Is it just me, or do most outdoor dining and glamping scenes seem a little out of reach? Maybe too good to be true? That's how I feel when I'm actually camping, when all my nice cookware is smoked out by that rustic, roaring fire and I'm feeding myself small tarts through the zipper in my dad's old polo fleece because my face is freezing. But I recently came across this set of photographs from Le Marché St. George, a cafe and vacation rental in Vancouver, of an outdoor dinner that looks quite accessible, simple DIYs and all.
Above: The Marché St. George group headed up to the Okanogan Valley along with neighbors and as they describe, "a few spontaneous friends."
Above: An unbeatable view from the top of the valley.
Above: We like the way the Marché St. George staff used an indoor chair outdoors, and while the ideal option is one that is already weathered, CB2's Grain Chair is made from bent plywood and chrome metal tube legs for $89.95. Alternatively, Ikea's Tärnö Folding Chair is just $15 and part of our roundup on Outdoor Bistro Table and Chair Sets.
Above: Stacked cinder blocks function as the feet of an instant dining bench. The 16x8x6 Concrete Block is available through Home Depot stores.
Above: The Faribault Virgin Wool Lodge Blanket is a timeless outdoor throw that can be used to cover your DIY bench. Made with New Zealand lambswool, the blanket comes in a natural color with a wheat colored stripe; $129 from Kaufmann Mercantile.
Above: While you don't need the whole set, the Biergarten Wood Table With Benches is $589 from Biergarten Furniture.
Above: The simple, 100 percent Linen Tablecloth by Fog Linen Work is $85 from Horne. Alternatively, one could source a few yards of linen fabric to use for outdoor dining.
Above: Keep tablecloths from flying away outdoors with a set of 4 Metal Pegs made out of stainless steel for 7,40€ from Manufactum in Germany.
Above: Colored Enamel Mugs from West Elm Market are available in four different colors for $4 each.
Above: The Rim Cereal Bowl is from a collaboration between Los Angeles-based Commune Design with Heath Ceramics. The bowl is sealed in a clear glaze to show off the natural color of the clay; $46 from Totokaelo Art-Object.
Above: A Studio Mug in chocolate and aqua is $30 from Heath Ceramics.
Above: A Gardenista favorite, Toast's Storm Lantern is available in new colors like old pink (shown), pale gold ,and classic white; £23.20 each. For more outdoor lighting see our previous post, 10 Easy Pieces: Outdoor Hurricane Lanterns.
Above: At night, pack it all up in a giant canvas tent like a Wall Tent from Montana Canvas made from 100 percent cotton canvas with an aluminum frame; prices start at about $1,000. See the full range at Cabela's Outfitter Wall Tents. Another source is Kni-Co Manufacturing, which offers free-standing cotton duck Big Horn tents with aluminum frames. And there is the smaller, 6-by-6-foot Shower/Latrine Tent from Beckle Canvas Products for $625.
On the hunt for more ideas? Match the look of the Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen, Perfect Potting Shed, Modern White Patio, or Low-Cost Roof Deck.
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