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Elevate every garden gathering with these practical yet beautiful entertaining essentials designed for stylish summer hosting
Summer entertaining is as much about atmosphere as it is about food and drink. With the right lighting, somewhere warm to gather once the sun goes down and tableware that’s as practical as it is pretty, you can turn an ordinary evening outdoors into something memorable.
With that in mind, gathered below are ten pieces designed to do exactly that. Some are practical items you’ll reach for at every gathering, others are the small finishing touches that make a space feel special. Either way, the following items are chosen to help make you feel cool and capable next time it’s your turn to host.
Hand-knotted from bamboo using traditional techniques, then painted a soft white, this lantern brings a natural, sculptural quality to any outdoor table. The glass vessel inside keeps a pillar candle safely protected from the breeze. Line up several along a table or path for atmospheric summer evenings.
Hand-painted with flowers and vines, we love the glossy finish on this porcelain serving platter, bringing a fresh, botanical feel to your table. It's also dishwasher, microwave and oven safe (up to 200°C).
Marine-themed side plates are perfect for summertime. Characterful and fun, with seafood motifs and a playful wavy rim, these melamine plates will bring picnic-table charm to your space.
Cordless, USB-rechargeable and finished in a stylish neutral grey, this lamp is built for outdoor life. At 27cm tall, it’s a small yet striking centrepiece for any garden table – and you get two for the price of one!
Seeking warm, atmospheric lighting? These frosted bulbs are perfect. Creating a soft, subdued glow that eases you into the evening, they're mains powered for consistent brightness with a generous 14.3m cable length – plenty to wrap around a patio, fence or string along the table.
Hand-woven by rural artisans in Burma, this generously sized rattan ice bucket balances traditional craft with modern functionality. Matching rattan tongs help you lift out ice with ease and an insulated interior keeps ice solid for hours.
Upgrade your tableware with these footed glass goblets. Decorated with an Art Deco-inspired raised pattern, in a peridot green that catches the light beautifully, it's ideal for holding wine, cocktails or simply chilled water.
Revamp your garden area with this bold tiger print rug. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, it's both UV resistant and weatherproof. With its stunning coral colourway, this durable polyester flatweave rug is washable, lightweight and foldable for easy storage when the party comes to a close.
Snap up this sturdy steel fire basket with laser-cut detailing and a smart, contemporary silhouette, finished in black high-temperature paint. Simply add logs and it becomes the natural gathering point for guests to warm up once the sun goes down.
This characterful cushion is sure to wow guests. Displaying an underwater scene of coral reefs in gorgeous multicolour, this Harlequin cushion has a water-repellent coating that makes it garden-furniture friendly. We’d still bring it in overnight to keep the colours looking their best.
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