Al fresco for a spring soiree

There’s nothing better than a beautiful outdoor event for a beautiful spring day — with the right amount of sunshine and cool breeze. This weather is the best time to throw a dinner or lunch party for a close group of friends or family. The concept of al fresco dining is quite popular in European countries, where everyone comes together to extend their dining area in an open air space to enjoy a hearty meal in the lap of nature.

For Indian restaurants and homes with gardens or roof tops, the al fresco dining ideas come in quite handy. As spring is setting in nicely, and summer awaits us, the outdoor dining concept is a nice way to host a bunch of people in a natural setting. Nilanjan Bhowal, principal architect at Design Consortium, gives his two cents, “Any al fresco dining works well with a laid-back feel, with a simple comfortable look. One can easily use textured stone, white pebbles, creepers, metal outdoor accessories to add ambience at the dining set up. With natural blooms around and easy-to-move furniture, one can easily set up a mobile dining area in the outdoors to organise a lunch or dinner.”

Outdoor dining spaces have an inherent cheerful, festive appeal that draws you in. Shaping an outdoor dining space is both easy and fun, and it involves far less effort than you would imagine, mentions Saumya Agarwal, director at Vista Alegre, India. To set up an outdoor dining area, Agarwal suggests, “The big pieces of furniture can range from very simple to very elaborate but that won’t change the charm of the outdoors. It is the details that matter, the table runners to the plates to the glasses. That can change the feel from a casual to a formal sit down in the outdoors. All one needs are colourful plates and nice candle stands and vases to complement the look. Once the ambience is set, and the decoration is done, a good conversation with close friends and family completes the set-up.”

Vista Alegre

While some might prefer rooftops and wide balconies, others can opt for garden areas or backyards to organise an al fresco dining. The most important thing to keep in mind is to give a sense of a casual yet relaxed atmosphere for a soothing and an incredible vibe. Jaisika Jabbal, founder and design principal at Design Staple, remarks, “Al fresco dining is best suited in a patio washed with light or a verandah opening up to a garden or a terrace with a view, where there is a sense of openness and a possibility of seamless views. A good mix of contemporary and vintage elements of design such as different kinds of seating or a mix of dining chairs with a rustic bench teaming with a beautiful and an articulate outdoor light could a perfect backdrop to a dining set up. An intimate alfresco dining area could be created with a choice of wrought iron outdoor furniture perfectly suited for both internal and external environment. One can set a mood by simply looking at setting up different kinds of mood lighting, a combination of candles and warm chandeliers to give a cozy feel. A pop of colour could perhaps come through different furnishings and planters added to the space. Personally, I am an ardent fan of greens and subtle landscaped elements that can work like magic for an indoor-outdoor set-up.  The kind of dining-ware and accessories will have a very important role to play here. Depending on the sensibility of space one could choose to go with either ceramics or glistening crystals.”