Accessories for Summer Entertaining

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On overcast days like today it can be hard to imagine that summer is just around the corner, but surprise! It's already May. Here are our picks for creating an outdoor entertaining space worthy of the most beautiful summer day...

And if (like most apartment dwellers) you don't have an outdoor space, these pieces work just as well with the windows thrown open and a warm breeze flowing through the air.

Many of Fermob's outdoor furniture is compact enough to fit on even the smallest of balconies, and these bistro chairs and tables (seen at Flora Grubb) fold neatly away when not in use.

We first saw these found soda crates (perfect for carrying a tray of lemonade or beer) in a Pottery Barn season preview, but as far as we can tell they've never been made available online. Check retails stores or the most recent catalog for purchasing, or try your luck scouring flea markets for an original of your own.

A colorful vintage pitcher we'd love to use...

for pouring sangria or margaritas into any of these glasses from Anthropologie.

No summer entertaining is complete without chips and guacamole, and this cheerful set of bowls would hold the pair nicely.

Comments (9)

I loooove Fermob Chairs. Very comfortable too.. which suprised me at first.

posted by blondblogger on May 1st 2009 at 12:04pm
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The soda crates are great- i really like the vintage look. I'll check in the PB local store.

posted by kimmiller on May 1st 2009 at 12:14pm
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Those soda crates are no longer available from PB:

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p12544/index.cfm

...and those bowls are vintage Catherine Holm enamelware - in the "Lotus" pattern.

For more fun glassware - check out Fishs Eddy:

http://www.fishseddy.com/

posted by bepsf on May 1st 2009 at 12:36pm
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Target has little patio chairs like the fermob for $20-30. and little tables to match. The only ones I've seen are in white or neon green though.

posted by plumeria on May 1st 2009 at 12:40pm
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you can get those crates for cheap on ebay...

posted by nkr707 on May 1st 2009 at 1:07pm
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Now THIS is a chair-hanging method I can deal with...practical and beautiful.

posted by clampers on May 1st 2009 at 1:18pm
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That photo looks like it was taken at Flora Grubb (a nursery and amazing designy place) in San Francisco. A little moroccan tile and wrought iron table I got from them is now used indoors as a tea table. No sense in leaving it out in the rain...

posted by darcitananda on May 1st 2009 at 1:21pm
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I just got that PB catalogue yesterday and I heard the soda crates are already sold out!

Just an FYI- I have 6 of those crates throughout my apt. and found them all for $1-$5 each at flea markets and tag sales.

posted by Erin Lang Norris/Yellow Canoe on May 1st 2009 at 11:06pm
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Love the chair display, but so glad I don't have to get the ones down from the top row! (Nice for a store, not so nice for home use.) Makes a great photo, though.

posted by SherryBinNH on May 2nd 2009 at 2:45pm
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