Opting for a mezze-style meal makes the atmosphere feel more convivial, with everyone reaching in, leaning across and passing dishes round. Keep it chic and sophisticated with a constellation of dishes in a variety of shapes, patterns and finishes. Start by setting a colour palette – we’ve opted for white, brown, blue, turquoise and gold – then mix and match tableware for a look that’s far from run-of-the-mill. 

Fact: tea simply tastes finer poured from a Prada Home teapot. Treat guests to a lavish English afternoon-tea-inspired display with artfully arranged desserts and confectionery. Add height with a tiered cake stand – we love L’Objet’s High Riser, created in collaboration with designer Kelly Behun – and reference the season with a statement colour; spring-sky blue, for instance.  

Dressing your table with a tablecloth instantly makes it feel special – and paler linen designs have a natural look to them that’s suited for spring and summer. We’ve layered ours with a table runner on which we’ve placed candlesticks, vases and dishes in contrasting textures (think: Murano glass, marble and crystal). Metallic placemats and leather chargers add further interest, while simple trimmed white plates keep the table feeling fresh and uncluttered.