Style suggestions for your al fresco dinner parties

During the summer, eating outdoors is a must and we are always looking for inspiration on how to set an eye-catching table for our gatherings. Here are three suggestions for your al fresco dinner parties and a checklist to set a summer casual table with casual dinnerware wherever your getaway is: at the seaside, on a lake, in the countryside, or in the mountains.

Never forget:

1. KISS (keep it simple and straightforward)

Don’t overwhelm your dining table with bulky centerpieces, flowers, candles, or other accessories such as napkin rings or place cards. Less is best.

2. No plastic!

If you don’t want to wash dishes for the whole evening, use sustainable tableware such as palm leaves or paper that are really trendy and add warmth to your table. These are some suggestions: Eco or Wasara.

Also do not use plastic for tablecloths, placemats or for any other accessories on the table. Use natural materials: linen, cotton, wood, plants and flowers. Metal may be used for a vintage feel.

3. Care for quality and details

Chic equals beauty & elegance, and elegance is a matter of single little details. Preference should be given to artisanal tableware, handmade or hand painted plates and bowls, compared to industrial dinnerware. Iron the napkins if needed and follow the basic rules of the mise en place if you decide not to tie napkin and flatware together or to place them in other creative ways.

After these general guidelines let’s switch to the “hands-on” section with a useful checklist when you are struggling with unexpected guests for an al fresco dinner; very few stress-free party tips that will add creativity to your table settings and will provide your guests with a unique presentation.

Seaside escape

• Use shells and rocks collected on the beach, or coral and starfish. You can even put them in a glass jar either closed or open as a centerpiece.
• Tablecloth: if you have a wooden table, an alternative to the timeless candid white linen tablecloth is a striped or plain runner made of natural, rough fabrics that immediately give harmony and lightness to the table.
• Add tea lights or modern string lights but do not exaggerate….

 

Mountain Chalet

• Why not use a throw or a plaid linen tablecloth and burlap placemats?
• Add some green and a red touch: berries, or flatware, or flowers.
• Hurricane lanterns or DIY with a tall glass vase and a candle inside.
• Use a wood serving board.
• For a BBQ look, use black or bone handle knives.

Countryside retreat

• Opt for a bare table if you have a nice wood or teak, or use placemats.
• A glass pitcher or even glass dinnerware can be appropriate in this setting.
• Mix and match: play with different handmade dishes, bowls, glasses, napkins, chairs, ….
• Flowers and green leaves are a must; put them in a vintage metal basket as a centerpiece or tie the leaves with a cord to the napkin and flatware.
• Aged dinnerware is a plus.