How To Host A British Summer Garden Party
Achieve Wild, Natural Charm With @anitarussellinteriors
When the sun’s on our side (fingers crossed), we love nothing more than a relaxed alfresco get-together. Which is why we were delighted when interiors expert Anita @anitarussellinteriors invited us into her charming Cotswold garden. Taking her Norwegian spin on a British summer party, she shares homemade tablescaping ideas and how to create a wild, botanical look.
Just for you: impress guests with Anita’s exclusive cake recipe, inspired by our iconic summer fragrance…
What kind of garden party do you love to host?
A laid-back Saturday afternoon with our closest friends and their children; something they’d both love. The adults can just sit and enjoy the good company while the children run free and play. I’m from Norway originally and we always believe a good party means good games. Once the food is finished and you’re settling down for the evening, a card game always brings everyone together.
What’s your #1 must-have for the perfect alfresco experience?
Make sure you’ve got a nice chair or bench for everyone to sit for a long time. Soft cushions are essential, as well as blankets if guests start to feel colder in the evening.
How do you curate a beautiful tablescape?
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Use fabrics from your local haberdashery. Changing table linens out can be expensive but buying fabric per metre and simply cut it to size for your tablecloth or napkins, can be a great way of changing up the look in your garden.
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Buy one or two bouquets of flowers from the florist or supermarket and then split them up and add foraged foliage or stems from the garden to give it a wilder and more natural look.
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Mix tapered candles with gorgeous, scented candles on the table. As it’s inspired by orange trees in Seville, I think Orange & Bergamot is perfect for a sunny occasion.
Anita’s Sunny Orange Cake
Inspired by our iconic Orange & Bergamot fragrance
Inspired by our iconic Orange & Bergamot fragrance
Ingredients: 2 tbsp orange zest, 5 eggs, 2 tbsp baking powder, 2 ¼ cup flour, 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar, ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ¾ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup orange juice
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 160 degrees
- Carefully separate the egg whites from the yolk. Pour the whites into your mixer and gradually add sugar over a medium speed
- Mix the eggs and sugar on high speed until its light and fluffy (you want those stiff peaks)
- Add the orange juice, egg yolk, orange zest, salt and vegetable oil and mix over a low speed
- Add the flour and baking powder
- Pour the batter into a round, lined cake tin (9 inch)
- Bake for 40-45 minutes at 160 degrees
- Top the cake with powdered sugar, sliced oranges and mint leaves