Summer Entertaining Guide

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Summer Entertaining Guide

8 tips from linens to flowers...

The Willow Crossley shop has almost everything you need for entertaining at home this summer and beyond. Setting the table and choosing the flowers has got to be one of the best parts of summer entertaining. And if the weather plays along, let's hope we can sit outside in the garden.

Here we give 8 tips - from linens to candles, and of course flowers too...

WILLOW'S TIP: “Candles have a key role, even in the daytime; I love the feel they create. I often mix candle colours but if the flowers and cloth are really bright or patterned, I'll keep it simple and go for cream (not white) tapered candles...

1. Table Linens - we have generously sized tablecloths and napkins, choose striped or floral and build from there. Three colours (pink, green and blue) of tablecloths in our signature wide stripe - all with matching napkins - very hard to choose! Our favourite this summer is the pink and white. Or choose our beautiful botanical print in a painterly green on the palest pink base (sold out but will be back soon!) also with matching napkins or you can layer with the striped ones.

2. Napkin Rings & Bows - these can make all the difference and a lovely finishing touch to your table setting. We have classic rattan rings - gorgeous for summer and a casual setting or chic marbled rings, all designed with a special concealed button so that you can add our beautiful linen bows (in blueand white) if you wish and change them up as often as you like.

3. Cutlery - Willow has a long standing love affair with Sabre cutlery which reminds her of the years living in the south of France - she has chosen beautiful hues in 3-piece sets of pinks and blues, teaspoon sets, butter knife set, and salad servers. Our glossy egg spoons in sets of pinks and greens also make lovely dessert spoons for a children's table…

4. Glassware - we have curated beautiful and essential fluted wine glasses and tumblers, sold in sets and everyday recycled glass tumblers (the green are especially nice for summer alfresco dining) and to add more colour and pattern, our blue and brown speckled glass tumblers are a perfect addition.

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5. Plates & Serving Bowls - our pink floral plates are divine especially on our striped linen cloth. Willow also loves Penny Morrison, Daylesford and Nina Campbell for plates. For serving bowls, our wavy Romanian bowls are beautiful.

6. Vases - choose bud vases to dot down the table with a collection of flowers from the garden - keep them low so you can see each other across the table!

7. Candles - we have so many to choose from! Willow loves the mix of oceanand mint greens with faded and bright pinks and purples to add extra colour and wow! (PS. our boxed dinner candles are also the perfect present for your hosts). Choose candlesticks in glass, floral ceramic, or splatter to suit your scheme…

8. Flowers - for the table, choose smaller stems for bud vases and flowers in season (preferably from the garden) - summer roses, sweet peas, corncockle, nasturtiums and perhaps some herbs too. Or add our showstopping paper poppies on their own or mixed with some flowery friends…

WILLOW'S TIPS: "Try and vary the heights of the candles; we've got some low-lying holders which are very helpful for getting that up-and-down feel. Tea lights in glass holders are another simple way of adding light lower down and a handy wind protector if you're eating outside…”

For more table styling ideas visit www.willowcrossley.com. Follow Willow on Instagram for more inspiration for table styling and flowers, whatever the season.