How one creative homeowner entertains in her beautiful bloom-filled yard.
When you live in a smaller home, you need to be creative when you love to entertain more than a few guests at a time. Laurie Weiner of Ventura, California has mastered the art of outdoor entertaining, and we wanted to learn more about how she creates her dreamy gatherings. Join us for a quick Q & A with Laurie.
FMD: Please tell us a bit about your home and how you came to own it.
Laurie: “The home was located just a block over from where I was renting; goodness, it’s been over 30 years ago now! Although it was totally overgrown with weeds and lacked character, I still loved it and thought of it often. When it suddenly came up for sale, I knew I had to purchase it and create a beautiful home here!”
FMD: What are your favorite elements to outdoor entertaining?
Laurie: “My home is just 959 square feet, so by extending to my outdoor space I can love on more people. My passion is to host any outdoor event I can think of. I have over 125 roses now and they naturally create so much majesty it’s not difficult to turn my yard into a beautiful, magical place. I love to reuse and re-love older cottage, vintage, and shabby chic items and give them new life and release their inherent charm.”
FMD: Are there any areas that hold special meaning to you?
Laurie: “Yes, I originally purchased a bunch of old windows to construct a she-shed, but instead I attached the windows to the fence. I placed a 10-foot-long farm table with pillars sourced from a 100-year-old home on either side of the table and then attached a vintage pink ladder from the pergola above and hung chandeliers from it. I love collecting chandeliers! My family and friends enjoy eating and hanging out in this area and I’m so happy everyone can fit comfortably.”
FMD: Please tell us about that gorgeous umbrella!
Laurie: “I made that umbrella cover from an old, ruffled tablecloth and love it. It adds so much charm that store-bought umbrellas usually can’t offer.”
FMD: Any other bits of wisdom for our readers?
Laurie: “Yes! Please use your special dishes, don’t save them for later. Cut flowers from your garden and put them everywhere. Use battery operated lights to create magic for your evening get-togethers, on your tables as well as hanging market lights. And most importantly, spend as much time as you possibly can with family and friends. I try to include new friends when making my guest lists, too—life is so precious and there’s always more room at the table for more and for all!
Coming Up Roses
A few of Laurie’s favorite varieties and her tips for a healthy garden.
- Light pink blooms with a beautiful fragrance are always my first choice; Heirloom Roses and David Austin roses create a romantic garden.
- Princess Charlene de Monaco, Princess Fairy Kiss, and Pink O’Hara roses are also at the top of my list.
- Growing healthy roses takes lots of patience and prayer! Along with truly trimming them back when it’s time—check your local growing zone—and they will bloom best when it’s their season to shine. It’s hard to do, but it’s worth it.
- I tell everyone I know that there are three stages to growing roses: sleeping, creeping, and finally leaping! Don’t give up on them before their time and they will bless you with blooms to share!
