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Decorating with Light: Plow & Hearth

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In the summer, the only thing I like decorating with more than flowers is decorating with light. There’s nothing more inviting and festive than an artfully illuminated garden or patio after dark. Don’t you agree? It can turn even the most ho-hum spaces into an instant oasis.

When I saw our Today’s Special Value® lantern for Memorial Day, I was so excited. First of all, I love Plow & Hearth. I think their products are really adorable… and I’ve had great luck with them. These lanterns are so fun. Not only are they delightfully star-spangled and conveniently solar-powered, they convert shapes. You can adjust them so they’re long and lean, round, or elliptical (oval). And, there are so many ways to display them.

Check out some ideas from our hosts and on-air guests:

QVC guest Nancy Brandmeuller used multiple lights to illuminate her front walkway. Get creative – incorporate different sizes and colors for a look perfectly created for your home.

Use a lantern to spice up your patio set in a snap! Courtney Cason used a lantern as the centerpiece in her outdoor conversation space. And I love how the red, white, and blue option coordinates with Carolyn Gracie’s white Adirondack chairs and patriotic accessories.

A tall shepherd’s hook is a beautiful way to showcase these lanterns. Check out Dan Wheeler’s backyard for inspiration.

Nancy also hung the lanterns from a tree to create a whimsical scene out of a fairytale! It’s perfect for events like graduation parties, showers, and weddings.

I love this idea from Albany Irvin. If your green thumb has got you down this year, a lantern can serve as a makeshift topiary in a pinch—imagine how fun it will look after dark.

Jennifer’s reading nook is so chic. I love how she left her lantern long and lean, hanging in her window for a unique, modern look.

Preparing for company? Host Leah Williams illuminated her patio table—perfect for those dinner parties under the stars.

This gorgeous glow doesn’t have to be limited to the outdoors. Nancy Hornback brought her lantern inside to light up her hardwood floors.

Mix and match lanterns with live plants. Pat James-Dementri used red and white flowers in a hanging basket to create a patriotic pairing, and Sandra Bennett let red, white, and blue lights cast a festive glow on a simple white pot.

How would you use these lanterns? Which colors would you choose? It’s a no-brainer for me—I want three white lanterns with white lights so I can dangle all three shapes from my tree. I may or may not pretend I live in an enchanted kingdom.