Summer season is the supreme season for outside entertaining– after all, there’s absolutely nothing rather like blue skies and warm weather to put us in the celebratory state of mind. Match the moment by hosting a raised soirée for your nearest and dearest, and set a table that speaks to the positive vibe. Just remember that doing so requires a bit more than raveling pretty linens and lining your tablescape with florals: Take the time to curate each participant’s location setting to kick your party’s guest experience level up a notch.
1. Select a Color Palette
The first step towards curating the ultimate summertime place settings requires establishing a color story. According to Rebecca Gardner, the creator of Houses and Parties, this is the season for unabashed color play. She suggests working with hot pink, yellow, and orange, which “seem full of sunlight.”
Look towards the water, instead of the sky, for an alternative take, keeps in mind Tanya Willock and Temidra Willock-Morsch, the owners of the Southampton-based home store Hidden Gem New York. “Some of our preferred color combinations are green, blue, orange, and white, a vibrant combination of colors found at the beach,” they say, adding that they are just as partial to a few of Gardner’s picks. “Or think about pinks, oranges, blues, and creams, which are discovered in among our favorite tropical flowers: Birds of paradise.”
2. Use China or Ceramic Plates
” Hosting a dinner exterior is no reason for paper plates. It’s a party!” says Gardner. “Use your treasures and the effort will shine onto your guests.” Willock and Willock-Morsch agree, noting that “going the extra mile with china or ceramic” dishware is the very best strategy. And if you are nervous about using a costly set outdoors? Consider melamine pieces, which look (and usually feel) like the genuine thing.
3. Select Cutlery, Glassware, and Paper
Adding menus or name cards are wonderful touches, say Willock and Willock-Morsch; Gardner chooses the “Superlatives” place cards from Dear Annabelle ($ 60 for 24, dearannabelle.com). “They are an excellent ice breaker,” she says of the interactive notes.
4. Add Personal Extras and Accessories
” It’s all in the details,” say Willock and Willock-Morsch. To make menus or location cards feel more bespoke, turn them into a DIY task with watercolor paper and paint, they keep in mind; it makes each piece individual to your visitors. “If painting isn’t your thing, usage enjoyable napkin rings and even your favorite ribbons tied with herbs or a mini dried flower bouquet for your guests to take home.”
Gardner appreciates those little additionals: “This might be colorfully covered sweet, vines twisting around the glasses, or plastic animal toys glancing from behind the petals. I like tables that are layered with surprises and happiness.”
5. Consider Texture
Deal with curating a location setting like designing a room, keeps in mind Gardner. “Your table should have a balance of textures,” she states. Willock and Willock-Morsch enjoy to blend and match mediums to keep things aesthetically fascinating and spirited; consider lightweight woven linens, rattan, and wood. “These work together to provide the best summer season vibe,” they state.
And to make each setting a bit more festive? “I like to put a celebration cracker at each spot,” states Gardner. “These pieces from my store ($ 98, housesandparties.com) are covered with marbled Italian paper and silk dip-dye ribbons. Each has a parlor game prompt, like ‘Perform a drum solo with your fork and knife.’ They keep guests on their toes.”
6. Don’t Forget Flowers
While flowers are part of the overarching tablescape, they impact place settings through proximity, so be sure to pick your flowers wisely– overdoing it in the flower department might cause a frustrating sensory experience or crowding. “Anchor your table with large arrangements– one for a round, 2 for a rectangle– and then mix in smaller sized bud vases,” says Gardner.
