Illuminate Your Summer Nights

Greetings.

My name is Anne Lien. I am a recent member to Ida York's interior design team. I would like to first briefly share a little bit about myself. I graduated from Oregon State University with dual degrees in Interior Design and Applied Visual Arts. I guess I've always enjoyed the abundance of textile patterns and textures, the endless color palette combinations, to the striking spaces that surround us in our daily lives which brought me to where I am today. When I am not designing or making art, I enjoy going hiking, biking, discovering new places and meeting new people, and hanging out with friends for happy hour. I am excited and pleased to join IYID and I look forward to sharing some great ideas and inspirations with you!

So as far as blogging goes, I've been debating on what to post for my very first blog. Hmm, since I am a true Oregonian and I tend to keep track of Oregon's sporadic weather, I feel like summer should be enjoyed at its most because we anticipate the handful of warm summer days that Portland gets. (And it tends to pass by so quickly!) Before you know, it will be autumn!

When I hear the word summer, I think of heat, blue skies, lounging by the poolside, sipping on a strawberry lemonade. As I capture the sunsets in the evenings, some craft ideas for external lighting came to mind. In particular, the back yard patio or deck is a great place to entertain friends or just kick back, relax and enjoy the summer breeze. 

Glass lanterns. Retrieved from BuildDirect. 2012.

Tiki torch planter. Retrieved from LowesCreativeIdeas. 2012

To change the feel of the environment, lighting tiki torches either grouped in a potted plant or lined up in the ground can create a playful, island-like theme. Another way to create soft lighting is by using glass jars as lanterns with small candles inside and hanging them on branches of the trees.

I found a cheaper, more simpler way to light up the yard by using solar power lights. These lights are efficient and come in a variety of shapes, size, and effects, but do be aware of the lack of quality of these garden lights. String lights and candles can add a touch of class and elegance to your yard for a romantic evening. I love these simple lighting ideas that can create a different atmosphere right in your very own backyard!

These lighting ideas will be sure to create an enjoyable festivity for the long summer evenings so go get crafty and light away! Click here to read tips on how to hang string lighting.

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