Al-fresco living: Enjoy an Irish summer no matter what the weather

We want more al-fresco living after the recent bursts of sunshine. We get a steer from the experts

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024 - 18:35

Carol O’Callaghan

There's plenty of springtime talk about the possibility of getting a good summer after a long, drawn-out wet winter, although it might prove to be a triumph of hope over experience.

But if there’s one person who knows how to deal with an Irish summer it’s Sarah Twigg Doyle. “Move to Italy,” says the interior stylist and designer. This gave us a good laugh on a morning of downpours as we chatted about living al fresco.

“Think about how you use your space inside and then how you do that outside,” she says, suggesting an outdoor rug to get the indoors outdoors aesthetic. “It was the best investment I made. It’s recycled plastic, weaved to look like straw. I use it from spring to autumn then clean it and put it away.”

Her approach to furniture is the same. “When you’re buying, ask yourself would you have it in your dining room? If yes, that’s the one to go for. You need something built to last to withstand the Irish weather. Try to buy investment pieces if you can afford it.”

If the budget doesn’t stretch, however, Sarah suggests making things. “My table was made out of palette wood and recycled wood,” she says. “We made our outdoor kitchen also. It’s finding the time to do these things but it’s so satisfying.”

Planting to enhance the atmosphere is another of her essentials.

“It’s a full sensory experience with herbs like marjoram and oregano,” she says, “and climbing plants like jasmine and honeysuckle. The scent in the evening is magic.”

Not forgetting the inevitable cooler days and chilly nights, Sarah says to throw blankets over the back of chairs and light a fire pit. “Everyone can gather around and stay warm but the barbecue and a pizza oven have the ability to do that too.”

After dark, her go-to items are festoon lighting kits. “They’re amazing,” she says. “Solar tech has come on leaps and bounds We just string them across the garden with solar hanging lanterns.“

No matter what you do in the garden this summer, however, something to sit on is a top priority. To make the right choice for your space Catherine Shiels, creative director at The Pavilion Garden Centre, says, “Before you make a purchase, ask yourself what is the function of the set? Many people already have a dining set and want something more casual and relaxed, like a chillout area for when you have friends over for drinks and nibbles. You might choose less formal seating like a cube or sofa set.”

While L-shaped seating is extremely popular, according to Catherine, material-wise, she’s seeing an interest in recycled woods and teak which is hard-wearing. “Establish exactly what the set will be used for,” she says. “Think about where it will be positioned in your garden and depending on where it will feature check the durability of the materials used.”

Elaine Mackenzie-Smith, co-owner of Irish luxury tablescaping company Peacock & Co, puts the finishing touches on outdoor living and entertaining by laying a gorgeous table. She considers tablescaping outdoors to be freer and more relaxed in style.

“It’s naturally more casual when you’re outside,” she says. “You drink beer instead of wine and the way we dress the table often reflects that.”

Just like indoors, Elaine notes how interior trends are impacting on outdoor tablescaping styles this season.

“We’re on the natural colour palette and we’re seeing lots of trends driven towards artisan pieces, pottery pieces and rattan placemats to add warmth and texture, with very earthy tones like green, brown and rust paired with greenery — eucalyptus and olive — from the garden.”

The more casual atmosphere of outdoor entertaining means moving away from the more formal interior look, according to Elaine.

“Indoors you’re trying to be refined, more considered with a complimentary tablescape to suit different finishes and artwork around you. I like to put a cloth on a patio table as a base and add a pop of colour with a runner over it. Coloured glass from the 1930s and china mixed with rustic pieces like chopping boards adds contrast and eclectic style.”

A novel suggestion she says is to use long kitchen chopping boards for serving.

“Pass them down the table like sharing platters rather than having bowls on the middle of the table. It’s a contrast but you can take more risks outdoors.”