Laid-Back Summer Hosting, Styled with Intention
When the days stretch long and golden, there’s an invitation to linger. On porches, in backyards, around your outdoor living spaces. At Willow Tree and Company, we believe you should enjoy dinner and entertain outside, and your table should reflect a sense of grounded, soulful, and include a whole lot of stories.
This season, we’re styling with simplicity and heart. Think vintage pieces layered into modern rustic settings: canning jars repurposed, hand-thrown pottery that looks like it’s lived a life, and textures that bring comfort without fuss. Here’s how to build a summer tablescape that feels relaxed yet refined.
Canning Jars, Reconceptualized
Old jars are more than vessels; they’re character pieces. Their imperfections, embossed lettering, and some have a subtle blue-green tint add texture that feels collected, not curated.
Ways we love to use them:
- As vases grouped casually down the table, filled with wildflowers, mint, or snipped branches
- Filled with chilled water, lemon wedges, or layered seasonal snacks
- Tucked among linen folds to add height and sparkle without the formality of crystal
Style Tip: Don’t match them. Let different shapes and sizes mingle; it keeps things grounded and real.
Handwoven Chargers & Placemats: Textural Anchors
Skip the traditional place settings and lean into pieces that look and feel timeworn. Woven chargers or placemats (especially in natural fibers like seagrass or braided cotton) instantly warm up your table.
Layer with intention:
- Top them with soft matte ceramics or irregular stoneware for a modern take on rustic
- Let linen napkins drape gently off the edge for a softened silhouette
- Mix new dinnerware with a vintage salad plate for a storybook detail
These foundations add weight and calm to a table full of light textures.
Serving Baskets: Function Wrapped in Charm
Whether you're serving cornbread, berries, or flatbreads draped in linen, baskets make the everyday feel special without the need for fancy platters.
Try this:
- Use a low, wide basket as your centerpiece base. Add citrus, clipped herbs, or napkins tucked between
- Line smaller baskets with crinkled muslin for a lived-in, layered effect
- Stack breads or scones with small wildflower bundles tucked alongside
These pieces don’t just serve, they invite guests to dig in and feel at home.
Vintage Pottery: Centerpieces with Soul
Old pottery vessels offer a quiet kind of beauty. From clay pitchers to timeworn jugs, they make the perfect home for florals that feel more wild than arranged.
Our favorite pairings:
- Creamy glaze pottery with pale daisies and golden yarrow
- Earth-toned jugs with sprawling herbs and textured greenery
- Speckled ceramic vessels filled with steams from the meadow like Queen Anne’s lace or rudbeckia
Nothing needs to match. The charm comes from the mixing and matching, which tells a story without saying a word.
Add Softness with Throws and Natural Textiles
Even in the warmest weather, we love soft layers on and around the table. Think linen table runners, gauzy throws over chairs, or light cotton blankets folded nearby for sunset coziness.
Quick ways to add softness:
- Use a neutral throw as a table runner and let it spill over the edges
- Drape lightweight cotton blankets over bench seating
- Roll up throws in a vintage basket so guests can grab one as the evening cools
It’s all about creating the feeling of inviting and unhurried.
Bring the Inside Out
One of the best parts of summer dining is how easily indoors and out begin to blend. That favorite stool can double as a side table. An antique mirror leans casually near the table. Wall pockets filled with herbs greet guests at the porch.
Let your style spill outside.
Ideas to try:
- Style an old wooden crate with candles and sea glass for a low centerpiece
- Repurpose indoor pillows for outdoor seating (just be sure to bring them in at night!)
- Hang a vintage frame or wreath behind your outdoor table to create visual depth
Little details go a long way in making your space feel styled without the fuss.
Mood Lighting: Always, Always
There’s a reason our customers can’t get enough of our LED candles and warm lanterns; they add instant glow and set the tone for those “let’s stay a little longer” moments.
Our go-to lighting tips:
- Mix tall and short lanterns down the center of the table
- Use battery-operated tapers inside vintage bottles for a hint of flicker
- String warm café lights overhead or across a nearby tree branch
- Add subtle solar lights or votives around the perimeter for a soft, welcoming boundary
Lighting isn’t just ambiance; it sets the evening's coziness.
Gather. Layer. Let It Be Easy.
Your table doesn't need to be perfectly styled to be deeply beautiful. With just a few vintage finds and softened textures, you can create a setting that feels thoughtful, unfussy, and completely yours.
So light the candles, pour something chilled, and let the evening stretch. This is summer hosting; natural, inviting, with your touch of charm.
Bonus: A Simple Summer Table Checklist
Want a quick-start list to bring this look to life? Here’s a Willow Tree-approved guide:
✓ A few vintage canning jars or small vessels
✓ Hand-thrown pottery or mismatched plates
✓ Woven placemats or chargers
✓ Linen or cotton napkins (drape, don’t fold!)
✓ A wide basket for bread, fruit, or florals
✓ A few wildflower bundles or herb bunches
✓ Lanterns or flickering LED candles
✓ Lightweight throws and soft outdoor cushions
✓ A centerpiece that adds vintage charm
✓ One moment of imperfection—let it be
Create a Table Worth Gathering Around
At Willow Tree and Company, we love helping you make your house a home, and that includes the way you gather. Whether it’s two friends or twelve, a front porch brunch or a backyard dinner under the stars, and let the rest unfold naturally.
Looking for something a few things to add to you tablescape? We have you covered. Shop Willow Tree and Company for curated collections for home.
We can’t wait to see what you create!
