4 Essentials Every Colorful Summer Table Needs, According to an A-List Stylist

With summer in full swing, we’re obsessing over beautifully styled outdoor tables, and no one makes setting them as much fun as Kimberly Power, stylist to A-list brands and designers like DeGournay and Charlotte Moss. “Summer entertaining should feel easy, vibrant, and full of joy—for you and your guests,” she says.

Follow her lead and you’ll enjoy the prep as much as the party. “The magic is in the process. Play with color, texture, and pattern, and most importantly—have fun with it. If you’re enjoying yourself, your guests will feel it,” says Power.

We’ve got her top tips for creating an easy, breezy summer table—plus the surprising detail every colorful setting needs.

1. Get Creative with Your Centerpiece

The flower market is Power’s go-to source for fresh flowers, as it’s all about the thrill of the hunt. You’ll find varieties not readily available in the supermarket or your corner bodega. “Sometimes I go in with a loose idea, but nothing so specific that I have blinders on. I always want to have my eyes open to possibilities—a vase that could be used as a hurricane or those brilliant garden roses that just came in from the farm that I didn’t know I needed.” Use her tips to create a stunning summer centerpiece:

• Mix and Match Blooms: “Use local blooms that are in season (they last longer). Think wildflowers and sunflowers, but don’t shy away from mixing in bold tropical blooms like proteas or birds of paradise in the summer (they add instant drama).”
• Vary Vessels: “Think glass jars, ceramic pitchers, even an old teapot—mixing shapes, sizes, and textures adds visual interest. Adding bud vases to the centerpiece is also a great way to spread color and shape around the table.”
• Think Beyond Flowers:  “Don’t shy away from potted perennials, fruit, or herbs—no one said a centerpiece had to be flowers. Not only do herbs like lavender and mint look great on the table, their scent is intoxicating.”

2. Play with Pattern

There’s an old rule of thumb when it comes to setting the table, that the napkins have to match each other—and the tablecloth. This can be a handy trick to rely on, but Power wants you to feel confident throwing out that playbook.

“There are no rules! Mix different napkins with each setting; when it comes to pattern and layering, just about anything goes,” she says. Here, she mixed gingham and floral patterns from D’Ascoli, then layered plates with a delicate olive motif from Carolina Irving and Daughters.

• Varying Prints: “Stripes, florals, and geometric patterns can coexist harmoniously when there’s one cohesive element that carries everything together. For example, it could be 5 different colors, but if they all have the same intensity, they will pair well together.”
• Color Drenching: “Try a monochromatic moment—like a full pink palette with a lush floral arrangement that pops in the center. Varying the tones of pink is key to creating a sense of depth, and a layer of white will add contrast to keep the pinks from falling flat.” 

3. Layer in Texture

“Once I’ve landed on the basics—plates, tablecloth, and napkins—I begin to layer in texture and contrast,” says Power. Her secret weapon for making a colorful table sing? Natural rattan chargers. “Chargers are a must for me. Not only do they elevate the look of your dinner and salad plates, but they also add texture,” she says.

Here, rattan chargers from William Wayne ground shades of pink in the table linens, glassware, and plates from Cabana. “You can also add a placemat beneath the charger—it creates depth and visual interest that completes the setting,” she says. Bread baskets and faux bamboo flatware also complement rattan.

4. Set the Mood

Think about ambience, even outside. Whether you’re on the patio, in the backyard, or up on a rooftop, Power suggests picking a playlist that pairs well with your setting. “If you’re outside in a garden, create a breezy summer mix,” she says. Then think about lighting:

• During the Day: “Lean into the shade with umbrellas, canopies, or tents. Even tucking the table under the dappled shade of a tree.”
• In the Evening: “Use candlelight or lanterns to create mood lighting, whether it’s votives, pillars, or floating candles in a bowl of water.” (Citronella candles now come in pillar shapes that look elegant in hurricanes).