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Outdoor Summer Living & Style With Cecilia "Keki" Cannon! by Donna John

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Outdoor Summer Living & Style With Cecilia "Keki" Cannon!

Summer is the season for outdoor living and entertaining. Cecilia "Keki" Cannon, a successful home staging professional and interior/exterior design blogger, joined us to share her best tips for outdoor living and summer style. She had ideas for easy ways to update your outdoor space, how to re-purpose items for outdoor living and her best styling secrets for hosting guests outdoors. Read on for her summer stying secrets...

Q: What are some easy ways to update your outdoor space?

  • Color, color, color. Even if you prefer all white, add a pop of one color, like blue or salmon.
  • Pillows. You can get outdoor pillows for as low as $10, so stock up. I buy a lot on sale and save some for the next summer.
  • Patterns. Have fun outdoors, mix patterns. Geometrics with florals, stripes, oh my. Why not?

Q. Without breaking the bank, how can you repurpose items to use in outdoor living spaces?

  • If I invest in a piece I make sure it is something I can also use indoors, like a garden stool.
  • Lanterns. Tall, short, white, blue lanterns. Stock up. Come Thanksgiving or an indoor party I use them for tablescapes or décor.

Q: When hosting outdoors what are some of your styling secrets?

  • Tablescapes. Whether you are having a sit down or not, always do an elaborate tablescape. It sets the stage.
  • It’s summer! Use your garden flowers. Even if it is just greenery and sticks to style the space!
  • More is more. NEVER LESS. Add lanterns, votive candles, fresh arrangements, shells, sand. MORE is ALWAYS BETTER.

Q: What are some of your go-to items for styling small spaces? For instance, porches or balconies?

  • Potting benches. Use them for actually potting flowers but then repurpose them as a buffet or bar cart when hosting.
  • Outdoor rugs. When you add color and design to your floor, it will make a space feel inviting and larger at the same time.
  • Chaise or outdoor daybed instead of loveseats and chairs. Allows people to sit and converse or for one to lay down and relax!

Q: If you had no budget, what would be your dream outdoor space?

  • A large wood-framed pergola with hanging lights.
  • We have fire pit, but I would prefer an outdoor fireplace attached to a structure like a garage.
  • A pool. I know, dreams. 

Be sure to follow @homewithkekilike her on Facebook, visit her 30Second Mom page and read her amazing tips below!

Elisa Schmitz
Excited to chat with you, Cecilia Cannon! Thanks for sharing your great tips with us, chica! @elisatalk
One proud mama❤️
Can't wait! It's going to be exciting!!:)
April Moore
RSVP @april_moore_20
Dolores Hall
RSVP @DaQueen_MrsDIVA
sherry bracy
RSVPing sherry bracy Can't wait to chat with you all!
Nicole76
This is going to be such an awesome party! @nicolecrescenz1
Miriam
RSVP : its_memiriam
Correy Kustin
@CORREYHOPE! great time for Moms to chat!
Donna John
What an amazing chat, Cecilia Cannon! I got so many great ideas! Love your ideas as well, Infatuated™_desi®€!
Elisa Schmitz
Amazing ideas, Cecilia Cannon! So excited that we also trended on Twitter (three weeks in a row, W00T!). You inspired all of us, and I'm so glad your brilliance is captured in this post, yay! Thanks, Donna John! xoxo

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