Our Outdoor Entertaining Guide Is Everything You Need for Summer Hostessing

With summer parties just around the corner, we've created this outdoor entertaining guide with ideas for everything you need to host your summer get-togethers. From outdoor rugs to tips on the making your hostessing duties easier, keep reading for our best outdoor entertaining pointers for summer.

Invest in outdoor tableware like melamine dishes

Not only are outdoor dishes easier to carry inside and out, they're more durable, easier to clean, and can be used at outdoor parties, BBQs, and picnics, too. Ours are made from BPA-free melamine, and we stock them in a range of styles and colors. Try the Vietri line for a more neutral look, or the Laura Park line for a bold and colorful vibe. 

Shop the Laura Park Brooks Avenue Melamine Dishes 

Use a tray to carry things from the kitchen 

Make your life easier and invest in a few pretty trays to carry things in and out of your kitchen or butler's pantry - you'll have dishes, flatware, serving platters, and table linens to carry to set the table, plus all your food ingredients for the grill. It's a lot to fill up your arms with, and a tray makes it a lot easier - plus it makes cleanup a breeze when the party is over. 

Shop the Madcap Cottage Bamboozled Tray

Keep bugs at bay with all-natural mosquito and insect repellent

No one likes mosquitos, but who wants to sit on a beautiful patio and be doused by that toxic-smelling bug spray all night? We stock a line of all-natural, effective insect repellents, from sticks to incense to candles. Buy a few options and leave them out for your guests to rub on if they want, then light candles as another way to keep insects away. 

Shop the all-natural mosquito repellent balm

Shop the all-natural Beach at Night candle in a coconut shell 

 

Splurge on nice napkins for dinner

Our rule for entertaining is that dinner napkins should always be cloth napkins. Cocktail napkins can be pretty paper ones, like our new sailboat ones for summer (but can be embroidered, like our Sferra Beachcomber ones, if you want to go really fancy). 

This summer, we're loving this Blue Pheasant lobster napkins for dinner parties. 

Shop the Blue Pheasant lobster napkins

Shop the Sferra Beachcomber Napkins

Don't forget a vase for the table

Your table should always have fresh flowers, whether it's from the garden, the farmer's market, or the grocery store (tip: Trader Joe's and Costco both have great flower sections in a pinch). 

Another tip? A pretty water pitcher doubles as a vase if you can't find your favorite vase right before guests arrive. 

Shop the Etu Home Colorblock Vase

Use an outdoor rug and pillows for durability

Outdoor rugs and pillows are made from special fabrics and materials to prevent sun damage and water damage. They're also much more easily cleaned than regular rugs and pillows - some outdoor rugs can even be bleach-cleaned!

Shop our outdoor rug collection here to find one that fits your style. 

Shop the Dash and Albert Herringbone Linen Rug here 

Shop More Inspiration

Check out all our indoor/outdoor lookbooks and shop them on our website! 

Our Printable Ultimate Wedding Registry Checklist | Registry Guide

If you're newly engaged, you're probably starting to think about your wedding registry, and it can seem pretty daunting. You know you're supposed to add certain things, but what if you and your fiancé both already have a set of bedding? Do you register for more? What if you have dishes - do you need formal ones? At Lavender & Company, we're registry experts, and we're here to help you out. 

What's the best wedding registry site to use? 

We partner with MyRegistry.com for our gift registry - you're not limited to just one store, you can add items from hundreds of stores to your one registry. They have stores like Macy's, Amazon, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, and Nordstrom on their platform, as well as curated boutiques like ours, meaning you can add SO many unique items to your one registry from all your favorite stores. 

What to put on your wedding registry? 

We've created this checklist as a guideline for what to register for. As a rule of thumb,  wedding registry gifts should be items for your home and space or items that you and your fiancé can enjoy together. Things like cookbooks or even yard games are fun items to add - things like game consoles and television sets should probably be left off. 

Making your registry should be a fun task for you and your honey to complete together during this special time!

If you're looking for a printable version of the below checklist, you can click here and we'll email it to you! 

Ultimate Wedding Registry Checklist:

BEDDING BASICS:

Bedding basics are things that are the foundation of your bed - the mattress pad, pillow inserts, etc. You can check out our bedding basics here. 

• Bedskirt
• Duvet insert 
• Pillows - the number and size depends on your personal style and bed size. 
• 4 king size pillows for a king size bed
• 4 standard size pillows for a standard size bed
• OR, 3 euro pillows (the square ones) and 2 standard or king pillows (depending on your bed size). The three euro pillows go behind your other two pillows when you make the bed. 
• Optional: pillow protectors to keep your nice pillows clean. The pillowcases go over them. 
• Optional: a mattress protector
• Optional: a mattress pad for extra softness

BEDDING:

Click here for our bedding style guide to help you narrow down what style is right for you. 

• Set of sheets 
• Register for at least 2 sets of the same ones to switch out when one set is in the wash.
• You can also register for flannel sheets for the winter months. 
• Duvet cover
• Coverlet or quilt - this goes over your sheets and under your duvet for extra warmth and for an extra layer of decor and texture on your bed. In warmer climates or the summer months, you can just use the coverlet. 
• Pillowcases if they're not included in your sheet set - make sure to check! 
• Throw blankets for the end of the bed
• Throw pillows

BATHROOM:

• Body towels 
• You can get a bath towel, which is a standard size towel, or a bath sheet, which is larger - some towel brands offer this size. 
• Unsure of how many to register for? Think of how many towels you and your fiancé use now each week. 6-8 towels is usually a nice number for two people - you'll always have extra in your linen closet, even if you're behind on laundry. If you are especially active and shower a lot, or have a lot of guests over often, add a few more to that count. 
• Hand towels 
• This depends on the number of bathrooms you have. The rule of thumb is to have one at the sink, one in the laundry, and one in the linen closet for each bathroom; we'd add one more just in case. That makes 4 per bathroom. 
• They don't have to match your body towels, necessarily - especially in the powder bathroom. 
• Washcloths
• You can skip this if you don't use washcloths and use loofahs instead. However, they are nice to have for guests. 
• Bath mat
• Bathroom decor
• Toothbrush holder
• Soap pump
• Trays
• Jars/Canisters for cotton balls and q-tips
• Beautiful little soaps for soap dishes
• Fancy bubble baths
• Shower curtain
• Shower curtain liner
• Shower curtain rings
• Cozy robes for you and your fiancé

GUEST BEDROOM: 

Repeat the bedding, bedding basics, and bathroom items for your guest bedroom and bathroom, if you have one and wish to register for items for it. 

CASUAL DINING

For your everyday dining, you'll want to register for the following. 

• 4-8 place settings - these sometimes come in a set, but sometimes are sold separately
• dinner plate
• salad plate 
• soup bowl
• 4-8 flatware settings
• Steak knives if they don't come in your knife set
• Chargers and/or placemats
• 4-8 mugs
• 4-8 drinking glasses
• Serving bowl - 1 is good, 2 if you cook a fair amount. We like a larger and a smaller one. 
• Serving platters - 1-2 to start with
• Cake Knife and Server Set
• Salad bowl and tongs
• Water pitcher
• Salt and pepper shakers
• Vase
• Wine glasses 
• do you need red and white? If you have the storage and/or are a wine enthusiast, go for it. If you don't have enough cabinet space, you can start with just one set. 

FORMAL DINING

Shop Bella Bianco dinnerware

If you'll be hosting dinner parties or love formal entertaining, go wild and register for a set of the fancy dishes!

• 8-10 place settings of formal dinnerware 
• 8-10 flatware settings if you want a more formal set
• 8-10 champagne glasses
• 8-10 water goblets or fancy water glasses
• Cake stand
• Candlesticks
• Gravy boat
• Butter dish
• Sugar bowl and creamer
• Serveware: 2-3 platters, 2-3 bowls
• Coffee pot 
• Tea Pot
• Tablecloth
• Linen napkins
• Napkin Rings
• 3-Piece Serving Set and 4-Piece Hostess Set (these will be your serving spoons and forks)

BARWARE:

• 8 - 12 Double Old Fashioned Glasses
• 8 - 12 Highball Glasses
• 8 - 12 Pilsner/Beer Mugs
• Decanter
• Cocktail Pitcher
• Cocktail Shaker
• Ice Bucket and tongs
• Coasters
• Wine Bottle Opener
  
• Beer Bottle Opener

ARTWORK: 

This is a meaningful gift that will really help fill up your home. 

• Personalized art with your wedding date or venue on it 
• Personalized art with your wedding song on it, or a playlist with special songs for your relationship like our Sugarboo Playlist artwork
• Meaningful art with special quotes on it 

Shop Sugarboo Invisible String Art 

HOMEKEEPING

• Room sprays
• Candles
• All-natural cleaning products
• Vacuum

DECOR

• Vases
• Lamps
• Decorative pillows
• Throw blankets
• Mirrors
• Rugs

5 Essentials for French Country Style: Tips from an Interior Designer

At Lavender & Company, French country style is one of most popular categories on our site. Our interior design and e-design customers also love French country style decor, and we layer their rooms in our favorite French country style rugs, bedding, furniture, wallpaper and more. Here are essentials for a fresh, modern French country style that works for any home. 

What is French Country style?

French country style is defined as a blend of rustic decor and more refined European elements - think a rustic wooden dining table with upholstered Louis XIV dining chairs. This style is inspired by classic homes in the French countryside, especially like those in the Provence regions.

In classic, traditional French country homes like those in Provence, you'll find:

• rustic wooden dining tables
• distressed wooden furniture - if painted, it's usually in whites, creams, or shades of French blue
• upholstered seating in velvets or linens, but nothing stuffy: casual elegance is the name of the game. Chairs and sofas are meant to be lounged in.
• Elegant antiques like gilded mirrors
• White stoneware or bisqueware
• Fabrics in toiles and ginghams

Traditional French country is casual and elegant, but still refined. It's not uncommon to see a neutral room with distressed wood furniture, natural linen upholstery, and beautiful silk gingham curtains.

Image of Provence via Julia Berolzheimer

What is Modern French Country style?

Modern French country style retains the color palette and refined spirit of traditional French country style, while incorporating elements like marble and stone or more diverse decor like modern art or bolder patterns that you might not see in a traditional French country home.

If you want a lighter, brighter version of a French country home, you might want to do a lighter paint color on the walls. You might also do a sectional in a neutral linen that you'd see in a traditional French country home, but incorporate a toile pattern on the pillows.

Image via Simons Design Studio

Five Essentials for French Country Style in Your Home:

#1: A Distressed Wood Cabinet or Dresser

A distressed wood console, cabinet, or dresser is a French country mainstay and can work in any room in your home. It does double duty as decor and as storage. These finds from our shop have that antiqued French country look that can work in a modern or traditional French country home. 

Shop the Painted French Sideboard at Lavender and Company

Shop the Bow Front Server at Lavender and Company

Shop the European Painted Server at Lavender and Company

Shop the Spool Leg Console at Lavender and Company

#2: French Blue Velvet Placemats

This is the perfect way to add a touch of French country to your home. Pair them with our Giulietta Dinnerware and Sofia Coupes to achieve the full look.

Shop the French Blue velvet placemats set of four at Lavender and Company

#3: A Rustic Wooden Dining Table

Add a rustic wooden dining table in your breakfast area or dining room for that casual French country feel. In Provence, it's all about casual elegance. 

Shop the Club Room Table at Lavender and Company

Shop the Old Elm Farmhouse Table at Lavender and Company

Shop the French Country Dining Table at Lavender and Company

#4: A Romantic Bed

A romantic bed frame, piled high with lace-trimmed bed linens and pretty pillows, is the ultimate in French country chic. 

An wrought iron bed frame is classic in French country decor, as is a painted wood finish. 

Shop the Corsican Sleigh Bed at Lavender and Company 

Shop the Somerset Bay Chateau Bed at Lavender and Company

#5: The Right Patterns

Toile and Gingham/Checks are the predominant patterns in the French Country style. Usually seen in softer tones of blue, green, and pink, you can have fun with them by incorporating brighter colors for a modern French country look. 

Shop the French Farmhouse Toile Chair at Lavender and Company

Shop the Gingham Tea Towel at Lavender and Company

Shop the Seda France Sel de Mer Candle at Lavender and Company

Shop the Schumacher Toile De La Prairie Wallpaper at Lavender & Company 

Featured in House & Garden UK May 2022 Issue

  We're excited to have been featured in the May 2022 Issue of House and Garden UK! Take a look below. 

How to Set a Table for a Dinner Party | Absolutely Everything You Need to Know [With Illustrated Place Setting Ideas]

 

If you're throwing a dinner party for friends and family and want it to really "wow," we've got you covered. Follow along for our advice on how to set everything from a basic table for a casual get together to a formal table fit for royalty. 

Should You Use a Tablecloth, a Runner, or Placemats?

This depends on the formality of your dinner and your overall style. If you have a beautiful farmhouse table, you can show it off and skip a tablecloth for most dinners (unless you want to throw a Bridgerton style gala dinner). 

For casual events you can do placements, or placemats and a charger. A charger is a piece of decor that goes under your plate to add another element of style. It's usually round and is slightly larger than your plate. You leave it there as people eat, but it can be removed at dessert. 

Arte Italica Vetro Gold Charger

Vietri Baroque Charger

For more formal events, you can do a tablecloth - or if you love tablecloths, you can do them at casual events, too! The rules aren't hard and fast and can be adjusted to your style and taste. 

A runner can be used on its own down the center of a table, or layered on top of a tablecloth to add visual interest. You can also use a runner in creative ways, running it across the table from different place settings, like here in our Provence Linen Runner. 

What Utensils Do You Need for a Dinner Party?

This depends on what you're serving. A fork and knife are usually the basics. For most dinner parties, you'll want a dinner fork and a salad fork. 

Do you need a spoon? Well, only if you're serving food that requires eating with a spoon. 

Check out our illustrated guides below for an in-depth look at what utensils to use. 

How to Set a Basic Table for a Dinner Party - What Do You Need? 

Having a simple dinner for just the family? If you just need the basics, this should suffice. You can dress it up with flowers from the garden and a great bottle of wine.

For the simplest, most basic table setting, you'll need:

• A dinner plate
• A bowl if you're serving soup
• A napkin
• A water glass
• Utensils, depending on your menu (fork and knife, usually; soup spoon if you're serving soup)
• And decor, of course: place cards, flowers, candles, etc.

How to Set a Casual Table for a Dinner Party - What Do You Need? 

If you're having a more casual affair but still want an elevated look (no paper plates, please), here's what you'll need: 

• Tablecloth if you're using one. A runner can go on top of a tablecloth if you choose.
• If you're not using a tablecloth, a runner and placements will dress up a bare table. 
• Chargers with a tablecloth are always recommended (at least by us - we love a good charger!) - chargers with placemats are optional but add another layer of decor. 
• A dinner plate and salad plate. Soup bowl if you're serving soup.
• A napkin
• A water glass and additional glass, depending on your menu. Usually a wine glass (red or white, depending on what you're serving). This could also be a champagne flute, if it's a brunch and you're serving mimosas, or a cocktail glass if you're serving a fun signature drink with dinner. 
• Our Arte Italica Verona glass set is exactly what you need for dinner parties - it has a water and a wine glass, with handmade Italian Pewter stems.  
• Utensils: fork, salad fork, knife. Add a soup spoon if you're serving soup, and a steak knife if you're serving steak. 
• And then of course, your decor. 

Navy Colorblock Vase

How to Set a Proper Formal Table for a Dinner Party - What Do You Need? 

If you're going all out and setting a formal table for a fancy dinner party or a holiday, here's what you'll need. 

• A tablecloth is de rigueur for formal dinners. It doesn't have to be crisp white; you can always do something more interesting and colorful, while maintaining the formality of the dinner. 
• A beautiful charger underneath each plate will elevate your table - we definitely recommend it for a formal dinner.
• A dinner plate and salad plate. Soup bowl if you're serving soup.
• A napkin 
• A water glass, white wine glass, and red wine glass if you're serving all three. If you're not (or you don't have that many glasses), you can get away with just a water and a wine glass... we won't call the etiquette police!
• Utensils: fork, salad fork, knife. Add a soup spoon if you're serving soup, and a steak knife if you're serving steak. A dessert spoon goes above the place setting. 
• A bread plate and bread knife opposite the glasses. Your bread plates don't have to match the rest of your dishes! You can mix and match.
• And of course, your decor. Candlesticks and flowers galore for a more formal setting! 

Hello Beautiful Sabrina Blue Pheasant Bread Plate

Cero Candleholder

Shop Dinner Party Decor and Essentials

Shop all of our dinner party decor and essentials at Lavender and Company here. Don't forget to register for dishes, stemware, and tabletop for your wedding, too! 

Four Ways to Add Spring Style to Your Home This Easter

 Spring is here, and we're sharing four unique ways to add a touch of spring style to your home this season. You don't need to do a total overhaul of your decor - you can just add a few fresh touches to bring in the seasonal color!

Throw pillows for spring - add to your bed, sofa, or chair

Throw pillows are a great way to kick out the winter doldrums. You can also add a fresh, pretty throw blanket to your sofa or bed to jazz up the space, too. Our Laura Park collection is full of bright, happy colors. For a more garden chic look, try Designer's Guild. 

Shop Laura Park Poppy Blue Throw Blanket

Shop Designers Guild Pahari Platinum Velvet Pillow

Shop Laura Park Dogwood Pillow

Shop Easter Table Finds - Add Something Springy to Your Tabletop

We like tabletop finds that can do double duty: look great for Easter, but also work all spring and summer long. Our Vietri collection is perfect for an Easter brunch, but can also be used throughout the season for farm-to-table meals and al fresco dinners. 

You can even opt for just the salad plates or just the pasta bowls to mix and match for different dinners and menus! 

Get Your Garden in Gear with Seeds and Garden Supplies

We've stocked our garden section with pretty seeds this year - plant them now and keep them in containers all summer, or move to your garden when it warms up a little more. They also make a great gift! 

Get your garden into shape with a fresh twine dispenser and forged steel pruning shears. 

The Sunflower Ring of Fire Tarot Seed Packet

Forged Steel Pruning Shears

Shop the Deluxe Garden Twine Dispenser

Freshen Up Your Outdoor Space with an Indoor/Outdoor Rugs

Nothing freshens up a porch or a patio like a new indoor/outdoor rug. These fade-proof, easily-cleanable rugs make your outdoor space into a warm, inviting oasis. They come in every style, from jute to coastal to fun and beachy. 

Dash and Albert Black and Ivory Herringbone Indoor Outdoor Rug

Shop New Spring Arrivals at Lavender and Company 

Shop all of our new spring arrivals online at Lavender and Company! Get free shipping on orders of $75 or more and don't forget to register for your wedding and join our rewards program, too.