A memorable outdoor gathering demands a few imaginative touches.
Invest in fun party seating.
Elegant outdoor furniture is all well and good, but when it comes to partying under the sun, it's always a good idea to have some lightweight (lighthearted) guest seating waiting in the wings. The Panton Chair, above, moves from indoors to outdoors in a flash, stacks neatly when not in use, and comes in a range of bright colors that make an eye-catching addition to deck or patio. Seletti's Studio Job Folding Chair, available in a choice of 5 different irreverent illustrations, will be a conversation starter at any outdoor soiree; and the lightweight Left Twist Cube and Kartell Stone Stool are both cool and compact, and double as occasional tables, to boot.
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Show off your style with modern party games.
Why settle for ho-hum outdoor games when you can make a seriously stylish—and seriously fun—statement with modern games and game tables? Spring for a You and Me Ping Pong Table Set, above, pretty enough to put on display even when not in use, but ready and waiting for an afternoon of friendly competition. Ditto Track Shuffleboard, a sleek, competition-worthy design for indoors and out. RS Barcelona's Fun Football Table is designed for those who take their fun and games seriously, but its double life as elegant outdoor dining table is well worth the investment.
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Be inventive with party favors.
What better way to throw an unforgettable summer party than by sending your guests home with a lasting memento? Get inventive with party favors by opting for little luxuries—like the Georg Jensen Sky Card Game, or the Sky Dice Travel Set sure to be aces with your game-playing guests. Which party-goer could resist a gift set of bold cloth napkins in a variety of striking prints by Tulusa, a practical present with style to burn? And for those guests looking to imbibe, the Alessi Parrot Sommelier Corkscrew makes opening up their favorite vintage that much more stylish.
Create a seriously chill party zone.
Long, lazy summer soirees require some space for your guests to chill out and luxuriate, and you'll get plenty of takers when you create a comfort zone ideal for lounging—and maybe stealing a few winks. There's no more fun outdoor lounge chair than the Fatboy Lamzac Inflatable Lounge, a highly affordable, inflatable design that'll have your guests fighting for first dibs. Ditto the Lamzac O Chair, lower to the ground, but just as inviting. The Buggle-Up Outdoor Bean Bag is slouchy and roomy enough for two, designed explicitly for sinking into and staying put; and the laid-back Haddemock may be the most comfy hammock around, complete with cushioned upholstery and outdoor-perfect Sunbrella fabric.
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