Summer Tablescaping with Paula Sutton

 

Laying The Perfect Summer Table

by Paula Sutton

 

 

My summer tables always begin with the linens. The linens – including the tablecloth, napkins and seat cushions – dictate the colour scheme, which effects what serveware I use, and which flowers will look best as the centrepiece to the table.

 

I love to reflect nature and my surroundings when entertaining outdoors during the summer, so I’ll often use a mixture of blues to reflect the summer sky, and greens to reflect the trees and lawn. I’ll add a bit of extra colour with the flowers – perhaps a contrasting romantic pink or vibrant yellow hue – although an abundance of deep blue hydrangeas always adds a bit of elegant drama, set against a blue and white backdrop.

 

 

When I’ve decided on the colour scheme for the linens and flowers, it’s time to choose the ceramics and serveware. Your plates will add colour and pattern to the table, and rather than going with a full dinner service in one pattern, I like to use a mix of new and vintage to create a unique and beautifully layered look, with tones and patterns that complement each other without necessarily being too ‘matchy matchy’.

 

Green Cabbageware always looks beautiful against a blue and white table and also works well mixed in with blue and white china. If you do go with a contrasting colour for flowers, it can look very effective to pick out the colour of the flowers in the plates – like a delicate pink floral pattern to match pink roses, or white plates with a coloured border that go with the flowers you’ve chosen.

 

I like to use the most beautiful and dramatic serving dishes that I can find – because the food is the main event, it needs to take be displayed to great effect. Large soup tureens, scallop edge bowls, lidded pots and intricately patterned dishes, the serveware is a wonderful way to add even more pattern and colour to a table. Your serving spoons, forks and ladles are all ways to add drama, especially when you look for interestingly shaped pieces.

 

Glassware can come in a variety of colours and shapes, and as well as serving a practical purpose, having a combination of styles and sizes on the table adds structure and height to the setting. I make use of patterned coasters to break up a solid colour or pattern on the tablecloth, too.

 

I like to add to the layering of textures and detail with the use of napkin rings – even the simplest of tablescapes will look more pulled together with the addition of a beautifully considered napkin ring around a linen napkin. Over the years I’ve collected many vintage and antique versions in gold and silver, but there are some very stylish contemporary examples to suit every style and colour scheme. Alternatively, tie coloured ribbon around your napkins and add herb sprigs or tiny flower posies for a beautiful effect.

 

Finally, surprise your guests by using fun and unexpected elements on your table.

 

A cake stand can be used to hold beautifully cascading bunches of grapes which can be picked at throughout the meal, or handwritten name cards can be placed in unusual holders (a Fortnum’s miniature teapot holder is a particular favourite). You could fill a Champagne bucket with flowers (and Champagne) for your centrepiece, dishes could be held aloft on a pile of vintage books, and breadsticks placed in flower vases.

 

Each will give your guests a few fun talking points so that when they sit down to share your meal, they’ll instantly know that they have been invited to a beautifully considered occasion.