The Garden Table

Summer has finally arrived in the UK, perhaps a little too much, and it’s hot hot hot! Which means of course it’s the perfect opportunity for some al fresco dining, and to enjoy those summer evenings. You’re may already have a table and chairs, and perhaps a seating area to relax in, but as with all rooms in the house it’s those little details and additions of accessories that make all the difference. Here are some lovely accessories and ideas that you could think about adding into your outdoor areas to create a charming and comfortable space.

Cotton Seat Cushion from H&M Home

Give your garden chairs a little bit of a spruce, style and comfort with a seat cushion. It’ll allow you and any guests to stay outside into the evening without getting uncomfortable as well as making more of a feature out of the furniture. These ones from H&M Home are fun and season appropriate and will help give the seats a little extra personality.

To create the perfect outdoor space, its about making it feel like a room in the house, and adding accessories is the best way to do that; you wouldn’t buy a sofa for you living room and leave it bare without a throw or cushions, so do the same for your outdoor area too! If you’re worried about weather damage, get yourself a little trunk or chest that can live near the back door to store your soft furnishings in. Give you seating area more substance with some playful cushions; this braided cushion from H&M Home has the perfect summer vibe for your backyard, and can be blended into different colour schemes.

Braided Cushion from H&M Home

Add some more botanical glamour to the seating area with this design from Designers Guild, its sophisticated and fun, and would work nicely with the H&M cushion above for a fresh contemporary look.

Palme Botanique Emerald Outdoor Cushion from Designers Guild

As well as being comfortable, being able to stay in your garden late into the evening also requires some good light sources. Creating the right atmosphere is an important part of any dinner party or special occasion, and lighting is a main factor. I love this outdoor chandelier found on Pinterest, it adds a romantic touch to an outdoor dining area, and it’s not your usual outdoor lighting, so gives your space some uniqueness.

Garden Chandelier from Sheer Luxe via Pinterest

For a different look, a few of these lanterns dotted amongst tree that hangs over a seating area, or along a pergola would look lovely. Make a statement look with them by hanging a few at different levels, or a sleek row of them.

Batur Hanging Lantern from Oka

If you want to add some eccentric style in your garden area, why not add a few of these flamboyant candlesticks from Angel & Boho. Their ornate design will give the space a little over the top charm, giving the area a fun and whimsical feel.

Petit Oiseaux Bird Candlestick from Angel & Boho

A seating area with a coffee table can be given a party makeover with a lighting addition like this one; a metal tray with tea lights floating in water will transform your day-to-day outdoor area into a dream land.

Candles Floating in Tray from Pinterest

Making sure you add the extra pieces to your outdoor area will make the space seem extra vibrant and full of style. Dining, coffee and side tables can be filled with extra home accessories to really put your own stamp on the space. Something like this mirrored tray from Angel & Boho is not only lovely and glamorous, but great for transporting drinks and nibbles, or sporting some candles when the sun goes down.

Gilt Mirror Tray from Angel & Boho

The idea might seem a little odd considering that your garden in probably surrounded with plants, flowers and wildlife, but having a vase at your table filled with a cutting of your favourite flower form your garden or just one you love, could be a really special touch; especially if it’s in a patio or decking area. A glass design to keep the space filled with light is a good option, this asymmetrical vase from H&M Home has a pretty look for an outdoor space.

Asymmetrical Vase from H&M Home

Of course you’ll need a beautiful set of dinnerware when dining outside, if you’re thinking about upgrading yours, this Naya set from Made is a lovely, contemporary design. The muted palette is perfect for showing off a meal of colourful foods.

Naya 12 Piece Dinner Set from Made

Finally, just as a little extra touch these candle holders from Garden Trading are just a really sweet addition to any outdoor table; especially with a little bit of sand placed in the bottom.

Wells Windlight from Garden Trading

It’s easy to not associate your garden as an extra room in your home, but when the weather is as good as it is now, it becomes the most important part of the home; so make sure that your space is comfy, stylish and suits your personality perfect so that you can enjoy as much time in your garden as possible.

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Bon Appetite

If you love styling your home, there’s a good chance creating a beautifully tailored table setting is at the top of your to-do list. There’s no fixed way to create a gorgeous looking table, from simple, clean looks for more extravagant, it really boils down to your own personal taste, and your what your lifestyle requires. From day-to-day dining to those special occasions, a beautiful table setting is the key to turning even the simplest of meals into something of a celebration.

Contemporary Table Setting from Interior Decoration via Pinterest

This setting above follows a clear theme; showing that all your plates and bowls don’t need to be from the same set, as long as they co-ordinate. The simple colours tones gives off a contemporary feeling, and works as a great canvas to display your food. By having a simple foundation of tableware it can make it easier to introduce the stars of the table, like some gorgeous cutlery or a decorative serving bowl. For a simple setting like this one, I would keep to the minimal theme, but add in something to stand out from the rest, like these beautiful mugs from Arrow + Sage, a great way to add flair to your normal breakfast or a Sunday brunch.

‘Theory Mug No.21’ from Arrow + Sage

Giving your table some extra pizazz when you’re entertaining will not only make the room and table look distinctive, but make your guests feel like they’re getting the special treatment too. This setting really stood out to me as an innovative way to use your regular tableware and with just the a few small additions to make it seem like it was design especially for your event. With woven placemats, wooden handle cutlery and tan leather napkin holders, there’s a simple rustic feeling going on, and by simply placing a fern leave under a glass plate the table is given a flash of excitement. Although this might be a little over-the-top for some, keeping a table feeling fresh and lively with some plants and flowers is always a great idea.

Botanical Table Setting from The Perfect Palette via Pinterest

For a similar look, these place mats from West Elm are a great starting place if you want to create a rustic, natural styled table setting; you can choose to stick with the Natural finish, or mix up your look with either the slate or charcoal.

‘Woven Placemats in Natural, Slate and Charcoal’ from West Elm

If you like the idea of a glass dinnerware, I love this design by Catesby’s, the bobble detail on the rim is a sweet touch that can give your setting an individual feeling.

‘Glass Bobble Plate in Large’ from Catesby’s

You may want to embrace your inner theatrical side with a luxuriously dark table setting. This sleek black setup is simple yet oh so effective; the dark tones give off a sophisticated vibe, perfect for instantly switching from regular dining to a dinner party.

Dark Tones Table Setting from Vosges Paris via Pinterest

This rich bronze colour plate from The Conran Shop will add a beautiful, glamorous feeling to your table, and help to recreate this dark and mysterious look if it has you feeling inspired.

‘Organic Sand Dinner Plate’ from The Conran Shop

Tableware Selection from Suzanne Sullivan via Brown Paper Bag

Finding some stand-out pieces of crockery can really make your table look great. Whether it’s a large serving platter, or maybe a set of sweet side plates, discovering a design that really speaks to you will make your setup feel all the more distinct. This Aztec hand-crated design by Suzanne Sullivan is mix between bohemian and glam, making it the perfect unique piece to show off your style. By using an eye-catching patterned design for your stand-out piece, you can choose to have simpler, less expensive surrounding pieces, and still keep the table looking smart and stylish.

Glamorous Table Setting from Smitten Studio Online via Pinterest

This well thought out table has been given a really contemporary, luxe look. There is a perfect balance between the three main colours, black, gold and white, giving an overall crisp, sharp and glamorous look. This a small table, but its setup shows that you don’t need a banquet hall to make your dining area feel like royalty. To test the gold plate waters, a little number like this patterned plate from H&M Home, is a fun and stylish way to see if the theme is for you. And if you think you’re ready to take the leap, go all out with these devilishly glitzy plate from Amara by L’Objet.

‘Patterned Porcelain Plate’ from H&M Home

‘Alchimie Gold Plates by L’Objet’ from Amara

There are so many ways to creative with your tableware, from finding pieces to make your everyday a little more exciting, to thinking outside the box when it comes to entertaining and creating a statement. Your dining table is the perfect place to experiment or push your style and have some fun in your home.

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Festive Fancies

If you’re entertaining over the holidays, whether it’s a big party or an intimate dinner, hosting can be made a hundred times simpler with some wonderful tableware pieces that are ready to wow your guests. Whether you’re into the glitz and glam of Christmas or prefer a more low-key or humorous affair there’s always something for everyone. Here are just a few wonderful products that can help turn a party into an amazing evening.

‘Golden Hour Table Runner’ from Anthropologie

Working from the bottom up, an easy way to lay some foundations for a great looking table is with a runner. Gold for a special occasion, this runner from Anthropologie is a great way to give your table an extra little vamp to get into the holiday spirit.

Smoke glasses are all the rage right now, but equally have a classic, timeless look. This decanter from Holly’s House is rather elegant, its lovely shape will look just a pretty filled with water or red wine.

‘Smoke Glass Decanter’ from Holly’s House

If you want your glassware to look in sync with one another but not too matchy-matchy, using pieces that follow the same kind of style but with different characteristics will do the trick nicely. Pairing this decanter with these fabulous champagne flutes from Anthropologie will make the perfect match. You could stick to just one colour for the flutes or make your table a little more colourful by mixing it up.

‘Hearken Flutes’ from Anthropologie

Staying on the glamorous party theme, these metallic glassware serving dishes from Anthropologie are sure to be a crowd pleaser. The lace-like metallic effect goes hand-in-hand with the Christmas spirit but will also work exceptionally well on any other day of the year, they’ll give you table setting that extra added touch of magic.

‘Metallic Lace Dinnerware’ from Anthropologie

If you like to add a little humour to your table, but still want to maintain a wonderful style you can do so with a few little, fun pieces will work wonders with your guests. I love these flamingo salt and pepper shakers from Rockett St George, they are so charming and a great, playful addition to mix among your plates and glasses.

‘Flamingo Salt and Pepper Shaker’ from Rockett St George

Another equally sweet, and also animal themed, product for your table is this wonderful whale bottle opener from Graham & Green. He looks almost like an ornament, but with a secret hidden feature to help you out. Both of these little additions will looks brilliant on a table, but would also make lovely little gifts this Christmas!

‘Moby Dick Bottle Opener’ from Graham & Green

If you want to add little rustic charm to your table, these napkin holders from Neptune are a great idea. Made from rattan, they’re a great way to accessorize a table if you want keep things a little understated, and will look great paired with some linen napkins in a neutral colour.

‘Ashcroft Napkin Holders’ from Neptune

Presenting your food well is half the battle when it comes to pulling off a dinner party, therefore beautiful serving bowls and dishes are a must, and even if you’re not having a fancy dinner, they can really make something simple look like something from a photoshoot. I love this black and white dish from Rockett St George, the pattern is humble yet so effective and will give your dish an extra flair.

‘Dipped Black and White Oven Dish’ from Rockett St George

If you are having a larger amount of guests, you may need a stylish platter to serve your nibbles on, this charger from The White Company is sure to do the trick.

‘Rectangular Mirror Charger’ from The White Company

Even if you’re having more of a low-key style party, having a pretty serving dish can make all the difference. These indigo bowls from Holly’s House have a great, relaxed vibe about them, making them perfect for an informal gathering.

‘Indigo Rain Serving Set’ from Holly’s House

Finally, for a little ambience, a candle or two on the table will make the world of difference. You’re probably more than likely to already own a whole range of candle holders and have them dotted around your home, but for a dining room table you can’t go wrong with a lovely long stem holder. This King of Hearts candlestick holder from Jonathan Adler is fantastic, its reversible design shows off both a king and a queen and is both a stylish and fun piece to have at your table.

‘Utopia Reversible King of Heart Candle Holder’ from Jonathan Adler

A festive party is a great way to have some fun over the holidays, and with so many amazing ways to decorate your table, you’ll want to have a party everyday!

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