Daydreaming about outdoor dinner parties and backyard happy hours with friends? I feel ya -- me too!

Although many of us are opting for the summer staycation vs. leaving on vacation this year, we’re growing tired of the same old stay-home scenery we’ve been working with the past few months. So we say, now that the weather outside is delightful, let’s make the most of our outdoor spaces. Perhaps it’s time to make little family gatherings with the family even more special.

Here are some quick home update ideas and little tips! At the end of a long week, focus on a few spaces you know you'll be gathering in with your quarantine tribe to kick off the weekend.

THE KITCHEN

Clean the slate!

A great way to breathe some fresh air into your home? Clear all that clutter from surfaces that pile up during the week. An age-old decorating trick we like to use is the art of the tray -- they’re perfect for gathering up all those little knick-knacks into a seemingly purposeful arrangement.

THE POWDER ROOM

Freshen it up!

Grab our signature FR candle with notes of forest leaves, and a fancy hand towel to make the space feel instantly special.

HEARD THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE

Set the mood!

Add good music vibes with this instant summer-sounds playlist (a FR fave!)

Or grab the turntable and let’s play some good vinyl.

The Patio

Set the table outside just as you would inside.

We love pulling our indoor table linens and dishes to instantly elevate an outdoor table. We’ve even been known to bring some of our fave indoor furniture pieces outside to make it more comfortable for long, warm, summer evenings.

Flowers make everything better!

Grab fresh flowers from the garden or your local farmer’s market. Here in Wine Country, we love mixing branches and flowers in a great vase for that woodsy-wild feel.

Make dinner feel like a party.

Make it special with a to go meal from that local restaurant you would normally eat at, or, try this Homemade Sourdough Pizza and (my fav) Greyhound Cocktail to switch it up.

...and don’t forget to style yourself!

Nothing like playing a little dress-up to feel like you’re headed out on the town or out of town. Why not?