How to entertain outdoors Part 2: Al Fresco brunch in a small garden.
This is part 2 of my blog post series “How to entertain outdoors”. Read part 1 the picnic ideas for more outdoor gathering inspiration.
Is there anything better than a lovely outdoor brunch with your friends? I think I’ve already mentioned how much I like to host, especially from my small but lush city garden. That’s why I thought an Al Fresco brunch would be ideal.
1- Setting the table
I don’t know if it’s because I’m French but I absolutely love a metal garden table. Available in many shapes and colours, they are a great accessory to enhance your garden vibe. Mine is a rectangle deep teal colour that goes perfectly with my tropical garden theme.
Garden table from La Redoute
La Redoute has affordable and colourful table options. You can also get the matching chairs (or get them in clashing colours). The only downside is their packaging. To much unnecessary polystyrene…
My dream is to have a garden big enough one day that I can have a lot of these tables in many colours and shapes, a little like in a Mediterranean bistro.
Rainbow café look from Montmartre, Paris
To avoid overcrowding the table, I like to bring out my side tables and use them to carry drinks, bread,... Although they are not made for outside use, they can absolutely be used in the garden on a sunny day.
Small Tables by A Softer Edge
They are light enough to be easily moved around and are the perfect size to be useful without crowding the garden area.
Available in many finish options, you can find the perfect one for your décor. And the serving tray top is removable, very practical to bring things from the kitchen.
2- Go small
For a brunch, with a lot of small bits and different food available, I like to use small plates and serving trays, to give the impression of space on the table.
I like mixing fruits, veg and cheese to create attractive trays of food, easy to share and pass around the table. Everyone can grab what they want easily.
To me, Al Fresco also means casual. To keep the impromptu vibe going, I used a very simple table runner to dress the table. It helps make the plates and trays pop while remaining quite natural looking.
The one I used isn’t available anymore but I found this natural sustainable braided runner one by Walton&co that would work perfectly.
Small trays by A Softer Edge, from £35
Walton&co table runner on silvermushroom.com, £22
3- Plan for weather change
Nothing is more unpredictable than British weather. As I’m writing this article, it’s a sunny and hot 27 degree in London but that is not how it normally goes.
To avoid freezing guests/having to run back to the flat, I always have warm cosy blankets, easy to grab. Paired with cosy sit cover and cushion, they also add a luxe feel to the brunch, as if you where in a fancy rooftop café.
I use these Ikea rugs as cosy sit covers when the weather is a little chilly, £10
Mushroom gas heater by keengardener.co.uk, £168
I even invested in one of these gas heater restaurants use. I’m not going to lie, it was a pandemic impulse buy and they aren’t the best for the environment but they do work amazingly well in a London garden!
4- This is what it looks like
Check out the finish look.
This is part 2 of my blog post series “How to entertain outdoors”. Read part 1 for more ideas 😊
Thanks for reading and please let me know in the comments if you have any questions.
Check out my other blog posts for more home décor tips and inspiration.
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