroma to your social spaces. It keeps the bees happy too! We have a gorgeous new collection of garden planters in now, in varying shapes and sizes so check them out…
Once you’ve got your outdoor space ready, having the accessories ready to use it is essential. You can’t go wrong with a tray or two - they are practical in that you can carry out glasses, foods and crockery to your social space, but they also provide beautiful focal points too. I especially love our bohemian inspired Fiskardo tray - its stunning turquoise enamel finish is guaranteed to add that stylish pop of colour to any entertaining space (it would also make a fabulous antipasti platter… one of my favourite things to eat in the summer!) Having a focal point on any table is a great idea and this can be achieved through grouping candles of varying sizes, or a plant or two- some freshly picked flowers always look gorgeous. I especially like a few stems of fragrant Freesias in one of our recycled glass vases or why not, for total ease, use one of our stunning faux plants - the orchids are just so realistic and look stunning. Summer season is salad season and I LOVE a salad. They don’t have to be boring either - avocado and walnut with balsamic is a favourite of mine and it looks incredible in one of our beautiful salad bowl and server sets. Our lime green one just glitters beautifully in the sunlight and is especially perfect when teamed up with some of our gorgeously coloured serving bowls and plates. If you have a great salad recipe, I would love you to share it - just comment below!
Our Beautifully Boho inspired Fiskardo Teal Enamel Tray
An estate agent recently told me that an outside space that looks the part can add another 20% to the value of your home and whether you’re staying put or looking to move I think that speaks volumes… Your outdoor space, whether that be a patio, terrace, balcony or lawn is another important room in your home. So, the last thing left to do is to grab something chilled, sit back and have a browse so we can help you to enjoy the glorious outdoors in comfort and style… and please do remember if you would like any advice or help with choosing the right products for your space or if you would like to show off a space you have designed using any of our gorgeous items, please do get in touch - we would love to hear from you.
Happy browsing!
Love,
Emily x
Emily Tumber
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What a super blog! I completely agree- now the warm evenings are her it simply lovely to be able to sit out and have the planters nearby to add some colour and scent as as the light dims the outside lights make a real difference! I’m definitely going to check out the great looking salad bowls to make a large feta and mint salad for when the family descends! Happy summer evenings all!
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