I don't know about you, but our backyard gets a little refresh at the beginning of every summer. Over the winter months, everything gets rained on, blown away, or just plain dirty. I don't (usually) go overboard, but what I do want to do is make sure it's an inviting space for guests to relax in. With summer's arrival last week, and the temps to prove it, it was time to get ready to grill, sip on some Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio and chill in the shade in a beautiful oasis.

You guys know how obsessed I am with plants and flowers.

I've always needed a little green in my life. For as long as I can remember I've always bought small house plants to decorate my room with. So now that I'm an adult and need to fill more space in our home, I go on plant buying extravaganzas! The lush vibe that it can instantly bring to any space is what pulls me in. And while I might not be the best at keeping them alive, I try my best (so let's cross our fingers for these guys). We've always had foliage in our yard that has been there since we moved in, but a lot of our yard is hardscape. So I wanted to create this backyard oasis for barbecues with friends by bringing in ALL the greens and cozy accents.

Our go-to get together is always a backyard bbq at home.

It's easy, you can coordinate with friends and family to bring all the different pieces, and the wine is free flowing;) In the summer we stick to brighter more refreshing whites and Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio is perfect for pairing with light meals prepared on the grill. On this night when we officially tested out the new "oasis", we grilled a simple chicken salad to go with our Pinot Grigio.

To really create the relaxing vibe we wanted, twinkle lights, lanterns, candles, vibrant rugs and cozy pillows were strategically placed throughout our previously grey space. I simply placed all of the plants in wicker, fabric or white baskets and pots to make our color scheme cohesive. I picked up some wood chargers that were the perfect size for serving plates or bowls as well as your glass of wine. This idea is perfect for holding more people in a small space, rather than taking up extra room with a table and bulky chairs.

As the sun went down, it just kept getting better! I can't wait to entertain here all summer. 

What tips do you guys have for creating an inviting space?

Post in partnership with Santa Margherita