I for one am thrilled to see May come our way. Today, I’m still wearing my winter coat to walk the dog. But the weather reports temps in the 80’s are days away. Woohoo! Okay, in truth I’ll immediately go into “it’s a little bit hot” mode. New Englanders – we’re always complaining about the weather! But, one thing we do love to do (because the season is so short) is enjoy a lovely meal al fresco. There is nothing like the romance of outdoor dining, no?
Speaking of romance, many a romantic movie features scenes of outdoor dining with lavish settings. In the movie Under the Tuscan Sun, Diane Lane’s character builds her dream house (amid lots of drama and heartbreak) and realizes at the end, she’s created the life she wants. Now, that’s romance!
Under the Tuscan Sun outdoor wedding partyThe recent movie Home Again features many family style meals both indoors and out. I covered the movie’s set design extensively here.
Home Again movie outdoor dining sceneGoing back to 1990, the movie Green Card, starring Andie MacDowell and Gerard Depardieu, feature’s a gorgeous co-op apartment with amazing outdoor conservatory in the heart of Manhattan. The story is that the co-op board wants only married owners, so Andie’s high strung character marries Gerard Depardieu’s French slob character who is looking to stay in the US. Chaos and love ensues. Not to mention some beautiful indoor/outdoor dining scenes.
From the movie “Green Card”Everyone’s favorite series Downtown Abbey certainly featured several romantic outdoor dining and tea scenes.
from Downton Abbey
from Downton Abbey – tea time in the yardThe movie Cold Mountain was mostly brutal and, well, cold. But it did feature some lovely and gentle dining scenes on the lawn of the house owned by Nicole Kidman’s character.
from the movie Cold Mountain
from the movie Cold MountainAnd who can forget the party scenes in the movie Chocolat? Yum!
Serena and LilyLoving this rustic chic dinner party featured in Rue Magazine. Plus eye-spy a pair of Dunes and Duchess candelabra.
Design by Waiting on Martha, Photo by Rustic White, from Rue MagazineI’ve always loved designer Kathryn Ireland’s farmhouse in Provence and in particular this stone barn dining room.
Design by Kathryn Ireland at her house in Provence.
Sophisticated dining with a vintage wrought iron set and Clarence House Linens.
Design by Lindsey Reid via House Beautiful, photography by Amy Neusinger
Are you ready to get outdoors and enjoy family and friends under the sun and stars? What are some of your favorite foods to serve ? I’d love to know!
