Gazebo Makeover

Now that summer is in full swing I decided it was time for a gazebo makeover. Having endured the Beast from the East, heavy snowfall, and howling gales, the gazebo’s canopy was looking a little worse for wear.
Fortunately, good quality replacements are readily available on-line and, as long as you know what size to order, a brand new cover arrives in no time at all.
Removing the old cover took little effort and whilst the frame was stripped bare I took this opportunity to remove the old decorations and replace with new. 
Using two strings of fairy lights that I bought from Tiger, and two more strings of coloured solar bulbs that I bought from Sainsbury’s Home , I set about illuminating this idyllic garden shelter.
With the new canopy securely in place, swags of orange, purple, green, yellow, and pink miniature lampshades decorated the inner surface, whilst festoons of tiny pastel bulbs lit up the outer edges.
With the lighting complete I wanted to add more volume to the ornamentation.
Inspired by a wedding scene in a recent TV drama I scoured the internet for some paper lanterns. I was delighted to find on Ebay a pack of 12 honeycomb balls in varying sizes and colours that matched my summer scheme perfectly.
Arriving as flat packed semi-circles made of tissue paper and card they were quickly assembled and held together with pre-applied double-sided sticky tape.
What could be easier!

The next step was to hang them inside the canopy. To do this I used varying lengths of strong, virtually invisible fishing line.
I was delighted with the outcome.
Alfresco dining has now reached a new level in our household as, regardless of whether we’re sitting out in the blistering heat of the midday sun or under a cooler, starlit sky, every meal is a celebration.
Happy days!