Trends to take to your table

Summertime is time to entertain. Whether you’re hosting lunch al fresco or serving up a scrumptious supper, these are the trends that will take your table to the next level.

• Keep it creased. Yes, really, says Charl Edwards, décor director at Superbalist.com, who insists that a wrinkled tablecloth is the perfect backdrop for other must-have accessories, like ceramic and crockery pieces with a homemade texture like wood, terracotta and stone. Offset these with metallic cutlery and accessories, and round off with a handful of greenery or mixed herbs from the garden, placed in a drinking glass or plastic cup.

Superbalist

• Colour is a big focus at Yuppiechef. The ones to watch? White hues, blush, natural and eco-inspired shades, and gem colours.

Yuppiechef

• If you’re considering a new set of crockery, give a thought to the latest colours and patterns. According to Nicki Ellis of Love Milo, the latest colours mirror our “cravings”, or shades that are as tempting to the eye as the palate: think spicy reds, oranges, coral or even lime and tangerine. Spiced honey is another hot colour, while matte black is everywhere. When it comes to patterns, oversized blossoms and bright botanicals dominate, along with celestial-inspired motifs like stars or the zodiac. Design-wise, “Japandi” – a mix of the ever-popular Scandi-style and Japanese minimalism – ensures tableware is practical as well as beautiful. Finally, there is a distinctive preference for eco-friendly materials like bamboo and hemp.

Love Milo

• Tamsin Jacobs of @home says the latest looks for cutlery are two-tone, while ornate handles are also big news. Her top tip for stylish table settings? “It’s all about layering,” she says. “Try a monochromatic dinner setting with larger serverware pieces and bring in pops of colour with your snack bowls and napery. Add softer, complimentary colours in your cutlery singles with ornate handles to create a very dramatic table setting. Alternatively, pair your plain table cloth with runners and placemats.”

@home

• Don’t be afraid to flaunt your ceramics, advises Kumari Govender of StyleSociety – they’re perfectly in tune with the current preference for unique pieces. If they’re handmade, so much the better.