Inside Out: Our Summer Guide to Outdoor Entertaining

Summer has arrived and there’s never been a better time to step up your outdoor entertaining game. We have all heard about the importance of bringing the outside in by incorporating natural elements into interior environments to create spaces that feel warm, supportive, and vibrant. But when it comes to outdoor summer living, we embrace the opposite idea: create the outdoor table of your dreams by bringing the inside out! At Snake River Interiors, we believe that your outdoor table should reflect the same care and attention to detail as your indoor one. Make your next intimate gathering a sight to behold and an experience to remember by following our designer tips for creating an inspired outdoor table for your guests. 

Tip #1: Fear Not: Embrace Your Best

You love your finest china and your best table linens, but how often do you use them? And do you dare take them outside? Well, it’s time to liberate them from a life of sequestration and embrace them for their ability to take your outdoor table from ordinary to extraordinary. Surrounded by incredible landscapes, your outdoor table should hold its own against the scenery and contribute to the majesty of the setting. By embracing your finest things, you give them new life. By bringing them outside, you create a beautiful backdrop that leaves a lasting impression for your guests. Many of our favorite pieces for the tabletop can be found at Twenty Two Home, such as the Astier de Villatte Robinson Collection, the Cache Flatware Setand Libeco Table Linens.

Tip #2: Keep it Fresh

Summer is the time for celebrating bounty and renewal, and nothing captures the glory of the season more than beautiful cut flowers. Artfully arranged blooms lend a flourish of elegance and a burst of color to any tabletop. Start by selecting your favorite vase and then head to the garden to harvest.  We’re in love with the Astier de Villatte Astrakhan Vase, available at Twenty Two Home. Want to brush up on your garden skills? We’re here to help.

Tip #3: Scents that Soothe 

As the sun sets and your guests settle into satiety, lure them into relaxation with soft, soothing flickers of light and the intimate, subtle scents that come from adding an array of candles to your tabletop. Clusters of candles in differing sizes create visual interest and add a warm glow to your table. Providing the perfect boost to the moonlight, your guests will delight in basking in the fragrant radiance of Cire Trudon Candles. Now available in two sizes at Twenty Two Home.  

Tip #4: See Your Accessories in a New Light 

Bring your favorite home accessories into the sunlight—or the moonlight! When we’re trapped indoors for long periods of time, even the best of us start to feel a little stale and rough around the edges. The same thing applies to our favorite home accessories. Give them new life and see them in a new light by taking them outdoors. Liberate your favorite throws from the sofa or reading chair and luxuriate in their comfort while curled up around the fire, immersed in quiet conversation. Comfy toss pillows are perfect for propping up your guests after dinner, encouraging them to linger and enjoy one another’s company. Even the best meals come to an end, and guests will eventually leave the table. By bringing your indoor accessories outside, you can make your guests feel as cozy and comfortable as they do in your living room. 

How Do You “Quaranteam”?

Hosting Family and Friends This Summer 

After spending the past few months in various states of isolation, now more than ever, we have come to understand the importance of personal connection and spending quality time with family and friends. Although we have the technology to stay in touch with our loved ones, nothing beats visiting in person and experiencing the joy that comes from time well spent together. As spring turns to summer, our thoughts lean toward expanding our “quaranteam” and hosting guests in our homes. 

At Snake River Interiors, we are passionate about creating beautiful spaces to welcome guests and provide them with a thoughtfully curated environment, making them feel pampered throughout their stay. Below are our favorite ways to make guests feel at home—we call it “Guest Prep 101”—many of which are available from our sister store Twenty Two Home to ship nationwide. 

Quench Those Nighttime Thirsts 

When you live at high altitude, staying hydrated is essential (especially after long hikes, a day of biking, or intense shopping!). To make it easy for our guests, we love to provide fresh water on their bedside table. This thoughtful gesture shows that you care about their well-being and their morning after. Spruce up its delivery with a beautiful decanter. From classically elegant to more sophisticated modern forms, we are drawn to these alluring vessels: 

The Astier de Villatte Colbert Pitcher adds a touch of rustic charm to any space. Each classic piece is handmade, one of a kind, and finished with a milky glaze that amplifies the character of the clay.  

The inspired form of the Georg Jensen HK Pitcher brings a sensuous sophistication to any bedside table. With its elegantly extended handle and exaggerated lip, this pitcher is both a pleasure to use and a feast for the eyes. 

Spice Up the Bedroom 

Place fresh flower arrangements in the bedroom and inspire your guests! The gentle fragrance and visual allure of thoughtfully arranged blooms enhance any space. Our inspiration for selecting the perfect flowers always begins with choosing the consummate vase: 

With its milky white finish and classic silhouette, the Astier de Villatte Astrakhan Vase holds a burst of colorful flowers beautifully. The artistry of this vase elevates any bouquet from ordinary to heavenly.

We marvel at the graceful lines of the Georg Jensen Bloom Bowl. Floating gardenia blossoms in this gorgeous vessel will create instant tranquility in any bedroom. 

Provide A Taste of the West 

The breathtaking landscapes and majestic wildlife inspire all of us who live here. Provide your family and friends with a strong sense of place by incorporating a taste of the west into your guest space, inviting them to feel deeply connected to this incredible place while staying in your home. Skip the western kitsch: Our favorite home accessories are exceedingly stylish and reflect the natural beauty of our rugged landscape.

The Natural Wire Wrapped Elk Antler Sculpture makes a quiet statement in any interior. Its raw, elegant lines and subtle wire embellishment give a gentle nod to our rustic surroundings. Beautifully mounted, decidedly western, and purely chic. For smaller spaces, embrace the equally exquisite Silver-Wrapped Natural Antler or Silver Antler

Engage All the Senses 

Some of our favorite memories are triggered by scents from our past. By incorporating subtle fragrance into your guest spaces, you can ensure that your friends and family will have a lasting and powerful association with their visit. For this, we love the soft, feminine scent of the Cire Trudon Josephine Candle.  Its lightly floral aroma delicately enhances any space and creates a relaxing and memorable environment for guests. 

Snake River Interiors is in a Mood

We have been feeling a bit feverish at SRI, first with cabin fever, and now with Spring fever. We will gladly take the latter! The weather is warming up, the grass is green, and signs of new life are all around us–it could not have come at a more perfect time.

This Spring, we are dreaming of lush, verdant greens and dreamy blue hues. As the snow melts and the weather warms up, our thoughts are turning to outdoor living. With breathtaking views of the mountains, our backyards serve as an extension of our homes, a place to relax and entertain while allowing our senses to savor our surroundings. When we design outdoor spaces, we love to layer textures and finishes, creating a seamless visual flow between the inside and outside areas of a home. Outdoor furniture should be beautiful, comfortable, and beckon you to feel at home outside. Fabrics that stand up to water, sun, and stains are essential and help keep outside spaces looking vibrant and fresh throughout the seasons. As our daydreams drift to thoughts of outdoor meals with lovely place settings and fresh produce, we know we are ready to savor Spring. 

Our current mood…