Polished Picnic

Trade china and silver for melamine and acrylic—without losing sit-down sophistication

Where to find items featured on the table scape (top to bottom):

Paper lantern lights and metal string lights, $10 each @ Target, target.com
Tall Lonicera “Goldflame,” $50 each @ Sunnyside Gardens, sunnysidegardens.com.
Assorted plants in pots, $4-$8 each @ Sunnyside Gardens, sunnysidegardens.com.
Snack caddy, $2.50 @ Target, target.com
Steel stacking chair (right), $40 @ Target, target.com
Green ruffle chargers, $5 each @ Crate & Barrel, crate&barrel.com
Vintage blue-glass bowls, similar can be found at Classic Retro @ Pete’s, 2145 University Ave., St. Paul, 651-224-5235.


« A hat box perfectly stores or displays your favorite summer dishes.

Where to get it:
Hat box, $10, and Calypso printed plates and bowl, $4 and $3.50 each @ Target.
Colored salad plates, $9 for set of 4 @ Crate & Barrel, crate&barrel.com

« The splurge: New outdoor fabric from Trina Turk. Hint: repurpose as a tablecloth!

Where to get it:
Loop de Loop fabric by Trina Turk, yardage price available upon request, Schumacher Minneapolis, fschmacher.com

« Run glass tumblers down the center of the table and use them as candle holders.

Where to get it:
Calypso blue and green tumblers, $3-$5 each, and frosted blue votives, $2 each @ Target, target.com.

«  This chair is Hamptons-inspired. You don’t need a matching set—just coordinate them.

Where to get it:
Stackable wood-slat chair, $149 @ West Elm, westelm.com.

« Ombré is oh-so-in this season. Coordinating utensils pulls the color family together—plus, they’re fun.

Where to get it:
Ombré tumblers, $30 for set of 8; multicolor flatware set, $19, both @ Target, target.com

«  Bring the garden to the table. Potted plants make a great anchor. The dragonfly pick adds whimsy.

Where to get it:
Assorted pots and vases, $8-$20 @ Sunnyside Gardens, sunnysidegardens.com.

Dragonfly pick, $5 @ Otten Bros., ottenbros.com.

«  Tea towels can pinch-hit for cloth napkins. Mix them up for max effect.

Where to get it:
Tea towels $4 for 2; napkins, $6 for set of 4, both @ Target, target.com

«  Beverage tubs look more polished than a cooler. Fill with vintage-inspired sodas.

Where to get it:
Beverage tub and stand, $15 and $10 @ Target, target.com

Produced and styled by BARBARA SCHMIDT