DINING ALFRESCO ? HERE’S HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT VIBE
SEASIDE STYLE
As lovely as the beach is, sand can be pesky when you want to tuck in. The solution? First, elevate ever ything with a low-slung table. Go cheap and cheerful with a fold-up (several if you’re catering for a crowd) and then add plenty of textiles in natural seascape colours. Drape the table with a cloth, then style it with a dinner party table setting using robust ceramics, wood and chunky glassware. Create a dining zone with outdoor rugs or inexpensive throws, add something comf y to sit on and don’t forget a windbreak in case things get breezy. What to eat ? A seafood barbecue that’s easy and quick to cook, such as seafood kebabs with salads and flat breads. Prep beforehand – thread the skewers and make your salads (keep dressings separate). And don’t forget your barbecue essentials – charcoal, tongs, matches and rubbish bags. Just add sun!
COUNTRY CHIC
Lean into colour for a picnic that feels bright and cheery. Gorgeous florals or graphic stripes set the tone, then add pretty ser veware in a mix of shapes and textures. Trays are your secret decorating weapon. Pop on a vase of flowers and decorative bits, or load it up with fruit, vegetables, cheese, dips, bread and biscuits to create an eyecatching centrepiece that tastes as good as it looks. Lazy grazing is the perfect way to while away a few hours so to your tray add extra-special nibbles that are easy to ser ve, such as tins of olives, smoked nuts, truffle crisps and, of course, canned cocktails and soft drinks for something to sip.
Make a country picnic an occasion –
