Garden Party

Create an outdoor-dining tablescape as the centerpiece of your summer soirees.

- Meryl Schoenbaum

If the joy of hosting dinner guests at your home is in your DNA, then the idea of hosting outdoor dinner parties this spring must have you giddy with excitement. But you may not be sure what table elements to include to ensure a memorable outdoor-dining experience for everyone. We asked stylist/blogger Claudia Reese, known as Fabiana in her blog Ciao Newport Beach, who specializes in designing tablescapes, to share one of her favorite summertime table designs for inspiration.

“Laura and Dennis Marchese, my friends for over 20 years, recently moved to a two-bedroom 1946 cottage in the historic district of Orange,” says Claudia, who is based in Newport Beach, California. “They wanted to create a backyard for entertaining as well as for quiet relaxation. Alfresco dining is important to Dennis, who has Italian roots. Laura is a gourmet cook and takes pleasure in using fresh ingredients from the garden. I set the table for them using Laura’s beautiful floral dishes as inspiration.”

SETTING THE SCENE