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Kate Watson-Smyth, Design Writer & Author

When it comes to summer evenings in the garden with friends, comfort is key

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hen setting the scene for outdoor summer hosting, you might be drawn to typically bright, bold shades — but starting with a palette of neutrals can have a huge pay off, says design writer and author Kate Watson-Smyth. And if you want to create your own version of her timeless look, here's what you need to know.

3 Layer up accessories Once the seating and colour palette are sorted, you can start to lay the table. Kate has started with a crisp and calming base layer, like the Pure Cotton Striped Tablecloth from M&S. Build on this with arrangements of rattan accessories, earthy ceramic vases and candles to populate the centre of your table. Add delicate touches, such as embroidered napkins, to bring little details your guests will love. Tuck herbs or dried flowers into napkin rings as a wonderful way to reflect your natural surroundings and gently bring colour into the fold. Larger floral arrangements and bowls of vibrant fruits also make for fabulous centrepieces that contrast with the neutral theme.

4 Bring the inside, out Bringing the outdoors in has long been an interior style must — but this summer, Kate wants us to bring the indoors outside. Elevate your summer dining by using proper plates: the 12 Piece Amberley Dinner Set from the new M&S Home collection is the ideal candidate for a chic ensemble. Use real cutlery and glasses — not plastic disposable ones — for an easy way to give your guests a real experience. Kate's look would be perfect for a patio or courtyard garden – but the natural design cues work for more limited outdoor spaces too. When entertaining on a balcony, for example, having the right lighting will elevate the scene. We often overlook lighting on warmer nights – but it always makes the evening last longer and feel more magical. String up festoon or raffia lights to add a touch of brilliance to your balcony, trees or fences. And with the lights twinkling, everyone sat around the table is sure to have a warm glow.

starting with a palette of neutrals can have a huge pay off, says design writer and author Kate Watson-Smyth. And if you want to create your own version of her timeless look, here's what you need to know. 1 Comfort first Kate’s number one design cue is comfort. Chairs with proper backs will keep your guests supported for longer when dining alfresco, helping create a relaxed space to while away the hours. And there’s no need to ‘retire’ indoors if the weather cools, either. By having a basket of throws at the ready, your outdoor dining plans will be almost foolproof — because we all know how unpredictable the British weather can be. 2 The dream palette It can be remarkably simple to layer up a palette of neutrals and natural textures, giving you an elegant outdoor space that glows from the afternoon into the evening. And the building blocks of Kate's neutral base — from plump cushions to proper crockery — are all available from the new spring/summer M&S Home collection. Simply add pops of colour using cut flowers and herbs — allowing you to update the look throughout the season based on what's available.

Acapulco Alva Pure Cotton Outdoor Cushion

£25

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Pure Cotton Striped Tablecloth

£25

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Amberley Jug

£12.50

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Ridged Glass Tealight Holder

£5

Porto 4 Seater Garden Corner Sofa Set

£999.00

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Porto 4 Seater Garden Corner Sofa Set

£999.00

Create your perfect garden party this summer with M&S or shop via the app straight from your phone

Rattan Picnic Hamper

£40.00

Rattan Picnic Hamper

£40.00

Pure Cotton Diamond Tufted Cushion

£19.50

Pure Cotton Striped Bolster Cushion

£15.00

Melbourne Garden Egg Chair

£499.00

Melbourne Garden Egg Chair

£499.00

Summer

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Set of 4 Tribeca Dinner Plates

£16

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Floral Outdoor Cushion

£17.50

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Large Reactive Glaze Ceramic Vase

£39.50

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Kate Watson-Smyth, Design Writer & Author

When working with neutrals, you get these lovely warm tones that feel so effortless.

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Set the perfect timeless table for summer hosting using a neutral base, says Kate Watson-Smyth, who has created this serene look from the new M&S Home collection.

COMMERCIAL EDITOR: James Williams Art Director: Tom Chase PHOTOGRAPHY: felix speller STYLIST: Hannah Franklin Hair & Makeup: jimena lemck Producer: Daniel Gould Production Manager: Eve Scholes FILM DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Herridge VIDEO Production MANAGER: Matt Gibbs VIDEO EDITOR: David Davidian LOCATION: Foster House

Interior Designer

Sophie Robinson,

For me, summer entertaining is the more, the merrier – and I love parties that can spill out into the garden and carry on into the evening.

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Sophie often draws her inspiration from warmer climes and travels around places like Morocco, Spain and the Mediterranean. When it comes to these inspirations, blue geometric prints, easily combined colours and pure cotton checked throws will draw the eye. Layer these patterns with colourful accessories, like the fluted glass vase Sophie chose for the centre of her table – fill wit h artificial poppy stems to add a juicy pop of colour, too. Adorn your chairs with parrot cushions and line your benches with sumptuously soft Acapulco Hermosa pads to bring comforting textures into the mix. Rustling together a gorgeously colourful escape in your garden is easier than you might think with the new M&S Home collection. Then, all you need is a good weather app on your phone and you’ll be ready to host a summer social to remember.

Neutral pieces in the garden are timeless but it’s the bold colours in Sophie's looks that dazzle guests. Sophie recommends adventurous shades within a tight palette for a cohesive scheme. Picnic bowls and plates from the new M&S collection are the perfect place to start; citrus fruit patterns will add a zingy splash of colour to an outdoor dining setup. Try pairing them with wavy blue watercolour side plates to make a Mediterranean palette that will sing in the sunshine. Impactful shades should definitely have a seat at your table this summer and you can find them in the Lois Garden Armchairs in cobalt from the new collection. What’s better than sipping an aperitivo in the garden on furniture that makes a statement?

Interior Designer

Sophie Robinson,

Not everything has to match. In fact, it’s kind of nice to have things a little haphazard. But, it’s key to keep the palette quite tight

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Set Of 4 Summer Fruits Picnic Side Plates

£12

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Citronella Colour Change Light Up Candle

£10

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Set of 2 Lemon Outdoor Cushions

£25

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Tropical Print Outdoor Cushion

£12.50

Sophie Robinson

Colour queen phie Robinson shares her top outdoor looks using the new M&S Home collection.

summer

All set for

collection from M&S Home, you’ll have everything you need to put on a glorious garden get-together – even if that's a last-minute checking of your weather app before getting friends round to enjoy the outdoors. Interior designer and TV presenter Sophie Robinson is a colour expert who revels in bringing joy to a space. A fan of the easy going approach, Sophie thinks that balancing playful patterns with pops of zesty colour are all you need for last-minute magic this summer.

ummer events can be weeks in the making – but, realistically, we don’t want to spend hours planning for every occasion. With this season’s

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Create your glorious garden get together with M&S or shop via the app straight from your phone

Set of 4 Fruit Placemats

£14.00

Set of 4 Fruit Placemats

£14.00

Pure Cotton Checked Throw

£29.50

Pure Cotton Checked Throw

£29.50

Large Lemon Picnic Bowl

£10.00

Large Lemon Picnic Bowl

£10.00

Lois 4 Seater Dining Table & Chairs

£399.00

Lois 4 Seater Dining Table & Chairs

£399.00

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Small Ridged Glass Vase

£9.50

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Set of 2 Tropical Print Outdoor Cushions

£25.00

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Kate Watson-Smyth, Design Writer & Author

When it comes to summer evenings in the garden with friends, comfort is key

“

Create your glorious garden get together with M&S or shop via the app straight from your phone

SHOP THE LOOK