The Sustainable Tablescape: Al Fresco Dining
One of my favourite things about summer in the UK is how the introverted sides of ourselves, well-tended to over the winter and spring, give way to our extroverted personalities, hungry for social interaction and togetherness.
The result of this: several group chats created, with a combination of close friends and unrecognisable +44 phone numbers, with invitations to various outdoor spaces that harbour both direct sunlight and shade, and a call for action to BYOB.
I don’t think there’s anything quite like the first social event of the summer, whether it be a large gathering for a birthday party in the park or an intimate al fresco dinner. It just feels so great to be together after so much involuntary (and voluntary) hibernation, right?
Speaking of al fresco dining, another joy of organising a summer soiree is the opportunity to make it aesthetically your own.
The rise of tablescaping in the last few years has showered our social media feeds with elaborate vintage plates, and textured print napkins, inspiring many of us to explore our creativity at the dinner table.
I was hooked the moment it started trending, having always loved hosting parties and being an absolute sucker for collecting the most random homeware items over the years, well ahead of any realistic near future of living in a home that I can legally do more than hang a mirror in. Though it wasn’t necessarily irresponsible consumerism, more premature consumerism? We digress.
It goes without saying that when you’re looking to level up your dinner party game, quality tablescape items should stand the test of time, and be able to serve multiple celebrations for many years to come. All that is needed to refresh the table between the seasons and types of events are pops of colour, beautiful flowers, and small favours to make your guests feel special.
Sustainable Tablescaping for Al Fresco Dining
If you’re planning your next summer soiree and need ethical inspiration, here are the five brands DELAH recommends for achieving the ideal blend of timeless sophistication, ethical responsibility, and of course, fun.
Setting the table and foundation for any theme starts with finding simple but high-quality table linen and serveware.
Acacia Creations is a lifestyle brand that offers handcrafted home goods made from the finest natural materials. Prioritising quality over quantity, their products demonstrate where modern meets timeless, providing a beautiful alternative to mass-produced items.
The brand collaborates with thousands of master artisans globally to design and create exclusive collections, supporting small communities in Kenya, the Philippines, Peru, India, and so many others. These partnerships are founded on dignity and respect, aiming to preserve traditional techniques and artistic heritage.
When it comes to hosting a themed party, every inch of my fibre wants to go crazy with the decorations. Alas, less is more, not to mention, the majority of decorations on the market aren’t designed to be circular, or even recyclable, with most of it, such as burst balloons, sequins, and confetti, contributing directly to microplastic pollution.
Cheap, tacky, and highly polluting is not our style, so we’ve had to find a solution.
At Talking Tables, 98% of their new Spring/Summer 24 Collection is free from single-use plastic. Their journey to being a more sustainable and ethical business started in 2020, with their loveable de facto manifesto, “Party like there is a tomorrow”. They also have a whole section dedicated to table inspiration on their website, where you can ‘Get the look’!
Check them out for napkins, vases, candles and holders, table covers, favours, and so much more.
Buying cut flowers can be a beautiful addition to your dining table, but to be as ethical as possible, you need to source them from responsible, community-focused growers, with bouquets consisting of as many British-grown flowers as possible.
B-Corp Bloom & Wild delivers flowers straight through your letterbox, plastic-free. They send zero-green waste to landfills and give their ‘less than perfect plants’ a second chance for a good home through their TLC Plant range initiative.
Here you’ll find British-grown blooms, dried flowers, mini gifts and hampers (perfect for dinner guest favours!), as well as flowers for all occasions.
You can’t have an al fresco dinner party without candles. It’s a faux pas. Ok, that’s dramatic, but if you haven’t got sufficient lighting, all your efforts of curating the perfect evening around your dinner table will be unappreciated after sunset, when those are the moments you really want to capture on camera.
We have been following Pott Candles’ journey for a while, building their brand on circularity and supporting local and independent UK artisans. You buy one handmade Pott for life and refillables when you need them so that you can match your desired scent to each season. They are also made from natural wax, 100% natural essential oils and sustainable fragrance oils.
Rumour has it that they’ll be bringing out a citronella scent this summer too! Perfect for dissuading unwanted flying guests to dinner.
Though this brand offers very little in terms of variety, what they do offer are two staple pieces for your al fresco dinner party.
Tablemats and wool throws.
Why are these essential? Well, tablemats almost immediately elevate your dining table, and ReSpin handcrafts them from natural seagrass and jute, coming in six different colours in the style pictured above, as well as three colours in a spiral design. It’s the perfect combination of earthy and stylish.
As for their recycled wool throws and blankets, these are perfect for draping over the back of your guests’ chairs. Later in the evening, when it starts to feel a bit chillier but you want to prolong the beautifully crafted ambience you’ve created, you’ll be thankful you invested in throws or blankets to compliment the aesthetic. It’s giving ‘capsule wardrobe’ in outdoor dining.
10 DIY Tablescaping Tips
Infuse your still or sparkling water with leftover strawberry-tops.
Collect the ribbons your letterbox flowers arrive in and tie them around your dinner napkins or cutlery.
Use items from your mantelpiece and other corners of your house to decorate the table.
Employ fruit and vegetables as part of your display for pops of colour.
Mix and match your candles and vases for a more rustic look.
Pay a visit to your local charity shop, as they can be a treasure trove for vintage decorative pieces.
Layer textures and tonal colours throughout.
Keep a balanced mix of low, medium, and tall elements. For example, incorporate flowers (tall), wine glasses (medium), and candles (low).
Faux, fresh and dried flowers are perfect for repurposing around the home, to and from your dining table.
Ask your guests to bring something on theme.
Have you created a dinner party tablescape to be proud of? We’d love to hear from you and your tips for ethical tablescaping!
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