Entertaining guests during the summer months doesn't require a lavish budget, according to lifestyle content creator Holly Bennett. Bennett, founder of the seasonal styling brand This Home Grows, suggests that many effective tablescape ideas are cost-free and can be achieved by utilizing readily available natural elements.
One of Bennett's preferred methods involves gathering materials from walks. Instead of purchasing expensive bouquets, she advocates for collecting flowers and foliage from gardens or local environments. Examples include cow parsley in spring, and sweet peas, cosmos, and dahlias in summer, which can be arranged in small bud vases. Incorporating herbs, nasturtiums, or even homegrown vegetables can also contribute to a stylish display. She emphasizes that the most impactful arrangements come from using what is already accessible.
For those without a garden, Bennett notes that natural elements can still be sourced from beach or countryside strolls, such as shells, seed heads, or branches. Even a simple pot of herbs from a garden center can enhance a kitchen's ambiance, and visiting local flower farms or pick-your-own fields offers an affordable way to bring seasonal color indoors.
When a small budget, such as £40, is available, Bennett suggests prioritizing long-lasting plants over disposable decor like cushions or taper candles. Her recommendations include salvias, nepeta, and hardy geraniums, which offer prolonged blooms, attract pollinators, and provide a continuous supply of cuttings for arrangements. A potted David Austin rose is also highlighted as a worthwhile investment for its fragrance, form, and enduring appeal, serving as a striking centerpiece.
Bennett also shares a simple ten-minute styling trick: setting the table beautifully, even for a casual weekday meal. This ritual involves arranging flowers, lighting a candle, and using simple table linens to elevate everyday dining. Mixing textures such as brass and glass, vintage stoneware, and natural woods can add depth to a tablescape. Maintaining tonal arrangements with varied heights and textures contributes to a relaxed, natural look.
A common mistake in tablescape styling, according to Bennett, is striving for artificial perfection in floral arrangements. She suggests embracing the natural imperfections of drooping stems, bending branches, and changing petals, as these elements contribute to a beautiful and natural aesthetic. Focusing on movement, texture, scent, and seasonal availability is key, rather than obsessing over symmetry.
Bennett's go-to summer flowers include Alchemilla mollis, white hydrangeas, garden roses, and Geranium 'Rozanne' for its extended bloom of violet-blue color. Dahlias are also a favorite, with their tendency to produce more flowers when cut. To keep arrangements looking natural, she recommends using a flower frog or scrunched chicken wire hidden within a bowl or planter to support stems.
