Dining outdoors encourages you to go with the flow of nature. Instead of formal place settings, take a more organic approach – stack serveware in the centre of the table, so everyone can help themselves. Soften with textiles such as a table runner and napkins, and add flowers for the centrepiece. Toni and Karlton hang string lights from their motorhome awning, to set the mood when the sun goes down.

You’ll probably want to focus on relaxing instead of making trips back and forth to the kitchen to keep everyone hydrated. So how about setting up a drinks station? Serving water from a dispenser instead of straight from the tap makes it feel more special, and you can add chopped fruit and cucumber to infuse some flavour. Just throw in some ice cubes to keep the water cool and keep some glasses nearby.

‘We eat outdoors as often as we can, because our dining table indoors can be a bit of a squeeze for all three of us,’ says Toni. ‘I also like to cook outdoors. I can take all of my meat smells outside to the grill, whereas Toni is vegetarian, so she stinks out the place indoors with whatever vegetables she’s eating!’ says Karlton.

We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.

Made by
Interior stylist: Martin Bourne
Photographer: Benjamin Edwards
Follow Toni and Karlton on Instagram: @this_little_adventure