Opa!’ you hear from the patio, a gaggle of friends and family exclaiming seconds after you’ve stepped out to refresh drink orders. You return to find your favorite stoneware platter from Portugal, the one you thought would ‘probably be fine,’ shattered across the brick floor. ‘Sorry,’ says not your niece, but your eldest brother.
Mistakes happen, especially when dining outside. But between clumsy siblings and unpredictable natural elements, smart hosts build in a little insurance in the form of alfresco-friendly tableware.
‘Not as chic as my Mallorca-made server,’ your internal monologue protests, until you discover the work of ’90s DKNY fashion intern turned FIT-trained designer Thomas Paul. He brings a sartorial sensibility outdoors with silk-print-look melamine, which is to say, nearly indestructible marbled platters. Or Beatriz Ball, whose Alegria Collection draws on traditional Mexican sand-casting techniques to create durable, easy-care, sculptural serving pieces that make outdoor living look like a real luxury.
You don’t need to compromise, and you don’t need to tear up at your own garden party. From chip-and-dip platters to champagne flutes, shop 20 essentials that make every open-air antic look effortless.
The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.
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