Being an avid lover of twinkle lights and dining al fresco, I think there is no better way to celebrate the last stretch of these glorious, warm summer nights than an end-of-summer block party. And when one of your favorite brands, Pottery Barn, invites you to celebrate with them, throw a block party bash, you do.
As I share on the Pottery Barn blog, I say a block party is the perfect excuse to simply get everyone together outside…without all of the fuss. With an emphasis on all things EASY, you want to keep things casual and laid-back throughout the evening. I’ve always said that the best way to do this is by finding ways in which everyone can pitch in—whether that’s by preparing a dish or by bringing their favorite chairs to lounge in. (Speaking of chairs, how perfect are these mini gingham armchairs for the little ones?!)
I tackled the layout by creating separate sitting, food and play areas for adults and kids of all ages. Using a variety of chairs, pillows (this one is my fave) and throws with comfort in mind, I wanted to encourage lounging long into the night. And remember, don’t be shy about asking guests to BYOS (bring your own seat) to ensure there’s enough for all. With the layout—well, laid out—it was on to the details to tie everything together.
Details like a teepee stuffed with pillows, beanbags & storage cubes complete with built in speakers for the teens to stream their summer playlists. A kids area flanked by comfy gingham armchairs, a paint-and-play crafts table, and a plenty of freeze pops to go around. And lastly, a refuge with the most gorgeous Palmetto wicker furniture (I especially loved these wicker accent tables and this wicker bar table) where adults can nosh on good food and have a great cocktail or two while the busy bodies are at play.
Speaking of keeping busy bodies at play, tomorrow I’ll be sharing two simple DIY activities for kids and teens, along with my favorite fuss-free finger food recipes that are as easy as they are delicious. And I can’t forget about our punchy batch Citrus Cooler mocktail…I’m thirsty just thinking about it now. In the meantime, find all of the product details below, and hop over to Pottery Barn’s blog to find my 5 tips for creating your own end-of-summer block party! Truly, MKR
