Written, Styled & Photographed By Mari Robeson ~
The weather is heating up and there’s no better time to take to the outdoors for some fun summer entertaining. Whether it’s an outdoor movie night, a pool party, or an intimate dinner for two, here are my 10 tips to help you enjoy our beautiful Central Coast weather.
1) Pick the setting. I love the old idea of laying down a stylish rug, adding throw pillows, and entertaining, picnic-style, but today I’ve chosen my front porch where it stays cool on even the hottest days. Start with a table and layer on the linens. This is the first introduction of texture and color. A favorite fabric or a pretty tea towel will spark conversation and add elements of visual interest.
2) Choose your dinnerware. You may want to mix and match your dishes but in my case, the linens are so colorful that I’ve chosen to go with simple white ones. This way the food has a chance to be the star. Placing utensils in baskets makes it easy to transport back and forth from the kitchen, and also adds a casual flair.
3) Wrap it up. There was a time when napkins were used multiple times before being laundered, so it became important to know which napkin belonged to which person. That was when the napkin ring was introduced. Often napkin rings were monogrammed or had the name of the recipient. Get creative with your napkin rings and use summer flowers, a sprig of ivy, a pretty ribbon, and maybe even add a tassel.
4) A small side table. Be sure to have adequate stemware for your guests. Depending on what beverage is on the menu, this may include wine and water glasses or specific cocktail glasses. Having a small table next to your setting comes in quite handy with overflow stemware and dishes.
5) Keep the pests away. Make your own citronella candle by floating a candle in a mason jar of water and citronella oil, mint, Rosemary, lemon, and lime. You can also entertain with mosquito repelling plants. Lemongrass, catnip, geraniums, and citronella all keep the bugs away.
6) Place cards. If you choose to make your own place cards, consider making them two-sided. This makes it easier for guests to see where they are seated from either side of the table. This is especially nice for large dinner parties.
7) Lighting. Set the mood with strings of globe lights back and forth across your patio to create a charming atmosphere with a soft and flattering glow. Make a statement and hang a chandelier from a tree branch, or keep it simple and hang small tea lights with ribbon. Wrap tree trunks with small holiday lights or add different shaped lanterns around your seating area. The most flattering of all are simple candles on the table and if that’s all you do, it will be perfect.
8) Centerpieces. Two things to keep in mind are height and scent. Keep the centerpiece low, so that you can see the person sitting across from you, and if you use flowers, choose ones that aren’t too strong with scent. We want to smell the aroma of the delicious food. There are many ways to create a floral centerpiece but one of my favorites is using fresh fruit. Try a glass bowl of lemons or a tray of artfully arranged pears. Add individual flowers to each place setting, possibly in an antique glass or vase instead of the traditional arrangement of flowers in the center of the table.
9) Know your guest. Before planning a menu, take time to ask if your guest has any dietary limitations. Are they a vegetarian or do they have any food allergies? Keep a note of each person’s likes and dislikes so you only ask once. The added element of customizing your menu to your guest’s preferences shows thoughtfulness and the grace of the most stylish of hosts.
10) Start and end with a theme in mind. Themed cocktails are another way to create the feel of what’s in store for the evening. Today’s theme is lemons, so I’ve decided to start with a lemon drop martini when my guest arrives. I’ll end the night with a toast or two of Limoncello. Of course it’s good to have a non-alcoholic version and plenty of water as well, which goes along with knowing your guests. Many people would prefer no t to have alcohol but a “mocktail” is always a good idea.
Mari Robeson is an interior, home décor designer in Arroyo Grande and an experienced textile and product designer with her own brand of art and home décor items, sold internationally. She’s coming out with a new illustrated book on the art of home in the fall. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter (@MariRobeson) and online at: www.MariRobesonHome.com.
Flowers provided by flowersbydenise.com
