A Guide to Intimate Alfresco Dining
The Warm Weather Calls for it…
It’s the last of the warm weather, so where possible, I’m going to be doing some alfresco dining. I love entertaining, especially outdoors, with the weather and atmosphere. Now, we are approaching Autumn, so there’s not much time left for alfresco dining. However, there’s something a little magical about Fall outdoor dining, snuggling up with blankets in the nicer, crisp weather.
For our little outdoor garden space, it will always be an intimate alfresco situation. We can only fit four people around our table, so just small gatherings at a time. Hopefully, one day we will have a larger garden that will allow me to have more people over for larger gatherings. For now, my small gatherings are perfect, catching up with a few close friends. Here’s my guide to intimate alfresco dining…
Start with the Furniture.
Everything starts with your foundations and for your outdoor dining, it’s your furniture. You want to bring that feeling out the indoors out, so it’s important for it to match the rest of your home. However, you also want to consider weather-proof furniture or how much upkeep you’re willing to do. Metal and treated wood are easy to look after, while teak and rattan need a little extra TLC.
Set the Table with Linens.
Linens are essential to any entertaining, but especially outdoor. They help to soften the look and bring the feeling of warmth and comfort. This can be achieved with napkins, table cloth of runner. For me, I love any form of vintage linen, it brings a casual look to the setting.
When it comes to outdoor dining, you can have a bit more fun, brighter colours, bold patterns. Something that will bring character to your table setting. It will also sparkle on your Instagram feed.
Layer Up Your Servingwear.
Bringing some of your favourite indoor entertaining pieces to the outdoors will instantly elevate your alfresco dining. When it comes to styling your table, I love to incorporate large plates with shallow bowls, serving dishes, a breadboard and decorative glassware.
Where possible, I like to play with colours. Depending on the theme of the dinner party, I’ll go for moody greens or light pinks. It always depends on the theme and the season of the dinner party.
Add Some Greenery & Florals.
I love to add some florals or greenery to your tablescape. Where possible, I would like to go with a centrepiece, something that will bring the whole table together. However, sometimes this is not possible depending on your table size. In these cases, I like to do some fresh sprigs on top of the plate and napkin. Anything that is available in your garden will do, so for me, it would be rosemary, lavender or olive branches.
Set the Atmosphere.
The final thing you need to do is set the atmosphere for your dinner party. This involves the lighting and music. I love a bit of jazz, or Latin music, something that will play in the background while guests are chatting.
Finally lighting. Now you cant controls natures big light, but setting up garden lighting or candles. I love a few candels scattered around the courtyard, creating that atmospheric lighting for your dinner party.