An outdoor dining table set with floral patterned plates, green glasses, and folded green napkins. A vase with white daisies is in the center. There is a plate with cherry tomatoes, and the background shows a garden with greenery and small purple flowers.

How To Create A Memorable Summer Table

SEASONAL

As the weather warms up, I’m dreaming of outdoor gatherings. A key component, other than food and of course the company, is the table setting; the choice of decoration and fun accents, tableware, and linens can help set the mood for a magical evening. This edit curates pieces inspired by summer settings that evoke very strong emotions.

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FOLLOW ALONG

A picnic table set with white dishes, glasses, and flowers, located on a pebble beach with the ocean in the background.

Table set for a meal outdoors with a white tablecloth, napkins, plates, glasses, and seashells, including a cocktail glass with a shell garnish and a bowl of grapes.

New England Beach

Mood

A soft and inviting table that’s as soothing as the sound of the waves breaking

How to create

The color palette is a calming white and sand with some subtle pops of color. Enamelware is the dinnerware of choice for practical as well as aesthetic reasons. Votive candles help set the mood along with wild flowers in simple glass bud vases. As a final touch, and nod to the setting, scallop shells are used for serving salt & pepper and butter or olive oil.

Where to set up

Has to be on the beach or the closest thing you have to it, right on the sand

Images: Glebe House Devon (top), Sense of Spencer (bottom)

Linen Tablecloth by All Cotton and Linen

Crow Canyon Home Vintage 14 oz Tumblers Set of 4

Crow Canyon Home Vintage Dinner Plate | Set of 4

Crow Canyon Home Vintage Large Salad Bowl

Outdoor dining table set with plates, wine glasses, a bottle, and pink flowers, under a canopy of green leaves.

Outdoor garden setting with a round table covered with a floral tablecloth and decorated with pink, purple, and blue flowers. The table is set with white plates, bowls, and napkins. Six white wooden chairs surround the table, one with a white cushion. In the background, there is a gravel pathway lined with large potted plants, green hedges, trees, and a building with a stone wall and shingled roof.

Chic & Simple Dining

Mood

A table with rustic charm that’s in harmony with its natural surroundings

How to create

A patterned tablecloth in soft colors sets the stage for this table setting. Layered on top of it are simple basics like white linen napkins, glass candle holders and white beeswax candles, and straw accents. Bringing it back to nature, garden grown flowers introduce a pop of color.

Where to set up

Set up in nature - under a tree, in a field, on a garden path

Images: @tat_london (top), Alice Naylor-Leyland (bottom)

8 Inch Hand-Rolled Beeswax Taper Candles

Casa Nuno Hand Painted Pink & White Flowers and Vines Dinner Plate (Set of 2)

THE VINTAGE LIST, Crystal Liqueur Glasses Set of Six

Modern Striped Tassel Cotton Blend Tablecloth

ANNA + NINA, Ocean Glass Candlestick Holder

Pink Indian Hand Block Floral Print Tablecloth

All Cotton and Linen Hemstitched White Linen Napkins

Duralex, Clear 25 cl Picardie Tumbler, Pack of 6

An outdoor dining table set with colorful plates, glasses, flowers, and candles in a garden with greenery, a stone wall, and a house wall in the background.

A dining table set with plates, forks, knives, and a large orange bowl, with a vase of mixed flowers, and surrounded by various chairs in a rustic room with artwork and a black cabinet in the background.

La Dolce Vita

Mood

A table that is joyful and exuberant, a visual expression of living life to the fullest

How to create

A white linen tablecloth is layered with colorful ceramics and glassware. Standout accents come in whimsical shapes inspired by nature. Colored blooms are simply arranged in a vase. It looks like it was all just thrown together (and it was!), but it works beautifully.