Tips for Great Outdoor Spaces

May is here! It's time to think about outdoor dining and entertaining. Creating an inviting and comfortable outdoor space doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. You just need some basic furniture (and there are many options), plus a few finishing details. Here are some examples . . .

We created this outdoor room in Mill Valley -- notice the mix of potted plants, pillows and other accessories.

On a more modest scale, this lovely yet simple set-up is from the backyard of our most recent Style to Sell house. It features Appalaro outdoor furniture from Ikea ($139 for the drop-leaf table, $34.99 for the folding chair, and $89.99 for the bench). It's a nice set, but what really makes it feel like a "room" are three important details:

The rug -- A rug grounds the ensemble, just as it does in your indoor living room. Be sure to buy one made specifically for outdoors. We love the rugs from MadMats, but there are many other options available online and at your local hardware store.

Pillows -- They add personality and comfort. Choose some fun contrasting colors as we've done here. A good source for outdoor pillows is Home Decorators Collection.

A centerpiece -- Fill the middle of your table with a vase of flowers, a tray holding a pitcher of margaritas, or outdoor lanterns. Sometimes candles can melt if they're left in the sun, so here we substituted with some cute little cactus. (Cactus and lanterns also from Ikea!)

Of course, it's fun to fantasize about luxurious outdoor rooms too. Here are some spaces we've been admiring lately on Pinterest:

(via Apartment Therapy)

(via wish!, via From Paris to London) 

(via houseOMG!)

Luckily for most of us (who don't have properties like these), you can enjoy whatever space you have -- your backyard, patio, or even your tiny terrace. Just set out a chair, grab a cold drink and feel the sun on your face.

Bringing Color to the Table

This week we spent some time in Ikea, where the Reidar chair really caught our eye. It comes in 4 colors, including this vibrant blue -- and it's a great deal at $49.99.

It's no secret that we love color, so the idea of bright chairs around the dining or kitchen table really appeals to us. You can even mix an assortment together for a really fun look, as shown here:

image via Pinterest via Summer Allen

If you want to achieve this look in your home, here are some other great options for colorful chairs in stores and online right now.

These are both from CB2: the Echo Orange Chair is $89.95 and the Fleet chartreuse chair is on sale for $129 (regularly $149).

If you're ready to make more of an investment, Design Within Reach offers the 111 Navy Chair for $260; or the Era Round Armchair for $225 (both chairs are available in other fun colors too).

And for a nice shot of Kelly green, try the Ming Green side chair from Crate and Barrel, $199.

A First Apartment

Is there anything more exciting than moving into your first apartment? A new start, a fresh perspective . . . but what to do about those bland floors and white walls? Just take the stuff you have, mix in some new accessories, throw in a few vintage pieces -- and you've transformed a sterile, ubiquitous space into a pad that reflects your personal style.

For example, take this living room: it started as a basic box, but styling magic changed it into a comfortable, colorful hang-out spot.

Sources: Ikea lamps and couch, West Elm rug, vintage flea market art, Crate and Barrel Marimekko pillow, handmade leopard pillow.

And in the bedroom, a happy color wall makes the other accessories pop!

Sources: vintage mid-century chair, CB2 bedding and side table, Ikea lamp, wall color: Bali Hai from Glidden.

Since the dining room is also serving as a home office, we chose to paint one wall a warm red to help differentiate the two spaces.

Sources:  Ikea chairs and tables, CB2 clock, wall color: Old Glory from Glidden.

And don't overlook the entryway! This is a great focal point for colorful accessories, as seen here:

Sources: Vintage stool from Mignonne, plexi console from CB2, pop art from Ikea and our personal stash.

Although the results look like weeks of work, we pulled together this apartment in one weekend! Your first apartment can be your first interior style statement -- just try different combinations, mix old with new, and introduce some color to your world.

All styling by Allie and Jill McCoy.

CB2 Pillows

Pillows are an easy, affordable way to switch things up and make a new statement. Here are some of our favorite pillows from CB2's latest collection.  Mixing your new pillows with existing pillows is a great way to refresh your color scheme or decor.   

We mixed some of our older pillows from West Elm, Urban Outfitters, Ikea and CB2 with the new pillows from CB2.

One Love: The IKEA Leather Karlstad Sofa

Overarching Lamp - West Elm :: Karlstad Sofa - IKEA :: Panama Braid rug - West Elm

We got a new sofa! And we LOVE IT. The size is perfect, the price was great, the leather is nice (and allows for super easy cleaning when living with dogs), it was amazingly easy to assemble, and look how light and bright and clean the living room looks now! (For a view of the LR-Before Sofa, check the photo from the One Love: Bliss Pillow post). To top it all off, it goes great with the other new additions to the living room, the Overarching Lamp and the Panama Braided rug, both from West Elm. Bring on the summer--we're ready!

Outdoor Decor: An Unexpected Room

Porches conjure up so many images: grand Southern porches with rocking chairs and porch swings and pitchers of lemonade, urban stoops piled with potted plants offering a hint of escape from the concrete jungle. To me, porches are like the window seat in a restaurant, or the cafe tables on the sidewalk. I love being able to relax and enjoy the comforts of home, while being a part (peripherally, at least) of the outside world. It's a different feeling from sitting inside, and sometimes, it's the perfect change of scenery. Here's some ideas for making an unexpected (and truly inviting) room from your porch.

CREATE A COMFY CORNER
A few plants go a long way in creating lush-feeling surroundings for the far end of the front porch. And do you recognize that spruce tree in the corner from our Holiday post? The porch is a great place to place your living tree until next holiday season! Throw some fun pillows on the chairs or swing, put out a cozy blanket, and you're all set.

Sketch Book pillow - West Elm :: Spruce tree - Flowerland :: Succulents and small white pots - Flora Grubb

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PLANTS
For some easy modern art objects, we love these new hanging bubbles from West Elm. Air plants have been showing up all over the place, and they are the perfect occupants for these glass houses. When paired with some beautiful moss-covered branches they feel fresh and calming.

Bubbles - West Elm :: Air plants and mossy branches - Flowerland

HANG-OUT
Placed next to the front door, these chairs are so comfortable you might just sit and stay a while after taking off your rain boots or muddy shoes. A sunny splash of mustard yellow makes them even more enticing and inviting. I can just imagine sitting here with a friend enjoying a hot cup of coffee, fresh scones from The Cheeseboard, and the Sunday edition of the New York Times...

Mustard pillows - Anthropologie :: Solid pillows - West Elm :: Owl - Flowerland

FREE YOUR ART
For a bit of unexpected delight, try hanging or placing some artwork outside. This sweet, colorful canvas was a flea market find, and while it might not fit-in on a wall of Picasso's, it's perfectly at home (and wonderfully refreshing) leaning casually against the window surrounded by plants.

Painting - Alameda Antique Fair :: White pots - Ikea :: plants - Flowerland

So whether you've go a full-sized, southern-style wrap-around, or just a bit of stoop under the awning, there's no reason your porch should be ignored. A chair, a cushion, and a plant can set you up to enjoy a whole new "room" of your house, and maybe get to know the neighborhood!

* Credits: Kyoko Jackson - photography

In Full Color

It’s always bittersweet taking down the holiday decorations. Things can feel a little drab after the sparkle and shine of lights and glitter, wreaths and decorations. And yet, they’ve served their purpose and it’s time to move on to what the New Year will bring. So if you find yourself looking for a way to fill the space that the holidays left open, we’ve got one word of advice:  

COLOR

It’s amazing what an infusion of color can do to bring back that festive feeling in a fresh, new way. Here are some easy ways we’ve found to start the year In Full Color...

ADD A POP OF PINK

Pillow - Klassik Living :: Sheepskin, Striped Rug - IKEA :: bookshelf - CB2 :: chair - DWR

It only takes a little shot of hot pink to make a big statement! This felted wool pillow does the trick, while still inviting you to have a seat, grab a book, and stay a while.

CONTRAST ORANGE AND BLUE

Cymbidium - SF Flower Mart :: Pot - Aw Pottery :: Wooden Boxes, Pillow - CB2

We love the color of this big vase, especially when contrasted with one of our Faves, orange. And Cymbidium are a great way to add some color to you home, indoor or out, because they are so hardy.

BRIGHTEN UP WITH YELLOW

Lemons - Berkeley Bowl :: Narcissus, Flowerpot - The Gardener

As we mentioned last week, citrus fruits abound this time of year. This simple bowl full of bright yellow lemons makes a sunny vignette when paired with clean white narcissus in a yellow pot.

So instead of seeing the empty spots where holiday cheer used to be, look at the spaces as an opportunity to introduce some bright, bold color into your life. The answer could be as simple as a bowl of oranges and as lively as a plant. Take a look around. The world is full of color!

*Credits: Kyoko Jackson - photography