Okay. So it's August already and we're technically half way through summer already, but can't we just think about how much fun summer is going to be?? In fairness, it kind of just started a couple of weeks ago in BC due to global warming and whatnot. Or was it Trump? Or Pokemon invasion? Something, somewhere delayed summer, so...

Succulents add an edgy sophistication to any backyard. Image via Pinterest.

"Here Are a Few Ways to Elevate Your Summer Outdoor Entertaining feat. Western Living Magazine" (insert toothy grin and wink)

Cheesy cliche title aside, summer can be saturated with trips, tips and tricks and new adventures to partake in, but sometimes spending summer in your own backyard with your bestest of company is a no fail - and low cost - way to enjoy the warmer weather months. A couple of months back, I was honored to be asked by Western Living Magazine to share my must-have accessories for summer patio entertaining. You can check out the article here. In it I share some design items you can incorporate into your outdoor living spaces to help elevate your patio in time for summer entertaining. Rather than regurgitate what was written in said article, I wanted to focus on a key design trait that you can look for when you're out shopping for your next outdoor dinner party. I touched upon this with one of the items I shared with WL (Viktigt Collection from Ikea). That key design trait is not so much a trait, but a color - or lack thereof? The debate is still out on that one, but that spectacular "color" which will help elevate your outdoor summer experience is...black. *gasp* Groundbreaking right? Now, of course everyone is already wise to the knowledge that black can add sophistication, glamour, mystery, etc. to any outfit, interior decor, or motor vehicle exterior, but you'll be surprised to hear that it can do that and so much more for you, your life and your wallet. See the thing about warmer weather and the joys of a brightly lit sky is that it entices folks to get kooky with color. And rightfully so, cus what our beautiful sun does is help nature bring out the boldest of colors in it's bestest of ways. So we, as inhabitants of this planet, employ the colors of the world into our self decoration and home decoration in hopes of spreading that summer joy everywhere we place ourselves. Then Autumn and Winter come along in no time flat, and those colors, although still vibrant and beautiful, start to feel out of place and overly needy, what with their bold "look at me" personalities. So we store them away for use next year. Colors become deep, moody and regal and off we go to the stores to purchase and gather around us the colors of the season. Now don't get me wrong. I love shopping, no matter the season, but truthfully, we can all benefit from some versatile all season purchases. Black and white never go out of vogue or season. So why not incorporate these "colors" into our hot weather decor to help elevate and elongate our summer design and decor experience. Black adds that hit of drama and sophistication to a vibrantly colored dinner party and can transition well into the colder months as an anchor for your more subdued color palettes. Black allows you to incorporate key trends from any season, or any year for that matter, without the commitment to seasonal color themes.

Here are a bundle of high style decor items in season friendly noir that you can shop now to step up your summer design game:

Elevated Outdoor Entertaining