North Bay Woman

S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 | NORTH BAY WOMAN 11 founder of Larette Designs, loves mixing the natural with the sleek and contemporary. Light, she says, is key. Outdoor fire centers, from elaborate built-in fireplaces to simple portable fire-pits, can be the center around which a party can be planned. String trendy, energy-smart LED white or colored lights, reasonably priced, low on heat and high on decorative effect, on everything from trees to bushes to patio umbrellas, to create a magic mood. Candles have never been more fun than they are now. Larette chooses everything from European scented pillar candles based on aromatherapy that will play to a mood with scent, or battery-oper- ated candles, which are booming in popularity. The best ones are made from wax, have flickering flames, operate on batteries that can last up to 8 hours at a stretch and will work for at least a year. Whether live-flame or battery-operated, "You can never have too many candles," says Lily Kanter, co-founder and CEO of Serena and Lily, one of the Web's most successful design sites, with a store on Sacramento Street in San Francisco and corporate offices in Sausalito. Kanter sees a range of trends that make outdoor entertaining feel like an extension of the indoors. Woven plastic rattan sectionals with neutral-colored low-maintenance cushions are a great choice for creating an instant outdoor living room. Amp these up with colorful throw pillows to suit a mood or party theme, such as the always-popular three M's so perfect for Marin weather: Mediterra- nean, Mexican and Moroccan. There are even outdoor portable bar carts available now that look stylish yet have room for both ice, drinks and glasses. (Serena and Lily make a lovely one called Riviera Bar Console.) "People love the fact that the trends now are to mix things up; they don't have to match any more," says Jennifer Murr, a sales associate at Hudson Grace in the Marin Country Mart at Larkspur Landing. "We see a lot of people going for elegance in a more casual way. You don't see the fine crystal. It's a mix of rustic wooden bowls, or rustic wooden trivets on little legs, with classic white plates in a variety of styles, and stemless flutes or martini glasses that are both pretty and functional. We see people buying festive salt, such as black Hawaiian salt and using it as decoration for rimming drinks, or using large pink rock sea salt slabs for food presentation." Trending colors still focus on blues and greens in a wide range of shades, bolstered by bright yellows, oranges, and other primaries that play beautifully to natural woods and stone. "The design elements of the Mediterranean are always going to work in Marin County, because we have a similar climate, even similar vegetation," explains Nuria Sthymmel, owner of the Provencal-themed Coqueli- cot design shops in Larkspur and San Anselmo. "Right now we're seeing Provencal jacquard oilcloth tablecloths, a modern twist on the classic Provence look, appealing to a younger crowd. And they're easy to clean, so they're super-popular. Also beautifully printed plasticware that you cannot distinguish from china; that's hot year after year." Sthymmel also sees an interest in festive party buckets: large pew- ter, steel or mixed-metal pedestal or bowl-shaped receptacles that Above: Larette Designs uses natural wood and bright colors for a modern take on sitting around the campfire – Photo provided by Larette Designs. Below: Hudson Grace at Larkspur Landing has unique pieces that have a casual elegance. – Photo by Stuart Lirette. Hudson Grace mascot draped in beads at Larkspur Landing. – Photo by Stuart Lirette. >>

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