table Talk

Meanwhile, with warmer days and picnics on their way, Lesser & Pavey will be brightening up both tables and picnic blankets with Al Fresco, a new range that’s been designed for outdoor dining.

“With the garden now seen as an extension to the home, houses are being built, or altered, to encompass a garden view through terracing, bi-fold doors and garden rooms, all of which bring light and colour both to the home and to dining,” says Julian Hunt, managing director of Lesser & Pavey. “In addition, overseas travel often brings colourful wares to the table,” he points out. “At Lesser and Pavey we have taken this on board and brought vibrancy to a new range of homewares, specifically for outdoor dining, which is often associated with a party or special occasion. What better way to present food than with a vibrant design on colourful melamine, across plates, bowls and large cups to accommodate soft drinks and beer.”

With the cost-of-living crisis continuing – and eating out becoming ever more expensive due to rising food inflationmore and more people are choosing to entertain friends and family at home, with stemware, barware and serveware becoming increasingly popular as self-purchases and gifts, encouraging retailers to add them to their product mix. With Exclusively welcoming buyers to London’s Business Design Centre on 13-14 June, PG&H took a peek at what’s trending, with a focus on outdoor entertaining.

With the cost of living necessitating people to tighten their purse strings, more of us are entertaining at home, with tablescaping inspiring hosts to make their tables look Insta-ready.

“Homeware gifting has become increasingly popular over the past few years, where we have certainly seen an increase in our customers looking for gift packaged products,” comments Candlelight’s marketing manager Kate Winch. “We have responded to this by designing unique packaging that mimics the product design so that our most popular ranges become easily giftable. Having already sold out of our 22/23 range of bar and cocktail ware, we have deigned a new range, in gift boxed packaging, that will arrive in time for the festive period/Autumn Fair. What better way to gift than with cocktailware that keeps on giving?”

At Lifetime Brands, marketing director Claire Budgen highlights the launch of Wild at Heart from Mikasa this summer. “With bright colours, this collection is perfect for adding a statement to the kitchen or to give as a gift to a loved one,” says Clare. “All designs were hand-painted in the Lifetime Brands UK studio and, as the name suggests, Wild at Heart was designed for the adventurous and those who embrace the great outdoors. Bringing the outdoors in and rewilding the home is a key trend right now and this collection allows people to invite nature, wildlife, and a touch of fun into their interior.”

Helen Boardman, product manager at Dexam, points out that outdoor dining was actually a Covid bright spot, with gardens becoming the new entertaining space. “Now, with Covid behind us, entertaining friends and family at home is on the rise rather than in decline, with consumers focusing on greater social sharing of food and beverages. In response, we have launched the Sintra collection - a colourful array of glazed terracotta tapas dishes, wine coolers, water jugs, salad bowls and more – inspired by the Unesco World Heritage listed town. Plus, we’ve partnered with the RHS to launch vegetable inspired napkins, placemats and coasters, all of which make lovely gifts for someone that’s green-fingered,” adds Helen.

“As the summer months draw nearer, we are seeing more and more people enjoy al fresco dining to entertain friends and family