a time for picnics and porches

how is the weather where you are? we’re having wonderful weather in france and it makes me all the happier to be back. i’ve already had two picnics in the jardin des prébendes and on a park bench along the loire… spring has officially sprung! why not celebrate le beau temps with a handful of my favorite outdoor spaces?

the outdoor room is definitely an up-and-comer when it comes to design trends. with the newly widespread availability of indoor/outdoor fabrics like sunbrella, why on earth shouldn’t we live outdoors?

i spotted this space yesterday on one of my new favorite blogs (and the newest addition to my blogroll!) and had to repost. how sublime is the wicker furniture paired with the pink-and-white striped pillows?

the exposed beam ceiling and trellised everything need no further explanation.

i don’t think you could lure me back into the house! this outdoor room has everything one could ever need: a fireplace for roasting marshmallows, a dining room for family barbecues, even a lime green garden stool that i spy with my little eye…

doesn’t this time of year make you want to throw a party? i’d love to model my birthday party after the color palette of this lovely outdoor table setting.

perhaps i’ll include some hanging paper lanterns à la this beauty, though truthfully i’ve been eyeing these babies forever:

{pretty in pink poms by party poms, $30 for seven}

though this table setting is also calling my name…

either way there’s nothing that being outdoors this time of year can’t solve. i hope you’re enjoying the lovely weather! p.s. if you’ve built anything like this:

…i would like an invitation as soon as possible.
p.p.s. i’ve been feverishly uploading photographs from our whirlwind spring travels and would love for you to head over to my travel blog, mackenzie en france, to check them out if you’re interested. so far i’ve gotten through venice, florence, and rome — next stop, greece!