By The Lake

Recreate the simplicity of summers by the shore with a lake lover’s palette of soft blues, whites, and splashes of lime green. Birthdays, brunches, or summer Sunday lunches are all good times for a relaxing afternoon getaway. Host the party indoors, and you’ll avoid the heat and bugs that come with outdoor picnics. The table is set with casual white plates that bring the blues and greens of the tablecloth to the forefront. Matching no-fuss napkins are simply spread across the plates to create a continuous flow of pattern and color across the tabletop. For dessert, try an old-fashioned peach cobbler like Grandma used to make, updated with a tropical twist of mango. Serve the cobbler in individual dessert dishes set inside miniature enameled colanders. The unexpected serving dishes will delight your guests and add color to the table. To complete your lakeside inside party, just add water—spring water is always a wholesome choice—or refresh your guests with mango martinis enlivened with a kick of ginger.  

Accent Pieces

A timeworn milk carrier puts napkins on display while adding another hint of yesteryear. A lime green metal bucket hosts iced bottles of water. Music: Lighthearted jazz is just what the DJ ordered. Try Jazz Moods: Sounds of Summer or Summer Solstice: A Windham Hill Collection.

Centerpiece

A trio of candle lanterns brings the party colors together to cast soft lighting over the table. Blue and white candles add a watercolor effect.

Favors

Place Cards: Mini green and blue colanders become dessert bowls and place cards in one, centered on each plate. Blue hangtags with white name labels match the linens. A shoelace ties the card to the colander.

Food and Drinks

    It’s smooth sailing with an easy-bake Peach-Mango Cobbler cleverly encased in colored colanders. The addition of aromatic ginger takes Mango Ginger Martinis to near nirvana.