LEISURELY PURSUITS

In the Olympic spirit, here are some games to get you outdoors this August.  Entertain outside and play, or just be prepared for your houseguests if they have a competitive streak.

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

A minimalist chic Croquet Set in a streamlined light wooden box from Anthropologie.

 Keep the lawn action going with a delux Bocce Ball and Horseshoe Set by St Pierre. Perfect for sunset cocktail time.

 Photo courtesy of Design Within Reach

A French cousin of Bocce, Petanque originated in the countryside of Provence. The uber modern chrome and teak set from Design Within Reach will impress your design snob guests.

 Photo courtesy of Target

Ok, so maybe the fake glass bottles aren't as chic as Jones Soda's, but a good game of Ring Toss can get any party started. From Target.

 Photo courtesy of Duffy Boats

Get around the water in a 12 -seater electric Duffy Boat, that tops out at 6 miles per hour.  I first laid eyes on these cuties in Newport Beach.

 Photo courtesy of Nauti and Co.

In the sand or on deck, Nauti and Co.'s easily portable roll-up Backgammon Set for those that love a game, even on the go.

Photo courtesy of Laughing Loon

Or, take this handmade in Maine beauty out for a spin. The beautiful wooden Wee Two, from Laughing Loon, is perfect for navigating hard-to-access inaccessible ponds in remote and beautiful places.

Photo courtesy of Surf NYC

If big waves get you out of bed early in the morning in Montauk, the Malwitz Keel Fish Surf Board from Saturday's Surf NYC is a good way to practice your pop-ups and hang ten.

ENTERTAINING OUTSIDE? KEEP THE BUGS AWAY

Don't you just hate it when you are standing at a summer garden party and your ankles are getting bitten to death? I do. Rather than create a highly flammable situation using a deet-based bug repellent spray that smells icky,  I have found something new to try. It is 100% natural which pleases me, and has chic packaging, which also pleases me. It is made by the company behind Jao, whose their 13 year - old Hand Refresher in the blue bottle  has become a cult product for clean hands on the go. It is said to kill most germs in under a minute.
When it comes to summer entertaining, you want your guests to come happy and leave happy. This little trick might just make your outdoor soirees that much better. For a one-two punch, you can layer moisturizing Patio Oil with bug repellent oils and oil lemon eucalyptus as a base and then spray citrusy Outscent over it, to maximize your chances of not getting devoured alive.

Patio Oil has a South of France suntan oil vibe to it

Outscent packaging has retro camping appeal

SUMMER: LET'S GET IT STARTED!

Glorious weather this past Memorial Day Weekend has helped charge a clear path straight to summer. Here are some goodies to help you get ready to live outside and entertain like you mean it. 

Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn

I have always wanted one of these to help channel my island side. Pottery Barn knocks it out of the park with their Raffia Round Umbrella, it is a charmer.  It will make you shout, "Paradise now!"

Photo courtesy of Crate and Barrel

If you need some sunny prints in le jardin, try adding Crate and Barrel's jazzy

Marimekko Appelsiini Caliente Umbrella for some heat shade.

 Photo courtesy of Ballard Designs

I love the look of lush ferns in Ballard Designs Scalloped Square Planter, it also comes in a round version.

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

Water your flowers with Anthropologie's Mr. Snail Pail to add some character to the task.

Photo courtesy of Terrain

Instead of climbing a tree, swing in one. The Original Tree Swing from Terrain is like the old T-Bar lifts from skiing, but it's nothing a few Dark N' Stormies won't help you get over.

Photo courtesy of Wisteria

I have been eyeing these iznik patterned melamine  Wisteria plates for awhile now, I really think they are great.  Plus, if you order something from Wisteria up until May 31st,  they have an offer where they will throw in a set of 4!

Photo courtesy of West Elm

Bring a little bit of the French seaside to your outdoor entertaining with West Elm's wrapped Woven Pitchers. Be prepared for the raffia to get a little worn, the glass does not come out of the surround, so buy an extra to have just in case. They're on sale!

Photo courtesy of World Market

If you prefer a more muted color palette, then check out these beautiful soft colors in the Palampore Placemats from World Market.

Photo courtesy of World Market

If pillows are what you need, these outdoor ready Indonesian Fruit stunners at World Market are bright and cheery adding a touch of the exotic.

Photo courtesy of Pier 1

A right - sized fan chair from Pier 1 means you won't feel like Lilly Tomlin sitting in one!

Photo courtesy of CB2

Shed a little light inside or out with hammered brass teardrop Ous Hanging Tealights from CB2. They cast a party-ready glow.

Photo courtesy of Z Gallerie

For a more trad option, there is this Z Gallerie Malaga Lantern that is inspired by a classic English lantern. It would work well lining a pathway. 

THE OUTOOR ROOM: VOTE FOR ELAINE GRIFFIN'S L'ORANGERIE IN LOWE'S DESIGNER CHALLENGE

The design notion of making your outdoor space as comfortable as your inside interiors is worth embracing. Now that warm days are here, don't you love the idea of spending as much time as possible out of doors? My friend Elaine Griffin is very good at creating said lush outdoor spaces, so it's a good thing she was selected tp participate in Lowe's Designer Challenge. Her space, entitled L'Orangerie, is perfect for an urban dweller's garden. Using lattice on the walls for texture, she created a charming enclave to spend time in nature. Incorporating flowering plants, outdoor lighting and a space to sit and linger, the area provides a transporting experience.

 I hope you will take a second to vote for Elaine's space on Facebook beginning tomorrow till June 5th. so she can donate the proceeds to Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club! Lowe’s will donate $25,000 for each of the designers’ charities, with the winning charity receiving an additional $25,000. The winning vignette will be selected by votes on Lowe’s Facebook page from Tuesday, May 22 to Tuesday, June 5. So head on over to VOTE ELAINE!

Photos courtesy of Lowe's

Elaine, sitting in her outdoor living room, ready for summer to start.

A little piece of outdoor heaven.  Blue walls, blooming trees and places to perch in an enveloping environment.

Elaine shows how easy it is to create a little getaway and enhance it with natural elements.

Outdoor furniture like this Blaney Chair has the scale of the classic Billy Baldwin Slipper Chair, just zshush it up with some bright pillows.

The master plan Elaine hatched to create her space was thorough and precise.

The Creative Components Elaine Used For Her Outdoor Room:

Valspar's Sky Space covered all the wood work for a cohesive effect.

 Ceiling Medallion

 Columns

Diamond Lattice

Concrete Urn

 Eastfield Coffee Table

Blaney Wicker Woven Chair

Allen and Roth Garden Seat

FACE TIME

Taking famous faces and memorializing them in portraits is one thing. Putting them on a melamine plate? Well, that's just irreverent and witty. British company Whitbread Wilkinson worked with their fine English heritage and put historically significant portraits from the National Portrait Gallery onto plastic picnic ware. Try pulling these out the next time you picnic in the park. You will seem so cultured!

Detail from Antonello da Messina's Portrait of a Man

Bordone's Portrait of a Young Woman

Swabian's Portrait of a Woman of the Hofer Family
c 1470

The Emperor Napoleon I by Vernet

A detail from Italian Andrea Solario's Giovanni Cristoforo Longoni

Detail from The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the Younger