So what does really ‘alfresco’ mean? You’ve hear it one too many times this season – Alfresco simply means “eating outdoors” in Italian! Getting out in the fresh air with a big appetite, great weather, a lovely atmosphere, and most of all appreciating a slower pace of life! Dining alfresco doesn’t mean pulling up a chair and simply taking your plate outdoors, there is a whole other dimension when it comes to mastering this Italian tradition. Take a look at these gorgeous outdoor arrangements and find out what makes them so great:

New York Terrace

This red brick terrace takes on the perfect view of New York’s Shelter Island. The big, oversized lanterns make the perfect addition to a romantic later night dinner.

Charming Courtyard

Everything about this backyard setup is absolutely charming! I am in love with the red terra cotta roofing, string lights, and loads of planters overflowing with tiny colorful flowers. It’s all i the details!

Balcony Tea Time

Alfresco dining doesn’t always have to mean in the backyard under the trees, you can dine on your balcony too. Two comfy benches, and a simple umbrella turn a regular balcony into an intimate place to sip tea or cool berry punch.

Classic Tuscan Patio

Brick and wrought iron is a Tuscan staple when it comes to outdoor decor and furniture. Consider purchasing wrought iron furniture (it lasts years!) and pair it with matching heavy iron lanterns for a magical outdoor ambience.

Simple Yet Beautiful

A outdoor meal is anything but prim and proper! This rustic style alfresco setup proves that not every meal has to be fancy schmancy. Throw a burlap tablecloth over your stone patio furniture and pile up a big bowl of organic fruits from your garden. Enjoy a simple, healthy snack and treat yourself to some Italian wine!

Sunny Oceanfront Lunch

Remember to dress your table for the occasion! Roll out a table cloth with pretty summer prints and artfully tailor your dining table with a nice centrepiece. A big bowl or basket full of your favorite fruits and some sprigs from the garden is a simple way to decorate your outdoor setting in a snap!

Simple Yet Sweet

Dining alfresco can be a great way to enjoy eating outdoors and soaking up the sunshine. Believe it or not, it’s also a good way to ward off depression! Enjoying a nice meal outside doesn’t need to be complicated. Place a small round table in an intimate corner of  your patio and pull up a few wrought iron garden chairs. If you have a not-so-great table just cover it with a tablecloth! Including a nice garden fountain is also a plus because its great for relaxing and brings an enchanted and magical ambience.

Dining High In The Sky

There is something magical about eating over a big, bustling city. Even if you are far away from anything dreamy and romantic like Tuscany, you can always eat alfresco in the heart of the city! Turn your roof top terrace into a dreamy candlelit alfresco style party and dinner by adding hints of the countryside with canvas director’s chairs and a big steel farmhouse style lantern.

This cottage is a summer vacation home dream and boasts everything you need for a unforgettable summer vacation. If you have ever visited connecticut, you’ll notice this home looks identical to the lavish Candlewood Lake realestate in Conneticut’s cottage country which not to mention, would make a remarkable spot for a hidden hideaway.

The cottage’s interiors were designed by Lawrence Boeder and feature lots of sunny décor like this luminous sun porch. Equipped with wicker furniture from Lyold Flanders, its great for easy entertaining and sipping fresh, cool lemonade.

The living room perfectly morphs with the outside setting and décor. Relaxing, casual, and comfortable patterns/textures were chosen to upholster the sofas, the curtains, and giant rug. The pretty, solid wood cocktail table is from Ralph Lauren Home and the oil painting is by Pauline Palmer.

The family calls this room the Break O Day room, which serves as a morning gathering place to sip coffee and eat breakfast. The picture perfect view of Lake Michigan and warm sunshine pouring in will have you singing for warm weather!

I love the cottage’s relaxed, timeless style which makes you practically float from one room to the next. The cottage style kitchen is spacious with tall ceilings and perfect for entertaining a big, bustling family. The kitchen island doubles as a breakfast bar and is equipped with a heavy duty butcher slab countertop which is practically indestructible.

Designer Lawrence Boeder surely didn’t leave out class and style in this little girl’s room. A pretty chandelier and low crown moulding breaks up the exaggerated tall ceilings, making the room more intimate and cozy. Romantic French furnishings and a soft palette of dusty pinks and rose gold make it an magical bedroom graced with  elegance.

In the master bathroom marble tiles line the floors, wrap around the whole shower and perfectly align the bath tub.

The guest bedroom has just about everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. The quirky comical painting is a nice retro touch to the traditionally styled furniture, fabrics, and patterns.

Ikea furniture is sleek, simple, basic, and perfect for customization! I’ve made over Ikea furniture in the past by adding mouldings, switching up hardware, and decoupaging, but lately I’ve been in a rut – what’s another way to easily glam up your furniture?

This month, we are SO happy to have partnered with a clever, practical, and ingenious company called Overlays. Overlays are the most easiest, and fun way to add instant glam and style to plain Ikea furniture. They are decorative, pre cut panels made to fit specifically Ikea furniture and can be easily attached to furniture, walls, mirrors, and even glass!

You most likely have one of the popular Ikea pieces such as MALM, RAST, or the BESTA that are looking a little plain and tired. Pop over to the Overlays catalog and choose your furniture model and you can instantly buy one of the panels that will perfectly fit your piece! From the popular Greek key designs, Asian motifs, overlapping circles, and squares – there is definitely one to fit every decorating style.

Applying Overlays is easy; just use your own choice of adhesive like wood glue or even a glue gun. We recommend Liquid Nails 100% Clear Adhesive for glass and mirrors, and Liquid Nails Perfect Glue on wood furniture. You can also use heavy-duty double-sided tape for a temporary solution!

The opportunities for customization are really endless – you can paint your overlays any color you want and layer them on the fronts, sides, or even on the legs of furniture.

Head on over to the Overlay’s blog for tons of ideas and inspiration on how you can customize your furniture to give it it’s own unique look. I’ll warn you though – their blog is addicting and will certainly give you the DIY makeover bug!