Eating outside - the best tablewear buys

THERE'S something special about summer entertaining.

For a start there's a choice between eating indoors or out, and maybe because of that, there's more space to invite more people.

Add the fact that you can be spontaneous and offer friends and family an easily prepared salad and chilled drinks, so without any trouble, meals become occasions.

That relaxed, attractive informality should be reflected on the table. In the summer you can have fun with table settings, and inexpensively make them the star of the show.

You could even use brightly-coloured plastic picnic ware, pebbles gathered from a beach, a bunch of fresh flowers and a child's seaside bucket to hold the cutlery and hey presto, there's a table with a holiday feel.

: "One of my favourites for the summer is a Mediterranean-themed setting.

"Stick to a colour theme of the area's characteristic colours, white, bright pink, and sea blue. Chunky glassware, blue and white china, and plain white candles are ideal. Then add colour with bougainvillaea if you have it or put house plants in aluminium buckets or small terracotta pots to create a real Mediterranean environment."

The Alium range of black and white china dinnerware from  Sainsbury's gives a cool, sleek look ideal for hot summer dining. It costs from £4; four glass table mats, £12; and matching glassware costs from £3 for a wine glass. Check out table accessories such as plastic grass in galvanised pots, £5.

Complement an outdoor table with dinnerware decorated with roses. Her Heaven china has roses blooming around the rim, and costs £32 for four dinner plates. It is from the new collection of home accessories from Really Linda Barker.

Also included in the collection is twig-shaped silver cutlery: a Five piece Twiggy setting, £75; and Venetian clear glass candlesticks, a set of three, £62.50.

Tchibo has an excellent selection of dishes and table accessories ideal for summer tables. Check out its anitpasti-platter, £13 for tapas style lunches or supers; or two large white salad bowls, £10 for two.

Dibor mail order company, which sells French style homeware has one of the best ranges of brilliantly patterned cutlery which would add a splash of colour and contrast well with classic, white china. Choose from rich blue Toile de Jouy, or Gingham, in green or blue, and Basket Weave in red or blue. A place setting costs £28.

Emily Chalmers, author of Table Inspirations which is full of imaginative, unusual ideas for top tables, says: "Even if it's daylight when you eat it's always special to have candles on the table, and it means your guests can sit around until the light goes down.

"Lanterns are fun, too, and perfect to ensure candles stay alight in the breeze when dining outdoors."

Her style tip: Choose small glass jars for little candles, and be inventive with what candles are `planted' in. White sand, gravel or dishwasher salt is ideal.

Get designer style with china decorated with graphics inspired by Missoni clothes. Margherita has a sharp flower print, and a dinner plate costs £49, while there are three ranges of less expensive stoneware including Jennifer which costs £13.95 for a dinner plate. From Harrods, Selfridges and Thomas Goode.

John Lewis' It's Hot Flowers melamine range would suit that casual supper and is totally kid-proof. White curved dishes and bowls are splashed with brilliant red poppy heads, as are the matching see-through tumblers. It starts at £2.95.

Matalan's kitchen dining ranges score brilliantly on design and price, and have won awards. Look out for the new Siesta tableware which is white with a brightly striped rim. It costs from £2.50 and will be in store at the end of August. 

If dining outdoors keep the colour scheme simple and uncomplicated, using neutrals and shades of white, as the greenery and plants in the surroundings will provide the contrast.

Decorate the table with some fresh flowers from the garden, or even flower petals scattered between place mats. For added effect use a chain of butterflies on a garland, £12.50 from Graham & Green mail order company.

Table Inspirations by Emily Chalmers, photography by David Brittain, is published by Ryland Peters & Small, priced £18.99. Available now.

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