“STAYCATION” PROVIDES FUN WITHOUT HAVING TO TRAVEL

Celebrating at Home Offers a Chance to Relax and
Reconnect with Family and Friends

The rising cost of traveling and shaky economic times has led to the increasing popularity of people rediscovering their own backyards as a sanctuary or a vacation getaway.

“People are looking inward, realizing that home and family are most important, and are re-discovering outdoor entertaining at home as a way to reconnect with friends and loved ones,” says Mike Voyles of Home Infatuation.

“With a little imagination you can create a theme party for several or an intimate dinner party for two that transports your mind to a tropical beach or to a street café in Paris.”

Voyles also notes that the desire to blur the line between indoor and outdoor living will significantly impact lifestyles. With the shift towards casual entertaining, whether it is an informal buffet, a summertime party outside or a large family gathering, people are looking for one-of-a-kind items that will make guests feel more comfortable in their homes.

And the best part about your “staycation” is that it can last the entire summer. Here are a few ideas on how to create your own “staycation” paradise:

Use tableware to promote your party’s theme.

The casual chic trend is growing in popularity with dinnerware as the focal point. Accessorize and create themes with tableware in different designs, shapes and colors.

Looking for something original and fun for your child’s next birthday party? Perky patterns, luscious bold colors and contemporary shapes will make your table sing. Most outdoor tableware is made of melamine which is durable, lightweight and kid-proof.

What about a beach-themed supper? Tableware with natural earth/water themed designs offers an easy way to create a serene outdoor getaway. Centerpieces can be made with seagrass, starfish and shells. Place sunglasses by each place setting.

Give your guests a starring role with a celebrity-themed soiree. Ask them to come as their favorite celebrity. At each table setting an erasable ceramic theme place card with the celebrity name they choose will be waiting. Make your event memorable with a talent show featuring your guests’ celebrity personas.
http://www.homeinfatuation.com/cat/Outdoor-Dinnerware.cfm

Pass the lemon.

Outdoor tea parties have always been a popular way to bring together girlfriends and are a wonderful alternative to a traditional shower. Decorate with flowers, candles and tableware and play soft classical music in the background. Personalized placemats and menu tiles -- designed with innovative materials from ceramic to polished stone -- are ideal for these special showers and can dress up a bare table with style. Placecards that offer personal messages are designed to make guests feel welcome or can introduce a three-course meal.
http://www.homeinfatuation.com/cat/Outdoor-Dining.cfm

Dine by candlelight, elegant lamps or party lights.

Lighting offers a romantic touch to an intimate soiree. LED-powered lights and silicone rechargeable candles create a cozy glow of a real-burning flickering candle without the flammability of a traditional flame. For decorating a buffet, flexible tea candles are ideal to illuminate though out your feast. Or create a striking accent by gathering them in a group on a table, varying their heights or arranging greenery around them. Outdoor "paper" lanterns offer subtle lighting and are perfect for all occasions because they lend a festive air to weddings, graduations, and birthday parties.
http://www.homeinfatuation.com/cat/Patio-Lights.cfm

Create the ultimate dining experience (or) Fire up your outdoor space.

Searching for the most practical and fun way to cook outdoors? Today’s grills can change your outdoor lifestyle as they offer a functional, usable space complete with all the amenities. Multifunctional appliances have designer looks -- and can take on the role of dining table, grill, wok and fire pit while bringing families and friends together.
http://www.homeinfatuation.com/cat/Fire-Pit.cfm

Create a secluded spot for two...or read a book.

All alone or want to reconnect to your special someone? Create a calm respite in your outdoor space. The chic modern design of an outdoor privacy screen or artificial boxwood hedges is great for creating separate outdoor rooms and blocking the view of your next door neighbors.
http://www.homeinfatuation.com/cat/Shade-Sails-and-Gazebos.cfm

Or place an outdoor tabletop fountain in key areas through out the garden.

The sounds will please the soul and attract wildlife. You can also create many "garden rooms" with each one having a dramatic focal point. Settle on a luxurious daybed or chaise lounge and watch your garden transform itself as the sun sets.

“Anyone can pull off a theme party with style,” says Voyles. “From Mexican fiestas to Hawaiian Luaus, bridal showers to intimate suppers, casual outdoor dinnerware is ideal to dress up
your special ‘staycation’.”

Haute Style on the High Seas

Living the yachting life for vacationing, entertaining and leisure has created a growing demand for luxurious furnishings and accessories to compliment the growing high sea lifestyle.

Remarkably, outfitting your private enclave can become an adventure in itself. Outdoor furnishings and accessories not only must match your design style but meet the special challenges of limited space, weather and wet bathing suits that are part of yacht life.

Choices of design styles ranging from modern to traditional to cutting edge are just a few personal caveats that Home Infatuation’s clients have recently requested. Lavish and well-designed furniture collections and boating accessories capture the mood and exude a continuous statement of elegance.

Here are a few “must haves” to adorn your ship that define Haute Style on the High Seas.

Teak Speaks Rich and Refined

Because of its durability and resistance to water and insect damage teak has always been a favorite choice for boating furniture and accessories. Fantastic deck collections range from luxury loungers and chaises to folding deck chairs and matching tables. Sun and weather resistant chair and chaise cushions come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Break-Resistant Dinnerware Reigns

The Melamine dinnerware collection is one of many in Home Infatuation’s selection that was designed for the boating industry and life on the sea. Each piece is created using a ring of non-skid rubber around the bottom of the dinnerware to keep each piece from sliding. Melamine outdoor dinnerware has come a long way since it was first introduced in the 1930’s. It’s just as durable as ever – it’s hard to chip, crack or break and its dishwasher and microwave safe. Melamine collections are available in sets of four, six or eight place settings.

Enjoy the Sun beneath a Shade Sail

Sun blocking shade sails are very important to think about when you are furnishing your boat deck. While we all enjoy lying in the sun without using a shade sail or some other form of sun block you can quickly damage your skin. Not only are shade sails good for shading the sun, the modern design also adds to your outdoor decor. They can be easily tied and suspended overhead for shading both small and large groups of people. The knitted polyethylene fabric blocks the sun and 90% of the UV rays but allows cooling breezes to pass through. The very durable fabric is completely weatherproof and will never fade, rot, mildew or mold. The Shade Sail is available in Brunswick Green and Desert Sand colors and two triangle sizes, 16'5" and 11'10" or in an 11'10'' and 17'9’’ square design.

Woven Area Rugs Give a Chic Finished Look

Decorative Woven Outdoor Rugs can enhance your deck space by adding a splash of color and creating a more inviting area with the contrast between the softness of the rug and a hard surface. Aside from the design benefits, woven rugs also provide many functional aspects. They will create traction in high slip areas, absorb loud noises, and they certainly are more comfortable to walk on barefoot. They are very resistant to color fading from the sun, oblivious to the rain and surf and can be easily cleaned with a brush and hose which makes them an ideal choice for life on the sea.

Stay Bright with Rechargeable Outdoor Candles

Rechargeable outdoor candles have gained their instant popularity by offering an attractive, long lasting outdoor light that is uncomplicated and hassle-free. Rechargeable outdoor candles will give a realistic and refined glow to an interior or exterior of a boat. Each candle is made of silicone and contains an LED light bulb with a built-in micro chip that replicates a natural flickering candle light. Enjoy entertaining or a quiet night for two with a simple and elegant candle that will stay bright for hours.