Prepping for Patio Season

A few easy steps to prep for patio season on a budget!

Recently, I was interviewed by Marcia Crivorot, a Westchester based fashion stylist. Marcia's monthly newsletter includes a section titled "Small Talk" where she features a local business and asks them a few questions. You can follow Marcia on IG at @matciacrivorot.style and sign up for her newsletter there.

Marcia asked me about prepping for patio season, whether you have outdoor space or not, and how to do it on a budget. I was honored to be included and hope you find some of these ideas hepful!

Summer is around the corner. What would you suggest for nice and budget-friendly ideas to refresh our patio this year?

To refresh outside spaces, I love to do a few things each year:
1. Find weather resistant pillows for a punch of color and comfort on outdoor seating. Homegoods and Target have a great, affordable selection. But believe it or not, Home Depot has terrific options that are often better prices!

2. I love planting real flowers in pots and along the edge of the patio. But this can get expensive, especially when they inevitably die. This year, I did a combination of real and faux. I placed UV-resistant faux hydrangeas as a centerpiece on the outdoor table and on the side tables. This adds so much color and life to the patio in a low-maintenance, high impact way! These are the ones I got and a few clients have bought as well, with rave reviews: Amazon.com: Artificial Blue Hydrangeas Tall Artificial Hydrangea Stems 24.8" Faux Hydrangea Silk Flowers Fake Hydrangea Resuable for Party,Home,Office Decor, Artificial Flower Perfect for Wedding Decor Gift-2 : Home & Kitchen

3. I love lamp o'clock, and this year, I want that same glow outside. Solar powered lights are an affordable way to add ambiance and functionality to your outdoor space. I place some in the garden facing upward to light up the trees and a few facing low to shine on the low flowers. There are so many affordable options available on Amazon check out these links!
5. But don't stop there! A well-placed outdoor lamp adds sparkle to the patio. It requires less care than candles and shines more light. This one on Amazon gets rave reviews. shumi LED Solar Table Lamp Outdoor Waterproof-3 Way Dimmable Outside Patio Table lamp,Solar Modern Bedsid Lamp,Cordless Solar Desk Lamp with Pull Chain for Bedroom Living Room,Garden(Black) - - Amazon.com
6. We love to enjoy the outdoors, but nobody likes the bugs, especially mosquitos. Each season, I try to add certain plants that are a natural way to keep the bugs away. In the garden, in large planters or small pots, around my patio you'll find lavender, rosemary, basil and peppermint. The mosquitoes don't like these and it makes the whole patio smell like summer!
For my clients that live in apartments, how can they incorporate a summer vibe into their homes?
- the key to creating a summer vibe is bringing the outside in. Throw open the shades and if you need privacy, swap out heavy curtains for white sheers. They let the light in and billow in the breeze, what could be more summery? I've used these on several projects and they're the perfect weight for the season: Amazon.com: Turquoize White Linen Sheer Curtains Natural Linen Semi Sheer Curtains White 96 Inches Long Light Filtering Burlap Curtains 2 Panels Rod Pocket Window Treatments Panels/Drapes, Privacy Assured, White : Home & Kitchen
1. Any windowsill can become a summer garden. I love to line the kitchen window with a collection of small herb plants. It's easy access to the faucet to keep them watered regularly and top of mind for cooking summery recipes! Chives, basil, thyme, dill, whichever herbs you love best. The green brings life to any space and makes everything feel fresh.
2. Another quick and easy fix is to change out a few accessories for a more summery feel. That fleece blanket on your couch? Swap it with a block-print quilt or cotton throw. Add one or two lighter accessories to a console, coffee table or shelf - a piece of coral, a wicker basket, colorful flowers. These go a long way in lightening things up and changing the seasons indoors too!
What is your favorite place to buy flower pots?
My favorite place to buy flowers pots online is Amazon. In person, it's Walmart. They have a gorgeous planter this year that shocks me every time I look at it. It would work for a tall tree, collection of flowers, large plant...it's a really substantial size and a classic look for $17.48! Better Homes & Gardens Ember Gray Resin Planter, 16in x 16in x 18in - Walmart.com
I also like to frequent some of the amazing local places we have in our area. They often have sales or clearance sections where I score bargains. A few of my favorites are Mangone's and Acorn Farms in Mamaroneck, Amodio's in White Plains, and Rosedale Nurseries in Hawthorne.
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