Eating out(doors)
Latest Interiors moves outdoors to achieve the perfect summer vibe
Bowls (set of 4) £8, plates (set of 4) £10, hi balls (set of 4) £8, placemats (set of 4) £6, runners £8 each, all at www.next.co.uk
Cressida table and chairs, £259, www.houseoffraser.co.uk
Obviously, in these times of economic uncertainty, we’ll be the first to tell you to get out there and support your fabulous local restaurants. And so you should – use ‘em or lose ‘em. But come the summer (which will probably start around October, if recent snowfall is anything to gauge the seasons by), eating out will be the next big thing. Eating outdoors, that is. So pack up some dips, a bottle of something chilled (possibly rosé), and let us take you for a sneak preview of sultry summer evenings outside.
Space
Whether your space outdoors is a balcony, yard or rolling garden, entertaining outside is simple. Define the space using different floor finishes – decking, tiling or even gravel work well in contrast to lawn or concrete. Plants and structures can be used to make an open space seem cosy and private. Give some thought to overlooking properties when planning the area. If your patio or garden has an obvious feature – a lovely old tree or a natural bamboo ‘screen’, make the most of it.
Light
Light is an essential part of entertaining outdoors, and to get it right you need the perfect combination of task and ambient sources. Think low-level, warm and welcoming, and use strategically placed fairy (we love Ikea’s pretty dragonflies) and wall lights to produce a warm, ambient vibe. Coloured lights can also be used to highlight features or just change the mood: coloured LED lights inlaid into a deck look very pretty.
Picnic hamper, £45, www.next.co.uk
Task light can be more strategically placed: for eating at a table, candles or parasol lights (running along the underside of the parasol spokes) will help you to see what you’re doing. Lanterns and hurricane lights also give the right warm glow. Keep lighting twinkly and understated – no-one wants to sit under a 60w bulb to eat supper.
Shade is another factor to consider. Trees and plants may provide some natural cover for daytime entertaining, but a parasol can be very handy when the sun comes out. The most stylish gardens this year are sporting garden canopies – perfect, if you have the space, and they also provide shelter from the glorious British summer rains.
Sylish terrace lighting from these stone & glass towers. 29 x 10cm, £85 each. Available from Daniel Laurence Home & Garden. 01273 739694 www.daniellaurence.co.uk
Comfort
Don’t underestimate the importance of your table and chairs: they should be big enough for purpose (space allowing), solid, and above all comfortable. This year, Latest Interiors loves Habitat’s chic resin tables and benches – very understated. Be liberal with cushions and throws to entice your guests outside, and consider additional heat sources: avoid patio heaters if you can (unless you want a yeti-sized carbon footprint) – opt instead for an outdoors fireplace, firepit or woodburning stove.
And the food? Well, we can’t get our heads around gas-fired barbeques (where’s the fun in perfectly cooked sausages?!). This year, go for a traditional charcoal barbie, or simply pack up your usual fayre and serve it outdoors. Even burnt sausages taste good on a warm summer evening – just make sure that you keep that rosé flowing.
Cushions from £20, tea-light holders and candles from £5, all from House of Fraser: www.houseoffraser.co.uk
