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Create an Outdoor Room

Quick tricks for transforming your backyard into a summertime oasis

Create an Outdoor Room
Minh + Wass
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Create an Outdoor Living Room
Lighten Up
The sparkle of outdoor holiday lights wrapped around a metal chandelier hung from a tree will make every evening in your garden feel like a party. If an electric cord isn't handy, this wrought-iron chandelier from Vance Kitira (Lancaster, $170, 800-646-6360) also holds pillar candles.

Add Comfort
A generous helping of scatter pillows will instantly make your new room look and feel inviting. These needn't match; an eclectic selection can be charming.

Make It Portable
Assembling and dismantling an outdoor room is easy if you stash rugs, pillows, candles, and other necessities in an old trunk or footlocker. Once outside, it can double as a coffee table or a place to put up your feet.

Set the Mood
Recycle everyday containers to create ambience outdoors. Jars filled with candles can be quickly turned into hurricane lanterns. Transform an empty tomato-juice can into a vase; light reflects beautifully off the shiny surface.


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