Summer entertaining, the maximalist way
There is something utterly magical about summer entertaining. The doors are flung open, the light lingers long into the evening, and suddenly even the simplest gathering feels like a celebration. For me, the garden becomes an extension of the home at this time of year, and I approach it with exactly the same design philosophy. More colour, more pattern, more joy. My latest outdoor collection with Dunelm is designed to capture that feeling and help you create a truly colourful summer garden. Rooted in a sun-baked palette, it blends soft pinks and azure blues with chalky neutrals, all lifted by spicy reds, oranges and zesty lime. The result is a look that feels both relaxed and energising, perfect for everything from laid-back lunches to lively garden parties. When I am entertaining outdoors, I want the table to feel abundant and inviting. This is where pattern comes into its own and I have layered stripes with florals, ikats with geometrics to create a scheme that feels rich and full of personality. The key is that it is all tied together through colour because even the boldest combinations feel harmonious when they share a consistent palette. So you’ll see this is tied through the textiles, cushions and the furniture too.
At the heart of the collection is the Beldi Floral parasol, which truly sets the tone. With its joyful pattern and neon pink tassels, it creates an instant focal point and brings a sense of occasion before your guests have even taken their seats. From there, it is all about layering. One of my favourite styling tricks is to avoid anything that feels too “co-ordinated”. Matching everything perfectly can make a table feel flat, a bit like painting by numbers. Instead, I love using mix and match napkins to keep things playful and relaxed because the more pattern you introduce, the more interest you create.
Beldi floral parasol, outdoor Ourika ikat cushion, Beldi floral bench pad, Beldi floral table cloth, Harp plant pots, Harp lanterns, all Dunelm.
Of course, with all this colour and pattern, balance is essential. This is where texture becomes your secret weapon and natural materials such as wood, wicker and rattan provide a calming backdrop that allows the brighter elements to shine without overwhelming the space. I’ve included Woven seagrass placemats within this collection to help ground the whole look beautifully. From there, I build upwards with plenty of twinkling glass in the form of vases and candlesticks that catch the light and add that all-important sparkle. As the sun begins to set and candles are lit, the whole scene takes on a soft, twinkling glow that feels incredibly atmospheric. A few solar lanterns hung in the boughs of the trees or suspended from the parasol would complete the effect.
If you remember just three things when styling your summer table, let them be this. First, colour. Be bold, but repeat your shades so the scheme feels cohesive across the table, the furniture and the styling. Second, pattern. Embrace mixing, and let your palette tie everything together. Third, texture. Ground your look with natural materials like wood and wicker, then lift it with touches of glass and lacquer. Finally, no summer table is complete without flowers and I always use them generously at this time of year. Whether gathered from the garden or picked up from the local shop, they add softness, movement and yet another layer of colour.
Whether it is a Sunday lunch with friends, a special occasion or a spontaneous midweek supper, I never need an excuse to create a sense of occasion. With the right mix of colour, pattern and texture, your garden table can become a place of pure joy, where memories are made all summer long.
