Page 9 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 5/27/2015

Lifestyle
Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter
(Family Features) Creating a perfect outdoor oasis - the
first step toward a summer filled with carefree entertaining -
requires careful planning for the entire space. While the arrival
of spring is the perfect time to start thinking about landscape
elements, don’t overlook the finer details, such as the furniture
and accessories, that truly bring an outdoor space to life.
Whether you’re looking to create a family-friendly space
for entertaining, a serene poolside retreat or a secret garden that
showcases your green thumb, begin by defining your vision.
Having a clear idea of how your finished space will look and feel
will help you make the best decisions as you begin designing
the retreat of your dreams.
Furniture that fits
Although tastes and trends may change from one season
to the next, selecting the right furniture pieces from the start
will let you bring fresh new looks to your outdoor space in
other ways.
Sectional seating is an attractive option because it allows
you to redefine your space in minutes. Hosting a party?
Strategically placed sectional seating can open up your space
and encourage an evening of mingling. Prefer a more intimate
arrangement for poolside conversations or a date-night in? The
sectional can be rearranged into a closer configuration.
To round out your furniture, consider the highly
functional but often underrated garden stool. Place one in a
quiet corner for meditative moments, pair them to create a
one-of-a-kind coffee table, or pull one up when you need an
extra seat. As an added bonus, when cooler weather returns,
you can pull your garden stool indoors for a sweet reminder
of summer.
Investing in the right pieces will save you time and money
in the long run. When you’re ready for a new look, you can
easily change the feel of your patio with accessories or a new
brightly colored accent piece, such as a tiled bistro table or
outdoor Papasan chair.
Design for fun and function
When prepping for a party, designate separate areas for
relaxing, grilling, beverage service and socializing. Be sure
to include a conversation center by facing sofas and seating
together around a fireplace, large coffee table or other central
point to keep conversation flowing. Accompany large chairs
with upholstered ottomans to create an inviting atmosphere
and increase available seating.
Food and drink stations - arguably the most crucial
element of a party - should be prominent and accessible to
guests. But, because people always follow the food, you also may
Check out this page weekly for fun tips on a variety of topics. Brought to you by these community minded sponsors.
MASTER
FLOORS
Sales & Installation
402 S. 15th St., Clear Lake • www.carpetone.com
(641) 357-7869
Clear Lake
Independent Telephone
Company
107 North 4th Street
357-2111
Visit us at: www.cltel.com
1204 N. 25th St., Clear Lake • 641-357-0757
want to set up food or serving carts at the edge of
your social space. Maximize your guests’ mobility
with a buffet of easily edible appetizers and finger
foods so friends and family can move around and
mingle. Kabobs offer a mobile-friendly “grab-
and-go” appetizer that you can customize to suit
your guests’ tastes.
Light the night
Keep the party moving long after the sun
goes down with ambient candles, light strings in
trees or hanging lanterns for the perfect mood
and subtle lighting.
Protect the guests
For a daytime pool party, protect guests from
sunburn and the heat by investing in colorful
umbrellas to provide a little shade - and the
perfect place to sip a cold drink.
Accent your style
Once your furniture is in place, you’ve got a
blank slate to play with and most importantly, to
accessorize! Accessorizing is where the decorating
happens and your personal style shines through.
Add pillows, cushions, umbrellas, outdoor
rugs and even outdoor curtains to your space,
and what started as a dull patio will begin to
transform into an extension of your home. To mix
patterns like a pro, choose pillows and rugs in the
same color family, vary the scale of your patterns
and introduce textures to ensure that they don’t
compete with each other.
Be sure to layer in treasures that are uniquely
you - lanterns, wall decor, statues and windchimes
- to establish a space bursting with personality.
Remember, small changes can make a big
impact. Refresh last year’s patterns with the new
trends, or simply add a few new accessories into
your existing decor for a budget-friendly way to
satisfy your urge to update.
Find more tips to transform your boring
backyard into a refreshing retreat at www.pier1.
com.
Summer Entertaining
Once your beautiful outdoor space is
complete, you’ll undoubtedly be eager to
* ECONOMICAL
4th & Main Ave., Downtown Clear Lake
(641) 357-5271
We’re A Tire Store
... And A Whole Lot More!
880 Hwy. 18 W., Clear Lake
(641) 357-7117
Glen McIntire
Owner/Manager
✯✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯✯ 2309 3rd Avenue S.
Clear Lake, IA
(Intersection of 4th Ave. S. & S. 24th St. ... e-mail: [email protected] • www.clreporter.com
just North of Pritchard Auto)
(641) 231-8026
May 27, 2015 • Page 9
showcase your hard work. Make entertaining Gifts of Summer
a breeze with these tips:
•Highlight your party’s main attraction If summer finds you doing more party-going than party-throwing,
- the food. If you’re hosting the whole family show your gratitude by bringing along a little something that recognizes
for a cookout, make memories during a all the work that goes into hosting a perfect party.
sit-down meal around your outdoor dining •Think about items that can be used at the party, such as wine charms
table. Freshen up the meal with dinnerware or a citronella candle with a lantern for a practical, yet fun gift.
that’s as eye-catching as it is durable. Easy- •Everyone loves a good party game. Try a Horseshoe Game or Ladder
care melamine and fresh-hued acrylic Ball and Bean Bag Game are great hostess gift options.
stemware pieces let your guests enjoy without •If you’re attending a potluck, bring your famous dessert on a serv-
fear of shattering glasses or the festive mood. ing dish that you know the host will love and leave it behind so it can be
•A less conventional approach that is enjoyed for parties to come.
perfect for drinks and small bites - serving •A bottle of wine is always a hit with a hostess. Bring it in a cute
carts. They bring action to the party, whether bag or an insulated wine tote. Another idea is plastic wine glasses for use
that’s on the patio, in the garden or poolside. around a pool or cement areas.
• Combine your favorite accessories, •A potted plant is another gift a hostess is sure to appreciate. Think
such as handcrafted trays, detailed lanterns of her outdoor space and find a pot that matches her decor.
and a colorful bouquet, to create a cheerful •If the hostess has a pool, think of a fun pool accessory.
centerpiece that instantly feels like summer. •If the hostess lives on the lake and has a dock, give her a new flag.
•Give your party buffet a personal touch
with an eclectic mix of your favorite serving
dishes. Think multi-use beverage tubs, cheery
cake stands and bold chip and dip trays.
910 Hwy. 18 W.,
FOOD Clear Lake, Iowa
STORES Grocery: 357-5773
Meat: 357-5769
Main Avenue, Clear Lake • (641) 357-5241
Mon.-Sat.
8 a.m.-9 p.m.
322 Main Avenue I-35 & Hwy. 18, Clear Lake • 357-2366
Clear Lake, Iowa 50428 The Perfect Place For
(641) 357-7121 Senior Living
325 State Street
Garner, Iowa 50438
(641) 923-3621
425 Tiffany Drive
Mason City, Iowa 50401
(641) 423-7121
12 N. 4th Street • 357-2131 • Fax: 357-2133 405 27th Ave. South • Clear Lake, IA 50428
641-357-7083 • Email: [email protected]