Vogue asked ten top entertainers, interior designers, and tastemakers to share their ideal summer dinner party settings—and the inspiration shines through. Below are highlights from each table, practical style insights, and key hosting tips to elevate your next summer gathering.
- CeCe Barfield – Elegant Simplicity with Romantic Flair
Setting: Crisp white linens, silver cups (ideal for outdoor use), low garden-cut floral bunches and votives.
Host tip: Use varying heights—a floral “skyline” interspersed with candles—and ensure guests can easily converse over the arrangement.
Signature dish: Poached salmon with dill sauce, served simply to match the refined setting.
Location: Bath County, Virginia.
- Rebecca Gardner (Houses & Parties) – Wild Prints & Southern Charm
Ambiance: Bold “cacophony” of mixed patterns—on linens, cushions, and napkins—with playful goodie-bags for guests.
Food: Southern fried chicken, tomato pie, cornbread muffins, green salad, and a nostalgic Carvel ice cream cake.
Advice: Host with calm confidence—make thoughtful introductions, relax your demeanor, and set the tone with hospitality.
Tip: Make it easy, outside, and full of rosé.
- Brenna Gilbert (Feste) – Mix & Match with Casual Ease
Concept: A relaxed tablescape with beloved pieces—eclectic plates, casual napkins, seasonal blooms—never too formal.
Style ethos: Embrace variety and simplicity; the table should look effortless yet full of personality.
- Robin Standefer & Stephen Alesch – Nature-Inspired Layers
Design: Lush tablescape inspired by gardens—with botanical textures, layered greenery, and natural tones.
Flow tip: Let foliage trail across settings to create rhythm and organic structure, not rigid symmetry.
- Daniel Soares – Edible Décor and Sculptural Dining
Approach: Centerpieces include edible elements—like fruit or sculptural cuisine—blurring the line between décor and meal.
Effect: Guests can experience the table visually and gustatorily.
- Annabelle Moehlmann – French Seaside Vibe in the Hamptons
Style: Tangerine Dahlias, white cosmos, seashells, and mint accents evoke summer by the sea.
Palette: Soft pastels, layered prints, and scattered small tumblers for a festive, fresh look.
Mood tip: Curate the soundtrack—pick something that matches your table’s vibe for relaxed energy.
- Clare de Boer – Clean Practicality Meets Seasonal Thought
Simplicity: Woven placemats, white dinnerware, durable napkins, and silver accents.
Seasonal nod: Greens or produce as centerpiece—nothing overdone, just fresh and grounded.
Care tip: Avoid design that gets in the way of conversation or service; dinnerware must be both beautiful and durable.
- DeVonn Francis – Bold Heritage & Dramatic Contrast
Design: Moody and festive—Flemish-style still life influences meet vibrant Jamaican color. Think dried grasses, dark desserts, and sculptural arrangement.
Host style: Family-style serving, spontaneous energy, and artful boldness.
Essence: Balanced, fun, and deeply personal.
- Romilly Newman – Romantic Decay & Candlelight Drama
Mood: Candles deliberately left to drip and deteriorate, creating a lived-in romantic ambiance.
Intention: Softness and imperfection embraced to deepen emotional resonance through the evening.
- Remainder Tastemakers.
Other contributors offer equally refined takes—from combining height variation to mixing unexpected objects, reinforcing the power of individuality and thoughtful execution in every setting.
Common Threads & Expert Takeaways
Vary table heights with candles, blooms, and centerpieces—avoid blocking face-to-face conversations .
Mix vintage and modern pieces to craft a layered, personal aesthetic.
Use edible or natural décor—flowers, fruit, herbs, or dishes arranged in sculptural ways.
Host relaxed yet intentional—offer hospitality confidently, stay calm, and let conversation flow.
Seasonal ingredients and ambiance matter most as the foundation—from food to music to lighting.
Final Thought
Whether your style leans refined minimalism or playfully eclectic, these tastemakers show that summer entertaining is about setting scenes that reflect your personality, hospitality, and seasonal joy. The best table is one balanced between beauty and ease—a space where guests eat, converse, and remember the mood long after the dishes are cleared.
