How To Host The Perfect Summer Party, By Designer JJ Martin
Summer is the season when diaries should be filled with alfresco soirées. From golden-hour drinks against a sunset backdrop to drawn-out dinners under the stars – a beautifully designed outdoor gathering holds a particular kind of magic. Here, JJ MARTIN, founder of the vivid fashion and lifestyle brand La DoubleJ, shares her six tips for elevating any garden party
Be generous with the details
“For me, this is all about bringing the inside out; there’s something so luxurious about a garden table laced with layers of beautiful linens, candles and cushions. The key is making the details seem generous: drape tablecloths over every table – even your drinks or serving tables – and make your main tablecloth a smidge oversized so the fabric really waterfalls off. Bring your silver candlesticks outside and mix them with chic tapered dinner candles – wind-dependent, obviously. I like to set La DoubleJ’s Murano rainbow glasses as I usually would indoors, with one for water and one for wine. They’re in incredible jewel tones, so they cast fantastic shadows on an outdoor table. Flowers are also key here – bring whatever abundance you have around you onto the table.”
LA DOUBLEJSet of four Murano glass tumblers
LA DOUBLEJPrinted linen tablecloth
LA DOUBLEJSet of five mini gold-plated painted porcelain plates
LA DOUBLEJPerfetto Murano wine glass
Set a drinks station
“I like to put together a drinks station that looks elevated. Setting up a bar with all our colored champagne coupes, wine glasses and water glasses together feels super-special but also warm and elegant. I like to elevate it by adding in layers of linens – the minute you go from basic white to something patterned, it already feels great.”
LA DOUBLEJRainbow set of eight glasses
LA DOUBLEJSet of two Murano glass champagne coupes
LA DOUBLEJSet of two Murano wine glasses
Consider your colors
“I’m always one for clashing prints and colors, but our scalloped placemats in more subtle hues with matching linen napkins feel really fresh and can throw more focus on the space you are in. We used the emerald versions for a lunch at Passalacqua hotel last summer – the effect of the greens from the linens set against all the greens around Lake Como was subtle but totally romantic.
“I usually begin with one color schematic, starting with the plates, then I build the linens’ story around them. It doesn’t have to be totally match-matchy, just so long as there’s one fil rouge. I truly believe in the energetic power of color. The lighter and brighter the hues on your tabletop, the lighter and brighter the mood – guaranteed. Choosing pieces to work together is an act of creativity and pretty much instinctive. When a combination works, I can feel it in my gut; it’s like an oven turning on in there.”
LA DOUBLEJSet of four linen placemats
LA DOUBLEJSet of two gold-plated porcelain dessert plates
LA DOUBLEJSet of six floral-print linen napkins
LA DOUBLEJSet of two gold-plated porcelain dessert plates
Go bold and mix things up
“I’m a maximalist, so, for me, more is more. Our dessert-plate set is my favorite for layering that looks expert but is actually easy-peasy. Each plate in the set comes in different Mediterranean hues and prints, so it’s already mixed and matched if playful plating doesn’t come naturally to you. Just place them on top of your white plates at home and you have a ready-made tablescape. The main thing is to have fun with it.”
LA DOUBLEJSet of two Murano glass wine glasses
LA DOUBLEJSet of six gold-plated porcelain dessert plates
LA DOUBLEJCiccio mini striped Murano glass vase
Take care of your garden
“The most important thing is ensuring your alfresco background has enough vines, leaves, plants – just general abundance. The more you can care for your garden, terrace or balcony, the better. If you have flowers blooming on your terrace, by all means use those on the table. I find displaying them in a mix of bud vases, printed ceramic ones, Murano glass and so on makes a real impact.”
LA DOUBLEJMurano glass carafe
LA DOUBLEJSet of six 20cm gold-plated porcelain dessert plates
LA DOUBLEJGold-plated porcelain jar
LA DOUBLEJBaby Egg set of four Murano glass vases
Don’t forget the cushions
“I’m only half-joking – no one likes a picnic-bench butt. I feel like alfresco affairs really need linens. The way to make it feel cozy is to bring fabrics and textiles from the inside out: printed tablecloths, placemats and cushions you’d usually scatter on your sofa indoors, rather than ones specially designed for outside. Play with textures like linen or velvet for a more summery and decadent feel.”
LA DOUBLEJSet of two printed linen placemats
LA DOUBLEJLarge printed linen tablecloth
LA DOUBLEJSet of six printed linen napkins
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