Set the Table for a Summer Lunch

Dappled light, the smell of fresh potted herbs, the soft texture of a linen napkin, a touch of vintage. Close your eyes and transport yourself to Europe this summer with a beautiful lunch with friends.

Summer brings with it all the delights of long lazy lunches in the dappled shade. Granted, we don’t actually get seasons in Singapore so ‘summer’ is more of a concept that we borrow from others - and if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere it is definitely not summer right now. But let’s not quibble. It is summer in the Northern Hemisphere and on that basis, I’m prepared to pretend it’s summer everywhere. And to celebrate all things summer, here is a lovely easy to pull together table setting.

If you live in Singapore, then it’s possible you’ll want to convert this table styling idea from lunch to dinner (because sitting outside in the middle of the day - even in the shade, even with the fans whirring overhead is nigh unbearable). I hear you. Sweatsville. Fear not, this table setting works perfectly no matter the time of day. Go with it for breakfast or brunch - it just works.

Potted Herbs

Use potted herbs in terracotta pots to add ragrant greenery to your table.  Potted herbs are cheap to buy, will last well beyond your lunch and they make a great statement. You can find a great selection at Far East on Thomson Road.  Most nurseries also sell terracotta pots.  Sometimes you need to do some digging to find the size you want. For this table setting I bought 3 or 4 potted rosemary. Look for ones that have a nice shape and aren’t too big. Candy is the better nursery for finding plain terracotta pots and I also like JM flowers for this as well.

Far East Flora | Candy | JM Flowers

Table Linens

I like to use a mix of linens and create a layered look. Start with a good quality white tablecloth in cotton or linen - this should be big enough to cover the entire table with drape (the rule of thumb : the size of the tablecloth should be 50cm longer than your table). Once this is laid, use embroidered or vintage linens in a smaller size to layer over the top and give a European nostalgic feel to the table setting. I have sourced vintage linens on trips to France, but you can find some great vintage linens on Etsy.

Cutlery, Plates and Glassware

What looks good in a photo isn’t necessarily what you would do in real life. So, whilst I have used a rattan charger plate and then layered the place setting with a handmade ceramic dinner plate, a statement lunch plate and finished with a matching handmade ceramic side plate - this is possibly ridiculous in real life. What are your guests going to do with all these plates once they sit down? Styling trickery for the sake of a good photo. Don’t let it mislead you.

In real life - consider a rattan charger plate, then add your dinner plate and top with a side plate in a contrasting pattern or colour. Done. Guests can use the side plate first and then you can clear these so they can use their dinner plates. Easy. No extra plates to contend with.

I love this Sabre bamboo cutlery. It is a statement and feels vintage and timeless. I use it all the time for all kinds of table settings.

If you can, try and have standard nice quality wine glasses for everyday and then a set of glassware that works for entertaining and offers a point of view. Here, I used etched vintage style water glasses and wine glasses.

SHOP THE LOOK