After what seems like an eternity, spring and maybe summer have both arrived.  From 50 degrees to 80 degrees in a matter of a week, Detroiters are furiously trying to ready their gardens and clean up their outdoor spaces.  English Gardens was pack last weekend as novice weekend gardeners to master gardeners planned planters and beds for summer.

Creating and maintaining the garden is for some relaxing and for others of us whose thumbs are anything but green and can kill a plant with eye contact, not so relaxing.  For those of us in the latter category, we plant, we maintain and we sit.  Speaking from experience, spending time on decorating the area in which we sit back and enjoy the fruits and flowers of our labor, is well worth the effort.  Take some time and decorate by adding fresh cushions and even throw pillow. Mix and match pillows in patterns and solids and allow your outdoor living area to become a bridge between your indoor space and your gardens.

Create outdoor elegance with outdoor lighting and torches.  Hang lights around your umbrella, place lights in planters, and buy outdoor plasticware that allows you to entertain in style. Always keep a few goodies on hand for an unplanned gathering of friends or family.

Cushion and torch, English Garden, tray and glasses, Target

Seat cusion, plate, placement, candle, plasticware, English Gardens

Styling tip: Make sure your cushions are treated with scotch guard.  They will last much longer.

This summer, enjoy every minute you can outdoors.  Make sure you spend time decorating your outdoor space.  Let it be a haven for you for reading, working, or entertaining,