Your patio can offer much more than just being empty and abandoned when autumn and winter come around. Even though the leaves settle like a fine blanket on the patio, they also bring a warm and beautiful atmosphere - and this should be utilized. You will on this page see how interior stylist Lene Eriksen takes advantage of two courtyard spaces and demonstrates that they are not just for show, but that you can actually use the outdoor area. Here, Lene makes sea buckthorn drink and jam, as well as a delightful sweet cake that matches perfectly... The crew certainly couldn't contain their excitement after tasting it...

Tiles in random pattern

On this patio, tiles of various sizes - from 90x120x10, 60x60x8, 30x60x8 to 30x30x8 cm - have been chosen. The landscaper was given free rein and was asked to lay them randomly. This resulted in a really nice outcome. It shows that you don't always have to be so precise. However, a condition was that the tiles should not be cut, so that different distances would appear along the retaining wall. This made room for planting wildflowers, which gave a more wild and free expression.

Although it looks beautiful with autumn leaves lying on the tiles, make sure to sweep them away regularly. The leaves leave brown stains, which, however, disappear when the sun and warmth return. So, definitely do not start with a pressure washer - it does more harm than good. You would damage the surface of the concrete - and then your tiles would really start to pick up dirt and grime.

Fire Up the Planter

The beautiful grey concrete planter is used here as a fire pit. The planter is filled with fine white sand, in which a bioethanol burner is placed. This way, the fire does not damage the planter. On top of the burner and fire, three artificial ceramic logs are placed. This makes the fire pit look very "realistic" and is really a beautiful piece of furniture on the patio.

Use Your Outdoor Space - and Work Magic in Your Outdoor Kitchen

Your outdoor area can easily be transformed into an outdoor kitchen. If you have just a burner and a table to work on - you're all set, and it's just a matter of getting started. Lene has conjured up a warm drink made from sea buckthorn, which you should be sure to pick with good work gloves. They are difficult to remove from the branches, so freeze them for at least a day, and you can shake them off in a bag. On a cold winter day, they are actually some of the only berries you can still spot.

> Lenes Sea Buckthorn Juice:
400 g. sea buckthorn
6 dl. water
400 g. sugar

Simmer for ½ hour on low heat. Strain the juice and pour it into cleaned, scalded bottles. Yields 1 liter of pure juice.

> Lene’s Sea Buckthorn Drink:
2 dl. sugar
3 cardamom pods
3 star anise
3 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
7,5 dl. water
2,5 dl. pure sea buckthorn juice

Slowly heat the sea buckthorn drink and serve it warm, as here in transparent glasses, so you can see the cinnamon stick, star anise, etc. Feel free to add extra cinnamon stick and star anise, so all the drinks look beautiful - and the flavor infuses even more into the drink. Garnish with wood sorrel - if you have it.

Shortcrust cookies with sea buckthorn and plum jam

These lovely medals are truly a hit. With shortbread cookies, mascarpone cream, and jam, you have the world's most delicious sweet bite. Finally, sprinkle with powdered sugar and garnish with some wood sorrel.

> Lene's medals with sea buckthorn plum jam:
250 g. sea buckthorn
250 g. plums, cut into small pieces
300 g. preserving sugar
1 vanilla pod
1,5 dl. water

The whole sea buckthorn berries, the chopped plums, the split vanilla pod, preserving sugar, and water are boiled for 5 minutes and poured into cleaned and scalded preserving jars. If a softer fruit texture is desired, boil for a couple more minutes.

Shortcrust pastry:
300 g. wheat flour
100 g. powdered sugar
150 g. butter
1 egg

Knead everything into a dough, shape it into a log depending on the desired size of the cookies - chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Afterwards, cut the dough to the desired thickness. Place on baking paper and bake at 200 degrees Celsius until the cookies are light brown. If you don't have time to bake and need something extra easy – order lovely shortcrust pastries from your baker.

The shortcrust cookies here are layered with a mascarpone cream, which is a creamy fresh cheese made from crème fraiche and cream - available in all supermarkets.

Shortcrust bases with mascarpone cream with sea buckthorn and plum jam taste fantastic!! If you're not into mascarpone cream, then whip up some light whipped cream or make a lovely cream and pair it with the wonderful jam in the medals.

Set a Beautiful Table

The colors of autumn create a very special atmosphere, and even though it's a bit chilly, enjoy your drink and delicious snacks on the patio with your guests. There's nothing like warming up with a hot drink that you've brewed yourself.

Enjoy the great outdoors...