I’ve been thinking lately that I should invite people over more, but there are a couple of problems. One, I’m a pretty mediocre cook, and two, I live in a tiny flat where there is only enough space for two people to sit around the table. So if I’m going to have, say, six people over for lunch, there’s only one solution: it’s going to have to be a picnic. A girl dinner, if you’ll allow me a 2023 TikTok reference. Picky bits and good drinks. But how to elevate the experience so that it feels intentional rather than sloppy?
First up, I may need to rethink my seating arrangements. My sitting room is about the size of some dining tables I’ve seen on House & Garden shoots, so it’s fine to just scatter people around the room (they’ll all be able to talk to each other just fine) but they will need something to sit on. I would love to replace my coffee table with an ottoman which can be a perch for a guest, as well as home to bowls of crisps and olives. This plain one from Love Your Home is perfect – imagine it covered in a rich weave by Susan Deliss – say her ‘Batik’ design or new ‘Simit’ stripe. And depending on the number and age of guests, there may well be someone (probably me) sitting on the floor, so a couple of charming cushions I could chuck down would make the whole experience slightly more comfortable.
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Trays are so useful for the casual host - I’d like one to put on the ottoman, one to bring the drinks in, and one more just for funsies. Frankly, I can’t choose between the following three, but I’m sure I could find a use for all of them.
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Instead of seating people around my tiny dining table, the table will become, essentially, a buffet station. Things are going to come straight out of the oven and onto the table, so it would be super useful to have a smart-looking heat resistant mat to put the dishes on – I love these affordable cork guys from Tinsmiths. And since I don’t want knives and forks sprawling all over the table (or swaddled in a napkin – too uptight), how brilliant is this cutlery holder from Cabana? Very much something I didn’t know I needed until I saw it, but now I NEED IT. And finally I’ll want some informal but still interesting cutlery to go in it - Rowan & Wren’s vintage satin set is just right.
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Most important if your entertaining skills are slightly questionable is to get everyone a good drink ASAP. Although my kitchen is a convenient ten paces or so from my dining table, I just don’t like the idea of beadily watching the level of everyone’s drinks and then legging it back to the fridge for the champagne every time someone’s running low. So I really really want a big, heavy ice bucket for drinks – it’s welcoming and everyone can help themselves. I’ll just need to figure out where to store it when everyone leaves… And no delicate stemware at this ‘picnic’ – if I’m going to sit people on the floor, I can’t give them something easily breakable. La Redoute’s rustic water glasses are attractive and a little above the basic, while Petersham Nurseries’ sturdy ‘Ana’ wine glasses have long been a favourite.
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Picky bits require bowls: small bowls for things like crisps, olives and dips, and bigger bowls for salads. Marbled homewares only get more and more attractive the more I see, and these little enamel chaps from Cabana are just the most useful thing. Colourful and lightweight, they’d also be perfect for actual picnics. Meanwhile H&M’s small white bowls with a subtle petal design are just the thing for olives and Pringles (yes, Pringles, you heard me), and this generous ruffle bowl will be serving up a green salad. A couple of platters will also be helpful for piles of mini sausage rolls – I’d love a couple of versions of the Amalfi platter from Divertimenti.
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