In the desert, warming weather and lingering twilight signal the season for hot days and balmy nights. Imagine a dark turquoise sky, a cool drink, and no shoes. This is the time for addressing outdoor spaces, making them as intimate and personalized as interiors the rest of the year.

Lighting proves paramount to a good night on the patio. You might prefer a contemplative and quiet time spent next to a beautiful candle, or perhaps you like to entertain friends and prefer the fantasy string lights offer. An arbor with lit grape clusters serves as a wonderful addition to any evening. You can adorn your shrine with rose lights or use them to dress up your honeysuckle vine. Pagoda lights transform your portal into an outdoor meditation room.

Some lights can stay outdoors all year, while other more delicate lights need the protection of a porch roof or the opportunity to shine for a special event then retire under cover.

Outdoor lighting is alluring and transformative. A string of colored lanterns inspires dancing and leaves lasting memories of a special summer night, as candlelight offers an instant makeover for everyone at the table. That alone is worth the investment of beautiful lighting.

Red lantern candle holder, $29.95. Chile ristra lights, $14.95. The red lantern candle holder and chile ristra lights are sold at Jackalope stores. Jackalope jackalope.com 6400 San Mateo Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM, 505/349-0955, jackalopeabq.com. 834 Highway 550, Bernalillo, NM, 505/867-9813, jackalopebernalillo.com. 2820 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM, 505/471-8539, jackalopesantafe.com. 10726 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA, 818/761-4022, jackalopela.com. 12450 South Parker Road, Parker, CO, 303/805-7687, jackalopeco.com.

Colored lantern lights,15 feet in length, $29.25. Papers! Nob Hill Shopping Center, 114 Amherst Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM, 505/254-1434.