Saturday 05.24.25

Happy Saturday!

Memorial Weekend is here. At this time of year I love to shop around/see what’s new for summer entertaining wares. Sunny meals outside are the best part of summer to me, and I have a lot of thoughts on what makes a chic summer table! I love a big, big mix in the summer. So today, I’m sharing what I found/loved this week between meetings and garment district appointments for your summer entertaining pleasure! Please let me know your thoughts as well.

Let’s start with the basics - linens. I usually like Heather Taylor for fall entertaining, but I love the idea of a splashy-but-graphic summer table cloth. This pink & red or this pink & brown would be fun with lettuce ware for a no-neutrals meal. I also love the idea of this green tablecloth in the summer. It would also be great for a buffet table outside. White plates & platters pop on this slightly dark for summer shade, it makes the table blend into the grass, and I’d put a huge arrangement of sunflowers on it. This is all in an effort to switch up the usual blue and white. That being said, this one is great to refresh the essential blue & white summer palette. This one gives that a shake up with green stripes & looks totally effortless.

For napkins, these or these are just great basics, tablecloth or not. We all know I love green, and I strongly believe it’s just as neutral as blue, if not more so. These stripes are so summery & would be great for a picnic at the beach. I also LOVE these embroidered napkins in the navy, hydrangea, neutral, and sky colorways. So zippy & look much more expensive than they are. Don’t sleep on Anthropologie Home! This is what I mean about shaking it up for summer entertaining, a mix of sources is always good and fun. I’m sure I’m not the only millennial here who had a big Anthropologie phase. They still make some great home stuff!

I am really not a placemat person. At all. BUT if you do, I love these. Great color combo for breakfast or a glass/metal patio table.

New flatware for summer is a bit silly, but right now I just have the one set of netural Laguiole and I’d like to build out options. I think the Bistrot Sabre is so fun/simple for summer meals. Any of the blues or greens would be great, and I like that it’s not too bulky. You can just scoop them up and put them in a glass for a summer lunch of salads with friends.

Moving on to plates & glassware! I don’t really use melamine but I love to shop for chic options. I think a lot of these colors are great. They’re neutral with a little natural/nautical texture that I find pleasing against all the linens above. I would probably use all of these colors happily.

I really think acrylic glassware is just a huge bummer. I know it’s a safety thing, I get it, so I have also leaned into trying to find poolside options that are chic/pleasing. This is a really good neutral option, and I like that they work for any beverage under the sun. This is a great highball, and these in orange or yellow are great for festive cocktails & spritzes.

For serving pieces, it’s always good to assess what you love using and what you’re lacking. I find the people closest to me have maybe 1 or 2 out of 5-7 platters they own that they actually love & use. So I’m always looking out for new options in the kinds I like. I love oval platters, they fit better on any serving table. This one with slight texture is great for summer. I love this split serving plate as well. You could serve half & half options for dietary restrictions, spicy-not-spicy, etc, this way chicly. This fish plate is a fun splashy option and reminds me of a more affordable version of Carolina Irving & Daughters. I would serve seafood pasta here.

I also think serving utensils always need a look over at season’s change. There’s either not enough, one went missing, or you just don’t like them but they were a gift. A few sets of these are classic all year long. However, sometimes I also notice serving pieces can be too bulky for picking up something light. Guests kind of faff around like they’re in the wrong size shoes, it’s a little uncomfortable. It’s good to have a light, small option on a serving table as well, like these.

Finally, the fun stuff! Everything else that goes ON a table and makes it special.

There’s a lot of really beautiful new homewares on Moda right now. I love these twisted hurricanes in both green and white. They’re elegant but not too formal. I would love to splurge and get a set of both.

I love this condiment holder for a little high quality wicker to dress up the table. And I am a huge condiment person. Win win!

This is not technically tabletop but I love a good unusual shape silver tray, and this one is a great price. You could one on either side of a summer table filled with herb roasted nuts, lemon wedges for squeezing, or something sweet. Girl Math! This company also makes these adorable little silver plated condiment cups which have my whole heart. Who doesn’t need these?!?!?

This is where we start cooking with gas. Imagine an long, outdoor lunch with a colorful tablecloth, melamine plates, chic pool friendly glasses, something silver & polished in the sun, and a little wicker texture on the table. Barefoot in the grass That’s the mix I love for summer.

Another great little thing to sprinkle down a summer dinner table for texture, indoor or out, are these woven votives. Love these.

If you’re having a really special outdoor dinner and really want taper candles (we all know this is a no no) I think it’s a great idea to just have these easy amazon candle sleeves ready in a closet all year. It does give a little extra special touch one or two times a season. I would switch out those taper holders for these simple brass ones, I’ve always wanted ones like this and have no idea why I don’t own them.

FINALLY, two more things to top it all off and get the party started! I am OBSESSED with this jumbo handled cocktail shaker. So practical. I feel big shakers are either ugly/cheap/don’t have a useful handle like this, or crazy expensive. This is a great, practical product at a reasonable price. So fun to shake up a big batch of watermelon margaritas this summer! I can’t wait to get mine.

This wine cooler is a splurge but so swoon-worthy and so summery to me. It gives your outdoor entertaining that lift that makes the affordable stuff look a lot nicer. I can see this all chilled and shining full of rose wine for the afternoon, no need to go inside to the fridge. Or you could fill it with ferns for a chic container on a covered porch.

That’s that! Who’s coming over for lunch this summer??

xx

MM