Are you like this, too? Spring brings out something unreasonable in us. As the world starts springing to life, something inside bursts with an urgent “I’ve gotta be me!” energy.
We start itching to be outside, looking at backyard spaces and seeing something more than a backyard — a destination. Spring has a positively Mad Hatter energy, whispering of the joys of a springtime tea party followed by many, many summertime ones.
A porch suddenly seems full of promise, outdoor furniture looks ready for a costume change, and new memories made from time spent relaxing, sharing, and laughing await. Such outdoor spaces free you to be more eccentric, more playful and loose.
And fabric is one of the easiest ways to get there, unleashing that dream of yours in some of the simplest, most transformative ways. Today we’ll look into how your favorite outdoor space can be turned into a scene fit for Alice and her friends (and yours), ready with style and substance for the stories to come.
How The Best Tea Parties Start With The Mood, Not The Design Rules
What’s so appealing — and liberating — about the Mad Hatter’s tea party is how it’s decidedly not rigid. It’s a discovery. Like something hidden and magical has been revealed.
From a design standpoint, it’s like the place settings, chairs, and decor all have a fabulous opinion and joke to share. That’s why an outdoor tea party set up begins and ends with mood, not matching. It’s about playful opulence and whimsy, a theatrical abundance.
Like a long tablecloth in off-white linen topped with a mixture of playfully patterned cloth napkins in a dusty blue, green, and pink floral and napkins in fruit punch stripes, while a dusty blue embroidered table runner plays through it all. Or pick one dominant color or pattern theme and sprinkle other “oddities” around it.
The point is that your spring tea party feels considered and put together, but not overly controlled. Each fabric and design choice gets to offer a chapter all its own your guests can’t wait to read.
Quick Tip: Add a tablecloth in a creamy dreamy silver grey linen and make it even more personal with this how-to from LivingEtc.
Why The Simplest Way To A Winning Tea Party Design Style Is Whimsy
What separates an average springtime tea party from a Mad Hatter tea party is the sense that something a little mischievous and moving is afoot, a timeless charm that also feels springtime fresh. All of which is turned up to an 11 thanks to the unexpected design pops of your outdoor set up.
Like taking outdoor chairs and reupholstering or slipcovering them in a pink classic toile. A bench or a porch swing that’s made vintage and elevated in aqua floral tweed. Outdoor throw pillows suddenly feel whimsical and mystical in a peach floral or azure blue beach foliage.
Remember, nothing in this vibe is hemmed-in (pun intended) with strictly traditional colors. Springtime and the Mad Hatter free you to play with patterns, too. Like a sapphire blue Asian-inspired print fabric or black and white bold checkered print.
Because the point isn’t to recreate some ancient scene or build-out a museum. You’re setting the stage for a gathering spot that feels playful, layered, lush, and full of life. Here at the largest online furniture upholstery fabric store, we say “Yes, please.” (And pass the lemon petit fours.)
How To Dress Your Outdoor Furniture For A Marvelously Mad Tea Party
A moment ago we blew past chairs as a feature of your outdoor set up. Let’s circle back.
Because, whatever comes to mind when you think “Mad Hatter’s tea party,” no doubt it does not involve being underdressed. Half the fun is the act of being playfully over the top.
Now’s the time for furniture skirts, sashes, and slipcovers. All the above soften the feel of your set up, literally and figuratively. Allowing some things to dance in the breeze and others to simply dance visually. So your practical pieces can become fanciful. And you can let more of that springtime spirit flow. Make it pretty. Make it playful. Make it whatever you want it to be. To your heart’s content, not just for the sake of it.
Maybe one chair looks crisp and proper in red and white striped denim. Another is decked out in lilac floral or navy botanical. Maybe even throw in a novelty print or two — pink flamingos, anyone?
And if uniting them feels important to you, great. Pick a palette that inspires you, and go with a variety of patterns and textures within the same color tone. If it strikes you as charming, magical, and/or soulful, then it will offer that to your guests, too.
BONUS: Here’s a patio lounge chair DIY quick tip from our friend Aimee and her Artisan Upholstery Studio.
Curiously And Curiouser: Why Outdoor Curtains Make Perfect Sense
This spring, consider adding some simple curtains on your porch, assuming your home isn’t already rocking a proper gazebo or pergola. Once considered unattainable, such features have come to be staples of modern outdoor set ups.
Advances in outdoor fabrics allow you to use curtains to create a sense of container and enclosure. In the context of our conversation today, it’s a spectacular way to add that sense of being in someplace a bit magical and removed from the world, a secret garden of sorts.
You can get there whatever your style, perhaps with coral orange or light blue solids, or seagull grey or forest green stripes, and so much more. All of them can be easily enhanced with decorative tassels, trim, and tiebacks.
Pair it all with some of the choices we mentioned earlier and some thoughtful (easy) throw pillows here and there. Wow, what an immersive space you’re creating. And it’s all outdoors.
You’re Not Late: Now’s The Time To Turn Your Outdoor Space Magical
You can approach your spring outdoor design refresh gradually through layers. Easing your way to a proper tea party spot by getting curiouser and curiouser with your fabrics and decor choices.
Like simply adding rose coral floral cushions on newly boldly painted chairs. Or letting your bench seating pop with contrast like with cushions in fern green and pillows in birch white.
Focus on creating something that feels warm, lived-in, and approachable. Not something that feels like a theme park. (Unless that’s your jam.) Leave your guests feeling comfortably transported in a scene that’s just a bit different than an average day.
That’s where this whole Mad Hatter idea really shines.
It’s a permission slip to lighten up. And spring is the perfect time to lean into that, to add a little of the best kind of madness to your life. The kind that adds more life to your life.
And we’re here with all the fabrics you need for whatever kind of tea party you want to throw. And our people absolutely love going down the dreamiest of rabbit holes to help you. So give us a call today.