Summer snuck up on me this year. It’s hard to believe it’s already mid-June. I’ve been meaning to freshen up our outdoor living area but the big projects, like new cushions and refurbishing the teak, fell to the wayside. That will get done in time, but meanwhile, I’ve decided to spruce up immediately by bringing in a few new pieces for an instant update. It doesn’t take much. A couple of oversized pillows, textured blankets, beautiful candlelight, and stylish essentials for entertaining will do the trick.
At the end of last summer, I made a small checklist of things that were needed to make our outdoor space more comfortable and inviting. Some items fill a void (like extra blankets) while others replace items that were a bit tired (pillows). Our backyard décor is casual reflecting a relaxed, coastal California lifestyle with teak weathered to a silver-grey finish. I’ve kept the palette muted with shades of green to blend in seamlessly with the landscape. An occasional pop of white provides a clean contrast.
Shopping for items on my summer checklist began and ended at Serena & Lily. It was pretty simple. Their selection is well-edited to suit my taste and based on previous purchases, I knew I’d be pleased with the quality of the products once received. With a couple of new blankets, pillows, and a few statement accessories, the space feels updated and fresh, yet timeless. Anchored in classic design, the new pieces I brought in quietly complement older ones as if they’ve been collected over time.
My favorite new item is the Summerland Lantern made from Serena & Lily’s weather-friendly resin which perfectly mimics the look of wicker. Available in two finishes, I selected grey for its aged appearance and to seamlessly blend in with the teak. Introducing wicker accents to the mix immediately adds a note of old-fashioned charm. A candle perched in a glass cylinder sits high in the middle of the open-weave casing providing ample light to a tabletop without worries of the flame blowing out in the wind.
There’s usually a consistent breeze in our backyard which keeps the temperature on the cooler side. Even with the fireplace on, it’s nice to have a blanket available to keep the chill at bay. I picked up a few Palermo Cotton Throws in a moss green herringbone-stripe combination with a hand-tied fringe edge. I’ll keep these lightweight throws available rolled up in a rope basket. The Turkish Aegean cotton is eco-friendly, incredibly soft and machine washable. They’re essential for keeping everyone comfortable while entertaining outdoors. Available in six colors.
An absolutely fantastic new accessory I wasn’t even shopping for is the large white marble Millerton Lazy Susan. It’s a beautiful piece that’s elegant and practical lending itself to so many uses indoors and out. I wish I’d found it years ago. A perfect addition to the pieces I’ve collected over the years for entertaining, it may easily become one of my most useful items.
For new pillows, I wanted to bring in an element of texture. I fell in love with the Montecito Pillow Cover sporting a knotted vintage-inspired fabric. A pair of these oversized square pillows in bright white is the pop needed against the all green upholstery. Fresh! Additional textures, sizes and colors are also available. They’d be equally welcome indoors.
whale servers and spreaders, wood bowls, marble lazy susan, rope basket, wicker lantern, throw, side table, pillows large, medium, small
