Filed under: Your Home, Fun Stuff, Parties & Entertaining, Holidays
Planning an al fresco dinner allows for more creativity in setting the table.Farms and wineries often host outdoor dinners during the summer and fall months. They're set against a drop-dead gorgeous background of grape vines or gardens sprouting with vegetables. And they're just as upscale as indoor parties. We're talking rustic tables matched with comfortable seating (none of those wrought-iron or plastic patio chairs) and twinkling lights that coax the party into early morning. The food is far above picnic fare -- think several courses and drinks, maybe microbrews or bottles of wine -- laid out buffet-style for guests to graze on.
Worried your backyard doesn't resemble a farm or vineyard? That doesn't stop us from inviting friends over to enjoy the great outdoors. We talked with two California designers -- Rachel Hollis (Chic Events) and Kishani Perera (Kishani Perera Interior Design) -- who have years of experience planning memorable outdoor dinner parties. "I treat the outdoors just like another living space," says Perera, who has designed events for Molly Sims and Kate Bosworth.
Try these tips, no matter if you have an acre of land to play with or a teeny balcony.
An example of a place card that incorporates a vintage photograph. Photo: Kristine Hansen
Even a casual party requires a little bit of thought to ensure guests are compatible with their table mates. "Don't put the two funniest people at the same table because everyone else won't have a good time," says Hollis. She has a great idea that we are itching to steal. Snap candid Polaroid photos of guests as they arrive, says Hollis. Don't have an instant camera? Pick up inexpensive, retro photos or postcards from thrift stores or antique shops. Glue or clip these photos to paper stock and write each guest's name below or next to the photo.
Go casual by arranging comfy cushions on top of a blanket -- or directly on grass. Photo: Getty Images
Perera is not at all ashamed about not having expensive patio furniture. That's because she's figured out how to get that chic-rustic look on a budget. Either buy a secondhand table constructed of solid wood (hello, Craigslist?), or upgrade your current dining room table so that you can start using the old one outdoors. (Just think: you can score a brand-new indoor dining table...) "If it has a rustic look to begin with, that's nice," she says. Flea markets and eBay are good spots to look for pieces with a distressed or patina finish.
Perera does advise investing in chairs appropriate for the outdoors which won't collapse under your guests -- and upholstery or cushions that can withstand the elements. You don't want to have to replace these chairs in a year because they are ratty, rusted or faded. Perera really likes West Elm chairs and favors a mix-and-match look.
If you're still coming up empty, ditch the idea of a table -- like you mean it. Set up dining areas with plush seat cushions or pillows -- even better if they are Moroccan-style in bold, bright patterns -- arranged on the grass or deck. "If you can make it seem like it's on purpose, nobody will second guess it," says Hollis. Or, bring out the coffee table -- and call it Japanese-style dining.
Borrow from nature to build a table setting, using items like fresh-cut flowers, peacock feathers and seashells. Photo: Red Couch Recipes and Pink Frosting
3. No-fuss, pretty decor
When setting a table outdoors, you don't have to worry about creating two-foot tall vases of expensive flowers or ornate arrangements as centerpieces. Mimic the outdoors by keeping it simple. Hollis suggests plucking from the backyard, such as wild flowers, stems of grass, twigs or whatever is growing in the garden. You can even tie a long leaf or tall grass around rolled napkins with silverware tucked inside. Or, arrange monochromatic fruit in big a bowl and call that your centerpiece. (Remember that scene in the "The Break-Up" where Jennifer Aniston sends Vince Vaughn to the market in search of lemons to drop into a glass vase?)
Woven placements evoke summer's nighttime breezes and a tin container is appropriate for storing and cooling beverages. Photo: Tales from the Red Velvet Lounge and Restaurant Girl
No, we don't mean beach balls or sail cloth. Forgo the heavy, embroidered tablecloth you pull out for Easter and Thanksgiving in favor of something lighter and more seasonal. Look for bamboo, linen and cotton napkins, table runners and tablecloths. For flatware and plates, turn to the new bamboo products, which Hollis says are all the rage in California. "It looks great but it's easy to pull off," she says. All of it is disposable, which means you won't have to stay up late doing dishes. Lightweight melamine plates work well, too. And galvanized-tin cylinders make great vases.
This deck pops with all sorts of color, and with the help of a stylish turquoise outdoor area rug. Photo: Fog City Sparkle
"If you have a bright pink tablecloth or lemon-yellow napkins, this is the time to pull them out," says Hollis. A color like chartreuse or tangerine might seem "off" when paired with a room that's awash in neutral colors -- or colors that contrast -- but outside it's fair game. Plus, it's festive! Outdoor-specific, inexpensive rugs in bright colors are popping up all over the place at retailers like Crate & Barrel, Pier 1 Imports and Cost Plus World Market. Perera likes the idea of buying up a bunch of these rugs in fun geometric shapes. "I would buy five of them and layer in a Bohemian-type look," she says.
Setting up a buffet takes a load of work off the host -- and allows for seconds. Photo: Persson, Per Magnus, Alamy
The best parties are those without rules. A buffet arrangement does just that. Guests won't feel embarrassed about going up for seconds or not finishing a particular food set on their plate. Plus, let's be honest. It's a whole lot easier to set out a stack of plates and silverware than it is to arrange place settings. A self-serve bar with alcohol, mixers, ice, garnishes and glassware eliminates hosting duties in the drinks department, too.
Keep bugs away from where you'll be eating by doing as Hollis does. "I'll burn citronella candles a few hours before guests arrive, then blow them out," she says.
An intimate atmosphere begins at sunset -- and when you turn on the outdoor lights. Photo: Getty Images
7. Mood lighting
When the sun starts to fade the party should not come to a screeching halt. About a half hour before sunset, start to light votive candles, candelabras or luminarias. "I love to make an event magical with a lot of twinkles and candlelight," says Perera.