Summer: Dining Al Fresco

Summer in Colorado means sunny days, warm weather, afternoon storms, and dining outside (also known as al fresco)! We love to host friends and family and have a few tips to ensure your summer tablescape is ready to go.

If you have a table made of a material like wood that you like to keep visible, choosing a runner instead of a full table cloth is a great option. The beige and white striped runner in the photos is actually just a piece of fabric I got from Hobby Lobby ($20) and had cut to fit the length of the table with an extra foot on each end to drape over the edge. The loose texture creates an elegant focal point and you can easily layer serving bowls and decor on top.

(This similarly priced cotton striped table runner from Target is a good alternative if you don’t want to make a trip to the craft store!)

After choosing a neutral fabric to compliment the wood, I found these block print napkins at Pottery Barn to give the table a pop of color. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns, just keep in mind that the colors should always compliment each other!

If you’re looking for beautiful white dishes that are durable enough for everyday use, you can’t go wrong with these. Our bowls, plates, glasses, and silverware are all from Crate & Barrel and we use them both inside and out.

Lastly, one of my favorite pieces we use often for serving (or decor) is this old wood dough bowl. This one was from a local antique shop, but you can find a very similar one here. By laying a simple tea towel or flour sack in the bowl, you can fill it with everything from fruit to freshly baked cookies.

Cheers!