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Liz’ Tips
HOMEFINDER WEEKLY Reference Guide Inc. Brockville/Leeds & Grenville 1.877.935.7503 www.homefinderweekly.com
August 16th to August 30th, 2012
2012 end of summer tips
You’ve been busy this summer with family & with out-of-town guests. The month of August is quickly slipping away from us, so these last couple of weekends may be your last time to Liz’ Tips really bust loose with your summer party hosting. By: Liz Quinn of Design’in-Mind
Maximum Impact with Minimal Investment Brockville, Ontario
Luckily, planning a last-minute backyard soiree is no big deal if you follow these tips for pulling together a fab bash at your house.
Live outside
Do you have a great deck or patio? How about sprucing it up a bit and making an effort to spend more time outdoors? Hang paper lanterns from your trees. Redesign your patio with some comfortable outdoor furniture, potted plants and a snazzy outdoor Drink Dispensers rug. Build a gorgeous outdoor water fountain. Fire up the grill and make your meals outdoors so you can take advantage of everything Invest in a pretty drink dispenser and be creative with your recipes.. this fabulous season has to offer.. Spike the lemonade with some gin and add some lemon & lime slices.. Or maybe a mango-watermelon punch? Simply add some Indoor Furniture in the Outdoors ice! No need to babysit your guests; they will serve themselves a Create an instant seating space by simply pulling indoor furniture refreshing drink with a dispenser at hand. out onto a porch or patio. It doesn't get any easier than that! Outdoor Chandeliers
Have some Mason jars? Pick up some small-link chain from the hardware store. Make a glass chandelier and hang it from a tree branch. The twinkling votives will add a little magic to the evening.
Eye-catching Textiles
Adding a drop-dead gorgeous textile, like this colourful coverlet, to a rustic outdoor setting can really up the wow factor. It also means you can get away with doing hardly anything else to get the party look established. Add candles in jars for an inviting look..
Deck Chairs Hammocks
Deck chairs are versatile, chic, and perfect for a backyard party. Since they're easily folded, guests can move them from one place to another if they need to wander elsewhere to join a conversation.
Everyone loves a hammock! Provide extra seating by hanging up Bunting a hammock or two from a porch, tree, or deck. Use large eye hooks to secure, or use sturdy rope and knots to knot around beams or Bunting is super easy to make and hang. You can use oilcloth or tree trunks. chalkcloth (you can write on the chalkcloth side).
Floral Statements
"bunting" is a term for any festive decorations made of fabric, or of plastic, paper or even cardboard in imitation of fabric. Typical You don't have to go big with your flowers to make a major impact. forms of bunting are strings of colorful triangular flags and lengths These tiny eggcup arrangements show that one bloom per cup, of fabric in the colors of national flags gathered and draped into when arranged expertly, can be just as beautiful as an overwhelmswags or pleated into fan shapes. ingly large bouquet.
Paper Lanterns
There's no yard needed when you take the party to the rooftop. String some paper lanterns to create a warm ambiance as the sun goes down.
Focal Points for Your Pool
Don't forget to decorate the pool! While these flower balls are likely too intricate for a last-minute party, you could create a fun look in your pool by simply blowing up beach balls and tossing them in. No beachball? Inflate some different colour balloons, put in a bit of water to give them some gravity…and voila!