Buyer’s Guide
Outdoor entertaining.
‘OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING IS ALL ABOUT BRINGING A FRESH, FUN FEEL TO INFORMAL GATHERINGS .’ RE NA TAP UZ, MAXWELL& WILLIAMS
There are few simpler pleasures than dining outdoors in summer .“Having a space with just enough sun and shade (or light, if you’re entertaining at night), comfy chairs and a sturdy table are key,” says interior designer Chloe Matters of Sydney firm Tom Mark Henry.
Whether you have a compact balcony or a sprawling backyard, the first step is to choose furniture that suits the feel of your home and allows plenty of room to move around. “Not so long ago, the outdoorfurniture industry was plagued by heavy, unimaginative timber sand mass-produced plastic settings. Fortunately, we’ve come a long way,” says Susan Tait, creative director and founder of outdoor-furniture retailer Tait. “People are increasingly seeking unique pieces with beautiful details.”
As alfresco dining becomes more refined, there’s a growing trend towards adaptable, modular pieces that suit any lifestyle or occasion, says M or aim a Martinez, business development manager at Ke-zu. “Classic outdoor pieces have had a contemporary update. Colours with warm, subtle tones that match the landscape – olive greens, warm reds and greys–are coming through.”
Durable engineered materials such as synthetic wicker and polycarbonate are in demand, but there’ s a renewed appreciation for the natural and handcrafted too. “Rattan is a great example,” says Martinez. “Our rattan furniture is woven using traditional techniques, with designers pushing the boundaries to deliver sophisticated and sculptural pieces, moving away from the casual look of rat tan pieces of old.”
The next step is the tableware. “Outdoor entertaining is all about bringing a fresh, fun feel to informal gatherings, which you can achieve with ceramic platters, wooden serving ware and colourful glassware ,” says Renata Puz, head of product development at Maxwell & Williams. “Layer the table with plates and bowls that can be stacked, overlapped or shared with ease. Go for vivid colour and bold or ethnic-inspired patterns .”
Matters takes a different view, favouring organic, handmade tableware. “Design has moved away from the cookie-cutter approach into styles that have depth and variation,” she says. “Crisp white plates have been replaced with gentler tones and colours. You won’t find any harsh reds and greens; rather, just hints of colour.”
And no arrangement would be complete without beautiful glassware. “Stemless wineglasses are not only great for wine and cocktails. They also make any dessert Instagram-worthy,” says Frances Foote, brand manager at Krosno. “Serving bubbly and summer cocktails in prosecco glasses and Champagne saucers is very much on trend.” Create a sense of occasion by dotting the table with glassware of various shapes and sizes, she adds. “Don’t limit yourself to just one wineglass or tumbler. People enjoy drinking from stemless and oversized wineglasses, whether they’re having wine, punch or cocktails. Serve mixed drinks in jugs and carafes filled to the brim with ice and garnished with fresh fruit: it’s the essence of an Australian summer celebration.”
Don’t forget the little details that make a big difference to the overall experience, such as shading, lighting and music. If space is at a premium, consider a clever all-in-one design such as the Heatsail Dome, available from Rock & Stone, with integrated infra-red heater, light and Bluetooth speakers.
Round things off with a few carefully selected decorative accents, says Matters. “Flowers will soften the table and provide an opportunity to add depth, colour and height. For evening, candles can create real ambience when used generously.”