My Summer Dinner Party Must-Haves

Obsessions from VERANDA's Style & Market Editors

View in Browser     CATHERINE SMITH Style & Market Editor Hi friends and happy May! After a whirlwind April full of go-go-go market travel, I'm finally catching my breath and soaking up a bit of R&R at home. May is already feeling like a breath of fresh air, but my mind is buzzing with all the fun things popping up on the calendar. At the very top? My summer cookbook club. I'm hosting the next supper and am already scheming up what fun additions I definitely need for my party closet (as if it's not bursting at the seams). I'm leaning into the vibrant colors of fresh summer produce: tomato red, squash yellow, butter bean green, and juicy orange. I can see it coming together already. Come help me set the table! xo, Catherine SUPPER CLUB COOKBOOK I just got my hands on this new cookbook by the oh-so-fabulous Meredith Hayden (aka @WishboneKitchen), and I've already tabbed half the pages for my cookbook club. She's hands-down my favorite follow on Instagram (dare I say, I think she could be the new Martha?). You'll want to add this to your cart immediately, before it sells out. A PLAYFUL TABLECLOTH Maybe it's the textile lover in me, but I'm always on the hunt for new linens to add to my party closet. I spotted this tablecloth and knew I had to have it. I'm obsessed with the dreamy color combo (those yellows and pale aquas? So good!) and the fresh aquatic print. Crabs, corals, and fish offer the perfect playful twist on a classic floral. I'll be pulling this one out all summer long. FUN & FUNKY NAPKINS You can't debut a new tablecloth without adding a few fun napkins to the party, right? At least, that's my rule. I love mixing and matching—especially since standard sets never seem to line up with the actual number of guests. I'm especially into how these punchy yellow scallop napkins play with these sweet embroidered blue ones. The contrast, the color—it just works. PRETTY PLATES My mother and I have a thing for plates—and we blame my grandmother, Beulah. Let's just say the apple(s) didn't fall far from the tree. Whether crisp and new or an antique gem from an estate sale, our china closets are dangerously close to needing their own zip code. So when I spotted these fabulous orange-striped beauties, I knew they were the perfect pop to round out my summer tablescape. And of course, I'm dreaming of them paired with my go-to green spatterware—a classic that everyone needs in their collection. LACQUERED CORDLESS LAMPS These glossy beauties are more than just a pop of color on the table—they bring that extra sparkle when the sun goes down. The deep red against the cheerful yellows, blues, and greens of the linens is a match made in table-setting heaven. And when they're not working their party magic, you can bet they're glowing away on my bar. A DINNER DIARY It's an unspoken "rule" that no one leaves without signing the "guest" book—or in this case, my dinner diary. It's one of my favorite little hosting touches. Guests love scribbling a note, and I'm always sneaking back through to laugh at the entries from those long, laughter-filled nights. THE BEST BAMBOO HOSTING CHAIR One of my best-kept hosting secrets? These adorable bamboo folding chairs from Amazon. I keep them stashed in my shed and pull them out whenever I'm entertaining—talk about effortless charm. They add a chic, playful touch to any gathering. Pro tip: Add a patterned seat cushion for that extra pop of personality and flair. Follow Us Unsubscribe | Privacy Notice | CA Notice at Collection Veranda is a publication of Hearst Magazines. ©2025 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent by Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019-3779