By: Vicky Sanderson
The summer sale is bittersweet. Sure, it’s delightful to see prices plummet on the backyard and patio gewgaws you’ve coveted since April. But the satisfaction of saving is coloured by the realization that a crop of “50 per cent off” signs is a harbinger that gall has begin to loom on the retail landscape.
Avoid such unhappy thoughts by telling yourself that by snapping up discounted outdoor decor and tableware, you will be able to both enjoy the season more fully, and extend it further. Ergo, those gewgaws are actually investments you can’t afford not to make. Supplement them with other affordable pieces and you’ll achieve great outdoor style without busting the budget.
I have a hard time shelling out full price for wood planks, even though I love them both for cooking on the barbecue and for serving cheese or mini appetizers. If you’re similarly inclined, note that Indigo (chapters.indigo.ca) currently has several on deep discount. Cedar planks, which can be used with charcoal, gas and electric grills or ovens, impart a subtly smoky, slightly peppery flavour. Get two for $8. You can also pick up four mini sugar maple planks for $8.40. These would match well with another item on sale at Indigo — serving platters made of mango wood, with prices starting at $9.25.
These would look terrific with a textured, rustic tablecloth. Long-time readers will know that I favour using inexpensive cotton drop clothes for this purpose. I also use them to make living and dining room drapes (they hang beautifully!) but that’s a whole other column. You can get a 12- by 9-foot piece for about $34 at many Home Hardware stores (homehardware.ca).
If you would rather add a splash of colour to the table, pick up a few metres of a boldly patterned fabric. I love Ikea’s flower-soaked Frederika pattern, which sells for $6 a metre (ikea.ca). Those who frequent the north end of town can still find bargains at the Fabricland (fabricland.ca) at Empress Walk which, I am sad to report, be closing at the end of July (the other GTA stores will remain open).
The prettily patterned melamine dishes at Canadian Tire (canadiantire.ca) aren’t on sale, but as prices start at about $3, they may as well be. Choose a bold geometric in orange, the colour du jour, or a daintier floral in a grassy green.
To my mind, mismatched china or stoneware in the same colour family works fine for casual outdoor dining, so don’t be afraid to amass a collection from yard sales, thrift shops and Kijij (kijiji.com), where you can also find cheap glass jam jars.
Prices for these are rising, however, because the cool kids and hip downtown watering holes have begun using them for everything from candleholders to vases. Smaller jars are being used to serve desserts, such as fruity ice-cream sundaes, as well as cocktails. Of course, back in the day, many of us oldsters employed them for just this purpose, albeit for financial, rather than aesthetic, reasons.
If that’s a bit too Boho for you, you can find 16-ounce Drink Jars ($2.89 each) made by Libbey (libbey.com) at Indigo, but stock is dwindling. They’re also available from Bed Bath and Beyond’s online store (bedbathandbeyond.ca). There will be a shipping charge, but check with your local store before you order, as some stores, including the Richmond Hill location, will waive the shipping fee if you come into the store to place the order.
Reusing and refreshing is always a good way to save a few pennies. So if you already have decent older outdoor pillows, try extending their life with WaterSeal Fabric Seal, which is new from Thompson (thompsonswaterseal.com). It makes cushions, pillows, umbrellas and canopies used on a deck, patio, porch, or dock water repellent and helps protect them from damage caused by UV rays. A 326-gram can sells for about $12, and protects about 60 square feet of fabric.
Having saved all that money, perhaps you think you deserve a little splurge. Or maybe you’re a fabulously wealthy international person of mystery for whom money is no object. Consider, then, treating yourself to pretty pressed-glass plates, with a delicate lacey transfer pattern, from Teatro Verde (teatroverde.com). Prices start at $7.95 for a four-inch diameter plate and run to $34.95 for a 10-inch square. Even these will be considered as an affordable tabletop treat by many.
For those who want to go all out, take a look at the Prestige Vasque pewter Ice Bucket from Veuve Clicquot ($1,195) that the store carries, which was created by Royal Selangor (royalselangor.com). Chic yet practical, it would go with everything, with the possible exception of jam-jar glasses.
Just remember that while retailers mentioned in this piece did confirm availability of sale items at press time, it’s best to shop soon, because the early start to spring has caused summer stock to evaporate quickly. And because tempus fugit, especially in summertime.
http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/decor/article/1225465–tempus-fugit-especially-in-summertime
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