Summer SET FOR

Annapolis Home asked Amanda Chando, Owner and Creative Director of Details + Design, to set a summer table for us and share her thought process about what makes a dinner party truly successful and memorable. Here is what Chando has to say:

A lush table setting reflects the layers of greenery and subtle colors in the summer landscape.

Asthe host, your gathering should be very thoughtful, and you should encourage your guests to feel at home in their surroundings. So, spend time to set the mood; this will affect the tone of the evening and will encourage people to enjoy themselves and stay awhile.

For this gathering, I chose a calm, outdoor setting surrounded by towering trees and tons of greenery. Therefore, when building our tablescape, we wanted to incorporate very natural, whimsical layers, like our surroundings. Then, your gathering does not feel like a theme party but truly feels intimate. Some of the key elements we consider when hosting a thoughtful dinner party are as follows:

What food do you want to serve? We personally love the longevity of a beautiful charcuterie board. It is not a heavy meal that needs to be consumed in a timely manner but is a mouth-watering appetizer that allows your guests to relax, have great conversation, and leisurely enjoy something that looks as good as it tastes.

What will your tablescape look like? We love to use this overthe-table rod and build a canopy of fresh wildflowers over the table. Large centerpieces can tend to crowd the table and block conversation, so we tend to add this creative element to make the design feel intentional. We will then add tiny vases on the table that feel more like they are part of your place setting than the central focus of your tablescape.

What drinks do you plan to serve? We love stemware that feels special, so we think what you choose to fill your glasses with should be just as unique. In the summer, we love to add fresh fruit, like blueberries or raspberries, to water for a hint of color and flavor. You don’t want your guests to get up from the table unless they must, so a table side bar cart stocked with decanters of water and champagne is the ultimate touch.

What does your place setting look like? We love to pay special attention to flatware. It is an opportunity to bring in color, style, and function and is always a talking point during our dinner parties. In this case, we loved the soft pink flatware that incorporated some of the tones we chose for the flowers. It has a summery, modern feel that paired nicely with the antique cutting board and recycled glass. We also think a pretty cloth napkin is an option and will tend to pair a neutral fabric with a gorgeous napkin ring or a pretty pattern to play off of the glassware.

Visit Details + Design at 413 4th Street, Annapolis, MD 21401, to find most of the items we used to set this table, including flatware, plates, napkins, and stemware. A second location on Spa Creek with a new showroom is opening very soon. For details, check out detailsanddesign.com

By Leigh Hannan