Tips For Creating The Perfect Summer Tablescape
With these never-ending long summer days, eating outdoors is the perfect way to spend time with family and friends. Whether it’s a brunch, lunch, dinner or afternoon tea, table setting is an important part of the experience. It can be done easily and stylishly with clashing colours, textual layers, bright patterns and flowers. British interior designer, Benji Lewis offers his tips below to help you up your alfresco dining game.
1.Think exotic summer destinations and add elements that remind you of these to your tabletop décor. A richly embroidered tablecloth for example or a ceramic made by local artisans
2.Cut flowers
arden are delightful for suggesting the joy of the season
3.Mismatched table linen is useful for creating a less formal feel to things
4.Personalised detail is always good, customising pieces of locally crafted crockery with the name of your house is a delightful touch (see the olive dish with name of my French house on it)
5.Combining different patterns suggests a casually thrown together look, but do plan what to use and where to use it – don’t contain thoughts to only using strong designs on your linens only, look at patterned china too – florals, checks and stripes are good
6. Bowls of coloured sweets provide additional interest, but think about how you present them; sugared almonds in a crystal bowl are lovely
7. A mismatched sets of chairs works well, a suggestion that the fact of things not being entirely co-ordinated creates an informality and the impression of charm.
8. Add exotic freshness to your summer tabletop with a bowl of lemons, they provide a beautiful scent and a pop of colour
9. Embrace the best of what the season offers with flowers on the table. Or add small potted scented plants like lavender or thyme. You don’t need to go posh with your pots, simple terracotta will be fine
10. Use coloured glassware, it’s fun, colorful and brightens up your table too. Laredoute have an amazing selection in a practical plastic finish:
