Category Archives: Outdoor Spaces

Need a Break? Take a Picnic!

The Ultimate Picnic Guide - Sanctuary Home Decor

Photo Credit: sanctuaryhomedecor.com

Summer is a season of hustle and bustle, especially if you are buying or selling a home! Maybe it would do you good to take a moment to rest – take a break from all the efforts you’ve been putting towards your move – and take an afternoon or evening to stop, breath and reflect. What better way to rest and reset than with a picnic! Grab your partner, loved ones, and/or friends, and share a meal with the great outdoors! Take time to honor the home your leaving and show gratitude for your next adventure. Celebrate, remember, and most importantly, enjoy!

PICNIC BASKETS

It wouldn’t be a picnic without a cute basket, would it? Here are two of our faves!

The Summer Breeze Wine and Cheese Picnic Basket at Target is perfect for a sunset with wine and charcuterie.

Summerbreeze Wine and Cheese Picnic Basket - Picnic Time, image 2 of 11 slides

Photo Credit: Target.com

Summerbreeze Wine and Cheese Picnic Basket - Picnic Time, image 4 of 11 slides

Photo Credit: Target.com

Looking to fill your own, classic basket? We love the Granada Picnic Basket from Williams Sonoma, and it’s traditional checkered fabric, available in three colors!

Alt image 1 for Granada Picnic Basket

Photo Credit: williams-sonoma.com

Alt image 16 for Granada Picnic Basket

Photo Credit: williams-sonoma.com

PICNIC SERVICES

If you’re not up to the effort of packing your own picnic, but love the idea of a relaxing meal outside, search for a local picnic service to take on the setup for you! In the Greater Twin Cities area, you can find luxury picnic companies like Pillows and Prosecco or Pepper Sprout Picnics who will prepare a deluxe experience, catered to your liking, and all you have to do is show up – what a treat!

Photo Credit: peppersproutpicnics.com

PICNIC IDEAS

Head to a lakeside beach, into a forest, or even to music and movies in the park! Or even better, if you can’t get away, make a memory in your own backyard. The hope is to be with people you care about, making memories and taking a moment to be grateful and calm. Happy picnic-ing!

Donate Now | Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Association

Photo Credit: Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Association

Guest Blogger: Katya Larsen, Stager, A Home Revival

Embrace Your Outdoor Space!

Photo Credit: M&CO

You heard it here first, it’s summer here in Minnesota! That means it’s the ultimate opportunity to make use of your outdoor spaces. Plant an herb garden, set up the patio furniture and fire table, hang the café lights, and you’re set for a season of outdoor relaxation and fun!

In our home, we believe in being hospitable, not entertaining, so our goal is to create a warm, comforting space for guests, and to provide easy, tasty food and drinks. We want to avoid spending too much time cleaning, preparing and cooking (because we have two littles and don’t have the time anyways!), but we love to spend time with friends and family, and doing so outside is just perfect!

Here are a few of our favorite summertime, outdoor-friendly recipes. Add a couple of bags of tortilla chips and you’re all set for an afternoon, outdoor hang!

Cowboy Caviar by the New York Times

Two-Minute Avocado Dip by Pinch of Yum

Minted Lemonade by the Food Network

Caprese Salad by the Pioneer Woman

What are your favorite summer recipes? We’d love to hear! Email us at katya@ahomerevival.com

Guest Blogger: Katya Larsen, Stager, A Home Revival

Making Your Outdoor Space Valuable

Your outside space is so valuable, especially if you live in the northern regions, as our time outdoors is so limited. Whether you are selling or dwelling, that space is valuable. It’s valuable to you for your enjoyment whether it is a small quiet place to curl up with a book or a large space to gather with friends and family.

It is valuable if you are selling as buyers can see how the house extends outward. It isn’t technically square footage but you better bet a nice outdoor space brings value to a buyer emotionally. This applies to decks, patios, and front porches.

My number one advice: TREAT THE OUTDOOR SPACE LIKE YOU DO YOUR INDOOR SPACE

KEEP IT CLEAN: Pressure wash or do a good scrub down in the Spring. Paint or stain any chipped areas. Brush off any cobwebs and leaves regularly.

Clean patio

USE AN OUTDOOR RUG: Rugs add a sense of warmth just like in your living room. It also defines a conversation area and can add color and pattern. Make sure it is an outdoor rug that will resist fading and dry quickly after a rain shower.

outside

BEING OUTSIDE DOESN’T PRECLUDE USING TEXTURE: There are so many fun outdoor fabrics that are water and sun damage resistant. Add in throw pillows and even an outdoor poof so you can put your feet up!

Pouf

DON’T FORGET TO ACCESSORIZE: Just like any other room in your home, accessories add the style and pizzazz to a space. Weather safe candles, lanterns, and even lamps. Yes I have a weather safe table lamp and floor lamp on my patio that I never bring in until winter hits! It feels so much like a true living room.

Your outdoor space is valuable for so many reasons. Take the time to make it stylish! It’s nature so mix an abundance of color, pattern and texture. Have fun and enjoy your outdoor space!