Make Outdoor Entertaining Fun with Happy Serving Pieces

Planning an outdoor party (or 3 or 7) in the warm weather months this year? Here’s how to make spring and summer entertaining even more fun with the addition of happy and elegant serving pieces for your tabletop in the shape of fruit and vegetables. With shapes fresh from the farmer’s market, a fresh and elegant presentation is a cinch.

Make Outdoor Entertaining Fun with these Happy Serving Pieces

The bright spirit of spring and summer sometimes drives us to fits of whimsy when we’re setting the table. Especially if its for an outdoor dinner party, or brunch at home with all the windows flung open.

Should you be similarly afflicted at this time of year, there’s good news. There are lots of charming and chic tabletop items available just in time for spring and summer entertaining. Pair them with a few pieces of on-trend outdoor furniture, and you’ve got the makings of a great party.

1. The Mushroom Harvest

Whether you’re serving morels fresh from the farmer’s market or from your own foraging, these happy serving pieces will add just a bit more fun to your spring entertaining.

For that all-important first al fresco dinner party of the spring or summer, consider these coasters ($150) from Atelier Houria Tazi. Or this dessert plate ($150) from Este Ceramiche.  If you want to keep the natural vibe going, this Mushroom Box ($83) from Bordallo Pinheiro would be a lovely addition to your kitchen counter.

2. The Red Fruit Bowl

Watermelon, strawberries, even tomatoes (which are, after all, fruit) – you’ve got lovely red fruit options for the table this season.

The Portuguese brand Bordallo Pinheiro is inspired by natural patterns for its tabletop serving pieces, as illustrated by this plate and  this bowl in the shape of a watermelon. And this tomato soup tureen. Personally, we love this strawberry soup tureen best of all.

3. The Bread Box

If you love bread as much as we do (and that may not be possible, because we really love bread), you might swoon as we did for these tabletop items in the shape of fresh-baked loaves.

From Augarten Wien comes this French Baguette porcelain box. And the slightly smaller Bread Roll porcelain box. The Webster goes one better, with lamps in the shape of a croissant, a French baugette, and a bread roll. They’re hand-crafted in Japan from real bread, and they’re sure to start a lively conversation among the assembled diners.

Not to be upstaged, the MoMA Design Store weighs in with these hysterically funny Toast It Coasters from Patricia Naves, an architect and designer whose work infuses her Brazilian roots with an interest in Scandinavian design.

4. The Vegetable Garden

Whether its salad greens, eggplant, or peppers, there are whimsical tabletop pieces fresh from the vegetable patch.

Leafy greens predominate the landscape with this lettuce ware covered tureen from Tory Burch. And this earthenware cabbage bowl and plate from Bordallo Pinheiro. You have to love this jar shaped like a red bell pepper (aka The Bell Jar). You could also opt for a peapod dish or an eggplant dish. 

Finally, you have to love the high-low appeal of these potato bowls from Moda Domus. Perfect for vichyssoise!

Make Outdoor Entertaining Fun with these Happy Serving Pieces

That’s it! Some spring and summer entertaining inspiration straight from the garden, with charming tabletop and serving pieces in the shape of fruit and vegetables. What’s your top pick? And when’s the party?

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