Today on the blog, tips for summer tablescapes and entertaining. I am joining five other bloggers to share our favorite summer ideas.
Have you entertained lately? Summer is when we entertain the most. The warmer months seem to make it easier to have people over and it can be more casual, less stress!
My entertaining style is always easy. I love a dinner by the pool or lunch. I also love dragging indoor things to the outside. If it’s for a lunch or a dinner, (a few hours), you can bring out indoor pillows and throws on chairs for a more cozy vibe. The same with dishes. I like to use regular plates and glassware and flatware, most of the time, unless there are lots of kids involved. I don’t understand the obsession with plastic plates and cups for adults. You can drop a glass on your foot just as easy indoors as out.
I often use a throw as I did below, or large scarf for this small round patio table. I like to get creative. At times I mix plates up too. I often use a glass or basket to corral utensils and to make it look breezy and easy instead of setting each place. Another idea is to use one color and mix the tones. Mix pillows, throws, napkins and plates all in the same hue but different patterns, and it has an English country summer look. I am partial to florals, stripes, and Ikat sort of fabrics for summertime.
Flowers from the garden are nice. I foraged around and found small hydrangeas, lavender and even used wisteria and tied it with some string and plopped it in a low vase. You could also use a small basket with a cup in it for a vase. Clippings from lavender tied around a simple linen or white napkin with a twine or ribbon are another idea. See what is on hand! An impromptu table is always the most lovely.
This is my simple table- using a throw I’ve had, and my bamboo flatware (on clearance now), bought a few years ago.
At our local West Elm I snagged baby blue plates (they call it chambray), blue floral sale napkins, and cute short goblets for water or wine…
A tablescape is the hardest thing to photograph and I was dealing with shadows and sun. I did my best!
The blues don’t match perfectly, but that is the point. Summer give you license to be free with your colors and tables.
I will recreate this table for Father’s Day and hopefully when we have friends over for dinner this summer too!
Other EASY Summer Entertaining ideas
-Make two big salads the night before and the day of add a good appetizer and you can relax. I like my Aunt Wendy’s Asian Noodle Salad that feeds armies, and a big green or caprese salad. For a crostini sort of appetizer, a friend just shared this easy crostini. If it’s a dinner, add some barbequed protein to this equation and you have summer dinners nailed.
-Get a summer playlist together. There are so many already on Spotify, and I’ll be listening to the Beach Boys this week! If you have a turntable, it’s a great time to get albums out and spin a few classics like Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, and easy classics. I like to let people peruse my collection and play DJ!
-Fill pitchers or glass bottles with water and refrigerate the night before party so they are ready to go. Adding slices of citrus, strawberries, or a sprig of mint makes them pretty and summery.
-For daytime I serve Audrey Palmers – my version of the Arnold Palmer with fizzy lemonade and tea mixed. My way is unsweetened Teajava plus any lemonade with fizz (a French lemonade or lemon Pelligrino) mixed in a pitcher served over ice. You won’t be able to keep the glasses filled.
-Make the evening simple- just serve rosés. You can have a mix of types on hand and this no alcohol rosé my friend Jill served at a friend’s weeknight birthday party was also very good. We loved it and noticed no difference- and it’s not too sweet.
A few good things
Below, things I used on my table plus a melamine white plate option, and a plastic version of the hobnail cup that is so popular. Also on here is a great Kravet striped table throw I adore and a few other good things….
Hope this gets you in the summertime mindset.
Have people over and have some fun, and remember whimsical is always more charming than perfection!
Please pop over to these lovely blogs for more outdoor entertaining inspiration…
Cindy Hattersley Design-Cindy
Classic Casual Home-Mary Ann
Most Lovely Things-Annie
Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Kim
If you’d like to get an email when I publish, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and Saturdays for Weekend Meanderings.
Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much.
Kim, I love the casual vibe that you’ve created for this pretty outdoor table! The gorgeous blue throw certainly sets the tone for the whole gathering!
Thanks so much Claudia! I love blue. Can’t wait to see yours too.
This makes me want to have a party. I love the sound of your salads and I remember having an Audrey Palmer at your house…thanks for reminding me how refreshing they are!
Mary Ann, I wish I could have you over again. I miss you! xo
Kim, this is such a great post. How did I miss that Asian Noodle Salad? You inspired me to have some people over. I think I will add snow peas, edamame & chicken. Do you think that would work? Thanks for the inspiration!!
Yes! That sounds like a great addition. You’ll love this salad and it is easy to double- or triple!
Thanks for asking us to do this Cindy! xo
Hi Kim,
Thank you for your ideas on setting an outdoor table, plus food and drink ideas.
I’m often at a loss at what food to put on the table and it often looks like a smorgasbord for squirrels!!
All these tips will certainly help me create a relaxed Californian outdoor experience… I just need the pool!
Enjoy the summer ( I’m off to winter in NZ next week.. brrr)
Fi xo
Hi Fi!
Ha, my food can be that way too…. I do love nuts and crackers!
OOh so fun getting back to NZ. Have the best time. I hope it’s wonderful.
I bet it’s a nice time to escape the heat. xo
This post is so “summery” and uplifting. I love blues and white both in clothes and tablewear.
I think varying shades of blue works so well together. You’ve reminded me that I have some lovely chambray linen napkins!
Your table arrangement is so beautiful too and I definitely agree that whimsical is so much more charming than perfection. 💙
Your photographs are beautiful… I’m dreaming about sitting by your pool and drinking an Audrey Palmer or chilled rosé while enjoying your California vibe playlist 🎶 and of course chatting with you!
I hope you’re having a lovely week.
Rosie xxx
Thanks Rosie! Isn’t it great how you can mix blues and they looks amazing?
I hope you’ll come to California one day and we can make that happen! I would love that. xo
I am licking my lips thinking about an Audrey Palmer.
Linda they are the best!
ps Ive just realised that Im wearing chambray shorts and a lighter blue chambray linen shirt today … I’d match your tablescape so well 😄
Rosie xx
Rosemary I love that color! Wish you were here to have a dinner. xo
Kim, I love your table with the view of the pool! And the garden hydrangeas and wisteria are so lovely! I love your bamboo flatware!
xo
annie
Thanks Annie! I loved yours too. Wish we could have a dinner together. x
What a beautiful setting, tablescape and menu. I wonder if I can source that NA Rose here in Illinois. And Audrey Palmers!! I will definitely be making those. Who knew??
Deanna, I hope so.. It’s so good. You can look for it at Total Wine, but the winery may have links to the sellers.
Yes Audrey Palmers!! So good. xo
Beautiful table setting – warm and welcoming. Must give the Asian noodle salad a try.
Thank you so much Sylvia! You’ll love the noodle salad.
Kim! I love Aunt Wendy’s salad and your Audrey Palmers. You have such a lovely backyard for summer al fresco dining. Your table cloth is fabulous and your foraged flower arrangement perfection. Wish I had your talent … and some flowers to forage. I’m looking out at another sunny, but windy and cooler than usual day wondering when our outdoor dining season will kick into full gear. But then of course I’ll be whining about being too hot! Anyway, I love your summer table and you photographed it beautifully. Cheers! xo
Thank you Juliet! I loved your greens with the pretty salmon colored flowers. It was so lovely!
I know we have a small window where we think it’s the right temp to entertain! I need to do it more. This was fun. I got great ideas from you too. xo
Kim, this post is so great! We’re back in San Diego and you have inspired me on every level!
I am such a blue girl too. Love your mixes of tones and textures.
Kim, I have made your Asian Noodle Salad so many times (and have been asked for the recipe often too). It’s certainly more than the sum of the parts and so easy to whip up for lunch when you just feel like noodles! Thanks for sharing it again. Happy summer to you and your readers in the Northern hemisphere from very cold Southern hemisphere NZ.
Hi Kim,
Beautiful! I love anything blue, and outdoor dining is my favorite way to entertain. I’m looking forward to my first (in a very long time) get-together, and have plans similar to what you suggested in your post. A huge caprese salad, and pitchers of flavored water, and sangria will be delicious with bbq! The only thing missing is the pool but oh well!
Xo Heidi