B4 • Friday, July 23, 2021
thegardenisland.com
THE GARDEN ISLAND
Al fresco tabletop remake
Outdoor entertaining is perfect time for an eclectic touch
colors and are reusable, and ultimately recyclable. Cheerful napkins can make a table. The paper selection is vast, but don’t rule out cloth napkins. Using cloth napkins in an al fresco setting instantly elevates the dining experience; just toss in the wash after use. No need to iron. And for a larger group, no worries about having all the napkins match. An assortment of patterned or brightly hued napkins gives a table an instant lift.
Katie Workman ASSOCIATED PRESS Socializing and outdoor entertaining carry an extra kick this summer as pandemic restrictions ease. What better time to freshen up your al fresco tabletop and entertaining gear? To me, outdoor entertaining is the perfect time to get a little untraditional with an eclectic mix of tableware, or repurposing an unusual piece as serveware. You might serve chips in small planters. Put wildflowers in small pitchers. The energy of an eclectic table adds to the fun of outdoor dining. Matching or not, a welcoming table with colorful new dishes and serveware lets guests know they are in for a festive time.
Scent and light
Citronella candles are an important part of outdoor entertaining, and there are some pretty ones out there. Skeem Design makes a nice selection with delicate KATIE WORKMAN VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS insect illustrations on the outside. Yield makes miniColorful bamboo plates and bowls, stylish acrylic wine glasses, a sleek wine Plates and such malist citronella candles chiller, a cozy throw for cooler nights, and smart bug-repelling gear. While paper and plastic and incense sticks, lightly (recyclable please!) are an fragranced with gardenia, option, today’s durable, reing on the edges. tel, candy-like colors; the makes modern-looking wine eucalyptus and citronella. usable plates are a notch Tag Living makes all kinds various sizes are perfect for chillers that keep that rose Citronella candles can be above for both looks and of bowls and plates in colsalads, chips, piles of cheror sparkling wine icy scented or not; some people sustainability. There are out- ors and finishes reminiscent ries, dips, what have you. (choose from colors like love a fragrant candle, othdoor-friendly items made of of ceramic pottery (truly, They are durable, made navy and sea glass). And ers prefer a more neutral melamine, bamboo and you might be surprised from biodegradable bamboo check out their insulated scent. other lightweight materials when you lift one and find fiber, and dishwasher-safe. stainless wine glasses and Murphy’s Naturals has an that look like china or potout how light it is!). Fable Fortessa makes melamine tumblers that have glass on expansive line of planttery. has a series of lightweight serving dishes in that fun, the inside to keep drinks based mosquito-repelling Certified International has bamboo plates and bowls speckly, camp enamel patcold with no metallic taste. products which smart hosts some cool melamine with clean lines in a variety tern, only – hey! – it’s Or lay in a set of acrylic know to keep at the ready. choices, including their Me- of shapes and colors; pick melamine, so perfect for reusable Govino wine They offer assortments indallion line, which has a one hue, or blend different outdoor dining. Ekobo glasses, with an elegant cluding mosquito-repellent cheery floral pattern, and ones. makes recycled bamboo-fishape and a smart little candles, incense, sprays comes in both cool and As for serveware, also ber serving trays in cheery thumb notch that allows the and insect-bite balms. warm colorways. There’s plenty to choose from. I love summer colors like lemon glass to sit comfortably in Extra touches also a creamy French Coun- my set of lightweight Bamyellow or lagoon blue. your hand. They come in try line with sweet emboss- boozle nesting bowls in pasDrinks-wise, Vinglace various shapes, sizes and When the sun goes down
and the temperature drops, you can be the classiest host in town by having a pile of soft blankets ready for your guests. Consider some buttery soft throws from Bole Road Textiles, handwoven in Ethiopia. Or some Alpaca blankets from the Modalatina store on Etsy.com. For streamlined, contemporary-looking torches to keep the party going after dusk, check out the Blomus line. Where to shop You can find ample selections of the above items at some of the bigger chain stores, from Target to West Elm. But it’s worth seeking out smaller companies or independent makers, especially if you want your table to look unique. Local houseware stores often have nicely curated selections of items for summer entertaining. Etsy is always an option. And when you are looking for more inspiration, a spin around Pinterest or Instagram can get those tablescape juices flowing. And I must make a pitch for flea markets and tag sales, where it’s common to find entire sets of dishware, or a funky serving bowl, or some vintage linen napkins. So, go forth and entertain! Soon enough these summer nights will be but warm memories, so let’s grill while the grilling’s good.
Save money with a local mortgage. US average mortgage rates dip for 4th week; 30-year at 2.78% ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — Mortgage rates fell for the fourth straight week, undercut by worries that the surging delta coronavirus variant and the worsening pandemic in hotspots around the world could derail what has been a strong economic recovery. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average for the 30-year home loan dipped to 2.78% from 2.88% last week, down from its peak this year of 3.18% in April. The key rate stood at 3.01% a year ago. The rate for a 15-year loan, a popular option among homeowners refinancing their mortgages, declined to 2.12% from 2.22% last week. The concern over the pandemic’s potential effects on the recovery spurred a rout in global markets on Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 2.1%. Stocks of companies that would be hurt the most by potential COVID-19 restrictions sustained some of the heaviest losses. Financial markets have been showing signs of increased concern for a while, but the U.S. stock market had remained largely resilient. Many would-be homebuyers haven’t been able to take advantage of the ultra-low mortgage rates because of the tight supply of homes for sale and high prices. The National Association of Realtors reported Thursday that sales of previously occupied homes rose in June, snapping a four-month losing streak, while strong demand for higher-end properties and low home-loan rates helped push prices to new highs.
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