I love to entertain outdoors and to me the perfect evening is sitting in one of those Italian or French farmhouses eating dinner under the trees... with lots and lots of candles! There is so much you can do outside that you wouldn't dare do in your formal dining room. This is the time to use orange, or turquoise or that color you love that wouldn't necessarily match anything else in your house. But don't go overboard. Make one thing the focus of your table, like the lanterns below, or if you use bold plates, go easy on the rest. Do try to remain chic, please. Simple and casual can be elegant too. On the other hand, there is nothing more summery than white plates, white tablecloth and clear glasses, so take your pick.
If you are looking for ways to perk up your outdoor table settings here are some suggestions:
These Moroccan lanterns would dress up any table. They come in different colors (Hint: if you get them in orange, you can use them for fall (Thanksgiving, Halloween) and Easter!)
Zgallerie.com
If you happen to have a big tree near your outdoor table a few of these hanging from the branches would be great...if not, a couple as centerpieces would also do the trick!
zgallerie.com
If you happen to have a big tree near your outdoor table a few of these hanging from the branches would be great...if not, a couple as centerpieces would also do the trick!
Melamine plates are the new paper plates! I saw Colin Cowell combine them this morning in the Today show with the orange Moroccan lanterns and fresh bunches of green plantains instead of flowers. This is where casual meets chic.
Williams Sonoma melamine plates
zgallerie.com
Now, go shopping!
and
Happy Memorial Day!
Also check out Target if you are looking for less expensive melamine plates
Liberty of London for Target
Can you believe these are melamine??? Beautiful for a white summer table, very provencal!
These chargers are great under any plate and they are slightly different from the ones we are used to!!
These are definitively not melamine! they are the real thing for an elegant outdoor table, check out the napkin rings!
Turquoise is okay!
Love these from Williams-sonoma.com
Fun things!
potterybarn.com drink straws
Now, go shopping!
and
Happy Memorial Day!
Love all the things you have assembled, especially the LL Target plates-How did I miss those. The melamine plates of any sort are terrific. Nothing better than the all white- I do find it hard to sit out with all the mosquitoes and humidity, Is it just me? How to cope? pgt
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful for outdoor entertaining. Love the orange lanterns and the selection of melamine is amazing. La Plates is another source.
ReplyDeleteKarena
Art by Karena