10 steps to the perfect alfresco meal

I know I’ve spoken before about how much I love being able to eat outdoors in the summer months, but it really is one of life’s greatest pleasures! There’s something about dining alfresco that brings a real sense of occasion to a meal – it reminds us of long lazy evenings on holiday, spent sipping crisp white wine while watching the sun go down. Instead of rushing our food before scattering off to various corners of our home, or (worse still!) sitting in front of the television to eat, when we dine outside we slow down and take time to truly savour the conversation and our food – it really makes you appreciate the simple things in life!

There’s no reason why you can’t recreate the magic of holiday dining at home, and to make the experience even better, at Nordic House we have everything you need to create a perfect dinner (or lunch) beneath the sky! So I thought in today’s blog, it’d be nice to share my top ten steps to alfresco dining perfection…

Click on the pictures for more info!

Step 1 – Pick the perfect table set

First of all you need somewhere to sit and eat! Inspired by Scandi summers, our elegant white Danish outdoor table and chairs will add a contemporary style to any space.

Step 2 – Get comfy

Once you have your table and chairs in place, it’s time to add a little comfort! Stripes are so summery and chilled that you’ll want these neat Nordic Blue pin-striped seat pads in every cosy corner of your house. Hailing from Denmark, where beach house style reigns supreme, these cushions are simply timeless.

Step 3 – Light up the space

A meal is not a meal without candlelight! Our large contemporary indoor/outdoor candle lanterns are the big boys in our lantern collection and one of our most popular items. Create a stunning display by grouping several sizes together.

Step 4 – Pick the right candles

And of course, where there are lanterns, you need candles… These superb large rustic outdoor candles are hand-made in Sweden. They are for outdoor use only and are available in three different sizes. The candles have a special 6mm thick wick that allows them to burn superbly outdoors – even in windy conditions!

Step 5 – Add a centrepiece

Nothing says summer like flowers! Add a floral centrepiece to your table with our wonderful glass bottle vase. Reminiscent of something kept on your grandma’s shelf, this stunning vase has been crafted using recycled glass.

Step 6 – Sprinkle some sparkle

Have I mentioned that it’s simply not possible to have too much candlelight at your meal?! This lovely rustic natural Birch Bark tea light holder comes with a solid glass inner. As it is a natural product the wood has all the knotty uneven characteristics and each one is slightly different.

Step 7 – Use stylish serveware

We have some truly wonderful tableware pieces on the shop but I just had to mention our wonderful tapas board, as it’s just perfect for pre-dinner nibbles. The board itself is hand-made from reclaimed teak and the small containers from 100% marble. The marble jars are ideal for olive tapenade, pesto and hummus.

Step 8 – Pick the perfect table linen

One of the best bits about dining alfresco is dressing the table with smart summery linens. Stripes are a quintessentially Scandinavian fabric, so this light blue table linen is a great way to conjure up that clean look, indoors or out.

Step 9 – Fill your glassware

Sparkling glassware is always a must at any meal, inside or out! These delicate stemmed glasses from Denmark are tailor-made for a serving wine and will make truly handsome additions to your alfresco table.

Step 10 – Recline and relax!

Once the meal is done – it’s time to kick back and relax and enjoy the great outdoors! I simply couldn’t pick between our fabulous hammock and rattan chair for this final but very important step – but there’s no reason why you can’t have both!

Our lovely artisan hammock is hand-made from woven water hyacinth. Add some cushions and a throw – a book and a good glass of wine – and you’re away!

Our statement hanging chair is made from natural rattan, finished with a strong metal chain for hanging. Just the thing for lazy afternoons.

I hope this post has inspired you to make the most of the summer this year and dine alfresco as much as possible! It’s something we do regularly at this time of year and a really wonderful way to unwind after a long day. As always, we have so many truly special products to help you dine in style in the Nordic House shop – I hope you find the perfect accessories for you and your family!

Till next time,

Sandie x