Alfresco Dining

Summertime is all about getting outside and making the most of those long summer evenings. Styling an outside space whether it’s for alfresco dining, cocktails or just relaxing requires a certain set of components. We have put together a style guide on how to create the perfect alfresco experience this summer.

Find the perfect spot, we all know where that is in our own homes; the shady part of the garden, a terrace with a view or perhaps you have more of a challenge on your hands and need to make use of a less than ideal outside space. These areas can often be the most creative and by dressing an area with some of our recommended accessories you can transform an unloved space into a stylish place to spend time.

A table, large or small, always provides a focal point, gathering friends together around a central area. Keep it relaxed by stacking glasses and plates at one end of the table and focus on dressing the table with vases filled with flowers and sharing platters dressed with food, or take a slightly more formal approach and carefully lay the table with our stylish ceramics and hand forged cutlery.

Drinks are an important part of any alfresco scene; fill our Assam tea glasses with colourful cordials or refreshing summer sorbets and choose some tactile elegant glassware perfect for serving delicious summer cocktails. Add a splash of colour and dress your cocktails with mint, edible flowers and fruit.

Combinations of colour make all the difference to the look and feel. Choose your colour palette, whether it’s the bold brights of our Datia mustard ceramics, the more classic greys of our Dew Drop or the subtle shades of our Bria; this will help form the basis for your summer table.

Comfort is key in the garden, you want everyone to feel relaxed. Our Kalli linen cushions have an informal ‘slubby’ linen texture that lends itself to an informal alfresco environment. Lay cushions on chairs and benches, or scatter some over our Makani cotton throws and create a relaxed picnic area.

If you’re in the garden string our Antique Brass Stars from tree branches and scatter smaller Morri lanterns across the table. Define your outside space by placing larger statements lanterns like our giant Mosi or Sia Lanterns around the area. For softer lighting or to guide along a pathway use our Aloma or Jasmine garden lanterns.

For the finishing touch, our reclaimed Kadi bowls are perfect for cooking delicious barbeque bites but once the cooking is finished keep the coals burning, add some logs and prepare for a cosy and ambient evening gathered around the fire.

SUMMER COCKTAIL RECIPES
MOJITO

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz White rum, 6 leaves of Mint, Soda Water, 1 oz Fresh lime juice, 2 teaspoons Sugar

Preparation:
Mint sprigs muddled with sugar and lime juice. Rum added and topped with soda water. Garnished with sprig of mint leaves. Serve with a paper straw.


CUCUMBER MARTINI

Ingredients:
2 oz Vodka, 1 oz Simple syrup, 1 oz sweet and sour, 5 mint leaves ,3 slices of cucumber, 2 slices of lime

Preparation:
Place about 3-5 cucumber slices in a shaker with mint leaves and limes wedges, Pour in vodka and muddle the cucumber lime and mint in with the vodka. Pour in sweet and sour and simple syrup, top with crushed ice, shake vigorously and strain as you pour into a glass. Garnish with a small mint leaf.