Home: Create an outdoor oasis for al-fresco living and dining 

As rain by day often gives way to perfectly dry evenings, Barbara uses lighting to create atmosphere. “A string of festoon lights across the patio area and hurricane lanterns dotted around, along with a couple of rechargeable lamps on your table can really set the scene for your alfresco summer soirées,” she says.

Sarah Twigg Doyle’s Instagram account @retwiggedstylist shows her summer styling achievements at home and it’s hard to believe it’s in a back garden in Wicklow. “Summer weather can be something of an elusive character here in Ireland so you need to be prepared for all weather if you’re hoping to entertain in the garden," says Sarah.

"Consider adding a covered area, whether a pergola, an awning, a sail, or a large parasol, so you’re protected from those pesky light showers. It’s a win-win as your patio heater or fire pit won’t be heating the air but will heat the people beneath.”

If we think about our outdoor space being an extension of our indoor living space, styling can come more easily and create continuity between indoors and outside, according to Sarah.

“A large all-weather outdoor rug is a great investment and adds softness and pattern to a plain patio floor,” she says. “Go for a large size that fully zones the patio as you would a living room or under a dining table. There are lots on the market made from recycled plastic bottles that can be washed down. We simply clean and dry ours, rolling it up and storing it away in the shed for the winter months.”

Dressing up the outdoors doesn’t necessarily involve having a garden styling budget as Sarah offers a practical tip:  “You really don’t have to spend lots of money on separate cushions. You can simply drag them from the sofa and bring them outside. Or if you’re more inclined to leave them out, look for good quality waterproof ones.”

With some recent dry days, we’re starting to hear the hum of neighbours’ lawnmowers and getting out to survey the garden even if it means donning our wellies and squelching through the grass. “As soon as the weather allows, be ready to transform your garden into a social hub,” writes Selina Lake in her book Garden Style. “I like to adopt the Danish ethos to create hygge in the garden. Hygge is the word the Danish use to describe a certain atmosphere prevalent in their homes and way of life. It’s a combination of lifestyle, styling and feel-good time with friends and family, and it’s certainly a relaxing concept.”

To carry this through to your outside space, Selina looks, first of all, at having a cosy garden nook and comfortable seating. “Lightweight bamboo sofas partnered with generously padded cushions are a good choice and are a favourite among the Scandinavians,” she says. “Create your hideaway in a private space, under a weeping tree or in a private corner of the garden.

“To keep the event relaxed and informal, serve drinks in large glass drinks dispensers so that your guests can help themselves, positioning the dispensers on wooden boxes or crates to give them extra height and make it easier to pour. Don’t forget to add a bucket of ice alongside if it’s a particularly hot day. If serving food, opt for wooden bowls and boards with a collection of enamelware to continue the simple, rustic style.”

Selina also stresses the importance of comfort: “Encourage your guests to linger at the table by adding comfy cushions to wooden or metal chairs and adding cosy throws if there is a chill in the air.”

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