Homes Antiques

WELL-DRESSED

TABLES

E

ating outside is one summer

pleasure that’s hard to relinquish

even as dusk falls earlier and

the evenings turn cooler. Keep

the seasonal mood alive by

adding more colour to your table. Throw a

brightly hued cloth over the top to provide

a colourful background for everyday plates

and dishes or splash out on tableware with

a vibrant pattern. From Portugal to Provence

and beyond Mediterranean pottery comes

in vivid tones while practical patterned

melamine pieces can be hard to tell from real

china. When the sun goes down a drop in

temperature can break up the party early

so provide throws to keep guests cosy and

they’ll stay chatting until late.

L

azing in the garden requires

a seat that is comfortable yet

light enough to lift so you can

pick it up and follow the sun

• or hide from it. Furniture
  made from woven materials such as wicker cane loom
  and cloth has these qualities. Cloth or rather canvas
  is a traditional seating material for the season – indeed
  no snapshot of a traditional summer would be complete
  without a chair layered with cushions to relax in.
  Another restful alternative (albeit a less portable one)
  is a fabric-covered swing seat. Odd Ltd and Wilverley
  are suppliers of these seats that are shaded by their own
  canopy and have all the charm of a PG Wodehouse
  party. Wicker cane and loom furniture has a more
  rigid structure oering support without compromising
  the material’s natural resilience. Made in a variety of
  vintage styles it comes in a host of modern shapes too.

A PLACE IN

THE SUN

TOP The ultimate

personal space a

cocoon chair is just

the thing to idle in.

‘Andaman’ hanging

chair with stand

£350 Next ABOVE

Cane furniture is

light comfortable and

perfect for the garden

or conservatory.

‘Bloomingville’ rattan

chair in ‘Natural’

£365 Out

There Interiors

LEFT ‘Sardine’ melamine tableware from £3; ‘Malo’ stripe

throw £40; ‘Fisherman’ metal lantern £48 all House of

Fraser ABOVE ‘Floral’ linen tablecloth £120; ‘Lotus’ table

mat £13.50 both Birdie Fortescue BELOW ‘Kesuma’

tablecloth £178; ‘Dinard’ napkins £48 for four both Oka

H&A GUIDE: Outdoor living

H&A SUMMER 2017 99