CREATE YOUR OWN CAFÉ DINING EXPERIENCE AT HOME
No matter your needs, turning your space into an outdoor entertaining hub is easy
The rumbling of the Formula One Grand Prix is over and it’s time to enjoy peaceful dinners al fresco.
Since dining outdoors at restaurants and cafés are a right of passage in summertime, why not create all the comfort and style of an outdoor café at home? No matter what kind of outdoor space you have or what kind of entertaining you do — familystyle or dinner for two — these ideas will set the scene for sweet summer dining at home.
WHAT’S YOUR TYPE?
Let the type of outdoor spaces you have inspire your style.
Yard: Soft ground and a canopy of trees overhead offer the ideal space for a long family-style table (think Provence or Tuscany) with either an outdoor kitchen or free-standing barbecue. Include lounge chairs or a sectional nearby for pre- and post-dinner relaxing.
Covered Porch: Porches tend to be narrow, so I like to scatter small side tables along their length. This creates an easy flow for walking between groups. Comfy folding chairs and card tables are great for larger groups and store easily. If the porch faces the street, co-ordinate your outdoor dining elements with the style of your exterior, taking colour inspiration from stone, wood and trim.
Balcony: A balcony is almost always long and narrow, hopefully with a view. Choose narrowdepth pieces, and put anything with depth (such as a lounge chair) at one end for optimal flow. I love banquette seating that allows everyone to face the view.
Terrace: Create a room-withina-room on a large stone terrace or wood deck. Many terraces are square shaped, so divide it into a one-third dining and two-thirds lounge areas, remembering that both spaces should accommodate the same amount of people.
LIGHT AND SOUND
Add ambience by making your outdoor dining space a feast for the senses.
Lighting: Chandeliers, string lights and ground lights are three easy ways to illuminate your outdoor space with a simple plug-in cord. If more ambitious, have an electrician hardwire outdoor wall sconces around the perimeter of (for a relaxed feel, hang fixtures lower — about two- to three-feet off the ground).
Sound: Water features and outdoor speakers add ambient sound to your oasis. If space is too tight for a water feature, download a babbling brook track and play it over a Bluetooth speaker.
BRING THE INSIDE OUT
Look for these outdoor accessories to add a luxurious indoor feel.
Melamine dishes that look like ■ classic ceramic or china plates
Linen-look tablecloths and
■ napkins made of synthetic fabrics for formality.
A romantic flame — whether it ■ be real or LED — gives a romantic twinkle after dark. If safety is a concern, look for LED candles and votives.
YOUR TABLE IS READY
Make your at-home outdoor dining experience rival to any downtown patio café.
Avoid paper plates and napkins ■
(unless your dining experience is super-casual-BBQ style).
Use flame-heat warming servers ■ to keep food hot. Tabletop electric BBQ grills are perfect for grilling and warming where gas or charcoal isn’t allowed.
Set the table as you would
■ indoors, with flowers and candles, and make sure all hard seating is softened with cushions for comfort.