Dedicated to Outdoor living

Aaaah, autumn! It is the ideal time to entertain outdoors – most bugs are gone, the sun is not hot, even warm enough for enjoy an afternoon or evening outdoors, and there are plenty of good things to serve a meal outdoors.

Because the days are shorter in autumn, entertainment outdoors in the fall requires special attention to lighting and temperature.

Lighting

The sunset soon given the opportunity bathe your outdoor space in the fires of the night. Use soft light, but many use. Try dozens of votive candles in bottles and glasses to protect the flame from wind, lamps hurricane, kerosene lamps or tied. Create comfortable seating areas and equip each with a source of bright light.

Heating

The method used to chase the chill of the night varies depending on climate and outdoor space. If you have a garden (and the community by the laws it permitting), a campfire is a wonderful informal party. In smaller gardens, consider self campfire or fireplace.

For a more formal event, you can install a water heater fueled by propane gas. These units are available in a range of heating powers and prices. Or, curtains or duvets attractive shots each chair for your guests to wrap around their shoulders to protect themselves off the air at night.

Well of course, you want to enjoy the wonderful colors and textures of autumn in your decorating scheme and table linen.

Color

Autumn Colors are deep and rich – red, red, burnt orange, gold, dark green and the color of hay. Use these colors so repeatedly in tablecloths and settings, flowers, centerpieces, and even food. Pumpkin hollow and pumpkins and to accommodate other containers of water to make vases. Mass colored chrysanthemums. Use orange Chinese lanterns, bright rosehips, stems of red berries or orange peppers. Wrap maple or sumac leaves around votive candleholders or napkin rings dynamics. Sunflower heads can be scattered on the table, or left in the flower stems in a container.

Texture

The textures of fall are earthy and rustic. Especially play these up if your gathering is informal – A corn roast, a bonfire, a jeans and a sweater at night. Use burlap or rough cotton to cover your buffet table towels as napkins. Weigh your tablecloth with apples or pears hung on rough twine. Use mats or wicker and rattan baskets. -Pot terracotta holders large paper plate.

If you are hosting a luxury dinner being outdoors, using the subtle textures of hydrangea blossoms and colored leaves on a linen tablecloth. Try putting your board in and out of the night will add unexpected elegance to your configuration. Paint gold lettering on small gourds to use as coasters. Decorate your table with roses end of the season in vases crystal.

If you have a harvest hoedown or an elegant dinner for eight people to stay seated outside entertaining this autumn!

Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide “Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden” is now available on her web site. Visit her at http://www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space”.