Patio $500 - summer fun? Priceless.

Summer is right around the corner and it has me thinking about getting my outdoor spaces entertainment-ready. Here in Texas, the harsh summers usually mean replacing outdoor accessories each year. One of my favorite annual activities is planning the new year's outdoor theme. This year? I am going with 'Acapulco Breeze'. That means fresh, crisp colors, beachy fabrics, and a laid-back attitude.

The launching pad for my idea this year (as it so often is) is a new Jonathan Adler design. If you don't know Adler - get to know him fast. He is the best designer EVER! His retro-mod, whimsical but refined designs tipped the design world. How he manages to achieve perfection so effortlessly is beyond me. One of the first guest designers for Target, Adler showed other designers how to remain faithful to their high standards of design and quality while producing products that are accessible to the general public.

OK, back to the patio...so, the inspiration for my outdoor space design this year are these fantastic Adler plates:

http://www.jonathanadler.com/shop/home.php?cat=496

(click on the link above for a larger view - you have to see the detail of the animal-themed plate)

Next up - a market umbrella of course. Online merchant lovemypatio.com has a good selection of basic market umbrellas at unbeatable prices. This 9 ft. wood pole number is only $59!

http://www.lovemypatio.com/-strse-35/Wood-Market-Umbrella-with/Detail.bok

You have to add these hanging candle lanterns to your umbrella - light and breezy, they are the perfect romantic lighting for dinner alfresco for two: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4408428 Love My Patio also offers these perfect adirondack lounge chairs ($85 per chair) that look like they have been weathered by years of sun and salty breezes: http://www.lovemypatio.com/-strse-197/%22Scallopine%22-Adirondack-Chair--dsh-/Detail.bok Add these outdoor throw pillows for a little color and comfort: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10910349 Ground your table with a handmade outdoor rug - for less than $15! World Market has natural fiber beach mats that are 35" x 75". Take two (2), flip over the mats to the back, align the mats along the long side (75" edges), tape the seams together with outdoor carpet tape, flip over and you have a nearly 6 foot x 6 foot outdoor rug. I recommend you pull the rug in when not in use as the summer sun can be hard on the natural fiber. Bonus? The mats come with a carrying strap attached for easy portability. http://www.worldmarket.com/Outdoor/Outdoor-Rugs/Natural-Fiber-Beach-/productId/10484/Ne/1100001/sectionId/3103/N/1100630/categoryId/1100630/pCategoryId/1100203/Ns/TOP_SELLER_INDEX%7C1%7C%7CCATEGORY_SEQ_3131%7C0/index.pro What beach scene would be complete without fish? Add these adorable glasses to your tabletop for a little whimsy: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=150&f=31649 So, what's the damage if you purchase everything I have recommended?

• 4 Jonathan Adler dinner plates $48
• 4 Jonathan Adler salad plates $40
• 4 Jonathan Adler bowls $40
• 1 Jonathan Adler serving tray $28
• 1 market umbrella $59
• Set of 2 candle lanterns $29
• 2 adirondack lounge chairs $170
• Set of 2 throw pillows $22.11
• 2 outdoor beach mats $13.98
• Carpet tape $5.41 **
• 4 Crate and Barrel $27.80

GRAND TOTAL: $483.30

Less than $500 for an outdoor space you can enjoy all summer long (that's an average cost of $4.03 per day for 120 days of summer fun!).

** available online at http://underbid.com/action/display/item/20640-187374/sku/587313.html or your local home improvement store