Entertain in Style

Long summer evenings make this the perfect time to enjoy your home to its full potential and share it with friends and family. Whether your style of entertaining is an alfresco meal, or a sport-orientated get-together, there are plenty of ways to ensure your home is a welcoming environment.

Alexandra Cooke, co-founder of Dartington-based, ethical, fair-trade company Nkuku, has some ideas to create the perfect gathering. “Summer’s here so seize the chance to enjoy a magical evening in your garden. To set the scene, scatter some elegant lanterns and petal tea lights; the soft candlelight flickers through the intricately cut holes and will cast pretty shadows. Direct your guests outside with handwritten messages on chalk boards and prepare a delicious informal meal served in large bowls for everyone to dig in and share. Lay your table with pretty rustic table mats (ours are hand-braided from eco-friendly hemp) to create an alfresco feel even when the weather does not permit eating outdoors. Whether you are inside or out, scatter some natural jute cushions to create a holiday feel, and place some cotton throws about for people to wrap up in as the evening cools.”

If the continental aesthetic is one you favour, then Salcombe Trading Skagerak range could be the perfect addition to your garden this summer and can help to shield your guests from the unpredictable British weather. Sarah Murphy from the company says: “The finishing touch to any garden set is a stylish parasol. Built to keep you in the shade when the sun shines – or dry on those slightly damp summer nights in England – it is the perfect way to make the most of your outside space this summer.” 

Another way to equip your home for all eventualities is to invest in an energy-efficient outdoor heater. It will provide an excellent focal point and will create a social hub as the night draws in.

If it does rain on your parade, do not despair – there are plenty of ways to create a summery, outdoor feel inside your home. Lay your table with nature-inspired crockery and tableware to bring the flowers and foliage inside, place lanterns around your dining area and switch off all electric light to create a relaxed ambience. To emphasise the communal aspect, why not use a champagne bath and place it in the middle of the table, for your guests to help themselves and bring a party atmosphere to your home? Throw open the windows to enjoy the fresh summer air and you will feel as if you are outdoors.

If you are looking to make some grander, structural changes, then Matt Robinson from JAM Interiors in Exmouth suggests ways to emphasise the social aspect of your home. “To truly maximise your summer entertaining space, why not take the ultimate move and build your kitchen or diner outside? A spectacular outdoor fire-pit and barbecue will provide some excellent focal points.” 

We are spoilt for choice now when it comes to outdoor furniture and Matt believes that looking towards nature is the best approach. “Combine your new features with natural materials, such as terracing in a combination of ironwood and Simyra stone, with Vincent Sheppard outdoor furniture, made from paper woven in the Lloyd Loom technique. Naturally built to withstand the elements, these materials will perfectly complement their alfresco surroundings, creating a harmonious, continental aesthetic within your Devon environment.”

Food is an integral part of a summer gathering so whether you are preparing a three-course meal or an impromptu barbecue, the kitchen will become a hub of activity. In order to ensure the cook is not isolated from the celebrations, Lynn Winter from Ralph Winter Kitchens in Exeter tells us how to make your kitchen a more social environment. “A well-designed and carefully considered island can provide versatility for food preparation and is also a practical, social space to sit around on a lovely summer evening.” She adds, “Mixing materials in your kitchen can make it particularly striking whilst flattering the existing architecture of your room. A dining area, whether this is an island or a breakfast bar, within the kitchen furnished entirely to the individual’s taste will transform your kitchen from a purely practical environment into place for dining and socialising.”

If your space does not permit remodelling on this scale then why not consider reworking your existing layout from a guest’s perspective? If you have an open-plan kitchen/living area, consider angling the two areas towards each other to create a communal feel, rather than separating the two environments. Be sure to make the most of what you have already. Your guests won’t expect stylistic perfection; a small dining table or indoor picnic table can create an informal social setting, while mis-matched chairs and crockery will look lovely and relaxed. Creating an intimate setting, with guests knocking elbows is an enjoyable way for people to get to know one another.

“A well-designed island can provide versatility for food preparation and is also a practical, social space to sit around on a lovely summer evening”