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Summer solstice came and went, and we\u2019re smack in the middle of the hottest week this year. A formal dinner party at home may not seem synonymous with a heat wave, but with the right planning, a summer soir\u00e9e\u2014regardless of the rising temps\u2014can still be totally chic. Besides stocking your fridge with copious amounts of ros\u00e9 and considering a menu that\u2019s reliant on fresh, flavorful produce so your guests will leave feeling pleasantly satiated (not in the midst of a food coma), you can set the tone for guests to feel comfortable but transported with a stellar tablescape. <\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019re adults now, so if you\u2019ve yet to invest in some beautiful dinnerware, it\u2019s about time. And at <\/span>Michael Aram\u2019s<\/span><\/a> West Hollywood Design District outpost, there are so many beautiful options to choose from. Besides the designer\u2019s beloved classic pieces, the store offers so many colorful and festive plates, glasses, and table accessories to create a tropical, summery tablescape for your dinner party. <\/span><\/p>\n Start by injecting a bit of color; Aram\u2019s <\/span>dip dyed linen napkins<\/span><\/a> are just the right amount of Bohemian, so they set the tone for our inspired table setting. But to keep the dinner feeling formal, the addition of metals took things up a notch. Hammered gold <\/span>chargers<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>napkin rings<\/span><\/a> balance some of the more playful pieces, like <\/span>palm tree candleholders<\/span><\/a> and plates with a <\/span>butterfly and ginkgo motif<\/span><\/a>. In fact flora and fauna details\u2014like <\/span>bowls<\/span><\/a> and patterns with leaf-like details\u2014are perfect for affairs al fresco. <\/span><\/p>\n But if you don\u2019t want to get too fussy, skip some of the more fine-dining details. Instead of setting your table with every type of glass imaginable, choose a versatile shape that works for holding water, a customized cocktail, tropical iced tea, or a variety of other beverages, like these palm frond textured <\/span>iced tea glasses<\/span><\/a>. You can even leave off a table linen if you\u2019re dining on your patio table or have a plain, simple surface to work with. Add in a bit of greenery, like a few sprigs of locally snipped bougainvillea or monstera leaves to bring a little more color and life to the table. Then all that\u2019s left to do is chat up your company, savor the food you slaved over (or ordered in, no one is judging!) and\u2014hopefully\u2014enjoy the beautiful summer breeze.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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