Create a colorful table for outdoor dining

It’s summertime and the living is easy. Dining should be too, don’t you think? A summer salad, grilled fish, fresh fruit and a glass of chilled Sangria are on the menu. What’s on the table?

I came across this beautiful photo of an outdoor picnic in Cote Sud and it inspired me to recreate its breezy, cheerful and, (best of all) laid back style. Brights are on the menu for my version.

I’m starting with a beautiful tablecloth made from Brunschwig & Fils’ Fawkes cotton print. The table is set with:

• plates from Gracious Home. Their Benidorm melamine dishware ($15 each) comes in a variety of bowls and dishes.
• We’re drinking our sangria in Juicy acrylic glasses from Target ($$19.99 for a set of four).
• The blue, striped flatware is from Nautical Luxuries ($320 for a set of four, 5-piece settings) is imported from France. Ooh la la.
• Finally, our Francesca Orange napkin can be found at Roberta Roller Rabbit ($8.00 each).

But we’re not finished. We need a centerpiece and some accessories.

• I love this centerpiece, made from recycled pop cans.¬† Would real flowers, picked form your own garden fit our scene more perfectly? Err, yes. But I like it, so it’s in. My fake flowers are from Eco-Artware ($24 for six flowers).
• This set of colorful, melamine stacking bowls are perfect for our fruit and salads. They’re from Apartment 48 ($65).
• I also love this collapsible cooler - just the thing to keep our sangria cold. It comes in two colors. You can find it on sale at Sur La Table ($31.96).
• Now for the chairs. Maine Cottage serves up several styles that come in just about any color you like. Their Edna Chair sells for $350.00.

Outdoor Dining Tip

Please don’t hesitate to take your indoor furniture outdoors for an evening. There’s something about a wooden table and chairs that create a romantic atmosphere. If you can fashion a canopy, keep the furniture out all summer. If not, be sure to cover the set table with an old sheet until your guests arrive. This will keep the leaves and birds from making a mess of your beautiful tablescape.

Do you think it’s important to have a separate set of dishes for outdoors?