Dinner at Eight: A Perfect Backyard Summer Picnic under the Trees

"Summertime . . . an' the livin' is easy"

composed by George Gershwin, lyrics by DuBose Heyward

And nothing says easier living than a picnic in the open air, with simple foods, good wine and great friends!

Better yet, set up your picnic in the backyard under the trees!

Welcome to the summer edition of the Four Seasons Interior Design blog hop. I’m joining a group of talented designers, headed by MaryJo of Master”pieces” of my Life and Susan of From the Bay to the Beach, who are bringing you all types of summer inspiration. The previews for each are listed further below.

Just because picnics are held outdoors, doesn't mean you can't style a wonderful tablescape — whether on an actual table or on a blanket spread on the grass.

I've chosen to hold our picnic on the large fire pit table that is on the lower patio. At chat table height, it has a matching metal lid that is usually placed over the burner, converting the fire pit into a standard flat surface that seats four to six. We have four comfortable lounge chairs around it.

From the table, you have a good view of most of the backyard, including the stream that winds down the hill and into the koi pond. A pretty metal bridge spans the upper reaches of the stream. You can read all about the recent renovation of the backyard in Backyard Renovation Reveal.

Now for the picnic! We received this spacious wicker picnic basket as a young couple. It holds just about all you might need for a picnic — plates, glasses, flatware, napkins, sandwiches, salads, fruit, snacks, I could go on! It does not contain a cooler though.

For plates I chose these cute melamine salad plates that feature colorful fish swimming amidst ocean plants. I placed them on coordinating dinner plates that are covered in delightfully patterned fish of several sizes. This is the first chance I've had to use them since their end-of-season sale last year.

The base for the plates are paired placemats in deep blue and bold turquoise. I think they echo the colors of gorgeous tropical seas.

These plates are the perfect choice for a picnic next to the koi pond!

The small fence is to keep Finn the Mischief Maker out of the pond. But he has unfettered access to the stream and thoroughly enjoys dashing up and down through the water.

The koi have gotten quite large the last two years. Some of the smaller fish are baby koi (fingerlings), some are Comet goldfish.

For the wine I've selected acrylic stemware with lovely ombré colors that transition from green to turquoise. The glasses have a sturdy stem and base, and a large enough bowl that can accommodate lemonade or iced tea. I've had them for years and don't recall their manufacturer. Turquoise napkins with fringe and azure-handled stainless flatware continue the water theme and add a fun touch to the place settings.

You can certainly use paper plates and napkins with disposable drinking cups and utensils for an enjoyable picnic. Especially if you're lugging the basket with all of the necessities, food and drinks down a trail or to a picnic bench in a park! But when you can, prettier tableware that's made of sturdier materials will elevate your picnic experience and make it more memorable.

On the far side of the pond, heucheras and ferns join a weeping Japanese maple.

I loved these hand-crafted wooden boards the minute I saw them at an artisan's market! They nestle together when you need a large surface; separately they create an interesting design and can support various types of food containers.

Wooden boards are the perfect choice for a setting under the trees. And these blend well with the wicker in the basket.

Watching the fish can be quite mesmerizing!

I couldn't resist posing the metal koi watching their counterparts!

One of the reasons I love staging a picnic here is that is nearly always shady under the trees from spring through fall. Birdsong regularly fills the trees and the sound of the waterfalls in the stream is melodic. We often spend mornings and afternoons in the comfy chairs or on the swing that hangs from the pergola.

On the other side of the patio are the steps and low walls that lead first to the middle patio, then to the upper one. A red-leaved Japanese maple covers the corner, surrounded by creeping jenny and ferns.

It's a perfect place for a backyard summer picnic under the trees!

And now I want to introduce you to the creative talents behind the Four Seasons Interior Design group, summer collection! I'm sure you'll find ideas to craft your summer designs.