Al Fresco

As the evenings grow warmer and longer, it’s time to embrace the joy of eating, drinking, and socialising outdoors. Whether it’s an impromptu picnic at a scenic beauty spot or a carefully curated garden soirée, outdoor dining is one of life’s simplest and most satisfying pleasures.

To help you host with flair—without sacrificing sustainability—we’ve curated a range of beautiful, functional pieces for kitchen, table, and garden. Most are made by talented artisans using recycled or eco-friendly materials, so you can look good, feel good, and do good for the planet. As the Impressionists once captured in Monet’s Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe (1865), outdoor dining is timeless. Let’s see what we can bring to the picnic blanket in 2025.

Serveware

Turn your table into a talking point with hand-thrown ceramic olive oil decanters and garlic pots by RB Ceramics, evoking shades of sea and sand. For rustic charm, Selbrae’s olive wood cooking utensils and platters bring earthy elegance, and the generously sized ladles are perfect for generous servings. Show off your local pride with a unique apron featuring the OS map of Todmorden by Jane Revitt—a gift any head chef would love. For a splash of Mediterranean colour, the vibrant, handmade ceramic serveware from New Overseas Traders includes shaped serving bowls, dipping dishes, and stunning tagines. Keep drinks cool (and stylish) with hammered copper flasks and mugs from Shared Earth, perfect for hydration with a healthy, natural twist.

Table Settings

Transform your picnic or garden table with cleverly repurposed textiles. OS map tea towels by Jane Revitt make whimsical tablecloths, and colourful striped throws by Shared Earth double as both picnic blankets and wraps. Liga’s recycled cork and oak mats, coasters, and trivets protect surfaces while adding organic texture to your setting. Glassware by Emma Britton, delicately etched and beautifully designed, elevates every sip, while Shared Earth’s recycled tumblers and goblets in soft blues bring a relaxed charm.

Add personality with food-safe pewter spoons by Glover and Smith, complete with ornamental, nature-inspired handles. Selborne Pottery’s jugs and mugs are perfect for pouring and sipping, and for something sturdy and playful, check out Stubbs Mugs’ enamel cups with witty, topical designs—ideal for picnics, hiking, or backyard lounging.

Finishing Touches

As dusk settles, set the mood with sophisticated striped candles by The British Colour Standard and ornate lanterns by New Overseas Traders. For a magical glow, add Hana Blossom’s tiny floral tealights or sculptural candle holders from Quirky Metals. Ward off the evening chill with soft, stylish silk and cotton scarves by Lua, who also offer charming mini rucksacks and crossbody purses. Shared Earth’s versatile blankets, originally designed as table throws, also work perfectly as cozy wraps. Capture the moment or plan your next picnic in a beautifully bound journal by Paperblanks or Flame Tree Publishing. Budding naturalists will love pressing blooms in a pocket-sized flower press by Wald—a perfect way to remember your alfresco adventures.

Outdoor living has never looked (or felt) better. Celebrate the season with thoughtful details, sustainable style, and a little artistic inspiration. Here’s to dining, laughing, and lingering under the open sky.