Guest Picks: Patio Style With a West Coast Vibe
Wicker screams relaxation! When I spotted these in the store (Canada finally has Target!), I fell deeply in love. Made with a resin product that's constructed like wicker, but with a contemporary edge, these chairs are perfect on a West Coast patio around the fire pit.
Most suburban homes can't have wood-burning fire pits, but this sleek fire pit would add the perfect ambience to a patio without breaking the rules. I have to admit that my home has a wood fire pit, as do many of my neighbors' — kind of like, I scratch your back, you scratch mine. But I do feel the guilt every time I light it. I would love this fire pit in my backyard. It reminds me of having a campfire on the local beach.
Easy to keep clean, these PVC woven placemats are a no-brainer addition to the patio.
Since the beaches near my house are strewn with driftwood, I love the weathered look of this table. It reminds me of the rain- and wind-beaten wood of the West Coast. I have had my eye on this table for over a year. Fingers crossed it ends up on my patio.
I am part of an earthy bunch on the West Coast, so a kantha throw is just the ticket to wrap around my feet when the summer night takes on a chill. Made from saris using the traditional kantha stitch, this blanket needs to be on my patio.
A pop of red and a splash of modern gives a West Coast patio that unexpected edge.
This simple glass sleeve is a perfect addition to a West Coast patio. As a sucker for lanterns (I am known to have a slight obsession with them — one can never have too many candles and lanterns), I would love to have three of these on my outdoor table, filled with candles of varying heights.
When I saw these in the store, I fell in love. OK, not a marry-me-now kind of love, but a have-to-have-this-on-my-patio kind of love. They come in a variety of sizes, and I would love a few to hang from my umbrella to add another layer of light on a dusky summer night. You could even throw a citronella candle in there to help with the bugs.
As a renter, I have the most hideous patio surface. Every summer, I power-wash it to make it look at least somewhat presentable. But what I need, really need, is this outdoor rug. It would be perfect underfoot, and it gives off a relaxed West Coast vibe.
I don't know about you, but a glass of wine or cold sangria is my beverage of choice on a warm summer night. But as a first-class klutz, wineglasses made from crystal just don't last on my patio. These unbreakable glasses would be perfect for me.
The West Coast is all about grandiose trees. I love how this stump reminds me of the pilings at the end of the pier and the logs that wash up on the shores along the coast. It would be a perfect addition to a patio as a side table to hold my morning coffee.
Nothing is better than drinking ice cold water with a touch of lemon. I love these dispensers; they are perfect for filling up with ice, water and lemons for a cheap refreshing drink. Or I can see myself making my mother-in-law's sun tea recipe. With this, I could throw out the large Costco-sized pickle jar that has sadly been housing iced tea.
This party tub is perfect for holding ice and drinks on my patio. I can say goodbye to my blue plastic Rubbermaid bin.
Red has to be one of my favorite colors, so it is no wonder I am drawn to these dishes. Made from melamine, they would be fabulous on my table — and I can't break them!
No West Coast patio would be complete without a grill. These grills make your meals taste fantastic. You can use it not only to grill your food, but to smoke it as well — perfect for that fresh sockeye salmon fillet.
Every patio chair needs a pillow — you just never know when a nap will come calling. But for me, it needs to be striped. I just can't resist a good stripe!
I forget to water my outdoor plants, so a succulent would be perfect on my tabletop. I love the sculptural element they bring, and putting together a collection of three in a variety of shapes would add visual interest on my outdoor table.
I have several of these plant pots around the house, and they would be perfect for my collection of succulents.
Flanking my patio, I have tall planters like these filled with boxwood. I love the simplicity of boxwood and the traditional element they add to an outdoor space. And nothing is more classic than a tall black planter.Next: Houzz Tour: Ocean Views Exhilarate on the Sunshine Coast
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for stripes, especially black and white ones. No room in my house is complete without a bit of black and white, so this umbrella is perfect for my patio.
Q