Summer is the perfect time to embrace slow living outdoors – sharing good food, long conversations, and moments that stretch into golden evenings. Whether you’re planning an elegant garden brunch or a relaxed dinner under the trees, the right setting can turn even a simple meal into something special.
We styled two different alfresco looks using Portmeirion tableware and Weaver Green textiles to inspire your summer hosting. From soft, joyful colour to timeless calm, here’s how to bring both styles to life.
1.Relaxed outdoor dinner under the trees
Set beneath the gentle shade of a tree and framed by a canvas bell tent, this dinner scene invites you to settle in and stay a while. With guests seated around a low wooden table layered in soft textiles and floral details, it’s the kind of setting made for summer afternoons that drift effortlessly into night.
The table features the Botanic Garden Meadow collection – a beautiful mix of floral-patterned dinnerware in uplifting, painterly colours. When layered together, each of the different sized plates and bowls adds a joyful, individual note to the table, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere full of colour.
Style this set-up:
Style this Set Up
A blue-striped runner adds a soft structure to the table, complemented by a large green rug laid beneath to define the space
Guests are seated on cushions in blue and green tones, adding comfort and easy charm
Cream-coloured napkins with a fine green stripe echo the colour palette in a refined, natural way, paired alongside silver cutlery
Seasonal flowers in glass bud vases dot the table with bursts of colour, mimicking the vibrant floral illustrations blooming from the ceramics
Colourful tall candlesticks bring playfulness and flickering warmth as the sun sets
This setup is ideal for informal garden dinners or relaxed celebrations. The addition of the bell tent is perfect for larger gatherings, allowing a second setting for guests to mingle, as well as providing the perfect shelter from the unpredictable British weather! Overall, this setting feels joyful, personal and a little bit magical – the kind of evening everyone remembers.
2. Sunlit garden brunch
In contrast to the softness of the dinner setting, this elevated brunch look is all about crisp, considered style. With a full-sized table dressed in tonal linens, Sophie Conran White ceramics and soft outdoor textiles, it feels polished yet easy – the perfect setting for mid-morning gatherings or an afternoon tea in the sun.
The combination of white tableware, simple striped linens, and gentle accents of green gives this setting a calm, cohesive look. Tall, slim vases (which are actually oil & vinegar drizzlers) filled with alliums add height and elegance, while a woven tray of fruits and nibbles brings freshness and texture.
Style this setup:
Style this set-up
Start with a striped tablecloth and coordinating rug to ground the setting
Layer classic white ceramics with deeper blue accents for timeless style
Mix in textural elements – think ceramic vases, woven trays, and linen napkins
Add a pop of colour through fresh fruit, cut flowers or glassware
Finish with cushions in complementary shades for softness and laid-back comfort
This setup is ideal for hosting a leisurely brunch, a birthday breakfast, or a relaxed family lunch. It’s all about thoughtful details and letting the table tell a seasonal story.
Bringing it all together
From the joyful wildflower patterns of Botanic Garden Meadow to the calm, tactile elegance of Sophie Conran White, these settings show how tableware can shape the atmosphere of your gathering. Paired with Weaver Green’s sustainable textiles, each look layers colour, texture and thoughtful design to create a space that feels as good as it looks.
Whether you favour the relaxed charm of a low table under the trees or the timeless appeal of a garden brunch, it’s easy to make your outdoor table feel special this summer - just add good food and great company.