July 2019

SHOULD YOU BACKYARD GLAMP?
Hosting an event in your own backyard has pros and cons, says Kelsey Sheofsky, the
founder of Shelter Co., a luxury pop-up camping and outdoor-events supplier based in
Northern California. In addition to managing large events, Sheofsky has overseen numerous
backyard kid’s parties, bar mitzvahs and 50th birthdays as well as large weddings and
other formal events.
Smaller events are easier to plan, and “when you are in your backyard, you are on familiar
ground,” she adds. Crowd control is not the only issue with large events. “There are lots
of considerations and costs, especially things you might not automatically think about, like
landscape lighting, parking and how a septic system will hold up,” she says.
For overnight events, there is always a fear that guests won’t enjoy the experience.
“People are always concerned, saying that ‘My family doesn’t camp!’ They don’t like being
outdoors” says Sheofsky. “But 100 percent of the time, we get people telling us that they
have had the best sleep in years in our tents. So warm and cozy. Don’t be afraid if you think
you don’t have an outdoor crowd — they will really enjoy themselves.”
Thinking about a summer backyard glamping event? Designers and party-planners say
to let your own creativity be your guide, especially when you want to keep the budget low
but fun factor high. Keep the audience in mind, whether it’s adolescent girls, middle-school
boys, members of your book club or out-of-town family members.
In general, look around your closets and garage for items that can — with a few glam
touches — be repurposed outside. Maybe a trip to local thrift stores, Ikea, Cost Plus,
Costco and Target is in order. Remember, style and substance along with unusual activities
can transform a simple gathering into the Best Summer Party Ever.
HERE ARE SUGGESTIONS TO GET YOUR
GLAMPING STARTED:
1) It’s glamping, so you’ve got to have a tent or a tent-like enclosure to define a
party-mood space. You can dust off that extra-large tent that’s been in your garage for
years, or assemble a series of pop-up canopies decorated with fabric swaths to create
a breezy gazebo structure. There’s always the “tie a rope between tall trees and create
tipi-like structures” approach as well. Depending on your gathering, you may want
just one main party space or a series of rooms. Will there be a food tent? Lounge tent?
Movie tent? Sleeping tent? Even for the budget-minded, this is one item you may want
to rent since it’s the main piece of infrastructure. You might want to think beyond
traditional canvas tents; consider inflatable bubble tents, which are all the rage in the
eco-glamping community. Based in Arizona, Bubble Huts (bubblehuts.com) offers a
selection of see-through structures so you can feel like you are outside...even when you
are technically inside.
2) Furnishings: From mud-cloth to frills, from velvety to plush — pillows of all
sizes and shapes will make your backyard event even glampier. Woven rugs add earthy
textures to the landscape. Colorful rugs beckon guests to sit, stretch out and relax
among friends. Low tables encourage lounging.
3) Eating spaces can be tricky. How formal or casual is the event? Simple dishware
can be easier to clean up. Will there be a sit-down area or buffet line? Maybe food will
be sprinkled throughout various tables and tents? Prepare food in advance so you’re
not stuck behind a grill the entire party. Finger foods are perfect. Of course, what’s a
camping dessert without the obligatory s’mores? Use dark chocolate, trendy flavored
marshmallows and toast over your fire pit.
4) Lighting: The event will probably incorporate dusk and nighttime — it’s camping!
Light up the Tiki torches and string twinkly white lights around the landscape.
Strategically position camping lanterns to set the mood. Opt for flameless candles.
Solar-powered wine-bottle lights cast a rosy golden glow after the sun goes down.
Create a kaleidoscope of color with Bliss Lights laser projections (blisslights.com),
which fling a whirl of rainbow colors onto trees, fences and outdoor walls.
5) Forgo the candles and bug spray, and glam up your insect deterrent. The Mosquito
Repellent DecoShield Lantern (decoshield.com) uses pleasant-smelling all-natural
essential oils and repels mosquitos and biting flies within a 300-square-foot space.
It’s encased in a stylish cover and also serves as a lantern, casting a soft glow.
6) The details: As with all creative endeavors, the devil is in the details. Arrange
cut flowers in mason jars. Incorporate antique sculptures and colorful swaths of flowy
scarves and other materials, lacy hangings and art weavings. Possibilities are endless.
7) But in the end, it’s the shared activities that will make your party. Have friends
bring over their guitars, ukuleles, bongos and keyboards for an impromptu jam session.
If it’s warm, splurge on a three-person adult-size inflatable pool (from Target)
and take turns. Oversized Jenga and Connect Four seem more fun outdoors. But
hands down, watching a movie on a large outdoor screen — maybe a GPX projection
screen — while you are snuggled up in a sleeping bag with your kids or cozying up
to your sweetie could be the ultimate in backyard glamping. Now, the big decision:
Which movie will you watch?
— B.R.
07.19 | ARROYO | 17