Simple Touches Add Chic To Season’s Outdoor Festivities

Now, I realize that lots of us entertain outdoors year-round. But for traditionalists, the outdoor entertaining season began in April.

The trick is to fluff up the outdoor setting, giving it a stamp that’s all your own with a minimum of effort.

Here’s how to do it, thanks in part to Debra Fritz, home and garden consultant for Target stores:

Throw pillows. They’re not just for indoors on sofas and chairs. They work even better outdoors.

Baker’s racks. Maybe you’ve already got one on your patio or deck. Lots of us use them as potting benches or to display potted plants.

Nothing wrong with that. But when guests are to show, clear some of the gardening gear and turn the rack into a buffet service center. Use some of your home-grown flowers for an accent bouquet on the rack.

Dinnerware. Plain and simple, use the best you’ve got. Don’t think plastic just because you happen to be outdoors. It’s wondrous how good china, from an aesthetic standpoint, can beef up burgers and dogs. It’s a look that tells your guests you care.

Sheets. Plain old sheets. Shop the sales. They are everywhere, every day. Don’t worry too much about quality. You won’t be sleeping on these puppies.

Instead, think long table drapes to the patio or deck floor. Cut the sheets to fit and hem them yourself. Or simply puddle them at the base of the table. The look just happens to be tres chic. Coordinate them to your dinnerware. If you have a glass-topped table, remove the glass, place the sheet across the top of the table, then replace the glass.