Inspiring ideas for eating al fresco

I’m always praying for extra warm nights in order to be able to entertain outside. It adds such a special element to eating together. The idea of eating under the stars is such a treat. In London I have to be nimble and on the weather app, ready to pounce and bring everything outside (or inside depending on the weather gods!) a big stack of blankets and extra sweaters on hand is always a must. While in ibiza it’s more a case of having enough shade, some great twinkling lights and I’ve planted rosemary and citronella around our dining table to ward off the mosquitos. Either way I follow these five principles below to make sure my guests have the best night and everything runs chick and smoothly.

Keep starters standing - Instead of serving my starters seated, I love incorporating them during drinks. That way guests can mingle and choose their own plates whilst watching the sunset or sitting by the fire pit. I often use my small flow platters with a small flow bowl nestled inside; perfect for hummus, salsa and guacamole while the platter has crackers, crudités or zucchini fritti ready for dipping. My large raised platter filled with chunks of Parmesan and prosciutto is all about displaying the food beautifully for everyone to dive into and enjoy.



I like giving guests something to snack on as soon as they walk through the door. Crudités with a delicious  home made hummus or or tapenade. Lots of nuts and some gourmet crisps. And of course a glass of champagne or a G&T.



Colour coordinate for easy styling - I tend to keep to one colour when entertaining. That way everything is tonally in tune. In my London garden where our table sits under the canopy of Japanese maples I tend to lean in to all the greens surrounding us. Using my multi green tie dye linen and teal bubble plates and platters. I will choose flowers that mirror these shades.



While in Ibiza where our home is surrounded by azure skies and sea I take my queue from the surroundings and everything is a bright vibrant blue. I add either white flowers or add in another pop of colour like fuchsia bougainvillea or piles of lemons picked from our trees.



It’s all about sharing - I’m a big fan of using sharing platters at Al fresco dinners. Passing my platters amongst guests allows everyone to choose their own favourites. Long and slim they can be placed along the centre of the table without taking up too much room.



Don’t just think visually but with other senses too - I love adding fragrance to my table. My latest teal candle in a Tuscan leaf scent includes Oregano and tomato leaf and adds a fragrant touch. I also love adding sprigs of rosemary and mint or fresh cucumber to my bud vases and to the jugs of spring water I serve in my pitchers. These touches gives an extra layer that is subtle but really adds to the ambience of the night.



Keeping things easy and fun - Snacking In between adds a touch of interactive fun. I love placing fruit and treats as decoration. Often putting one or two of my raised cake stands along the centre of the table piled high with fruit, chocolate, vegetables or cheese and nuts and letting guests eat them throughout the night.



My family are big fans of cold summer soups such as gazpacho and we love serving it in our pitcher with croutons and chopped vegetables served alongside in my small flow bowls, its a lovely relaxed starter especially when poured into glasses.

And sometimes, a low key al fresco supper of ‘bits’ - a grown up picnic of sorts is great fun. Crudités, tortilla, salads, cold meats, crisps and crackers make the perfect accompaniment to a game of cards or a family movie. Showing that not all outside dining has to be a full blown dinner party but something easily assembled and above all fun.





Always love mixing patterns on my dining table. You can’t go wrong with sots and stripes and these blue striped glasses from The Conran shop are the perfect foil to my bubbles.

If you need to take a towel with on holiday, I always plump for a Turkish hammam style towel. I love how thin and light weight they are. Easy to pack in your suitcase and your beach bag. We have a stack in our home in Ibiza and they dry super quick too.



The perfect scent for a al fresco summer table - our Tuscan Leaf candle is housed in a bespoke dbCeramic Teal bubble vessel. With top notes of Tomato leaves, Lemon and Oranges. Middle notes of Oregano. And base notes of aromatic woods it has a light and fragrant scent with Mediterranean fresh herbs and citrus; perfect for inviting the beginning of spring and the blossoming of nature into your home.

Once finished, the vessel can be reused as a bud vase or ornamental pot on your desk for pens or for makeup pencils and brushes on your dressing table.



A touch of chic at cocktail time with these embroidered napkins. I love collecting linen and love using my mother’s vintage pieces mixed in with new finds.



The photographer Lucy Laucht’s imagery captures nostalgic summer holidays to perfection. Buy her prints from Glassette to transport you to Amalfi in seconds or visit her latest exhibition at 8 Holland Street’s new gallery space at St. James's Park, 34a Queen Anne's Gate until sep 27th.