Entertaining in the summer should be about ease, but also elegance. From fresh summer blooms to that special signature fish marinade, having dinner at home (wherever that may be in the months of July and August) is meant to be enjoyed. With a fresh blue and white palette, you can use your existing dinnerware and mix in some pops of color to incorporate this beloved combination. Reminiscent of the sea and sky, lunches and dinners out of doors can make a splash. Dive in. 

Lanterns do wonders for a summer evening al fresco.  With a basketweave pattern, AERIN's Ocean Bluff Lantern has the appeal of wicker but is done in porcelain which casts a beautiful glow.

My tray philosophy is this: you can never have too many. So when a mix of caning and blue and white come along, its hard to say no. Oscar de la Renta's Cane Tile Print Tray a caned border surrounds a Delft tile pattern surface. 

AERIN's newest tray features a soft, undulating blue and white ikat pattern on the surface. This substantial tray with brass accents can go on a coffee table or provide an additional bar surface area for entertaining.

Swirled blue glasses and a carafe by AERIN are a way to add a striking pop of blue to a nightstand in a guest bedroom or on the table for dinner

Capturing the organic, flowing quality of the glazes, Christopher Spitzmiller's marbleized Delft blue and white plates are wonderful with their irregular, hand done, swirly patterns

Summer entertaining often involves friends, family and tag along guests. Having enough large serving pieces on hand can ease entertaining woes. Bright vegetables look great against this rich blue Stonewear Octagon Serving Platter from Oscar de la Renta Home.  Raised rope detailing around the border bring a bit of nautical to the mix.

Made in Italy, an assortment of ceramic vases done in reactive glazes have the look and feel of 1950's pottery

Ranging in size, AERIN's new blue and white textured low vases are great for tight, low flower arrangements

A new classic, Christopher Spitzmiller's Faux Bois Cachepot in Matte White  makes fresh flowers look even more elegant