We are now fast approaching the British Summer months and we have already been lucky to have been blessed with some beautiful weather this spring. Under these unprecedented times we have faced over the last few weeks, the gorgeous weather has allowed a lot of people, (that are lucky to have some outside space) to have retreated to some Alfresco dining. There is something very soothing about eating outdoors especially when the table is set with gorgeous crockery playing its part as the backdrop to the main characters of scrumptious food! Even without a garden setting the interior dining table in the summer months with the light flooding in still brings that relaxed ambience feeling you get on your summer holidays, especially when bringing the outdoors in with beautiful flowers on the table. Multiple studies have shown that spending time outdoors lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, decreases stress hormones, and eases muscle tension, so why not do more of it if you can.
I have selected some of my hot picks for summer dining this year which I absolutely love. I am usually drawn to a simplistic contemporary style and I am quite digging the muted palettes of dusky pinks at the moment bringing something a bit different than the typical classic white crockery.
Summer Dining Hot Picks….
This white and brushed gold cutlery set caught my eye not only for the brushed gold but the contrasting white handle to them. Something different.. If you didn’t like the mix of materiality, Cox & Cox do offer plain gold or rose gold sets too.
Cox and Cox are also offering a gorgeous collection of hand blown glassware with a lovely touch of dipped copper gold. Available in a decanter, wine glasses, champagne flutes and tumblers. These are definately on my yes list.
John Lewis have collaborated with Denby to bring a collection of colour and texture with their Quartz Rose pottery range. I love the hues of pink blush and soft blue tones giving a very laid back feel. Just perfect for a relaxed late afternoon munch with friends.
So you probably guessed why this one caught my eye…Yes, thats right, my love of art set my heart fluttering when I found it! A delightful salad plate from West Elm…I expect this Abstract Brushstroke salad plate will go out of stock quite quickly.
If you desire something slightly more formal and the idea of some colour popping on the dining table isn’t quite up your street, then this contemporay and elegant set from West Elm may be just what you need. Hand glazed with a fine metallic rim, simple and beautiful will suit any style of table.
These hand woven placemats from West Elm are a simple and gentle way to add some colour to the dining setting. Functional for the durable material they are crafted from, a lasting item that you will have in the cupboard for a long while. A set of two is priced at £15.00. If you want a cheaper alternative, H&M Home offer a muted pallete made from a mix of materials but still aesthetically nice, a set of two will cost you only £3.99!!
Well here’s a red herring for you!! Well actually no, it is actually a koi fish. Whilst browsing the Oliver Bonas store, I came across this gluggle jug and it did make me smile as I actually have a vintage one of these which was my grandmother’s. I was quite delighted to see something from my childhood has been revived. I currently use mine as a pen holder but I am now thinking what a cool idea to use it as a jug, although I can’t see it holding much liquid..mmm?? But still a great little quirky design to be the talk of the table eh!!
You can’t be without a good set of salad servers…over a period of time we have gone through the trends from wooden servers to chrome, marble carved servers and now stores are in abundance of gold salad servers. These ones are priced great at only £12.99 from H&M Home.
This beautiful speckled dinnerware from Cox & Cox available in mineral or blush caught my eye immediately. I love how the two tones can be mixed and matched as a set. Simplicity at its best. They do come with a bit of a price tag but I love them…
The Boga range at made.com, a playful dinner set bring art to life with a contrasting colour palette glazed by artisans in Portugal. Team this set with some gold or bronze cutlery for that finishing touch.
West Elm’s reactive glaze serve ware in dusty mint will see your salad, coleslaw and potatoe salad happy sitting in these…Like a work of art, each piece is finished in reactive glass making each one original from each other. I am really loving this range.
Did somebody say cheese? Saving the best to last… This absolute beauty of a cheeseboard from Anthropologie will even get the cheese jumping for joy!! Made from natural agate stone and brass, this piece entwines rustic nature with an elegant touch. Priced at £68.00 which is not to bad for a gorgeous crafted piece of agate these days. Available in different types of agate choices.
Do you love eating al fresco in the summer months? Do you have any favourite pieces you love using to set your table? I’d love to hear your hot picks too…Until next time enjoy the sunshine my friends.. xx
OBJECTS OF DESIRE 