Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion


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Pins & Needles

vine ‘n’ dine page 1 visual

Text By Mary Forsell • Produced by Kathy Curotto

Dive RIGHT in
It’s 90 degrees and there’s not a swimming pool in sight. Cool off by creating the illusion of a shimmering lagoon—right on your tabletop. For that resort look, we paired a crisp, blue-and-white cloth runner with clear glass containers and pristine white serving ware. All fabrics, SeaCloth. (a) Stools, Amity Imports. Table, Smith & Hawken.
fabric can be...

LEAFY LOUNGE
(b) In this conversation corner, the wooden mold over the sideboard serves the same purpose as a painting over a mantel. The chair and table fabrics are derived from the watercolors of artist Susan Harris for SeaCloth. (c) Creative reuse is our mantra. A salvaged industrial mold becomes a wall decoration. (d) Glass containers create a sculptural tablescape. Fill them with leaves and fronds instead of the usual flowers.

BUILD YOURSELF A ROCK-SOLID TABLE
1. Just the right height for cocktails, this impressive “on-the-rocks” table is made with inexpensive materials. Take a metal trashcan, turn it upside down, then spray-paint it black. The can will become the “invisible” filler that the rocks surround.

2. Measure out hardware cloth about eight inches in diameter larger than the can.

3. Head to the local quarry and buy river rocks by the bag, enough to fill the spaces between the can and the hardware cloth (about 10 medium-sized bags).

4. Drop in rocks, arranging them so you can’t see the can in the middle.

5. Add on a tabletop, either balanced or bolted directly into the can. Grab a chair and relax.

POPPIN’ PLACE CARDS
(g) Using vintage wire, Caroline Huth turns corks from parties past into place card holders. (h) Metal topiary frames serve as hanging candleholders. The artist specializes in recycling cast-off objects into home accents.

COOL YOUR HEELS
Separate buffet, dining, and relaxation areas keep people circulating. (i) Give your lounge chairs a lift with terrycloth slipcovers (they absorb moisture and keep you cooler). Use bath sheets or buy yardage at fabric stores. If you don’t sew, just cheat and tuck them in. Don’t forget the shade: The darker the umbrella, the more UV rays it will block out. Lounge chairs, Home Decorators Collection.
simple, unfussy decorations...

GARDEN GUIDES
(j) Floral-pattern pillow complements the garden setting without being fussy. (k) Lanterns add spicy spots of color that contrast with greenery. Hang them from bamboo stands lashed together with natural materials like raffia or sisal. (l) Metal plant markers by Caroline Huth give guests a mini botany lesson as they stroll along pathways.

For maximum efficiency, outdoor cooks should have at least 36 inches of workspace directly adjacent to the grill. (m) This all-weather table with a stainless-steel top doubles as a food prep station and buffet server. Grill, Dacor.

(n) The great thing about serving wine and cheese? It’s effortlessly elegant and works for parties large and small. Select cheeses with different flavors, shapes, textures, and colors. For instance, a rich Camembert and creamy mascarpone would contrast with wedges of tangy Gorgonzola. Simple rule: the more robust the cheese, the heartier the wine. For easy kebabs, choose foods that don’t need slicing and dicing, such as shrimp and cherry tomatoes. (o) Guests can keep track of their drinks with monogrammed wine charms by artist Caroline Huth. Just hook them on to glass stems.