Inspired Outdoor Dining

This week's post is all about taking it outside!  

Going back in time a little... picnics were a HUGE part of my childhood. Every couple months, we'd go on one big, glorious, family picnic (we were about 30 of us!). We lived in Dubai, a city that is insanely hot in summer (too hot to be outside) but super beautiful in fall / winter / early spring.  It was sort of a reverse picnicking season!

My favorite park to go to was the Dubai Creek Park with it's sprawling lawns and huge shady trees. And my favorite food was barbecued chicken and this delicious French Toast (we'd call it "slices" for some reason) that one of my uncles made for us kids.  

You'd see many families sitting around enjoying the breeze, playing board games or just chatting up. But inevitably, we'd be the loudest, most boisterous of the lot. 

You could hear us laughing, arguing, pontificating and backslapping from a mile away! Food was being passed around, an angsty toddler or two was on the lose, some kid somewhere just got struck by a ball and another one was climbing the jungle gym like there was no tomorrow! It was mayhem. A wonderful kind of mayhem :) The parents had a hard time keeping track of who was where, but the sun would set and somehow, magically, we'd all end up as a whole again, trotting tiredly back to our cars. It was a glooooorious time. 

Tis being the season for outdoor entertaining, picnicking and the likes,  I was very inspired to pull together a couple of formal and informal tablescapes for anyone taking it outside & making some equally glorious memories with your family & friends this summer!  I've discovered some really good looking and budget-friendly disposables for the season and there's lotsa fun (and not to mention, kid-friendly) melamine out there as well. Creating an inviting outdoor setting has never been easier! :)  

Breezy & Beachy

I liked this seaside, beachy tablescape I saw at the mall the other day... I liked that the simple white dinnerware was combined with a whole lot of texture (rattan, wood, mesh etc.)

You could create a beachy casual setting of your own, but maybe with a little more color?  

I started with this beautiful coral dinner plate (it's melamine) and added some texture with a mesh table cover, rattan chargers and wood flatware.  

Hints of gold & these neat table lanterns "pick up"  the setting. I especially LOVE the small gold tea light holders - spread 'em across a table and they'll create a perfect ambiance for an outdoor setting. Bringing in a a hint of blue with these cracked teal glasses. 

coral dinner plate / natural rattan charger  / nautical net table throw  /  beachwood flatware / starfish place card holders (too cute! from Etsy)  / linen striped napkins /  gorgeous table lanterns (love these to bring some height into the setting) /  cracked teal stem glasses teal / gold tea light holders /  tropical stargazer lillies in a vase as centerpieces

Pretty & Posh

These rose plates by Caspari instantly caught my eye. They're elegant & fun, and they're disposable people!  

Quite perfect for a semi-formal setting..

Throw on a white tablecloth and line with this fancy-looking (but totally disposable!) place settings - lime green and white dinner plates, paired with the rose dessert plates, and some fancy gold flatware.

Scatter chartreuse tea light holders across the table, and add on a beautiful peony centerpiece to  play up the plates. I LOVE this  "First Come First Served" acrylic pitcher by Kate Spade! It's such a classic & so fun.  Perfect for keeping you guests glasses topped with lemonade.

white tablecloth /  burlap pleated table runner /  green dinner plates (disposable),  rose dessert plates (disposable), gold flatware (disposable), paper cups, paper napkins,  Kate Spade acrylic pitcher,    chateruse tealight holder

Classic Blue & White

I came across this beautiful indoor blue-and-white setting and fell instantly in love with it. This table is so stunning, as is the place setting, and the yellow flowers. This could easily be something you take outside!

I was very inspired to do some blue & white for a picnic :) Yet still keeping it classic...

A CLASSIC Picnic

blue & white dessert plates, dinner plates, stem glasses, napkins, S'well bottle,  flatware, soft blue cotton throw,  picnic basket

2 easy tips for outdoor entertaining

Here's a couple tips I've picked up from the first lady of Southern design and decor (the wonderful Bunny Williams), on how to take even the most casual setting up a notch and make your guests feel a little extra special...

The Napkin Fold.  Make a quick fold towards the inside at the top of the napkin, then flip the ends to the outside. It's super easy to do and makes for a great finishing touch even for some casual dining.

Floral Centerpieces  x  Hurricanes.  I love this idea for adding some pzzaz to your outdoor table. Arrange a floral centerpiece with seasonal flowers/plants. Flank by hurricanes. The hurricanes should be tall enough that people can still see each other across the table. Etsy has a bunch of  nice vintage hurricane choices!

Image Credits: Graham & Green, Bunny Williams Home, Ballard Designs,  Decoration Trend

Statement Pieces

One piece of design advice that has really stayed with me (this one from the inimitable Erin Gates) is this - pick one item you absolutely, die-hard LOVE, something that makes a statement or has an interesting shape or color, and build the rest of the room around it. It's really good advice.  

Right now there's 2 things I'm in love with that I feel make for great design elements in a room.
 

1. The bold & beautiful federal eagle mirror.  It's definitely statement-making and so so versatile. 

You can put it above the fireplace, in an entryway....

Up the stairs... literally place in anywhere, and it works. It just takes the space up a notch.

2. X benches! They're such an EASY way to bring some style into a space. Especially smaller spaces like an entryway (and they serve a purpose - sit down and wear your shoes people :P)  They're great in the living room too for some extra seating, apart from being so visually interesting.

I love, love these malachite pattern X-benches designed by Erin Gates (from her book Elements of Style). Never get old to look at. Aren't they stunning?

And here's one that has both my favorites in one place! 

What do you think? Any of these call out to you? :)

Image Credits: Desert Domicile,  Haus And Home, Cup Half Full,  The Gathered Home, Element of Style,  Laurel Home,  Bright on the day, No 29 Design

MET Gala Inspiration

The MET Gala happened last week and of course it was a fashion blitz and a media extravaganza. Everyone who's anyone pontificated on all that went down on the red carpet! What caught my attention though was the interior decor and the TABLESCAPES :)

This year's gala celebrated the work of designer Rei Kawakubo. I liked that the decor was graphic yet very elegant. That gorgeous blue & white china was THE perfect complement to the popping pinks & reds. Also, the sake cups were a nice touch.

I thought it' be fun to pull together a tablescape inspired by the gala, but one that's easier on the purse strings. Have a look at the pictures and then check out my take on it below!

My take on it - a little classic, a little modern & a lotta fun:

1  The china at the gala instantly reminded me of these blue & white appetizer plates. 

2,3  Pair them with gold & white chargers & dinner plates and you have a winner. Can't go wrong with the classic blue, white & gold! 

4,11  A red table runner  & fuchsia pink napkins ($10 for 6!) bring in that pop of color. You could pair the runner with these placemats which make for a nice neutral base for the setting. Or you could totally just go with a red tablecloth if you REALLY want to bold it up!

5,8  These gold hammered napkin rings (love these from Target) & sparkly confetti flutes, are perfect for bringing in hints of gold.

6,9  Fresh flowers would obviously be amazing, but these faux roses  and candle ring centerpieces get the job done :)

7  And my absolute favorite - marbled candles!  I also found these tapered candles on Etsy which actually work better as a centerpiece, but I prefer the color of the former. 

10  And finally this navy blue planter, taking inspiration from the black sake cups & gorgeous navy blue & gold flatware at the gala. (love this Cutipol Goa flatware. the price tag is a bit insane but they are real cool).

Image Credits: Vogue
 

Color of the Year

"It's not easy being green...."  Well it is this year!  Green is the color of the year, and I'm loving some of the green accents I've been seeing in the design world lately.  Thought I'd do a roundup of my favorites & maybe there's something in here that inspires you too!

I discovered  de Gournay's hand painted wallpapers just the other day and now I'm obsessed. My love affair with botanicals continues.  On a visit to their showroom last week, I saw their various collections & the different materials they paint on, from tea paper to silk & their exquisite catalog of paintings. In love with their mural wallpapers, particularly the chinoiserie.

Fiddle leaf fig trees create such a spot of joy in any room. I've seen people pot them in wicker baskets or seagrass baskets like these at Target, and it looks pretty great. You could get the nearly natural version too if you're not the best plant mom! :P 

here, here,  here & here

Banana leaf / tropical leaf pillows give a room that relaxed, breezy vibe. And they're very on trend.  Love the pairing with beige, black & white.

here, here, here & here 

Agate coasters...I've only recently become aware of how fantastic of a design element agate can be. I saw these coasters at a friend's place in a tray & loved them touch! I tried to look up if there were any sellers on Etsy who'd make these at a budget-friendly price, and lo & behold, I found one -   309DesignCo . They'd make for GREAT hostess gifts for someone who's into modern/eclectic.

here and here

Green & gold seems to be a hot trend right now with furniture, and I gotta say, I'm kind of in love with it. I saw this gorgeous green & gold color palette in the Wayfair catalog. Very modern luxe. A bold move to go with a non-neutral sofa, but it could pay off.

More green & gold -  this dresser spotted at High Point Market last week. I love the details - the gilded bamboo and the pinwheel knobs.

I also found this DIY green & gold nightstand by Maggie Overby Studios. Using a slide under sofa table as a metal base to give it height is GENIUS!  And the end result looks great.

I saw pictures of this Alabama cottage in House Beautiful that has beautiful interiors and exteriors with different shades of green throughout. The lamp in the indoor dining makes a statement, and that outdoor dining terrace submerged in nature, is something else! THE perfect setting for a meal.

Painting kitchen walls & cabinets is one of my favorite decor ideas right now. It's cool to see before & after pictures of remodeled kitchens, and it's craaaaazy how paint can transform it, bringing in a sense of space and light. Here's a few paint colors I thought were impactful but not overwhelming.
 

Modern rustic... 

Elegant.

Industrial chic.

Image Credits: de Gournay, Greenery NYC, Houzz, Etsy, Wayfair, classicremixchicago, Maggie Overby Studios , House Beautiful

Macy's Flower Show

This weekend I was at the Macy's flower show in SF and I kept finding myself saying "This is spectacular!" Every 10 steps, I'd see something beautiful and feel this way. The theme for this year's exhibition is Carnival & yes, the displays are over-the-top, but that's the whole point :) 

I wanted to share with you some fantastic scenes from the show. Here's 12 things I loved. This isn't everything - there was a lot of cool stuff - but specifically things that caught my attention. Also, it was SUCH A BEAUTIFUL day in the city, I had to thrown in a couple street pictures, for good measure!  

Macy's has their flower shows in NYC, Chicago & SF around springtime every year. And they have some fun in-store events happenings as well. Here's what's going on in your city (major envy right now for the events lineup in NYC and Chicago!  floral cocktails & chocolate samplings, anyone?)  But I gotta say, it's hard to be too mad, because nothing beats the gorgeousness of a beautiful spring day in SF! :)
 

Street-side tulips just outside Macy's...

Angel's trumpet (what a perfect name for these flowers) at Union Square.

The Waterford crystal "wishing well". The only time you'll be allowed to throw quarters into elegant crystal. There were a few kids there having a ball :)

The "Oops: Spilled Bag of Popcorn" lady. Look closely at the ruffles on her dress :) 

This beautiful floral bouquet. Yes, those are sprigs of MINT leaves sticking out. I loved it!  How beautiful would this look on a spring table with a whiff of mint floating around the table. Elegant and unique. It was part of a floral demo that I caught the tail end of. 

These beautiful jazzed out pegasus, the stars of the show (there were 6)

I really liked this Love Tunnel recreation in the perfume department

And this pretty patch of flowers. The little orange flowers at the bottom of the patch are supposed to be super easy to maintain all year round. Perfect to grow in your garden, per our tour guide, who knew a hell of a lot about plants!

Towering pots

These adorable carnival cookies

And lastly, this Greek goddess themed Paco Rabanne Olympea perfume bottle. I loved the shape of the bottle & the display.

And that's a wrap! Anyone else go to the show?

P.S. You'll find all the details for your city here. There's some  fun events and workshops happening over the next 2 weeks. These in particular looked attractive to me,

Meet GODIVA's Global Executive Chocolatier Thierry Muret (NYC)
Floral Cocktail Seminar  (NYC)
Harry London Chocolate Sampling (Chicago)
Cooking demo with My Chocolate Soul (Chicago)
Spring Centerpieces with Freckled Florals (SF)
Festival Styling Party (SF)