cucumber sandwiches

thinly sliced bread without crusts, a little bit of sweet butter and sprinkle of sea salt, and a few cucumbers and sprouts make the perfect summer tea sandwich...

photograph by keith scott morton from HAVING TEA

water bottles

I have a collection of water bottles that I use on the table for lunches and dinners and also put in guest rooms on the bedside tables, and keep a bottle chilling in fridge
with mint from the garden...we have lots of beautiful carafes and bottles for sale this weekend at The New General Store...www.thenewgeneralstore.com

dining by candlelight

a glimpse into the dining room...love the candlelight from this period chandelier ...Matthew Mead has featured it in his new Summer issue with tips on candles and tablesettings

napkin stack

I always use stones or shells from the beach to keep a stack of napkins in place at a buffet, especially when entertaining outdoors! Linen napkins by Fog Linen at The New General Store. photograph by marili forastieri

tea for two or three

full blown white ranunculus with a stack of vintage Wedgwood plates and silver ...all ready for tea.

the boathouse

this is the time of year to invite friends over to sit down at the dock for drinks end of day...simple fare of cool white wine, goat cheese drizzled with honey, sprinkled with herbs and a bowl of almonds...
photographs by marili forastieri

simplicity

perfect white plates. photograph by mikkel vang