There’s no better time than summer to embrace the joy of al fresco dining. Whether you’re planning a casual get-together with friends, a romantic dinner for two, or a delightful picnic in the park, transforming your outdoor space into an inviting haven is key.
Let us guide you through three joyful summer dining experiences, each styled with the nature-inspired Portmeirion Minerals collection and with a little help from content creator, Madeleine Olivia. We’ll explore how to set the scene, choose the perfect tableware, and create a menu that complements the vibe.
Casual garden get-together
For a relaxed gathering with friends and family, let your natural surroundings be the inspiration for your casual garden tablescape. Starting with the foundations, keep your base as natural as possible with a wooden tabletop. Elevate the warm wooden tones with a fresh foliage centrepiece, placing the greenery along the centre of the table from one corner to the other.
Let the colours of the season burst from your tablescape, mixing coloured glassware for a playful touch. Echo the cheer with coloured glass candle holders in oranges and greens and light them with tapered candles in complementary joyful shades.
For your final vibrant touch, lay out the Minerals stoneware for your guests to enjoy the delicious spread. Glazed in a palette of eye-catching hues – blue, pink, white and purple – the tactile tableware adds a touch of rustic elegance to your set-up. The mix-and-match colours add a playful informality to your get-together, complementing the relaxed vibe of the occasion.
For food, keep the menu light and fresh, perfect for grazing under the summer sun. Think olives and dips, fresh crusty bread and tomato and burrata salad. For dessert, a platter of seasonal fruit drizzled with honey and whipped cream is both simple and crowd-pleasing.
Picnic perfection
Next, we’ve taken inspiration from Madeleine Olivia with her perfect picnic set-up by the beach, ideal for making the most of those warm summer afternoons.
Make it cosy with an oversized blanket to create a comfortable and inviting base for your picnic feast. And who says your favourite crockery is just for enjoying at home? Elevate your adventure and bring your nature-inspired tableware with you. The Rose Quartz and Amythyst colourways of our Minerals collection are the perfect summer shades and the small bowls from the set make the ideal picnic pots to fill with dips and snacks.
For your picnic menu you want food that’s delicious, easy to transport and effortless to eat. Therefore, you can’t go wrong with a sandwich, made up of your favourite filling and fresh bread, paired with lighter bights of vegetable crisps, a light and fragrant cous cous salad and of course, fresh fruit to end on something sweet.
Image credit: @madeleineolivia
Al fresco dinner for two
As the summer sun dips, why not set the stage for an intimate evening filled with delicious food, conversation, and the magic of the outdoors? Inspired once again by Madeleine Olivia, she’s styled an elegant yet effortless neutral table that provides a clean canvas for her culinary creations.
Start with a neutral tablecloth in soft cream or light grey and pair it with white cotton napkins for a touch of crispness alongside the Moonstone Minerals dinner plates and side plates to complete the timeless look. Gleaming silver cutlery and clear glassware tie the scene together.
In the centre, place the rich, jewel-toned serving bowls and platters. Like Madeleine, opt for a steaming bowl of inviting tomato pasta to share, bursting with fresh summer vegetables and fragrant herbs, nestled alongside a platter of focaccia bread, perfect for scooping up every last bit of sauce. A selection of marinated olives, side salad and roasted vegetables provide the perfect sharing and grazing side dishes.
Image credit: @madeleineolivia
Style your own Minerals summer set-up
