Al fresco!
Spend summer’s warm days and balmy nights feasting in the open air
‘EMBRACE NATURAL TEXTURES AND NEUTRAL TONES’
Laid-back living
For the most relaxed alfresco moments, keep things low-key. Embrace natural textures and neutral tones for your serveware (even if it’s just a wooden board for bread and olives) and opt for recycled glasses which, ideal as they are for impromptu rosé as the sun goes down, tend to be more durable, too. Try the range at La Redoute. Don’t worry too much about items being mismatched – there’s a sort of rustic charm in odd china and mixed-up cutlery. The blanket, though, is the basis for every picnic, so invest in one that will last for ever – try Tolly Mcrae’s roll-up woollen designs or the Tweedmill collection at Anthropologie.
GARDEN PARTY
Perfect for special occasions alfresco, pretty linen textiles will make your outdoor table look smart while still feeling welcoming. For tablecloths and napkins to really treasure, try the beautiful range from entertaining emporium Summerill & Bishop and the collections stocked at Liberty London (H&M Home has more budget-friendly offerings). Use proper china and glassware, but keep the look playful. Create a gentle rainbow effect along your table – for example, you could mix and match coloured glasses at each place setting. Zara Home is the go-to place for tumblers, wine glasses and jugs in suitably summery hues. For charm, add in unexpected details, such as handwritten name cards, delicate napkin rings and vases full of freshly picked flowers.
‘ADD UNEXPECTED DETAILS LIKE HANDWRITTEN NAME CARDS’
FLOOR STORY
Take inspiration from supper clubs where the backdrop is as important as the food. A long table set low on the ground is the ideal setting for convivial and more casual get-togethers. Construct your own by suspending a panel of wood on stacks of bricks, then covering with a cloth. Instead of chairs, use cushions that match the colours on your table – try Garden Trading and Oka for outdoor-friendly designs. Line up sharing platters and generously filled serving bowls (the utensils on page 109 will come in handy here!) alongside cold drinks decanted into pretty glass bottles – recycle your own or try The Contemporary Home and Sophie Conran. Instead of proper china, use enamel tableware, as it’s light, stackable and kinder to the planet than some other picnicware. The range at Falcon comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours.
‘A LONG TABLE SET LOW ON THE GROUND IS IDEAL FOR MORE CASUAL GET-TOGETHERS’