BACKYARD ENTERTAINING: WHITE + MOD

It's official. Summer is upon us in the Northwest and I'm so ready to host a little outdoor patio dinner party! In seeking some inspiration, I rediscovered this tabletop created by JL Designs, and I'm completely smitten...
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Being a California girl, I am totally drawn to this mix of succulents and white modern accents - it couldn't be more reflective of the beach-meets-desert culture of SoCal.
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Of course, no party is complete without a signature drink - whether your hosting 10 or 100! I think this one sounds particularly refreshing and the the little drink card is so perfect!
JL designs palm california tabletop
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I love how much candlelight Carissa used along with the cafe lights...
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Heavenly! Are you as inspired as I am for a little outdoor entertaining? Even if you only have a little patio in your apartment, there are ways to make it happen (I'm going to be shooting my own example soon!) I can't wait for late summer evenings around the table with good friends.


*photography by aaron young, paper elements by wiley valentine (love them!), and complete design by jl designs

32 comments:

  1. super cute and makes me long for a hot summer night!

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  2. Perfect party setting! Hope you're having a fantastic Monday. I have some great news on my blog today...I'd love for you to check it out! Have a wonderful day honey! Kori xoxo

    www.blondeepisodes.com

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  3. ooooh my goodness, oh my goodness! To die for! This table decor is just scrumptious! Love the neutrals with the greenery. So classy. I just bought some of these string lights - soooo excited to get them up. thanks for sharing. mx

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  4. wow! this setting is so elegant and the lighting makes it intimate! surely the guests wil have a fun and memorable night attending a party with a setting like this.

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    Jasper @ B & B Party Rental NJ

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  5. can i be invited?

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  6. Anonymous6.6.11

    Ahh this so perfect!!! I love outdoor entertaining. If I could I would eat dinner outside every day :)

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  7. It's the sea of tiny lights in the smallest coves, that create the biggest moments in our visual memories.
    Cheers!

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  8. LOVE these.... it's just TOO hot here for anything outdoor.. but for a scene like that I may be tempted to suffer through it!

    blair @ scsd

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  9. teri, i agree with you completely! amy, come over anytime, girl ;)

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  10. Love these pictures -- it's beautiful! Can't wait to see how you do it also!

    In Fashion and Style

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  11. You got me inspired. I need to add some light on my patio.. Summer nights here we come!!!

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  12. Anonymous6.6.11

    That looks so beautiful! Looks so cooling but also warm and comfortable. I'll come to your party anytime, haha, esp if you're serving that drink :)

    Kate

    www.thrillofthechaise.com

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  13. Anonymous6.6.11

    So pretty! Wish I could convince my landlord to do some kind of fence like this off our patio because I'd LOVE to string cafe lights and host parties like these (as it is now... not so much).

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  14. so clean and cool! I definitely need more strings of cafe lights in my life:)

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  15. This is a relaxing looking tablescape. I always love white lights, it just transforms the mood.

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  16. Beautiful color palette. Very modern and clean but romantic at the same time.

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  17. I'm a smitten kitten. This is so my stile. Must be the California girl in me too!

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  18. Beautiful!!!!

    xo

    www.PlumPrettySugar.blogspot.com

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  19. yay for parties on the patio! Hoping to host a 4th of july party this year!

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  20. I'm seeing so many of these outdoor dinner party scenes!
    These one looks exceptionally pretty!

    xo Grace
    dream-boating.blogspot.com

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  21. Gorgeous! I absolutely love the earthy tones and clean feeling of it all!

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  22. Fabulous! This post just transported me to another place - which is not winter but happy and lovely and... must come back to reality now. Thanks for sharing!

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  23. Stunning and inspiring to dress up the table for the next dinner party. So lovely!

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  24. it is gorgeous..and those lights totally make the scene!! have a lovely day, cassandra..xx meenal

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  25. Seriously gorgeous. I recently bought some similar chairs in silver for my living room. It is stylish with a casual feel. It looks so homely and inviting.Which is how you want outdoor entertaining to be like.It is a shame it is winter here in Australia otherwise I would be tempted to play around with my outdoor setting too.

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  26. Anonymous7.6.11

    Love how simple each detail is but how amazing they all llok together.

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  27. This is gorgeous. Makes me want to have a part of my own!
    xox
    hooper

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  28. Inspired by the whole entire get-up... nothing beats dining al fresco!

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  29. I adore the lighting effect, so cool. I'm going to imitate this look for an outdoor barbeque this summer. Thanks Cassie.

    Lisa @ Lesapea xx

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  30. The entire set up is superb! I think you just clarified my vision for me from the reclaimed wood to the stunning candles and lights. Marvelous!

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  31. Anonymous8.6.11

    i LOVE this set up! so romantic and cute for summer. i want to do something like this too.

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