When I was in my 20s I remember seeing one of the most amazing views. I was sitting on the edge of a cliff in Cornwall at the Minack Theatre, watching a midsummer night's dream. I thought the views were gorgeous looking out over the Atlantic Ocean - crashing on the cliffs below and the sun setting in the background.
But that was nothing. When the sun went down, the air was still fresh. The sparkle of lights against the stone and their sparkle glistening out into the dark blue of the early summer evening was what really captured me.
Since then, it’s been a firm understanding of mine that if you want a cosy, comfortable, magical evening entertaining, al fresco style, then it has to include some fantastic exterior lighting.
My go-to for garden lighting is @lights4fun. Their range is vast, with something for everyone regardless of whether you have a London penthouse, a Cotswold country garden or a new build modern patio.
Here are a few of our favourite pieces at the moment. They will work for you whatever your space.
Festoon String Lights
If you want a really on-trend way to light up your outside space then start with a layer of festoon lights. They come in a variety of colours - I personally love warm white lighting through our garden schemes. They are designed for all-weather which is great for a British summer.
They also come in a variety of lengths so are great for anything from a small run around an awning or garden fence to a long run wrapped around a larger tree. We often use them strung across a patio or terrace for a garden party atmosphere. We also like to layer them with smaller pieces like candles, lanterns and fairy lights.
Battery Operated Parasol Lights
A twinkle is easy to get into your space with these parasol lights. It's super easy to install, and there's a 3m cable to the battery box, which controls 8 lighting effects and the Timer/OFF functions. Simply switch to the timer for illumination, which will automatically turn the lights on at the same time each night which is a great feature.
These lights truly elevate your seating area and provide the perfect light for dining or activities at the table.
LED Micro Fairy Lights
Who doesn’t love the twinkle of fairy lights, from interior or exterior they add a really magical touch to any scheme. Outside we love adding them to jars, wrapping a round small tree and bushes, or even as part of the centrepiece to a tablescape.
If you need work on your exterior space do get in touch and we would be delighted to help with your design, or you can purchase any of these lights at Lights4Fun - including their outside string lights collection here.
And a quick side note… don’t let the weather put you off, Christmas is also one of my favourite times to check out their page!! Magical is an understatement.
All Photography - Oliver Perrott. Lights4Fun