Trust Gwyneth Paltrow to set the precedent for outdoor dining at the start of al-fresco season. From the setting (her idyllic Montecito yard) to the guest list (yes, Oprah and Rob Lowe were in attendance), the goop founder has officially marked the shift back to outdoor dining – but arguably nothing is as influential as her table setting.
In true Paltrow style, the tabelscaping (seen on the third photo of the carousel) uses a classic, coastal-inspired blue and white color combination with subtle stripes for a modern-luxury aesthetic.
Celebrating the season, Paltrow dressed the table with wild clematis flowers, moss, and artichokes – unconventionally using vegetables as a part of her floral display. While we can't all enjoy a Montecito yard, we can still replicate Paltrow's outdoor table centerpiece – and her versatile color scheme – on a smaller scale. Plus, if there's no room for outdoor dining, this arrangement will look just as good indoors.
Firstly, when recreating Paltrow's flower arrangement, our garden editor, Thomas Rutter, recommends using climbing plants, including clematis, passion flowers, and jasmine with a similar wild, natural aesthetic. Adding trailing vines, foliage, and the uncommon artichoke will also create a unique talking point and elevate our table displays.
Emma Lewis-Jones, the product director at CookServeEnjoy, similarly explains the importance of our plate layout – and how layering decorative cutlery, like Paltrow, instantly makes a dinner party more formal.
'The key difference between an informal and formal dinner table is the use of a charger plate which provides an elegant base for your plate and enhances the overall aesthetic of the table setting,' Lewis-Jones explains. The placement of our appetizer cutlery is equally significant.
'If you're dishing up a starter, place your appetizer fork on the far left and knife on the far right next to the plate. This arrangement allows guests to work from the outside in with their utensils as courses progress.'
Naturally, Paltrow's wine glasses are just as chic (and, of course, perfectly placed). Where possible, Lewis-Jones recommends we use the right glass for our chosen wine variety.
'If you're serving a selection of different wines, ensure you have the appropriate glasses for each. Red wine glasses typically have a larger, rounder bowl to allow the wine to breathe, while white wine glasses are often narrower and taller,' she explains.
'Place the red wine glass slightly above and to the right of the white wine glass. If you're also serving champagne or sparkling wine, add a flute to the mix, positioned to the right of the other wine glasses.'
Shop the Paltrow-inspired dinner party edit
Featuring bold blue and white stripes, this plate brings a playful look to the dinner table and is ideal for creating a maximalist layered look.
A not-so-guilty pleasure, these fine crystal glasses are paper thin, so you can almost feel the wine through the glass. In spite of their delicate appearance, the crystal is durable, funneling the wine's aromas expertly.
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