Padma Lakshmi knows a thing or two about outdoor entertaining, and now the Emmy-nominated TV presenter and chef has curated her favorite entertaining essentials that are the perfect ingredients for all gatherings.
Garden party ideas will be a breeze with Padma's Etsy Edit. In a dedicated video, the celebrity chef shares her top tips for entertaining in your backyard this summer.
1. Do more with less
'You don't have to do a lot', urges Padma. The feeling or look you're trying to create is much more important, 'a sense of abundance and warmth'. It can be as simple as artfully arranging a selection of fruit on a beautiful plate. 'I think when guests come to your home you want them to feel comfortable', Padma says. It's all about 'making people feel like they belong there.'
2. Create a 'collected over the years' look
'I like an aesthetic that feels like it's been collected over the years', Padma admits. She likes her outdoor dining arrangements to have some 'organic elements' and natural-looking finishes. One of the bowls from Padma's Etsy collections 'looks like it's been carved from a rock', it's 'rough and tactile', which adds to the rustic charm.
3. Decorate with herbs
'I love fresh herbs!', she exclaims. Putting your herbs in a decorative planter will create a stylish look, and the herbs themselves will add beautiful fragrance to your backyard 'just by touching the leaves.' A herb garden will enhance your cooking – and perhaps make its way into your cocktail-making.
4. Go eclectic with the decor
'I like to have things in my space from all over the world, it reminds me that the world is a really exciting place, and I want my home to reflect that.' We especially love the boho macrame blankets and umbrella styled with bold and colorful cushions with world prints. Perfect additions to your outdoor living space ideas.
Padma concludes in a separate statement: 'What I enjoy most about food is that it brings people and communities together. When entertaining, I want every piece on the table to be just as meaningful and impactful as the food, company, and conversation itself. This Etsy Edit connects people with some of my favorite makers and artisans from all over the world through their handcrafted works of art and carefully sourced vintage finds. These pieces are meant to inspire gatherings that feel unique and special, and I love knowing that every item in this Etsy Edit supports independent entrepreneurs.'
